Unwanted time off (Open)

[Deleted]

“Long enough to know I’m up to my eyeballs in trouble.” This wasn’t suppose to happen none of it was but it had and now she had to figure out what to do about it without becoming a lab rat for Osborn’s men. She just wasn’t sure what to do right now. Her mind was such a mess a side effect of the symbiote or was it from being half past dead she didn’t know what she did know was she didn’t like it. It didn’t feel right not for someone like her.

And then Zinda said something Barbara hadn’t thought about until now “No one can know about this, not Dinah not Helena especially not Bruce. If he found out he’d try to remove it.” Losing the ability to walk was only a small part of it “The symbiote copies abilities and memories it’ll know everything I know and if someone else bonded with the symbiote then they’ll know everything I do.” Then she had another thought about it. “If he does find out about it and what it can do he’d probably lock me away someplace so there would be no chance of anyone getting hurt from it.” she said before putting her elbows on her knees and her face in her hands once she realized how much harder her life had just gotten.

“I’ll have them impounded we’ll just have to get them from there. After getting them back they’ll have to be taken someplace to be searched incase Osborn left us a gift.” she said without moving from where she was at “This is my problem I don’t want to drag you into it anymore then I already have.”

[Lady Blackhawk]

"Like we haven't been in trouble before? We'll get this figured out, Babs. Don't worry," Zinda said, trying to reassure her friend. "Right. Mum's the word. You know me, I don't tell secrets. This whole thing will stay between just you and me. And if Bruce does find out and does try to do anything, he and I are gonna have a nice little talk." The talk may be a short lived one, but the fight that would more than likely be the result of that talk, that would probably be a long one.

"I'm not letting anyone take you, Babs. You or your little sidekick," she said, pulling the woman into a hug. "You're my girl and I ain't about to give you up so easily. You got that? And you aren't going to handle this alone. You pull a stupid stunt like that and I'm telling Dinah everything, okay?" Dinah might not be the best idea, but hell, she was better than telling Bruce or any other member of the Justice League. At least she'd actually listen to Zinda and Babs instead of just trying to take charge of everything.

"Impounded cars, checking to make sure Osburn didn't trail us, making sure you're all right..... check, check, and check. So what's the next plan of action? Can Dee tell you anything about herself? Or why Osborn took her? I'm just guessing it's a girl, so apologies if I'm wrong."

[Deleted]

That would be something to see Zinda and Bruce talking or fighting which is probably what would happen over all of this mess that she was so deep in she’ll never get out of it. It’d be a battle but Zinda wouldn’t be the only one in it Babs would be there too and with the suit and with a mind like hers in the pilot seat they just might win. Bruce wouldn’t know everything about the suit and what it all could do and she knew everything about everyone mostly the batfamily.

“That’s cold.” she said when Zinda said she’d tell Dinah, not that she didn’t trust her best friend it was just she didn’t want many people knowing about it Zinda only knew about it because she was the one that found her in bed. She wasn’t even going to tell Dick even though they were seeing each other, he was too close to Batman plus he’d probably want to tell him in case something happened or she was uncontrollable for some reason.

“Dee isn’t saying a word and they don’t have genders it’s based on the host. All I know is she came from another symbiote Osborn did things to it to change it. Easier to control I guess.” That was from the files she had read on the thing before this had all happened. "I need to come up with a story as to how I can walk again. And get something to eat I feel like I could eat a whole cow on my own."

[Lady Blackhawk]

"Well, if you won't listen to good-natured advice and offers of help, I figure threats might be the next best thing. I've done a few of those in my own time, you know. I was, briefly, a super villain, after all," Zinda smirked. It was more due to the fact that Babs seemed to be taking her serious, and not from the memories of being a bad guy. In fact, she hated all three of those brainwashing episodes. Maybe if she was lucky, her third time would be the charm and Zinda would never have to be Queen Killer Shark again. God, what a name.

"They? There's more than one of her? A whole race or species?" Zinda wasn't exactly sure of what to think about that. Yes, Dee was terrifyingly powerful, but as of yet, she hadn't done anything overly bad. Not anything that wasn't done in self defense, at least. But still, the thought of more of these symbiotes existing... it made Zinda a little uneasy. "Easier to control? Osborn doesn't like the idea of something having its own thoughts, does he?"

Zinda quietly thought for a few minutes before eventually getting up and heading into the kitchen. "You know me. I'm not big on ideas. Not ones that involve miracles anyways. But I can fix you something to eat. Maybe the ideas will come easier on a full stomach. Anything you particularly hungry for?" The groceries Zinda had bought covered a wide variety of things. That's what happened when you had five women of varying appetites and cooking abilities sharing the same space. "I think I'd be lying if I said I wasn't glad to see you move on from your usual diet of energy bars and poptarts."

[Deleted]

“How can I forget Queen Killer Shark, the name is as stupid as the costume was.” Babs really wasn’t taking it seriously but just had a hard time showing it right now with everything that she’s been through. While sitting there the symbiote shifted into clothing while the rest of it disappeared back inside her.

“Yeah a while race of them only a few of them are on earth that anyone knows about at least.” she said before getting up looking for something “He thinks he’s the greatest thing to ever live and can do whatever he wants, remind me never to leave Helena alone with him.” she’d bet everything she had if Helena was left alone with Osborn the Italian would probably have herself a new punching bag not that he wasn’t asking it get his ass kicked.

Having finally found what she was looking for she joined Zinda in the kitchen “Anything will do I’m not picky right now.” she said from the stool she was sitting on at the counter with her tablet bringing up four picture’s that looked a lot like Dee. She waited until Zinda could look at them “The black and white one is Venom he was the first the one that looks like Dee is Carnage, Venom’s child. The two toned one is Toxin, Carnage’s child and the white and black one is Anti-Venom who was created from bits of the Venom suit that was left inside it’s first host Eddie Brock.” There were others but as far as anyone knew they were all destroyed years ago.

[Lady Blackhawk]

"Hey hey hey, you start making fun of my supervillain name and costume and your quick change Batgirl costume is fair game. Reverse the skirt and it's your cape? A beret that doubles as a cowl? And don't forget the purse that's also your utility belt. Did you ever reach in ford your lipstick and accidentally pull out a batarang?" Zinda asked with a goodnatured smirk. "Hey, if you like, we can call up Dinah and mercilessly tease her over that blue jumpsuit and headband outfit she wore a while back." God, that was a horrible uniform. Zinda was happy Dinah burned the thing.

"But what if we sold tickets to that? Osborn versus Bertinelli. We'd make millions. I'd get half a course," she chuckled as she thought of what to fix for a meal. Deciding that they could use the protein, and since Dee appeared to have some rather sharp teeth, plus the mentioning of wanting to eat a whole cow, Zinda pulled out two big steaks from the fridge and set about seasoning and preparing them. "How charred do you want your meat?" The blonde did wonder if the addition of the symbiote had changed Babs' cooking preferences.

As the food cooked, Zinda listened to the descriptions of all those other aliens and studied the pictures provided. Once done, she let out a low whistle. "Well, they sure look color. And the names.... Venom, Carnage, Toxin. I guess Devastation make perfect sense then, doesn't it? I guess they all sort of take traits from their host, right?" As far as she knew, Venom bounced back and forth from good guy and bad guy, while Carnage was straight up insane and murderous. "Does that mean Dee will end up being good?"

[Deleted]

Babs rolled her eyes “None of that happened.” she didn’t have that much problem with the suit it just didn’t work out after a while. “Besides I have a new quick change suit now.” with that the symbiote shifted turning into her old Batgirl costume. “Aside from Stephanie being Batgirl now the symbiote doesn’t have all the gadgets Batgirl uses.” If she actually did the superhero thing again she would have to come up with something new that fit with what the symbiote could do. “Oh god that costume was horrible. I’m surprised she’d be able to fight anyone without them falling over laughing at how bad she looked.” it wasn’t to sound mean but she did wonder how Dinah was able to do anything in that getup let alone be taken seriously.

Babs gave Zinda a look when she suggested selling tickets to the fight “You would get less than that because Helena would want to get a cut as well.” she pointed out as she watched Zinda get the food out and prepare it “Medium.” the thought did cross her mind if that stake was actually going to be enough because she felt like she hadn’t ate in days. While they cooked she got up and grabbed a box of poptarts open it and began eating them one right after another.

“Weird names run in the family it seems.” she said putting the tablet down as she downed another poptart “Devastation knows everything I know and I know a lot which is why getting rid of it would be a bad idea. If someone else got ahold of the symbiote they would know everything I do.” She picked up the poptart box with a look of disappointment seeing it was already empty she had ate them faster than she actually realized “For the most part.” she said before getting up to find something else to much on.

[Lady Blackhawk]

"That shouldn't count as a quick change suit, Missy. Mainly because it's another living thing so you aren't really putting it on and off," Zinda smirked, watching Babs change into her old outfit. "Just make sure you still have something on under Dee. Last thing we need is your quick change suit to go unconscious and, whoops, your in your birthday suit fighting crime." Zinda knew she didn't really have to worry. Babs was the most responsible person she knew, but it never hurt to play big sister with her every once and a while. "We could ask Dinah how many bad guy she caught simply because they were laughing too hard," she grinned.

Looking up from cooking dinner, Zinda noticed how fast the redhead was wolfing down those poptarts. "Would you like me to order pizza or takeout as well? At the rate you're going, you might strip the cabinets bare by tomorrow morning." That would definitely be another thing to explain to everyone about; her increased appetite. "Start some water boiling and we'll cook pasta too. Dee seems to have made you awfully hungry."

At the mention of the knowledge their little alien friend now had, Zinda stopped and sighed. "This really doesn't change much. I mean, it's no different than when we had people trying to hack your computers. If the bad guys try to come and take Dee, we'll just stop them. Plain and simple." Of course, it wouldn't be that simple, but she could dream, couldn't she? Hell, maybe they'd stay safe and not have to worry about Osborn and his flunkies coming around.

[Deleted]

“It totally is a quick change suit, living thing or not it mimic’s clothing. No guarantees Dee might remove it without my knowing.” She said because she didn’t actually have clothes on when Zinda found her whatever the blonde saw her in was actually Dee she doesn’t have a clue as to what happened to her clothes she had on when she went to New York. “You know she’ll get mad at us for making of her old costume.” She said with a smirk.

“I think ordering out would be a lot easier than trying to make enough food, a lot less work too.” she said looking over menus. “They actually have to know about Dee and me to be able to take it besides if a guy dressed as a spider can keep Osborn in check I think the birds can handle him without a lot of problems.” she picked up her phone and placed an order for everything on the menu. If she didn’t eat it it’d be leftovers for later. She hung up and looked at Zinda "Don't give me that look I can't help it." she knew the blonde was probably giving her a strange look after she ordered awful lot of food. She was going to have to rework somethings to make sure there's enough money in order to keep herself fed but it'll wait for now until she had some idea how much she was going to actually eat.

[Lady Blackhawk]

"Dee, no removing Bab's underwear," Zinda said without missing a beat. "Other clothing is fine, but just leave her bra and panties alone. I can't believe I just said that." Shaking her head, Zinda just shrugged. She had heard and said weirder things in the past. This was just another one to add to the pile. "She gets mad at everyone who makes fun of that outfit. She should be used to it by now."

Zinda had not been giving Barbara a look when she ordered everything off of the take-out menu. Well, maybe she had. But it wasn't a look of annoyance, more like shock or disbelief over how much her friend intended to eat. "..... I think I'll give you my steak too. Turns out I'm really not all that hungry right now." How the hell was she going to pay for all that food, especially if this appetite kept going? Would Babs hack into Wayne Enterprises and bill the company for it all? Zinda didn't exactly put it past her to do just that.

"I know you can't help it. I wasn't going to say a thing. All I'm doing is trying to calculate the poor driver's tip whenever he gets here with your truckload of food," she smirked. "At least now I don't have to bug you about remembering to eat. I'll happily thank Dee for that." When the driver did arrive, Zinda helped the man by carrying some of the bags up to the apartment and thanking him with a good sized tip. "Right, so, if anyone asks, we were having a huge get-together," Zinda told Babs as she shut the door. "Dig in. Just try not to make yourself sick from all that food, okay?"

[Deleted]

Babs raised an eyebrow at what Zinda had said to Dee about her clothes she wasn’t really sure the thing would do what was told or just did what it wanted. “I don’t think she’ll ever get use to people making fun of that costume. It is Dinah after all.”

“You don’t have to do that, I’m doing this to get an idea on how much I eat and no I’m not going to bill it to Wayne Enterprises.” she knew that was what Zinda was thinking because they didn’t normally have that kind of money. “I’ve been siphoning money from offshore accounts before this even happened not really legal I know but the owners of the money never did anything legal either and this is going to a good cause.” helping them and paying her food bills.

Babs took a bag of food and a fork before sitting down at the table pulling out a container she opened it and dug in while Zinda was tipping the driver. “Okay mom, I wont make myself sick.” she said between bites. She let Zinda have the stakes if she wanted them. Although she did wonder where all this food was going to fit inside her. After a few moments of thinking about that she decided it was best she didn’t know.

[Lady Blackhawk]

"True. You'd think she'd get some sort of closure after all these years. Especially after burning that damned thing. All that polyester... went up faster than dry tinder," Zinda commented before scooting her steak towards Babs. "I'm just offering, that's all. If you finish all this stuff and you aren't hungry afterwards, I'll eat it. If not, I can always run out and get something. Besides, it's not like I haven't gone without a meal or two in the past. Aerial dogfights don't get put on hold for supper."

Zinda had nothing bad to say about Babs' choice of who would pay for her food bills. Normally, she decided to stay out of that sort of thing. Not because cloud technology and the idea of having or siphoning money that wasn't really there from various accounts made her head spin, but because she personally could see how some of the stuff Oracle did could lead down a slippery slop. So far, the redhead had been good and stayed on the straight and narrow, but Zinda had seen how easy it was to change the world with a single push of a button. But thankfully, Barbara was one of the last people she thought would go mad with power. "Well, if you ever feel up to it or find it in your heart to give me a nice Christmas bonus, I'm sure those fellas would love to give a contribution," she smirked.

"That's good to here, because you are sort of eating for two. Hopefully she won't be giving you any morning sickness. Now if you'll excuse me, I think it's about time I wash some road grit out of my hair and off my face. Holler if you need anything, okay? And I do mean anything. You're not alone in this, Babs." And with that, Zinda headed off down the hallway to take a shower.

[Deleted]

“Maybe she actually liked it and just won't admit it because of all the teasing she got from it. Or she’s just utterly embarrassed that she actually thought it looked cool at the time.” Though she had no idea why Dinah would even think it would be cool looking but then again everyone had at least one bad costume in their superhero career and the villains usually had more. “Although it would be something to see a war put on hold for dinner.” she said between bites.

She stopped eating for a moment to think about it “Maybe if you're good I’ll ask Santa if you should have a Christmas bonus.” she chuckled before going back to eating. She groaned “That’s not funny I don’t want to think of Dee like that.” Sure she wanted to have kids some day maybe but she didn’t want to even think of Dee making her feel like she was pregnant all the time. That was just a horrible thought. “Okay.” she said before going back to eating while Zinda was in the shower Babs had finished about half of the food she had ordered and was finally stuffed. "Now I know what it's like to be Shaggy."

[Lady Blackhawk]

"Hey, odder things regarding war have happened, skipper. World War I was put on hold for Christmas. Of course, wars have been started over equally trivial things." Zinda informed her. She knew she could lecture Babs day in and day out over so many military things, that it would make the History Channel look like an amateur, but Zinda also knew it just wasn't her friend's cup of tea. The blonde smirked as she realized that she would just as easily fall asleep from one of Babs' computer and tech related lectures. Maybe that's why they got along so well. They knew each other's limits.

"I should absolutely have a Christmas bonus. You know I should, as does Santa. Now if you really want a wishlist from me, there are more than a few items I'd like. For me and my plane," Zinda said with an air of hopefullness. Of course, the likelihood that any of the items would actually end up in her possession was low, but the pilot had never been one to give up hope. Rather than tease her friend further about the prospects of being pregnant, Zinda just chuckled and headed on to her shower.

It wasn't a particularly long affair, but the hot water was always a welcomed bit of relief and Zinda just let it pour over her and wash away all that worry and stress that had accumulated throughout the day. "If you're Shaggy, who does that make me? Velma, Daphne?" she asked, having heard that little comment as she exited the bathroom, wrapped up in a robe, her hair drying in a simple little upward twist.

[Deleted]

“Isn’t that how it is with most wars? Started over trivial things.” She wasn’t just talking about the world wars but more in the past before either were born. They both had knowingly stopped because they could talk about it all day long until they were both blue in the face. They had other things to deal with then talking about war.

“Well you better write your list down and send it to Santa so he can make sure you aren’t on the naughty list this year.” there was always a chance of Zinda getting something for herself and the plane Babs wasn’t that heartless. While Zinda was in the shower Babs did some cleaning up and throwing things away putting leftovers in the fridge but leaving Zinda her stake.

Babs looked over at Zinda as she came out of the shower apparently hearing her comment about herself. “Actually you seem more like Fred. Always behind the wheel of whatever vehicle is needed.” she said from her place on the couch she had taken while waiting for Zinda to get done as well as trying to figure out what she was going to do about her problem. One she couldn’t get rid of without there being major problems later on.