Fate or Chance

A little bit of faith

Marinette and Robin began to walk in pleasant silence.  Before they knew it, they were in front of a veterinary clinic. Robin rang the bell and within minutes a woman with tousled brown hair answered the door.

“Who is it?  I’m busy. AHH!”  Seeing Robin, himself, accompanied by a girl at the door of her office, poor Dr. Elizabeth Ferries could not help but gasp.

“Good evening, Dr. Ferries, we need your assistance.”

“Holy croquettes! He's Robin!” she gasped pointing frantically to the teenager. “You're Robin!”
   
“Last time I checked, yes, I was,” Robin sighed with a weary expression as Marinette giggled.

 “As entertaining as this is, we need your help. Could you check on this kitty, please?” Marinette asked, smiling at the vet.

     “Yes, of course, that's my job,” replied Dr. Ferries, a little embarrassed by her behavior.

The young doctor let them pass and began to check the kitten.  After a few minutes it was over.

“There is no fracture or dislocation, but it seems to have received a blow that, added to the drastic change in temperature, will cause some swelling,” she told them, while looking for some pain medicine on a shelf.  “It isn't serious, but it's painful. You did well to bring him in, this little boy would not have slept comfortably and the swelling would have worsened. Apply a little of this ointment to his hind leg and make sure to wrap him up well tonight.”

“Understood.  Thank you very much for your help, Dr. Ferries.”

“It was nothing, Marinette.”

“I just have one question.”

 “Shoot.”

“Why are you avoiding looking at Robin?”

“Good question Marinette,  I was trying not to go all fan-girl over him.”

     “Oh, I see.”

Robin watched the interaction between the two, somewhat amazed at Marinette's ability to set people at ease.  Dr. Ferries had been exited and anxious when they had entered and after a few minutes of conversation the woman was comfortable as she checked the cat and gave Marinette the medicine for the swelling. After a few minutes and a selfie for the doctor as thanks for having taken care of them so late, the two teenagers made their way to the hotel where the girl was staying. Robin tried to keep the stoic expression that characterized him but he found it difficult with Marinette beside him giggling.

“I don't know what you find so funny, Miss.”

“Sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but you have to admit that it was kind of funny to see you acting so on guard with her.  By the way, you can call me ‘Marinette.’”

     “I'm always on guard, Miss.”

 “‘Marinette,’ but I agree with you. I imagine that the hero's work never rests.”

“‘Vigilantes,’ actually. I appreciate your understanding, Miss."

“‘Marinette,’ and I think that helping the needy without asking for anything in return qualifies you and your companions as heroes.

“Thank you, Miss, but I think the first image that comes to people's minds when talking about heroes is far from the image of Batman.”

“At least if you ask me, I can say that as for heroes, at least American heroes, my first option would be you, Robin,” she declared “ and Batwoman.”

Robin was surprised by Marinette's words and by the warmth he felt when listening to them. Usually when people thought of heroes, the first image that came to their mind was Superman. He had to admit that it was not unpleasant to receive someone's thanks. The Gotham people generally assumed that Batman would save them, and although they sometimes thanked them, they preferred to get away from their family, more than anything else, as soon as possible.