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Chapter 11 - Chapter 11: Singing

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Seeing Barbara still wracking her brain trying to think of the answer, Allen couldn't help but laugh.

He nudged Harley again beside him and she smiled and shook her head, while Barbara stood frozen in confusion.

'Was there something wrong with just asking for the answer?'

"What are you laughing at? Just tell me the answer?" Barbara demanded.

"If you get a chance, go ask the Riddler. But if he swings the other way, he might be able to guess it," Allen chuckled.

"Or better yet, wait until you have a boyfriend. Then you'll naturally know."

Allen seemed thoroughly amused and no longer bored.

Stretching his body lazily, he held out his hand again.

"Alright, second question."

"There are 365 days in a year—what day do men fear the most?"

Barbara stared at Allen, already sensing this wasn't going to be a straightforward question.

But seriously, which day do men fear most?

She'd never been in a relationship.

The only men she was close to were her father and Batman.

How would she possibly know what day a man fears?

'Valentine's Day? Though it involves giving gifts, men should enjoy it too, right?'

'Maybe payday?' But that varies and isn't just one day out of the whole year, but rather more frequent. It didn't seem to fit.'

After seriously thinking for a while, Barbara finally gave up in frustration.

She had always considered herself clever, but this time, she was completely stumped. (A/N: What do you all think the answer is? I personally think it's the dating/marriage anniversary date maybe? Or International Women's Day?)

"Can you at least tell me the answer this time?" her curiosity was eating her.

"Nope," Allen grinned.

"The last question is similar. Out of the days in a year, which day do women fear the most?"

'From men to women now?'

She didn't understand men, but she knew women.

Which day do women fear the most? Without thinking, she knew her own answer—it had to be that day when 'It' came visiting.

She instinctively wanted to answer but hesitated.

That kind of private response was… a bit embarrassing to say out loud.

Allen watched her with a knowing smile, clearly expecting something.

Barbara gritted her teeth.

"...The day of the menstrual cycle," she said reluctantly.

"Wrong!" Allen declared with mock regret.

"You didn't get any of the three questions right. If you were a driver, you'd be one headed straight for kindergarten."

Barbara was flustered.

'Was she really wrong at the last one?' (T/N: Well, what would they fear?)

"Ask me again, I'll definitely get it right this time!" she wasn't done yet.

"The thing is," Allen sighed dramatically, "Good looks are everywhere. But an interesting soul is one in a thousand. Yours? It's dull. Even if I asked a hundred more questions, you wouldn't get them right."

Still, he added with a grin.

"But since you helped me kill some time, I'll give you a chance."

Turning to Harley Quinn, he said, "I think I still have that camera from last time, right?"

Harley Quinn jumped up immediately.

"What are you trying to do?" Barbara suddenly had a very bad feeling.

She didn't know what this unpredictable guy could do.

Harley soon returned with the camera.

Allen gestured for her to stand by and film, then crooked his finger at Barbara.

She hesitated but eventually walked over.

Thud!

Allen suddenly raised his foot slightly and kicked Barbara in the knee.

With a yelp, she dropped to the ground on one knee.

As she looked up to protest as it was more sudden than painful, Allen reached out and pulled off her mask, revealing her exquisite features.

"Do you know that song, Conquer?" Allen asked, smiling with narrowed eyes.

Barbara tried to stand, irritation and embarrassment written all over her face, but Allen didn't stop her… he just added lightly,

"If you dare to get up, I'll give you to Bane right now."

She froze immediately, her movements stiffening.

Somehow, she didn't doubt he could do it.

"Do you know that song?" Allen repeated, ignoring her expression.

"No…" Barbara spat through gritted teeth.

"It's good that you don't," Allen said with a bright smile.

"I'll sing a line, and you repeat it. In the end, if you can sing it all, and I'll get rid of Bane for you."

He cleared his throat theatrically.

"Start memorizing!"

"Finally, you found a way to declare yourself the winner..."

Barbara frowned.

This bastard could actually sing—and sing well.

Line by line, Allen sang, and Barbara repeated.

Even though her singing wasn't as good, the lyrics seemed harmless.

'Was this just some weird game of his? Maybe payback because I insulted him…'

"...Just conquered by you... and all paths refused..."

"My heart is firm... yet my decision confused..."

"I was conquered by you this way... drinking the poison you secretly used..."

At this line, Barbara suddenly understood the meaning.

'So that's what this is about... being conquered by you?!'

 'This bastard was doing it on purpose!'

"Sing," Allen said, grinning like a child with a new toy.

Grinding her teeth, Barbara sang each line, again and again, until she could sing the entire song by herself.

When she was done memorizing…

"Nice," Allen said to Harley, clearly satisfied.

"After all, this is the debut of the police commissioner's daughter, Batman's student, Batgirl—Barbara Gordon!"

He deliberately adjusted his clothes, crossed his legs on the sofa, and nodded at Barbara.

"Alright, start."

Kneeling on one knee and singing 'Conquer'.

He figured it'd be a good laugh in the future when he remembered it.

Under his smug expression that screamed: I like you, you hate me, but you can't do a thing about it! Barbara in her bat-suit and sang the full version of Conquer in utter resignation.

"And done!"

When she finished, she reached out and snatched her mask back, putting it on swiftly.

"You'd better keep your word and help me take down Bane," she warned.

"If you go back on it—I'll never forgive you."

Allen took the camera from Harley Quinn and watched the footage.

A woman in a skin-tight suit, kneeling, her beautiful features filled with resignation and embarrassment.

"Pity there was no soundtrack," Allen muttered, then switched off the camera.

"When do we make our move?"

"You get ready. I'll notify you." Barbara snorted and crossed the room toward the door.

For a moment, she worried she might instead attack this guy and not Bane.

Thud!

Barbara pushed open the door and instinctively prepared to throw a smoke bomb and leave with her grappling gun.

But before she could, she was suddenly stopped.

Allen had already grabbed the trigger of her grappling hook which she was still holding.

"See you later!" he waved at her as she took off.

 

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