Barbara and Paula

**Barbara and Paula** is the friendship pairing between Barbara Whitmore and Paula Brooks. They first met when Jordan Mahkent sent Paula to kill her and Courtney so they wouldn't interfere with Project New America. Ultimately, Barbara's daughter Courtney helps defeat the ISA, putting Paula and her husband Larry in jail.

Paula and her husband Larry break out of jail to see their daughter perform her college football tryouts. They visit the Whitmore-Dugan House to blackmail Pat into taking them to their daughter's game, leveraging their secret identities in the JSA. When left alone together, Paula and Barbara talk about their lives and children, becoming acquaintances. They later become friends in "*Chapter Three: The Blackmail*", forming a friendship that only grows stronger as time passes. Their friendship ends tragically when Paula is murdered by Icicle.

## History

### A Violent Attack

Jordan gives orders to Tigress to kill Courtney and Barbara. Back at the Whitmore-Dugan House, Barbara unknowingly avoids an incoming arrow, and is met by Tigress. Terrified, she runs behind the couch to avoid the next wave of arrows. As she tries to flee, Tigress knocks her into a table in the next room. She remarks they have a lovely home, but before she can pounce on Barbara, the Cosmic Staff blocks her and Courtney kicks her into the wall. She sends her through the doorway, and Courtney grabs her mother.

Barbara watches on in awe as Courtney and Tigress fight on, but intervenes when the latter pins her daughter to the counter and smacks a vase into her head. Courtney aims the Staff and sends the villain through the side door, leaving her unconscious.

### Bonding

Paula criticizes Barbara letting her children eating processed foods, and they compare notes about how their daughters don't listen. They both find out that they have a lot in common, and Paula agrees to have some of Barbara's coffee. Later, Paula tells Pat that Barbara is lovely.

### A Potential Friendship on the Rise

Paula visits Barbara at The American Dream to talk with her. She realizes Artemis has a history with Courtney and her friends, like Paula with Barbara, but Artemis desperately wants to join the Justice Society of America. If she wants that for herself, so does Paula. She just hopes Courtney doesn't hold grudges or punish her for the past actions of herself and her husband, because that would be a real shame. Potentially, with real consequences. Paula's intimidating behavior and demeanor instantly scares Barbara, who insists that who's in the JSA isn't up to her; it's up to them. She adds that Artemis is such a great kid. Paula nods briskly and stiffens her posture. Artemis will proves herself if she has to, telling Barbara to just watch.

The next day, Barbara finds Paula waiting for her again. The woman announces they didn't murder Sharpe. They would never be so sloppy as to leave the body there. Disposing of the corpse is 101. Barbara shudders in disgust, telling her not to tell her that. Paula would never risk going back to prison over some schmuck like Steve. They're home with their daughter again - that is everything. She becomes prideful at the mention of Artemis, asking if Courtney mentioned how well Artemis did with the JSA last night. Barbara admits she didn't mention anything, but Paula is sure she will. They have been doing everything they can to fit in here. She gardens, smiles at strangers, and even applied to join the Blue Valley Rotary Club. Barbara asks how that's working out. They asked Paula to bake a German chocolate cake. She doesn't know why, when she can just buy one. Barbara tells her it means more if she makes it herself, confusing Paula. She elaborates that when someone puts their personal time into something, it makes it more special, by showing that she cares. Paula muses that baking makes people think you care. She quickly rephrases that she does care, plastering on a smile. She takes a big step forward, asking if Barbara knows how to bake, but the woman doesn't - at all. Paula sits down, exasperated. Later that day Barbara and Paula try to bake a German chocolate cake, ingredients scattered across the counter in a mess. Barbara puts the latest attempt on the counter, both women eyeing it suspiciously. Barbara doesn't think they used enough of something, or maybe they used too much of something else. Paula points out that it does look different than the picture. With a forced smile, Barbara decides the third time's a charm.

### Becoming Close and Support

Barbara starts the next morning at The American Dream when Paula suddenly intercepts her, taking her into the office by her arm. They have a problem. The German chocolate cake was a big at the Women's Rotary Club. Barbara thinks that's great, but questions the statement when Paula gives her a dumbfounded expression. It's a nightmare. They want her to give an initiation speech at tomorrow's meeting. She doesn't know how to do that or what to talk about. Barbara advises that she talk about what she's looking forward to doing whatever it is the Women's Rotary Club does. She asks what they do and Paula freezes, looking up in horror; she doesn't know. Barbara surmises she joined because she wants to be part of Blue Valley, so she should tell them how much the community means to her. Tim pokes his head into the office. He read the new proposal which excites her. He gives her a thumbs up but slowly turns his thumb down, remarking that it's slipping. He smirks that maybe she'll get it next time and leaves with a laugh. Paula scoffs at him, asking who the geek is. That's Barbara's new manager, Tim. He's the reason she'll be staying up late doing this proposal again. She sorry but has to get back to work. Paula, now distracted, understands and wishes her luck. Barbara returns the sentiment. Later that day after fighting with "Sylvester" Paula along with her husband explain the events that had unfolded the fight. Larry explains how Sharpe was blackmailing them or he'd expose the unseen part of both of their criminal pasts. Barbara asks why they didn't tell them this before. Larry admits he was trying to protect them from any unnecessary heat. Paula apologizes to Barbara, as they should have been honest with her. The last time they went to prison it nearly destroyed their family, not to mentioned the food - so many carbs. She asks that Barbara please believe her. They would never make the same mistake twice. Whoever killed Sharpe, it wasn't them.

The next day, Paula takes the podium at the Blue Valley Women's Rotary Club, heavily breathing and struggling through her introduction and beginning of her speech. She stands there awkwardly until she hears the doors open. Looking up, she sees Barbara coming in, giving her an encouraging smile as she takes a seat. Paula straightens up and introduces herself, adding that she loves Blue Valley and the people in it. Barbara claps excitedly and beams, though quickly stops clapping when no one else joins in, Paula in great confidence announces her name, and states that she loves Blue Valley. That same night, Tim works late in The American Dream when he hears the whooshing of Paula leaping across the room. He turns but doesn't see her. She pops up behind him, greeting him. They need to talk about a friend of hers. He assumes it's about Sarah or Susan, or whatever her name is, advising Paula tell her to let it go. She scoffs that this is a different friend, approaching him with intent. A friend that he's going to be a whole lot nicer too.

The next day, Barbara returns to her office only to find Paula again, who asks how her day is going. She hopes it's going well, asking if there's any problem with her new manager. She guesses a few incorrect names until Barbara reminds her it's Tim. He actually voted for her project this time, which Paula remarks is terrific. She's here as she got her a gift for helping her out so much this week. She takes out a taxidermy fox that she made herself, to show how much she really cares. Barbara whispers that it's beautiful and that she loves it. Paula smiles widely and says she knew Barbara would like it.

### Training

   A few days later, Paula and Barbara stand in Ripped City in front of a heavy bag, wearing boxing gloves. Barbara isn't sure about this training exercise. Paula's going to start with the basic - how to shatter a man's spleen. She punches the bag to demonstrate, making Barbara cringe. She cautiously approaches the bag then stops, as violence was never her thing. Paula tells her to call it self-defense, then. In this town with a voyeuristic killer still on the loose, it's important Barbara is ready for any kind of attack. Barbara tries again but fails, turning back to Paula. She appreciates this, but she's not comfortable learning how to hurt someone. She's sorry, but this just is not her. Paula takes a breath then concedes as she understands. It means a lot to Barbara that she's trying to help her. She's a good friend. The sentiment lands with Paula, as no one's ever called her their friend before. Barbara's sure that's not true, and Paula simply smiles at her new friend.
A couple of days later,Barbara has an unexpected visit from Lily Mahkent, who threatens Barbara and prepares to kill her. Barbara shields herself, anticipating a blow. An arrow shoots past Barbara and pierce the front door. Lily gasps in surprise as Paula walks forward, standing protectively in front of Barbara. She won't miss on purpose again. She gives Lily one second to leave. She glares at the duo before leaving. Paula turns to her friend, who needs to learn how to use the crossbow.

   Later that day Paula and Barbara go to a field as Paula tries to teach Barbara how to use a crossbow. Paula tells Barbara to stabilize her stance, to which a confused Barbara asks what that means. She tells Barbara to move her legs, standing behind her to demonstrate. She shouldn't lean forward, keep her center of gravity over her base, keep her hands below the rail, and if they're anywhere near these cables, she'll lose a finger. A nervous Barbara now tries following what Paula taught her but doubts herself as she's not a superhero. Paula chuckles and tells her that not all superheroes fly through the air - some fire arrows. Barbara insists this is not her, but Paula confidently replies that it is. Courtney is a fighter, which she gets from Barbara. She doesn't want to lose the only real friend outside of her family that she's ever had. They smile at one another. Paula tells her to try again, but this time, to picture that it's Mrs. Mahkent's face is the target. Barbara breathes out,focuses her stance, and pulls the trigger. The arrow whizzes out but the target remains unhit. Paula's face falls as she tries to stay positive, as they'll keep practicing. Barbara asks where the arrow went. Paula doesn't see it and looks down at the crossbow, questioning if she fired it. Barbara did and they look up at one another. Paula pats Barbara's back and assures her she has lots of chances - she's got some arrows in the car.

### A Devastating Tragedy

Barbara walks into The American Dream while being worried about Paula's disappearance, she suddenly receives a phone call from Pat. Pat tells Barbara that Larry and Paula have been killed. she then lowers her phone, emotions filling her face. An employee eagerly comes up to Barbara and happily tells her she won't believe it, but he's back. She leads her around the corner where Jordan turns around to face Barbara, greeting her as she stares in surprise. Later that day Barbara walks into her office, with Jordan following her. She can barely make out his words from her state of shock. She saw him die, which he knows. She asks how he's back. He wasn't sure himself at first, but it seems his abilities extend beyond just creating ice. He can somehow become it. She asks what he wants. He wants his life back. His death can be explained away easily enough as misinformation after a tragic accident. She knows no one will believe it, but they already have. They want to believe it, because the people of Blue Valley love him. He's lost a year of his life. A year away from his son, his parents, his work. He knows he can't get that time back, but he can put the past behind him, start over, and rebuild. He asks her to trust him, as he's a changed man. She's seen who he is - pure evil who will never change. He argues that he has, and asks who she thinks they have to thank for that. It's ironic, maybe, or fitting. Her daughter, Courtney, showed him it was possible. She believes in people in a way that he never did. Barbara knows he never will, but he insists that he wants to. He wants to wipe the slate clean. To show he means business, he's willing to help the JSA take down the Ultra-Humanite. She asks how he knows about that, and he pauses before admitting he's been watching Blue Valley for some time. That creature followed Sylvester Pemberton here. The Ultra-Humanite hated the ISA just as much as the JSA, because they refused to accept him into their organization. Barbara realizes that the Ultra-Humanite didn't freeze Crusher and Paula, it was Jordan. The man barely takes a second to respond. He didn't want to, he didn't set out to. They came in, and it happened so fast. It was terrible, but it can end there, all of it. He tells her to let him know when she's ready to accept his help against the Ultra-Humanite. He starts to leave then looks back at her, pausing at the doorway. It really is good to see her. He leaves the office as she stares after him, unnerved.

A few days later during the fight between the Mahkents and the Ultra-Humanite, Barbara, out of nowhere, shoots Jordan in the neck using Paula's crossbow, paying homage to her now deceased best friend, warning him to stay away from her daughter and her friends.