Making Richard realize that he didn't have to face everything on his own had been difficult but as Helena and Barbara had managed to make him understand that, it was one less problem for them to worry about. Richard was extremely self sacrificial and they could not afford to have him sacrifice himself to keep them safe.

Now that he had understood and was keeping cautious, Helena on the other hand was looking into all the help they could muster against the Court.

It was only a matter of time that the Court could strike again and they had to be prepared for that.

She rang the doorbell and stepped back, waiting for the door to open. Shortly after, the door opened revealing Alexander who's face lit up with a smile upon seeing her.

"Lena, what a pleasant surprise," he opened the door wider to let her step in.

"This once I'm not here to meet you though," she remarked, brushing her lips over his lightly.

The smile dropped for a slight second, "really? That's disappointing."

"I heard your aunt has returned to Gotham?" She asked, noticing that the house looked quite different from earlier.

Alexander lived with his aunt Andrea Beaumont, who was a rather notable socialite of Gotham a few decades back. However, she had mysteriously vanished from the city after her father had been brutally murdered.

Alex was the son of her brother Vincent who had been disowned and still lived in Bludhaven. However, after a rift with his family, Alex had come to Gotham and though initially he had struggled in the city for a job and a place to live in, Andrea had found out about him and persuaded him to stay at her place.

She stayed out of Gotham mostly and needed a caretaker for her house so having Alex stay there in the meanwhile served both purposes of her house being cared for and her nephew being saved the trouble of finding a place to rent out.

"Yes, she's back," he replied, "and the first thing she did was refurnish this place."

"I see," she remarked, observing the changed outlook of the living room, "seems like she's planning to stay here after all."

"I guess. However, it looks like you specifically chose this time to visit because my shift is about to start and I'll have to leave. Anyways, I'll tell her you're here." He told her to wait in the living room then went to call his aunt.

Shortly after, he had returned from his aunt's room, kissed Helena goodbye and left the house to go to the Supreme Café. While she waited for the woman to show up.

Helena had known Andrea Beaumont way before she met Alex and the latter was unaware of that fact. Both women had met each other years ago and since the goal they had in mind was similar, they had helped each other out.

Andrea had proved very crucial in helping Helena investigate the mystery behind her family's massacre and in turn Helena had helped her in taking down the crime family that had wrecked havoc in Gotham and was also responsible for the massacre of the Bartinellis.

Unknown to Alex as well as other citizens, Andrea was a well trained mercenary, the Phantasm, who tracked down mob bosses and put an end to them. Helena was no doubt one of the very few who knew that the Phantasm was none other than Andrea Beaumont.

Her grey eyes flickered towards the monumental staircase, landing upon the graceful woman descending it. She had deep auburn hair, light brown eyes and she held herself with a fiercely independent stature.

Light brown eyes glimmered in recognition upon seeing her and she approached Helena, a smile taking over her face.

"Long time no see, Lena."

She returned the smile, taking the extended hand in her own, "same could be said for you too, Andy."

After the formalities of meeting after a long time as well as Andrea's surprise upon finding out that Helena and Alex were together, the time came for Helena to state the actual reason for her visit.

She knew very well that Andrea hadn't returned to Gotham without any valid reason and she had a hunch that it was connected to all the conspiracies raging in the city by then.

The Phantasm's presence in Gotham indicated that there was still something that she had to take care of in her birth city.

"Lena, you should have stayed away from the Court," the woman remarked after listening to the brief account of what Helena told her about their involvement with the Court, "it spells danger all over."

"I know and we tried our best to stay away," she shook her head, "but it seems as if the Court can't let go of Richard and will keep targeting him. And if he gets targeted, so do I."

"That's strange. The Court normally doesn't get involved in anything until or unless it is of grave importance. But then this Richard you mentioned... He's Batman, isn't he? Strange indeed," her features were set in thoughtful expression but the look faded slightly as she asked, "so what do you want from me?"

Helena knew she would immediately come to the topic as she was rather straightforward. "If in case the Court targets us again, it would be safer if we muster all the help we can get. So I thought of you since you're one of the few people I know who are of the level to take down Talons."

Andrea took her time to consider, "just because I can take down Talons doesn't mean I'll stand up against the whole Court."

"Andy, I just want you to be there in case we can't handle it on our own," she elaborated, "I'm not asking you to go against the Court by yourself. In other words, I want you to be backup."

She took in a deep breath, "fair enough. But what's in it for me?"

Helena knew that question would come up because no wonder the woman was a very successful mercenary and never took any mission without receiving a benefitting price for it.

"I will help you in terminating Black Mask's gang," she remarked, knowing full well that the offer would be of interest to her because there was no other reason for which she could have decided to stay in Gotham.

A soft smile spread on Andrea's face once again as those light brown eyes glimmered in approval, "very well then. It's a pleasure to work with you again."

***