Part 19
*****
Even though Barbara was completely exhausted, she couldn't sleep, her mind wouldn't stop thinking. She didn't want to lose a single detail of what was happening. She was in Helena's bed cuddling with her, something that only 24 hours earlier had been a hopeless impossibility that Helena might have felt the same way about her and reciprocated her love.
It was because of that love that Helena had left New Gotham, believing that this would guarantee her happiness.
Oh Hel, how stupid we were, all that time wasted because of our fear of losing each other. It's true what they say about love being blind. Barbara thought to herself with a bittersweet smile. She closed her eyes enjoying the warmth of Helena's body, knowing that this was where she belonged, that her place was and always would be by the courageous, stubborn and incredibly sweet Helena Kyle.
Barbara was almost asleep when she felt a strange vibration against her chest. She opened her eyes wide-open feeling a bit disoriented, and suddenly she realized where she was and with whom, it was Helena.
Purring? How is it that I never knew? She thought, Helena had slept with her for several months during the first year that her mother had died and her own attack, but she had never heard her or felt her purr. True after that year Helena had stopped sleeping with her, but she would have felt it right? Tomorrow I'll ask her. Barbara promised herself. The truth was that Helena's purring was like a lullaby, her eyes felt heavy and she finally went back to sleep but never stopping from rubbing Helena's back, who at the same time cuddled closer to Barbara's body and swinging a leg over her without letting up on the purring much like a happy house cat.
*****
The first thing Helena felt as she woke up was a warm body next to her. For a moment she froze, feeling a bit confused. She opened her mouth slightly and took a breath of air scenting in the smells. A huge smile grew on her face as she breathed in deeply drowning in the scent that she never thought she would smell again. Helena sighed, she felt complete and absolute ecstatic with happiness just because she was wrapped around the redhead and knowing that the woman at her side loved her as much as she loved her in return. It was an overwhelming feeling; she had never felt as full of life as in this moment. She wanted to wake up this way every morning, with their bodies entwined, knowing that this was the place that she belonged and that Barbara was hers and would be forever.
She remained that way for a while longer, not moving, just enjoying Barbara's nearness, listening to her breathing and her heartbeat against her ear. She felt at peace, truly at peace, no longer with those feelings of pain and emptiness that held her heart and threatened to bring her down on a daily basis. Finally, that which she had dreamed of was hers Barbara was hers.
Her meta hearing perceived the cell phone ringing and careful not to awaken Barbara she untangled herself from the warm body to which she was attached so closely and with cat footsteps, she left the room to answer the call.
"Kyle." She answered without paying attention to the number.
"Helena?" Leah's voice said. "Did you forget about our breakfast date?"
"Oh damn, I'm sorry Leah I forgot." Helena apologized. "I'm truly sorry."
"Well it's still early it's only been 15 minutes, I can wait for you." Leah said.
"Oh, Leah, I can't." She expressed her regret. "I had company last night." Recalling the reason why she had completely forgotten her standard date for breakfast, a huge smile brightened up Helena's face.
"Company?" She said intrigued. "What company Hel?"
"You wouldn't believe it if I told you." Helena confessed cheerfully
Leah held her breath for a moment and suddenly yelped. "Barbara! It's her, isn't it?
"Yes!" Helena responded happily. "I couldn't believe it Leah. When I opened the door and saw her standing there in front of me for a moment I thought I was dreaming."
"From the happiness I can hear in your voice it appears everything turned out well? Right Hel?"
"Yes, she loves me Leah, she loves me!" Helena confided, the love she felt for Barbara evident in her voice. If Dinah or Reese were standing next to her, listening to the conversation, they wouldn't believe that this was the same Helena they knew, they would more than likely think that she was under one of Harley Quinn's hypnotic trances such as when she had tried to kill Barbara.
"Wow, I knew it!" Leah exclaimed happy for her friend.
"Huh?" Helena was baffled. "How did you...?"
Leah interrupted her with an amused chuckle. "Oh for Heaven's sake Helena, it's obvious. I might not know Barbara but from everything, you have told me about her and your life together it's not difficult to imagine. The problem was that you were both so worried about not losing each other that you were unable to see it for yourselves.
Even though Leah couldn't see Helena, she was sure that her expression at that moment was one of confusion and incredulity.
"Well yes something like that." Hel admitted wearily. "I never imagined it and neither did she."
"I suppose, so tell me what if you two come have dinner with me tonight? I'm dying to meet her and congratulate her for being braver than you and coming to look for you to shake some sense into you." Leah offered.
"Hmm, I don't think it's possible, at least not today, but I'll ask her and I'll let you know Leah?"
"Of course Hel, I'm so happy for you, you really deserve this chance, don't screw it up Ok?"
"I promise Leah. Catch you later and sorry for standing you up, it's just..."
"You don't have to give explanations Hel. For Heaven's sake, the love of your life has knocked at your door! Of course you have every right to be with her."
"Thanks Leah for everything." Helena sincerely said. Truly Leah had helped her see things from a different perspective, one which she would have never been able to see by herself, at least not right away and now that everything was out in the open and that she had Barbara's love, she couldn't help it but be grateful to her friend for helping her open her eyes. Red's visit would have been much different if she hadn't spoken with Leah beforehand. Perhaps they might have confessed their mutual love but maybe just maybe it might have been more explosive than what it was.
"You're welcome Hel, we'll be in touch. Say hello to Barbara, and tell her that she's a very fortunate woman for having your love."
"On the contrary Leah, I'm the fortunate one, she's unique in herself.
"I'm glad to hear you are so happy Hel. Take care.
"Bye Leah."
"Bye."
Helena closed her cell and took a breath, she half turned and almost fell on the sofa when she found herself in front of Barbara, she had not heard her come in.
"Hey." She smiled happily.
"Good morning." Barbara smiled in turn moving closer to the brunette, and placing her hands on her waist, drawing her in closer. "Would you like to know what woke me up?" She said.
"Hmm?" Helena stared back lost in her eyes.
"You weren't there, I turned around and you weren't there and for a moment I thought that it had all been a dream when I didn't find you by my side." She confessed with certain sadness in her eyes. "I refused to open my eyes thinking that if I did I would find myself alone in my own bed without you.
"Oh I'm so sorry." She looked contrite. "It's just that my cell rang and I came to answer it and I didn't want to wake you, you were so tired..." Barbara's fingers over her mouth silenced her.
"When I finally did it, I realized that it hadn't been a dream, that you were definitely here, the question was where were you? So, I came out looking for you.
"And you found me." Hel responded her eye shinning.
"I found you." Barbara agreed her lips only millimeters from Hel's. She took her mouth with sensual abandon, possessive, not just a good morning kiss, but also a kiss that reaffirmed what the redhead felt for Helena. She hugged the young woman tightly against her, her mouth devouring the young woman's mouth. Her tongue searching out each crevice of Helena's mouth, who responded with equal passion. Their tongues dueled to dominate the other, low moans of pleasure escaped from their mouths. Without releasing each other Helena, caressed Barbara's back, burying her fingers in the soft skin and pulling her down towards her.
"I love you." Barbara said against Hel's lips. "I love you Helena."
When Barbara had come out to look for Hel she couldn't help but hear the end of the conversation she was having with Leah. She wasn't sure what had been said, but the fact that she heard Helena speaking with her friend had made her feel extremely jealous, something completely stupid because she knew that Helena was in love with her, but she also knew that Leah had been even if only for a short time Helena's lover. However, all her doubts disappeared when Helena looked at her with genuine happiness and adoration as Barbara waited for her reaction.
"And I you Red." Helena hugged Barbara and leaned her head against her shoulder. "Are you hungry? I can make something if you like or we can go out for breakfast somewhere." The young woman offered.
"Hmm, a coffee is what I need right now and we can just have breakfast here. I have some things I need to check and attend to before doing anything else." Barbara commented giving her a kiss on the forehead.
"Of course, let me go make the coffee and breakfast. There is my computer you can use it if you like or not. I have high-speed wireless too, so just make yourself comfortable.
"Who would have thought, you with a computer and high speed connection, I'm surprised Hel." She teased.
"Hmm, it's so I can play my X-box online." Hel confessed.
"Hahahaha, I knew it!" Barbara laughed heartily.
"Ok, ok." She gave her another kiss and pulled away. "I'm gonna make you your coffee."
Barbara let her go before deciding that after all she'd rather be close to Helena than anywhere else. With a smile, she headed for the kitchen.
Helena turned when she heard her enter the kitchen and smiled. "Impatient for your coffee Red?" She asked playfully.
"No, I just want to be close to you." Barbara sincerely responded looking into her eyes.
Helena felt breathless at the simple declaration, a smile that could easily illuminate all of New Gotham appeared on her face. She tilted her head in order to hide her blushing face. Damn, I've always wanted to hear her say something like that, but, Wow! "Oh really?" She said a bit timidly still feeling the warmth on her skin from Barbara's words.
"It's true Hel." Barbara said softly drawing nearer to her and placing a hand on her cheek and caressing it. "I have spent two years without you and now that you are here I still can't believe it and I think about all the times that you were by my side, without saying anything, just because you wanted to be with me, true?"
"Yes." She responded shakily. "I have loved you forever and if that was the only way to have you...I would spend hours watching you without your knowledge." She confessed.
"Hel, I always knew you were there." She confessed. "I felt you. I felt your presence, your stare. But back then it made no sense to me because I didn't want it to make sense, but I was used to your presence, I needed it, I know that now. When you stopped spending time at the tower I missed you, I kept telling myself that it was work stress, but in reality it's just that I missed your silence presence."
"But just the same I watched you. I would stand outside of the other building and would watch you from there." She confessed. "I couldn't be near you once you started going out with Wade more formally, it was...it hurt too much." A tear escaped her eyes, betraying her and Barbara hurriedly kissed it away. "I..."
"Hel, forgive me." Barbara pleaded. "Forgive me for being so blind, for having caused you so much pain. I would die first rather than cause you pain like that ever again."
"Red there aren't any guarantees that we won't get hurt again, we are humans, we are not perfect but the important thing is not to forget what we feel. We might fight, we always do and I don't think that will change, but now it's different. Before I was so volatile with you because of my suppressed feelings and sometimes I would fight with you just to see that passion directed at me. And if that was the only way that you would be that way with me, by fighting, then..."
"Hahaha," She laughed. "Oh Hel, I think my passion for you is guaranteed." She said capturing her lips in a passionate kiss that left them both breathless and wanting more.
"Ok, Ok, this is getting out of hand." Helena grumbled as if angry. "Let's have breakfast and then we'll go tour the city for a bit, we still have a lot to discuss.
"Have I told you that you're a good kisser?" She raised a brow suggestively and Helena looked back at her with a mix of incredulity and desire and with a wink threw herself at the redhead who laughed cheerfully before Helena could capture her lips, silencing her.
When Helena let her go, her eyes were feral and her chest moved up and down with heavy breathing. "You are a very, very dangerous woman." She tapped her finger against Barbara's nose.
"Me?" She put on an innocent face but her eyes gave her away as they shown mischievously. "I thought you were the "the weapon itself," Hel."
"You...you..." Helena shook her head and turned towards the coffee pot. Barbara would find out soon enough how dangerous she was. Oh yes Red! You'll see very soon I promise. She swore to herself as she listened to Barbara's pleased laughter behind her.
The day suddenly turned much longer than Helena expected. Damn Babs, you are going to be the death of me, a delighted smile appeared on her lips, hmm, but what a way to go.
She served Barbara her coffee and then herself. When Barbara noticed the design on the coffee cup, she arched her brow questioningly "interesting quote Hel. Who gave it to you?"
Helena lowered her gaze and blushed as she looked at the cup; it was her favorite so she had forgotten what it said. I'm a artist and I know how to use my hands. "Hmm, well, I..." She blushed even more if that were possible. Barbara was looking right into her eyes with a raised eyebrow, daring her to lie. "Leah, Leah gave it to me, but it was way before there was anything between us." She finally confessed. "It was a joke."
Barbara remained silent waiting for Helena to explain further. we had been going to the same cafe for breakfast for about to months and sometimes met for lunch. One morning she called to cancel because she was waiting for a plumber to stop by and fix her kitchen sink. I told her to cancel the plumber, I'd fix it in return for breakfast. So, I grabbed my tools and I fixed it. When I was done she told me I was just a big bag of surprises and I told her I was very good with my hands. The next day she gave me the cup."
Barbara took a sip of her coffee before making any comment. "Hel, I'm not going to pretend that I don't feel a bit of jealousy at the thought that you and she had something together. Christ Hel, I know I shouldn't feel it but I do, however, it's the past. That doesn't mean that I want to know about your former conquests or what you did or didn't do, but if some day something comes out, well that's fine. I just ask that you don't hide it from me. I would rather know the truth than let my imagination run wild. Will you promise me that?" She said in a shaky voice. The truth was that the idea of someone else touching Helena was not something she wanted to dwell on but things were the way they were and she couldn't change the past no matter how much she wanted to, her own cowardice was the culprit, not that Helena had all those lovers in the past. Barbara was just learning to deal with her own emotions and was discovering that allowing herself to open up to Helena's love which was not unwelcome it was difficult to get used to the "emotions" on the surface or to feel jealousy. Perhaps after all she should have paid more attention to her other coeds when she was in high school that way she wouldn't feel like a teen with her first crush and rampant hormones.
The brunette woman gently set the cup on the table, moved closer to Barbara and knelt in front of her as she had done on so many occasions when she had still been in her wheelchair. It was not meant as a token of submission but of loyalty and unconditional love that she bestowed on the redhead. "Red, I told you before and I'll tell you again, never nor will anyone ever take your place. You are my life, the air I breathe, the other half of my soul." Oh, could Helena be any more romantic? Barbara felt as if all her being was melting. "My love for you is forever Barbara Gordon. I promise you that."
Barbara leaned forward slightly and kissed Helena, several seconds before Helena finally pulled away. "If we continue this way not only are we not going to have breakfast Babs, but we'll never have a date." She said partly in jest.
"Fine, what are we having for breakfast?" Barbara agreed, after all they had all of their lives ahead of them. "I have to admit I am famished."
"What do you say about Waffles a la Alfred?" She raised a brow playfully.
"A la Alfred?" She said surprised. "How is it you know how to make waffles a la Alfred?"
"Oh, I asked Dinah to get the recipe for me and she sent it to me by email. She knew how much I missed them." She shrugged.
Helena had always had a weakness for sweets, proof of that was her addiction to Pop Tarts, strawberry particularly. Alfred kept a good supply of these to this day. "Just in case Miss Helena should return." The butler told Barbara when she asked one day why he continued to buy them. The pain of the thought that she may never return almost caused her to double over. Since then Alfred made sure that Barbara was never around when he restocked them. Dinah also liked them and was always eating them, but much like when Alfred bought the sweet pastries, Dinah ate them out of sight of the redhead.
"I would love that Hel." She agreed.
"Great." Helena stood and headed for the refrigerator to take out the things she needed to prepare them.
As Helena made the waffles, she entertained Barbara with tales of her trips to Mexico and parts of Central America.
"I'm sure you know already, but I'll tell you anyway Babs, there I was delighted with the samplings of the exotic Oaxacan food when a young lady at a food stand offered me some little chocolate figurines. They looked like grasshoppers but when I saw they were chocolate, I took them gladly and put them in my mouth. I thought it was some type of toasted seed because they crunched as I chewed, kind of like almonds, but they were delicious. So then, the young woman asked me if I had liked them and of course, I said they were delicious so then she tells me...They are chocolate covered crickets and we also have ants, maguey worms. I think I put on a "Oh my God" kinda face. Imagine how I felt when she told me I had just eaten crickets! I turned green and ran off in search of some water."
By that time Barbara was dying of laughter as Helena began to tell her about the Oaxacan plates and she immediately associated the story with the custom of eating insects in that area. The very idea of trying to imagine Helena's face was priceless.
"Sure, sure laugh, I almost decorated the stand with my breakfast and you laugh." Helena said playfully, the truth was that she had enjoyed it and in truth, the crickets weren't that bad at least not after the initial shock. Once she had thought about it, she decided they weren't bad after all and bought a small bag. "I have some around here if you want to try them." Hel offered.
"No thanks Hel, I'll pass, I don't want to deprive you of the delicious treat.
"Believe it or not Red, they really aren't that bad, sure at first it shocks you a bit but soon you realize that they don't taste bad. I also tasted the ants and worms, those I didn't like so much."
"Ugh, Hel, don't even think about kissing me after eating those crickets ok?" She warned.
"Hmm," Helena's eyes shined wickedly. There was nothing more tempting than a dare. "Ok."
"Helena," She looked at her seriously.
"Ok, ok. Well now that we are done with breakfast what do you say you do what you have to do while I clean up the kitchen and then we can go ride around. I'd like to take you to a place that's very special to me. We can talk more there.
"Ok, I'll be in the living room if you need me." She got to her feet.
"Always Red, I'll always need you." Helena declared.
Barbara smiled and nodded, taking the young woman's promise as a fact. "The same here Hel."
Helena began cleaning up the kitchen as soon as Barbara headed for the living room to check on things in New Gotham and to make a few phone calls. She still wasn't sure how she was going to ask Dick if he could stay a few more days with the girls. She had to come up with something; the truth was she still didn't want to share her reunion with Helena with anyone just yet. Not before having talked with her about where having confessed the truth and accepting their mutual love would lead them. A part of her was still reluctant to ask Helena to return with her to New Gotham. She felt it wasn't fair to ask the girl to give up her new life if she was happy with it.
Helena, without Barbara knowing, or perhaps because she was used to feeling her stare, didn't realize that she was being observed from the kitchen. Hel asked herself what she could be thinking about that had her frown as she sat lost in thought. She began to doubt for a moment, Was Barbara perhaps having doubts? No, she refused to believe it. Barbara loved her, she had confessed it to her. Before the insecurity could take hold she left the kitchen, went, and sat next to Barbara.
"Is everything alright?" She asked.
"Yes, I was just checking what happened last night in the city. It looks like it was a night like any other night. No big problems, a couple of robberies, a few street fights." She commented without removing her eyes from the laptop.
"Ok, it's after 12, do you want to go out now or do you still have things to do?" Helena asked.
"Hmm, I'm almost done, just give me about 15 minutes and I'll go change." Barbara said with a smile.
"In that case I'm going to get ready to go out." She got up from the sofa and turned towards Barbara leaning over to give her a kiss. "Don't take too long, I know how you can get obsessively lost in your work and forget your surroundings." She said half in jest.
"Yes, I guess you would know." She shook her head. "Theoretically I'm on vacation, so no Hel, I won't be longer than that." She promised.
"Ok." She was heading out when she stopped. "Are you going to tell Dinah that you're here?" She asked curiously. From what the redhead had told her the night before no one knew she was in San Francisco.
"No just yet Hel." She begged her to trust her with her eyes.
"No problema here." She accepted and continued to her room.
Barbara watched her go and disappear into her room before taking out her cell and calling Dick. She answered his questions and asked him to stay a few more days in New Gotham because she wanted to take advantage of her trip to visit a few places. Barbara hung up and sent an email to Dinah and another to Aiko. She rechecked Delphi's status and closed the laptop and set it on the coffee table and stood. She headed for the bedroom without thinking any further about New Gotham, crime or her work, nothing was important at that moment but to be with Helena.
When she entered the room Helena was calmly lying down watching tv, when she saw her enter she smiled. "Wow, you were serious, you didn't take more than 20 minutes."
"You doubted it?" An eyebrow rose.
"Well Babs you have to admit I had reason." She arched her own brow.
"That's true Hel, but at this moment all I want is to be with you, the rest is irrelevant." Barbara declared seriously.
Helena was speechless for a moment, Barbara had never said that her duty as a vigilante or her work were irrelevant. If she had, had any doubts before now disappeared like smoke. An enormous smile illuminated her face. "Thanks." Was the only thing she could say.
Barbara knew Helena very well and this time was no exception, she understood perfectly the surprise the young woman felt when she admitted the irrelevancy of her other priorities. However, two years without Hel had shown her that sometimes and under certain special circumstances were worth more than either being a vigilante or anything else. She moved slowly towards the bed and sat next to Helena taking her hand and kissing her knuckles. "Hel, I want you to know something, it has to be crystal clear that what I feel for you, what's between us..." she added, "will always be more important than anything else. I have changed a lot over the past two years just as you have Hel. One of the things that I learned is that time is too precious to waste. It's true, there will be times in which my duty as a vigilante will take up my attention but that doesn't mean that I will forget about you or move you aside. Nothing is more important than you Hel. Nothing.
Helena agreed feeling comforted; she had always known how important the redhead's duty was in the fight against crime and safety of the citizens of New Gotham, even over her own health and safety. However, having her say that she considered her more important than all of that, made her realize that Barbara was truly committed to her. That she truly loved her in every sense of the word.
An idea began to form in her head at that moment, one that she was decided to see through before returning to New Gotham, because Helena Kyle was definitely returning with Barbara when she left. Helena did not intend to spend another day far from Barbara. Now the only thing that remained was to convince her that it was a good idea.
Part 20
*****
With that in mind, Helena looked at Barbara for a moment as the readhead searched through her bag for something to wear that day
"Ok, I'm going to the gallery for a few minutes. I have to get Kate to use her contacts in order to get us a table for our date tonight. When you're ready just go through the interior hallway door on the right. I want you to meet Kate.
"Oh..." she looked up in surprise but Helena had already gone out.
Kate was busy reviewing some documents when Helena came in through the interior door. She looked up and smiled and blinked several times as she looked at the brunette closely. Hel looked radiant. She had never seen her so happy. Hel literally looked as if she were floating. The melancholy air that seemed to always surround her had disappeared and in it's place was an aura of happiness. "Hello Hel, did something happen last night? I've never seen you look so happy."
Helena smiled delightedly taking two steps towards Kate and grabbed Kate, spinning her through the air. "I am the happiest woman in the world Kate." She said laughing.
"Hel put me down." Kate scolded. "I'm getting dizzy."
"Ok, Ok. Kate I need a favor." She asked now more serious as she watched Kate lean against the desk.
"Of course." She asked intrigued by the girls words. "Whatever you like, you know that."
"I need you to get me a reservation for Albona for tonight, for two."
"Albona..." Her eyes widened in surprise. It was one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. "Wow, Hel, who is the lucky girl?"
"Kate, I, I am..." She started to say with an enormous smile. Just then Kate noticed that she wasn't looking at her, but at something behind her and she turned to see. Heading towards them was the woman that she had seen in the portrait. She gasped in surprise and looked at Hel questioningly.
"Kate, I want you to meet Barbara Gordon, the reason for my happiness." Helena stretched out her hand and took Barbara's, who blushed slightly at the young woman's open declaration.
Kate was slow to react for just a moment. The surprise was so sudden. When she noticed that Barbara was extending her hand she finally reacted. "Pleased to meet you Barbara Gordon, I'm Kate Spencer."
"The pleasure is all mine Mrs. Spencer. Helena has told me so much about you." Barbara answered courteously.
"Oh, please call me Kate. I don't think I've ever seen Hel so happy and to know that you are the reason for this little one to be so happy is more than enough for me." Kate said in delight, still surprised at who was in front of her. Hel had truly captured her beauty on canvas, but to have her in the flesh had much more of an impact.
"Just call me Barbara." She said. "I am so grateful for making Hel into such a great painter."
"No, for heaven's sake, Hel did it all without any help from me. I only gave her a slight shove in the right direction by exhibiting her paintings. She didn't want to because she claimed they were only a hobby." She said as she refused to take credit for Hel's fame as a painter.
"Well either way I appreciate it, if it weren't for that perhaps we wouldn't be here talking now. I'll always be in your debt, it was that painting that has me here today by her side and I have no way of showing you my gratitude." Barbara insisted looking over at Hel with a smile.
"Well looking at it from that perspective I guess it's alright." Kate finally accepted. "Tell me Hel, do you have plans aside from what you mentioned?"
"Oh, well actually yes. I'm going to take her for a ride around the city and be back around." Helena said enthusiastically.
"Perfect, I'll leave you the details on a note, how's that?"
"Great." Helena agreed.
"Once again it's a pleasure meeting you Barbara. I'm sure we'll see each other again." She addressed the redhead.
"I'm sure we will Kate." Barbara smiled.
"Well, let's get going. See you later Kate." Helena said goodbye and pulled Barbara along. Kate watched them fondly leave the gallery. Helena's enthusiasm was so sweet, her eyes shown like a little girl that had just gotten her dream gift. And oh my, What a gift!
Kate smiled to herself, she knew what it was to have the love of your life in your life and it was obvious to her not only from what Hel had told her about her past but because she didn't need to know it because she could see it in her eyes. Before Hel always seemed to carry a heavy sadness, now her eyes shown brightly and she looked as if she were covered by a brilliant halo. The happiness that radiated from the brunette was undeniable and if there was any doubt as to the reason you only had to look at them together and any shreds of doubt would disappear. Hel plain and simple was deeply in love and the woman that made her feel that way obviously felt the same way if what she had in front of her eyes was any indication of what was between them.
Oh Hel, it makes me so happy to know that you are finally happy. Kate thought. Even though that might mean that you might go out of my life, because I know there is no way you would stay. Not now that you have recovered what was always yours.
With a sad but also happy smile Kate se to pull some strings to get the girl her reservation. It was apparent what her intentions were to romance the woman of her dreams and she would be the one to take care that it took place.
Helena followed Barbara to the Hertz rental office to return the car. Once the appropriate documents were signed both of them got into the brunette's Liberty.
"So what would you like to do Babs?" Hel asked looking at her out of the corner of her eye as she drove through the streets of San Francisco.
"Well Hel, you're the expert, besides I don't know what your plans are for this afternoon so I have know idea how much time we can play tourists before returning to the apartment." Barbara said.
"Well it's almost noon, a visit to Chinatown is not feasible so we can do that tomorrow if you like. For the time being we can go down to Castro and take a tour of one of the most popular neighborhoods of the city. I really don't care Red, I just want to be with you."
Barbara searched out her hand and squeezed it. "The Castro sounds like a good idea, we can walk and the look for a quiet place to talk, don't you think? We still have a lot to discuss."
"I know, The Castro then." And they headed for the Gay Mecca of San Francisco.
Once they found a public parking garage, Helena took Barbara by the hand and they began to walk around. The redhead couldn't help but be surprised by the atmosphere around her. Sure New Gotham wasn't exactly a conservative city but you didn't see the homosexual couples walking hand in hand in public.
As they walked Helena explained to her the history of the neighborhood.
"Castro, or as it's known as The Castro in reality runs the length of Castro Street to Market Street and 19th. It extends past Market all the way to Church and on each side of that is Eureka.
It's known as the Gay Mecca of San Francisco, in the 60's and 70's as a working/middle class neighborhood and then became a symbol for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual community. Many events for the pro alternative lifestyle take place here.
"And how do you know all this Hel?" Barbara asked curiously. The Helena that she recalled never bothered to learn much about any place in particular.
"Well," she shrugged her shoulders, "Since I live here it's kinda impossible not to know Red. Besides when I was getting my Art degree I had to do a report about the history of the area and it's artistic background. I focused on the alternative lifestyle history when I wrote it.
"I see." She nodded in contemplation. "Please go on, it's very interesting."
"Ok, well in reality the LGTB community of San Francisco is concentrated mainly in the commercial district that's from Castro St. to Market. Even though the majority of the LGTB community is based in the Castro, because the community is growing at such a large pace it has expanded into the residential areas bordering Corona Heights, The Mission District, Noe Valley, Twin Peaks and Haight-Ashbury. There are some that include the Doboce Triangle and Dolores Heights because of the strong LGTB presence.
"Totally the Gay Mecca of San Francisco." Barbara commented in surprise.
"Tell me about it. Even though it so openly accepted you can still find homophobic attitudes and gay bashing's on occasion. It's sad, but the truth is that human beings are not very tolerant of people that we find different." Helena observed with certain bitterness. Her own meta-human differences were a classic example.
"I know Hel." Barbara squeezed her hand as a sign of support, understanding what Helena really meant. "It's something that not even with the growth that humanity has had through the years have they been able to over come."
"Yes, well what do you say if we check out some of the stores and ramble around. If something draws your attention let me know."
They walked through the streets leisurely. Helena continued to recount anecdotes of her life in San Francisco, always looking for ways to make Barbara smile and fully aware that even though she laughed she couldn't help but feel a touch of sadness as she listened to what her life was like during her exile.
When we arrived at Duboce Triangle, Helena stopped on Noe St. and looked at Barbara with a smile; she kissed her softly and took her by the hand to Jumpin' Java to have something to drink. Barbara was surprised by the public show of affection, something that Helena did not usually do.
"This is one of my favorite places at this hour, it's quiet and you can enjoy a variety of coffee beverages from hot to cold, with or without alcohol. They also have a great variety of Tea's." Helena explained as she headed straight to a table in the back with a view of the street.
Once they were seated and had ordered, Hel looked over at Barbara seriously.
"Barbara, what are your plans?" She asked cautiously.
"Planes...what exactly do you mean Hel?" She tilted her head in question, although she had a vague idea of what Hel meant she wanted to be sure.
"Well, I know that no one knows you are here. I know that they think you're in DC, but when are you planning on returning, which you will, right?"
"Oh, of course Hel, you know I have to return. I have responsibilities to take care of." She began to feel a little nervous. This was a subject that she wasn't sure how to broach. A part of her or to be honest her whole being demanded that she throw herself at the young woman's feet and beg her to return with her, but she didn't want to be selfish. She had been and it had cost her two years without Helena. "But that doesn't mean we can't see each other. I can fly to San Francisco once a month if you want and you can go to New Gotham whenever you can." She observed with feigned enthusiasm, trying to sound and feel calm, something which she did not feel at all And she gave a hint of a smile in an attempt to seem calm.
Helena lowered her gaze and nodded gravely. For a moment she remained silent as if she was thinking about what to say. Barbara watched her with growing panic and uncertainty. Her Helena the young woman that she remembered as explosive and temperamental, that Helena would have jumped and yelled, but this one that she had in front of her was more restrained...mature...that frightened her. There was a time when she could read the brunette like the palm of her hand, now she wasn't so sure and that was so disturbing.
Before Helena could answer the waitress arrived with their drinks then asked them if they needed anything else then left. Helena savored her Java Espresso Frappuchino, with no apparent hurry. Barbara took a sip of her Iced Berry Chai, her nerves on edge. The brunette's silence was beginning to worry her.
"Hel..." She began tentatively, her voice a high pitched and shaky, afraid maybe she had said something that... she didn't dare think about it, just the idea was horrible.
"Is that what you want?" Helena's voice was serious with a touch of disbelief. When she raised her gaze and the look of pain in the young woman's blue eyes caused Barbara to gasp. "You want us to live on opposite sides of the country and to just see each other only every so often?" She paused and grit her jaw before continuing. "Whatever you want Barbara, if that's what you wish then that's fine. If you think it's too much and you need your own space Ok. I don't want you to feel pressured. I love you too much to..." She stopped and lowered her gaze and took a deep breath. "I..."
"No, Hel, no..." Barbara rushed to deny and found her hand and squeezed it almost painfully as her own hand shook. "No!" She repeated forcefully. "I want you with me, always Hel, it's just that..." Her voice caught in her throat, how to explain, how to tell her what she felt, how she blamed herself, how selfish she had been. "I love you Hel."
"And I you Red." Hel declared passionately. "I love you so much that I wouldn't know what to do if I lost you now. I can't." She shook her head. "Not after having you in my arms...to be without you again dammit, from the moment that I saw you at my door I knew, I knew that it was just a question of time before I returned to you."
"Oh, Hel." Barbara sighed. "I want to be with you too, to have you at my side, but I'm afraid..."
"Afraid?" She raised her head brusquely, interrupting her. In her eyes was fear and disbelief. "Of me?" Her voice was like a frightened child's. "Barbara I would never harm you. NO!" she said with strangled voice. "I would rather die than hurt you, damn it!" She cursed when she realized the truth. "But I did! I hurt you when I left. Oh how stupid, truly stupid." Helena pulled her hand away from Barbara's and pressed her hands against her face in shame. "I'm so stupid!"
"Helena Kyle!" Barbara exclaimed forcefully. "You listen to me!" Helena shut up but kept her head down and her fist's clinched in front of her. "Hel, never, listen to me well, NEVER have I been afraid of you. Hel, the reason I'm afraid is because here you have a new life, a different life, you are happy. You have managed to become successful all on your own. You have a degree; you are a well known painter even if no one knows who HK is. I am afraid and at the same time I am selfish enough to have you at my side, for needing you by my side. With me Helena. If my life were different, if nothing of what I was existed it wouldn't bother me to go to the ends of the earth to be by your side Helena. I love you." She declared as the tears slid down her face freely. Tears that two years ago she would have fought hard to contain...before.
Helana raised her head slowly, her eyes shown brightly, full of passion and with extreme gentleness she wiped Barbara's tears away and moved closer to hug her. "Red, don't you realize? This life I made was only to survive, all I have, all I've accomplished has been only in order not to die because I didn't have you near me. I needed something to keep me busy without you. Nothing of what I have here compares to you, absolutely nothing is important without you." She finished and captured Barbara's lips in a kiss full of love and passion. Of promises of a future together.
Barbara breathed against Helena's mouth, kissing her with anxious fervor, with passion, giving her a kiss that demonstrated all her love, her desires and wishes. When they finally pulled apart Helena snuggled into her neck and whispered into her ear. "Ever since I saw you I knew I would go back with you Red. It can't be any other way. I love you, besides I can paint anywhere but to be without you would be impossible. Never again."
Barbara caressed her face and buried her hand in her hair in a caress. Helena began to purr from the pleasure of feeling Barbara's fingers stroking her nape and the redhead chuckled at the sound. "How is it that I never noticed you purred Hel?" She asked in delight. She had discovered that the brunette's purr was intoxicating, like an aphrodisiac and at the same time created a feeling of peace and happiness.
"I suppose it's because I haven't been this relaxed and happy as I am by your side as I am now." Helena explained presenting more of her neck to Barbara. Her scent was intoxicating; she could spend her whole life in the redhead's arms and taking in her scent and tasting of her flesh. And to prove this she began to place tiny kisses on her neck and she smiled as she felt Barbara catch her breath and shudder at the contact.
"Why Hel?" She feeling uneasy. "I thought if you weren't happy at least content living with me. I know it was a very difficult time but I've known you for so many years and I never realized."
"Well Babs you never slept with me as a little girl and when I went to go live with you and starting sleeping in your bed, I was always on guardo or too nervous or tense to let myself go enough to relax completely and totally. And well later my love for you made it impossible for me to let down my guard. Always fearing that you would find out what I was feeling and possibly feel sorry for me or..."
"I understand." She kissed her forhead. She understood perfectly and in a way she regretted that it had been like that, but now it was different. Very different.
Finally the finished their drinks and Helena decided that it was time to return. As they walked past a boutique, the brunette stopped for a moment. "Red, I'm sorry but I need to ask. The place we are going to tonight is a bit formal, do you have something to wear?"
"Now that you mention it Hel, no. I didn't pack anything formal." She acknowledged. "I guess I'm going to have to buy me something. Do we have time?"
"Sure, this place looks good. Do you want to go in and look around to see if they have anything that will fit you?" She smiled.
"Yes but," She gave her a sly smile. "Would you be upset if I asked you to leave me here alone for about an hour?" An eyebrow rose saucily.
"Ah." Helena felt her body temperature rise at the redhead's suggestive stare. "No, of course not." She gestured with her hand for her to go ahead.
"Perfect, I'll see you in an hour then." She kissed her softly and with a wink left Helena frozen at the storefront with an idiotic smile that was the most enchanting thing in the world.
"Oh damn am I in trouble!" Hel murmured as she rubbed her neck before looking down both sides of the street and deciding she should walk for a bit to relax. She was feeling a bit nervous.
She began to walk down the street when she looked up in distraction and noticed a sign, a sly smile graced her face and without hesitating she entered. The electronic bell announced the entrance of a client and alerted the manager to look up from up from her work and a smile of welcome appeared on his face.
"Good afternoon Miss, are you looking for anything special?' She asked cordially. "Something delicate for that special someone?" In this part of town it wasn't smart to assume a specific gender when asking questions.
"Oh yes." Helena smiled nervously; she never imagined she'd be in a place like this, much less dream that of something like this in her entire life. "Definitely something special, very special." She looked at the manager and moved closer to the display case.
The hour passed swiftly for Helena. When the Brunette left to go in search of Barbara, a secretive smile graced her face. Barbara was in love with her, Helena Kyle.
Wow, she loves me Mom, she loves me!
Part 21
*****
When Helena rejoined Barbara, she was already waiting for her outside the store with a mysterious smile that pricked the young woman's curiosity and not being able to resist it Helena gave the redhead a kiss that left no doubt how much she loved her but also how much she desired her.
"Wow." Was all Barbara managed to say as Helena released her and who was now wearing a shit eating grin, after all those kisses that had left her nearly catatonic, and this was just a taste of what was to come.
"Shall we go Red? I still have to get beautiful so I can take you out to dinner tonight." She said with a crooked smile that caused Barbara's heart to skip a beat.
Damn, once upon a time I thought I knew what it was to be in love, and for being so smart Barbara you never had a clue! The redhead still in a stupor from the girl's kiss.
"Of course Hel, besides I want to rest a bit before we go out." Barbara smiled.
"Oh true." She looked contrite. "I keep forgetting, forgive me Red, if you want to wait here for me I go run and get the Liberty. I don't want you to get over tired." And then added with a lusty smile. "You'll need all your strength tonight."
And having said that she took off towards the parking garage where they had left the Liberty not noticing the blush that covered Barbara's face and went well with her nickname.
"Oh, of that I'm sure Hel." Barbara murmured to herself and feeling her blood boil just from the thought. She had always known that Hel was a woman of ferocious appetites, not only with food but also in the passion contained deep inside, not only would she be consumed by the brunette's ardent passion but also she would be an active participant. It has been so long since she had felt the current of desire run through her body and certainly no one had ever awakened such passion in her. Not even in her good times as Batgirl before Joker had left her in a chair for over seven years.
She never would have believed it, would never have imagined that, that little girl who she met at the age of twelve not only would become a beautiful woman able to capture her heart so completely and absolutely, but who also inspired in her a passion, a desire so big that she wanted just to rub herself against her like a cat in heat.
Oh Hel. She smiled blissfully. Instead of feeling embarrassed or horrified at these thoughts and desires, she felt liberated. Now completely at peace with herself she realized that it had been an error to deny herself the happiness and love that Helena had confessed she'd always felt for her even though at the time she was not aware it was love. It's true that she would never have acted in favor of it when Hel was still an adolescent but denying herself the truth in her heart had only brought pain and sadness to her life and to Helena as well.
How could I have been so stupid? She scolded herself again.
Just thinking that I would have been satisfied with Wade at my side. Every time she recalled the error she almost made caused her to nearly bang her head against the wall.
A horn caught her attention as she saw Helena approaching slowly down the street. She hurried to get her packages and she ran to the edge of the sidewalk so she could get in the SUV quickly.
"What were you thinking about Red?" She as asked as soon as Barbara was in the vehicle.
"In just how much I love you Hel." She said sincerely. Ever since the brunette had returned to her life, one of the things Barbara promised herself was to be honest with her as far as her feelings for the young woman were concerned. It had been that secret and fear of expressing what was in her heart that had separated them and Barbara was determine not to let it happen ever again. She now knew what it was like to live without her and she did not want to experience that overwhelming pain again.
Helena took advantage of a red light to take Barbara's hand and bring it to her lips, kissing it reverently. "If that's what it's all about Red then you aren't the only one to blame. I should have been honest with you too, even though you would have yelled at me and told me I was an idiot to think so but not only didn't I keep my feelings hidden but I also ran away in an effort to forget you."
"Thank you for loving me Hel!
"That works both ways Red, thanks too you for taking the chance" Helena smiled.
Barbara gave her a smile that caused Hel's heart to pick up speed, if it weren't for the fact that a car blared its horn, startling her out of her vision she would have launched herself at the redhead.
"Oops, I think the light is green." Hel said as she pressed on the gas.
"No kidding Hel." Barbara laughed as she continued to hold on the brunette's hand.
Soon they were back at the apartment; Barbara sat in the living room as Helena looked over the contents of the envelope that Kate had left her with the details for the dinner and anything else she might have added. A wicked smile appeared as she read what Kate had prepared for that evening. She knew that Kate was a romantic at heart and not only had she gotten the reservations for tonight but also she also included a couple of surprises. She headed for her room and took out the things that she would need to get ready for that evening, makeup, dress, shoes and then placed them in the guest room.
Barbara was concentrating on her laptop, checking her emails when she suddenly noticed a shadow over her. She looked up expectantly and saw Helena looking at her wickedly.
"What is it Hel?" She asked tilting her head, her green eyes shining happily.
"I know you don't use the chair anymore, at least..." She paused, "at least not at home I'm guessing. Right?"
"Well, I still use it at work and I feel comfortable in it to continue using it when I'm working with Delphi for its mobility, I'm used to it but at least I'm no longer attached to it. I can get up if I want to." She answered raising an eyebrow questioningly, wondering why the question.
Helena nodded lost in thought, her blue eyes shining mischievously, causing Barbara to ask herself what Hel was up to.
"You know Red?" Hel said casually, "many times I wonder... many, many times. Actually most of the time I wonder..." She blushed slightly, only arousing the redhead's curiosity even further but who still remained clueless as to what she was talking about. "I was watching you in your chair and I asked myself if perhaps one day..." She paused and her eyes changed as if picturing something that only she could see.
"Perhaps one day what Hel?" She was beginning to lose patience.
"Well I could sit on your lap." She said as she removed the laptop aside and in one fluid motion straddled her lap with a thigh on each side of Barbara. "And do this..." Helena inclined against her and began to kiss a now very surprised Barbara but that didn't stop her from participating as well, a groan of pleasure escaped from her when Hel's tongue found hers without hesitation, tasting each nook and cranny of Helena's mouth.
Several minutes passed in which the brunette lost herself in Barbara's delicious mouth. Barbara's tongue moved in and out in a duel of dominance that only served to boil her blood even further in a certain southern part of her anatomy; she was rocking against Barbara's. She required all of her strength to pull herself away with a groan of protest. Barbara took a few moments longer to open her eyes, she, by now was overly stimulated and was trying to find a way to control her burning libido.
"Hel." She said in a broken voice. "The next time you want to show me something you imagined doing with me, please, do it when we aren't planning to go out and have time to make your fantasies a reality."
"It's a deal Red." Helena smiled caressing her face and cupping it before giving her a soft kiss. "It's just that you were so irresistible that I couldn't help myself."
"You think I'm irresistible?" She looked up searching Helena's eyes. "Even in a wheelchair?" She asked with a certain amount of doubt, something she couldn't help feel, even now with the help of the nanos. After all they would malfunction eventually and she'd be back to feeling no sensation below the waist and unable to walk once again.
"Of course!" Helena affirmed with a firm nod of her head. "I have always loved you since I was a girl Babs and I continued to love you when you were incapacitated and now I love you even more than ever. Please don't ever doubt that. I love you Barbara, just you. If you can or can't walk doesn't change my feelings for you, that just a plus. In truth..." A slight blush covered her bronzed skin causing Barbara to arch a brow in question as she caressed Helena's hair as she pushed the stubborn hair out of her face. Hel smiled and lowered her gaze trying to hide her eyes from the redhead, but Barbara wouldn't allow it.
"In truth what Hel?" Barbara asked with a soft voice, making her look at her once again. Helena really looked embarrassed and the redhead couldn't help but ask herself what could possibly warrant such a reaction from the arrogant and self-confident Hel. "Hel?" She insisted as the brunette continued to briefly glance at her and continued to blush and give her a timid smile.
"Well, I...I put some things away in my room that I didn't want to...well, I didn't know if..."
Where the heck did this split personality come from? Helena asked herself in frustration.
I'm Helena Kyle for fuck's sake! Me stuttering like an idiot caught with her hand under my girlfriends skirt. "Well when...," She cleared her throat and began again more firmly. "When we first started living together I wanted to help you out anyway I could and not just be a burden. So I started buying books about spinal cord injuries, reading medical journals and anything else that I might need to know...so that well you know, I wanted to help you, to understand...to know."
A smile full of love and understanding graced Barbara's face and eyes and at the same time tears formed in her verdant eyes without her permission.
"No, no." Helena rushed to wipe away the tears. "Don't cry. You are the most important person in my life, the only one I really have. I know that D is there too but truthfully you are the light in my lighthouse. Without you Babs I'm lost." Helena rolled her eyes, since when she had become such a Cyrano De Bergerac, reciting love poems and all that flowering stuff,
damn, I hope D doesn't find out or I'll never hear the end of it,
ah what the hell!
"Oh Hel you never cease to surprise me." Barbara said in a shaky voice. Just when she thought that she couldn't possibly love Helena more, she would surprise herself as she realized that wasn't the case. Her love grew stronger more and more by the moment.
"In the stuff that I read I never lost the hope but then..." She didn't say what but it was clear that she was speaking of Wade. "I always hoped that one day you might give me the opportunity to make love to you that you would know that I was in love with you. So I also read everything I could find about sex with a person with spinal cord injury like you. I wanted to find out how to give you pleasure, how to please you." She turned red once again. "I love you Barbara Gordon and I only want to make you happy with or without a wheel chair, I'll always love you."
Without words Barbara managed to pull Helena towards her, capturing her lips in a fierce kiss full of promises of her love and a future together.
When they finally pulled apart, Helena leaned her forehead against Barbara's and with closed eyes kissed her nose.
"I think it would be a good idea if we start getting ready for dinner or we will miss our reservation." Hel pointed out as she let out a sigh of regret escape.
"That's the truth and I don't want to lose this reservation for anything in the world. I picked out a dress just for you." She smiled wickedly.
"Ohh, is that right Gordon?" She looked at her lasciviously as she got up from Barbara's lap. "Do tell."
"Yes, you know, it's a dress that will conquer the heart of the sexiest woman in San Francisco."
"Well then that won't be easy, because if she's the sexiest in San Francisco you'll be fighting them off just to try to keep them away." She played along in delight.
"That won't be a problem Hel, I take care of what's mine very carefully. And she's mine. She's already told me she loves me." She looked into her eyes, and she smiled confidently knowing that the brunette loved her unconditionally.
"She does love you." Helena responded with a smile full of love.
"I know." Barbara got to her feet and caressed her cheek. "I love you too." She affirmed and headed down the hall to Helena's room.
Once Hel assured herself that Barbara was inside of the bedroom, she ran to the guest room and hurried to get dressed. In record time for her, only in half an hour, she was ready. She came out quietly so she wouldn't run into Barbara in case she was already waiting. When she saw it wasn't the case she headed for the kitchen and removed a flower arrangement from the laundry room, where Kate had left it. She took the card and wrote a few lines then she took the vase to the living room and set it in the center of the room where it could be seen from everywhere and the redhead could not possibly miss it. Once she made sure that Barbara would be able to see it, she took the bag she had set on top of the table, left her keys on the table along with a note for Barbara, and snuck out of the apartment. She went down the stairs and took a taxi that was already waiting for her just as Kate had indicated. She gave the driver the address and they headed for the restaurant.
Barbara came out of the bedroom feeling a bit nervous. She straightened her dress for the millionth time and took a deep breath.
"Helena? I'm ready." She called out loudly looking for the brunette with her eyes. She noticed the guests' bedroom door was opened and she headed over but when she went in the room was empty. "Helena?" She called out again but there was only silence. Finding it strange she headed for the living room and was ecstatic when she saw the exotic flower arrangement sitting in the center of the room.
Right in the middle of the arrangement she saw the card. With a trembling hand Barbara took it out and read it.
Dear Barbara,
These flowers don't do justice to your beauty but I hope that they make you smile. Please go down to the entrance where a car will be waiting for you.
Yours always,
Helena.
Barbara smiled at the young woman's romantic words; she never imagined that Hel would think of flowers. She drew near to take in the aroma and with a last look at herself in the mirror that was next to the exit, Barbara left the apartment closing the door firmly behind her as Helena had indicated, she put away the keys in her small purse and descended the staircase.
Just as the brunette had indicated as soon as she set foot on the street a chauffer approached her.
"Good evening Miss. I've been instructed to drive you." She acknowledged the chauffer.
"Good evening." Barbara responded her eyes widening slightly at the sight of the limousine parked at the curb.
The chauffer opened the door and Barbara got in getting comfortable. For a moment she thought Helena would be there but that was not the case, however, she did find a small box with a Japanese orchid inside.
"Oh Hel." She sighed contentedly. She carefully opened the box and caressed the silky petals of the orchid.
The drive was relatively short. Barbara could feel butterflies in her stomach, something which she had never felt before. She remembered every single detail of her first date and Barbara Gordon not even then did she remember ever feeling like an adolescent. Her insides where shaking with emotion and all her nerve endings where alert. It was as if she was connected to an electric generator. It was a mix of excitement and anxiousness. Helena would be waiting for her when the limousine stopped and the idea of seeing the brunette was overwhelming. That night would be the night, finally.
Barbara took her purse and double checked herself again in the small mirror. She retouched her lipstick and took several deep breaths in order to try to relax.
You're beginning to hyperventilate Gordon and swooning like a love sick school girl! This is Helena, your Helena. She chastised herself.
Yes, but her Helena was the woman she loved, the woman that she almost died for from sadness when she thought she had lost her.
My Helena. Barbara savored the way those words sounded and she liked it. Never in her life had she ever been possessive or jealous at least not with the intensity that she felt now. It was intoxicating and at the same time frightening to feel that way, so totally and absolutely; to be on the same wavelength as someone else; to feel their presence even before you see them, to recognize their aroma and that the heart beats a million miles an hour. The control she always boasted about disappeared at Helena's mere presence. Just to hear her name or her voice was enough to create a wave of sensations that would leave her breathless and at the same time energized. No one ever had made her feel so out of control but ironically so safe. When she was with Helena she felt at home, in the place where she belonged and wanted to be.
The limousine stopped and Barbara's heart jumped. They had arrived.
Barbara took her purse, at the same time the door opened, and a delicate hand appeared.
Barbara took the hand immediately as she felt an electrical current run through her body. "Helena." She exhaled.
Barbara got out from the limousine carefully and stood in front of the brunette who just stared at her in absolute adoration and a smile that could light up the entire city.
"Barbara." Helena gasped breathlessly at the vision of the redhead.
"Helena." Barbara responded with the same breathless feeling. "Christ, you're beautiful."
Time seemed to stand still, everything around them seemed to disappear, and there was only the two of them, breathlessly admiring the woman they had in front of them. There were no words to describe it, they could only feel.
Continued...