Chapter Text
Well, aren't I the image of grace?
Pushing herself back up off the ground, Scarlett continued to run with the pair of men closing in. She made a sharp turn into an alleyway. She knew where she was and where she needed to go. The only thing she didn't have control over as if they were there. But that's the plan. She had to lead these thugs to the rendezvous point and the others would jump them. Then they get the information they needed. It wasn't an ideal plan, but it was a plan of sorts.
She made a sharp turn where she hit a dead end. Flipping around, she saw the thugs smirking at her as the closed in on her. This was where she needed to be. Next step, stall for time. Scarlett made a panicked face as she looked for a way to 'escape'.
"There's nowhere to go, little girl." One of them spoke in an almost hushed voice. "I bet your rich daddy is wondering where you are."
"Yeah, don't you think it's a little late for you to be out and about?" Another one laughed. Scarlett saw something flash in his hand. A pocket knife. Scarlett forced herself to tear up a bit. This caused them both to smile more. The one with the knife was about to make a move when the brains of the two spoke up.
"We should call the boss," The one with the knife looked at the other with a dumbfounded look. "Penguin wants to get back at the Waynes. You know that and what do you know? We've got one of Bruce Wayne's kids here." He explained as he gestured towards Scarlett. She looked to rooftops seeing if they were there yet. "Not to mention, he wants to get Batman and the rest of them out of his way and if Batman hears we got a Wayne! Well, two birds with one stone."
"I guess that makes sense," The one with the knife responded, nodding. He glanced up at Scarlett again and then smirked wickedly. "But there's no harm in having a little bit of fun first, right?" The other one began to smirk too as he looked up at Scarlett. He obvious agreed. I don't think I'd like that, but I've got to keep playing along.
"Please, don't." She begged defenselessly. They came closer and closer to her and she was about to break character until she saw two shadows on the rooftops. The two idiots heard them and turned around, but they were both too late. The one with the knife was knocked out cold, while the brains just stumble back. He looked as if he was going to run until the collar of his shirt was in one of the shadows' fists.
"Where's the Penguin?" Batgirl sharply questioned. The brains of the pair apparently weren't too smart, because he gave up that second. Penguin was in his lair by the docks. After she got all she needed, Batgirl knocked the guy out and turned to Scarlett. "Are you okay?!" She started to look grab at Scarlett's arms and face. "I'm sorry, Dick and I are late. We ran into a bit of trouble. But they didn't hurt you right?" Scarlett pushed Batgirl off her and laughed.
"I'm fine, B. It's nothing I can't handle."
"Yeah, but it was a really close call," Nightwing replied as he walked away from the now tied up idiots. "If something happened to you, Batman would have our heads. Well, my head."
"Relax, he doesn't even know I'm doing this. He's too busy with the whole 'Justice League find the Light's next plan' thing." Scarlett responded as she began to walk out of the alley. "But anywho, the next question is to get info from Penguin now or go home so I don't get caught?" Batgirl smiled.
"You already know that answer." Scarlett was about to leave the alley when Nightwing tossed her a hoodie. She turned to him confused.
"Just to make sure no one recognizes you."
"You think of everything, don't you?" Scarlett smiled as she left the alley and put on the hoodie. She pulled the hood up and leaned against the building waiting.
She knew the hoodie was Dick's because it was huge on her and Barbara was about her size. Not to mention the fact that she had stolen that very hoodie before. A few moments passed before Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson came out without their masks. Scarlett smiled and the three of them walked towards Wayne Manor, which wasn't too far. Snow began to fall which made Scarlett let out a deep breath, just see her breath in the air. She tucked her hands into the hoodie's pocket. The three of them entered the area where more people were walking on the sidewalk.
As Scarlett looked around, she saw richer families pass the poorer ones who surround fire in barrels and wore blankets with holes to keep warm. They passed by not even turning their heads to acknowledge them. She frowned. Someday, something will be done. They approached the giant metal gate that cut Wayne Manor off from the rest of Gotham. Scarlett turned to Dick and saw that Barbara and he were holding hands. Dick walked over with the key to the gate and unlocked it. When he faced Scarlett, she was smirking at him and then glanced at Barbara.
"Just get going!" He mumbled harshly, but he was obviously joking around. She saw the smile plastered on his face when he pushed her into the gated area. At first, she stumbled, but she got back on stable ground in a few moments. She gave Dick an angered look causing him to ruffle her hood which completely messed up her hair that was underneath it. It took the three of them about ten minutes to walk up the hill and end up on the doorstep of Wayne Manor. The door was already unlocked.
Scarlett opened the door and saw most of the lights were already on. Please don't be home. Scarlett walked further down the hall with Dick and Barbara right behind her. She approached the doorway to the kitchen where she heard someone. Peeking into the room, she saw Alfred washing dishes.
"It's impolite to sneak up on others, Ms. Hunter." He turned to face Scarlett which made Scarlett give him an apologetic smile. "And I suppose Master Dick and Ms. Gordon are there as well."
"Heya Alfie," Dick responded appearing in the doorway with Barbara.
"You're home late."
"The party ran long."
"I see," Scarlett, Barbara, and Dick waited for Alfred to question them further, but he didn't. Instead, he offered some hot chocolate that he had made for when they got home. Scarlett pulled her hood back and sat down at the island. Dick and Barbara followed. It only took Alfred a few minutes to reheat the hot chocolate and then give each of them a mug of it. "So, how was the party, Ms. Hunter?"
Memories of the men chasing her popped in her head and her getting their attention beforehand. "It was a rush."
"Yeah, but we're probably not going to be going there again," Barbara stated. "Or at least with Scar. Definitely too many older guys."
"They may have been older, but they had the minds of two-year-old kids." Scarlett joked. Barbara and she laughed.
"Well, I'm sure, Master Dick is looking after his little sister."
"Always, Alfie." He ruffled Scarlett's hair again.
"Stop messing with my hair, Dick!" He raised an eyebrow at her. "What it's your name?"
"That better be what you meant."