Ghost hunting

[oracle-watching.livejournal.com]

The young Barbara Gordon did not believe in ghosts. They offended her sensibilities, her rigid view of the world. As Batgirl, she quickly learned that there was more to the world than she'd previously imagined, and as Oracle she learned that even the dead could return, sometimes in a very corporeal fashion.

Of course, just because the dead could return didn't mean they always did, and for every person who genuinely returned from the dead, there were hundreds if not thousands more who faked their deaths for their own byzantine purposes.

Byzantine. There's a word to apply to him, she thinks as she assembles the latest data, including the DNA evidence she couldn't dismiss as a fake or a fluke or a clone. She glances at Nightwing. "Time to get this over there before another international crisis hits," she notes wryly, then opens a familiar channel:

"Oracle to Batman. Transmitting update now...."

Comments

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

"Receiving."

[oracle-watching.livejournal.com]

She can't stop a nervous tapping of her fingers against her thigh as she waits for him to reach the same conclusion she and Nightwing had....

Should be reaching the DNA analysis any second now....

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

Insignificant background noise assures her the line is still open and secure. Otherwise? Silence is the only response. A silence that lingers unnaturally.

[oracle-watching.livejournal.com]

Yep.

She is suddenly very, very glad that Nightwing is standing so close to her.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He's already suited up for patrol tonight. Just as well. He has a feeling he's going to need to take it out on a few thugs dockside after this. A hand comes to rest on her shoulder.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

The instructions that follow are deathly quiet. "Check it again."

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He knew that was coming. He leans over, the better to be seen on the video link.

We did. Four times.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

A dark and unyielding expression rises to his face. "Source of the original sample?"

The information is right in front of him yet for some reason he fails to read.

[oracle-watching.livejournal.com]

"Page six," she says, a bit testily. "I included a digital photograph of the object. If it was planted there, it was done by someone who could keep the blood fresh enough for the DNA testing."

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

Dick straightens, blowing out his cheeks.

That went well.

His tone suggests anything but.

[oracle-watching.livejournal.com]

"It went," she comments, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "But then, he's angry at more than just us."

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He's already thinking back to Lhasa all that time ago. The last thing he wants is a repeat. His features look almost ghoulish in the light from the monitors.

That's nothing new.

That's not what's bothering him.

[oracle-watching.livejournal.com]

Without another word, she reaches for his hand.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

I'll tell Tim and Selina to keep an eye on him.

He wouldn't put it past Bruce to find out where Ra's was and go after him alone once more. He knows she's thinking the same thing. Her hand will find his gauntleted one, and he squeezes it with what he hopes is a reassuring grip.

[oracle-watching.livejournal.com]

She squeezes back. "Need to head out?" she asks.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

The futures he saw a couple days ago are still fresh in his memory. He looks down at her, his expression softening a little. Even after he got back, after that night... it doesn't seem like he told her how much he loved her half as much as he should.

I got a few minutes.

[oracle-watching.livejournal.com]

Her grip on his hand tightens. So easy to read him, even with the mask on. "I love you, too. Want to check on Mary with me?"

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

In the evenings, before he begins his prayers, Father Adam finds it soothing to check on the supply of votive candles. A simple housekeeping task, but one that serves to remind him of the parishioners who light them, the prayers each candle signifies, and the hope of answers. Even when the answer is, regretfully, No.

The scent of beeswax, the smooth curve of the red glass holders, are as much a part of the ritual as when he lowers himself to his knees and bows his head to reach for the Light of Heaven.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

Not all who enter in are parishioners. The hope however remains. Darkness arrives in search of answers.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

His final prayer concluded, he rises, frowning a little. He hasn't heard anything, but something about the sanctuary atmosphere is different....

His eyes search the shadows.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

Hard lines emerge.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Father Adam takes a step back. "Hello," he says. "Welcome to this house of God."

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

"Father."

The solitary response is both a greeting and an announcement of intentions. The servant of God need not fear. No harm will come to him this night.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Some of the tension flows out of his shoulders. "Are you--why are you here, my son?"

His right hand presses briefly against his pants pocket.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

A photograph falls and lands near the priest's feet. The face on it is explanation enough.