Note:

King Faraday is a secret agent in DC comics. He's teamed up with Batman before, most notably in a multi-part storyline culminating in Batman #334 where Ra's al Ghul had a secret island headquarters, and Batman, Catwoman and Faraday had to take on Ra's.

It is comics canon that Faraday and Catwoman have worked together in the past, on missions, particularly one in Shanghai. Because of that, and because Batman does not approve of Faraday's secret-agent methods, there is, at times, some animosity between the two of them. In this story, Faraday, (who was named King as a joke by his father, his name is then: King For a Day) has come to Gotham because he wants Selina's help. He gets her attention by getting Batman's attention, hijacking the Batsignal.

Thursday, November 19, 1981
Wayne Manor: 1:40 a.m.

Balancing his tray carefully, Alfred navigated the stairs down into the Batcave. He moved smoothly and with years of practice, a china cup rattling softly on its saucer with each echoing footfall. As the man made his way toward Bruce, the scent of coffee threaded through the cool, damp air of the cave.

"Thank you, Alfred," Bruce said, clearing a spot on the table. "Not decaf, is it?"

"Oh no, sir," Alfred's voice was laced with something that was close enough to sarcasm that Bruce froze, boot in hand, waiting to see if the man was going to say anything else about the fact that Batman was suiting up. "Obviously," Alfred continued, "as soon as you decided to go out on patrol, I made regular."

Bruce didn't have to explain. He knew he didn't. Still… "It's been three and a half weeks, cooped up—"

"It's a shame that gunshots don't heal more rapidly, isn't it?"

"I need to go out and see the city."

"The city is visible, last I looked, even when not patrolling it."

Bruce narrowed his eyes. "I'm not going on patrol."

"But you are going out as Batman."

"I have to, Alfred."

"Master Dick has been doing a perfectly acceptable job of seeing to things in your stead."

"This is personal."

"He did well enough to find out where Faraday's staying," Alfred said, pouring coffee. "He is a perfectly acceptable emmisary—"

"Farraday can't just show up in my city and commandeer my things—" Bruce took the cup Alfred handed him. "He monkeyed with the Batsignal!"

Alfred raised his shoulder an inch in a very reserved shrug. "It did get your attention."

"Does he think he can play by his own rules in Gotham?" Bruce gulped a swallow of coffee so hot it made his eyes water. "Batman's going to have to set the man straight."

"I see."

Bruce didn't appreciate the tone or the raised eyebrow. "Meaning?"

"I can certainly see why it's worth sabotaging your recuperation."

"I'm not sabotaging any recuperation by going out for an hour, and I'm not sabotaging my reputation by sitting around while Faraday does whatever he's trying to do in imy/i city."

"So," Alfred said slowly, giving Bruce a long, steady look. "Is this what they call a pissing contest?"

Bruce glared at him. "It's Gotham," he said, strapping on his utility belt. "And she's mine."

***
Apartment leased to Kathy Whippe: 2:00 a.m.

Selina answered her phone on the second ring, still half-dressed purple.

"It's Weasel," the voice on the other end of the line rasped.

"This better be good, Weasel."

"Somebody's looking for you. Ran into him down by the docks."

"Big, strong and wearing a cape?"

"No, some other guy. Goes by the name Faraday."

"Really?" Selina pulled off a boot. "What's he want?"

"Said he's looking for you."

"Hmm. Shipment come in?"

"Yeah."

"He leave a number?"

"No. Said you'd know where to find him."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, he said to tell you 'the usual'. Said you'd know what that meant."

Selina smiled. She did know exactly what that meant.

***
Gotham Ritz-Carlton: 2:20 a.m.

Batman was alone and riding up in the hotel's penthouse elevator when his comlink buzzed. "Robin?"

"Shipment's checked in, it's…"

"Yes?"

"Is that…" Dick paused. "Elevator music?"

Batman tilted his head to look up at the speaker pumping out "Girl from Ipanema," and caught a glimpse of his reflection in the polished elevator door. He cleared his throat. "It is."

"Oh. Okay, well, glad you're taking it easy, Batman. Look out for your leg."

"I'm not taking the elevator all the way up, Robin. Only a shortcut. The shipment?"

"You don't have to snap." Dick wasn't even trying to keep the grin out of his voice. Shame on him. "Shipment's under lock and key at Wayne Labs."

"All accounted for?"

"Yeah. The diamonds have landed."

"Any surprises?"

"None except the one you're dealing with."

"Nobody else?"

"Nobody feline, if that's what you mean, and I think it is."

"I knew she wouldn't interfere."

"Whatever you say, boss."

"Too much chatter on the line."

Dick snorted, laughing. "Yeah, okay."

"Call it a night. Hit the showers. Batman out."

The elevator dinged, opening onto a deserted hallway. A second later, Batman had sprung the lock to room 1615. From there, he exited by window, questioning why he'd waited three weeks to get back in action. This wasn't too difficult at all. He just had to make sure he favored his left leg, a certainty that only became more absolute as he rappelled up and over to the penthouse balcony. Not the finest landing he'd ever made, but silent, as were his steps as he grew closer to the sliding glass door. It wasn't even locked. Idiot. Bruce eased the door open, and all was still silent. Except for the familiar click of a pistol, cocking as a bedside light switched on.

"Faraday," Batman said to the man pointing a gun at him.

"Batman," King Faraday said. "Glad you got the message."

"Hard to miss."

"I thought so." Faraday stuck his Beretta in the holster hanging from his headboard. "I'm pretty impressed with myself."

"Really?"

"Probably don't get too many civilian calls on your own personal beacon. Piece of cake to hijack."

"I must have overlooked a loophole the last time I repaired it," Batman said. "After throwing the Joker through the glass."

"You should check out that loophole."

"Did you call me just to make small talk or are you on government business, Agent?"

Faraday grinned. "Didn't meet me at the docks. Losing your touch?"

"I'm not on your schedule."

"I get it. Batman wants to call the shots."

"I want to know what you want. Why are you in Gotham?"

Faraday punched his pillow and leaned back into it. "No 'how've you been?'"

"Didn't figure you a man for chitchat, Faraday."

"You figured right. Forty-eight hours ago, a man was stabbed on the street in Star City. Got his briefcase stolen and two hours later he died in the hospital." Faraday threaded his hands behind his head and leaned back. "Funny thing was, he had radiation sickness. Radiation sickness, a bus ticket from Gotham and a plane ticket to Moscow."

"Keep talking."

"Our contacts tell us something's on the market, and it's on the market in Gotham. That guy was just carrying a taste."

"Taste of what?"

"State secrets, being trotted out to the highest bidder."

"What kind?"

"A new weapon. Powered by irradiated diamonds. A Wayne Tech project. You know anything about it?"

"No."

"Too highbrow for you, huh? Nothing you can punch." Faraday watched him, but Batman didn't give an inch. "The Soviets want it. I came to town to make sure they don't get it. Was at the Motel Capri earlier tonight—"

"The Capri Inn on Plymouth. Two men shot in the parking lot with a 9 millimeter."

"News travels fast."

"Mind if I examine your gun?"

"Collateral damage, Batman. They had it coming."

"Don't try to play God in my city, Faraday."

"Licensed to kill. I'm sanctioned."

Batman took a step closer, let his voice drop an octave. "Not by me."

Faraday shrugged, nonplussed. "At least we got two of them down. Besides, we found something." He reached for the bourbon on his bedside table. "Drink?"

Batman ignored the offer. "What did you find?"

"Samples. Rogue diamonds."

"Already irradiated?"

"Give the man a prize." Faraday poured himself two fingers and knocked them back with a pleased exhale. "I need help, Batman."

"Why should I give it?"

Faraday grinned. "Oh, not your help."

"Whose?"

"Somebody we both know. Only she doesn't have a Catsignal I can co-opt."

Batman's pulse sped up but he kept his poker face. "Leave her alone."

Faraday clicked his tongue. "Touchy, touchy, Batman. Last I heard, Catwoman's a free agent."

"You want her to help you find deadly diamonds?"

"She's a pro. She won't get hurt."

"I'm supposed to trust a killer?"

"We're not talking about you." Faraday poured himself another shot and swirled it in the glass. "Selina knows who I am and what I do. Has for years." He downed his drink. "Why don't we let the lady decide for herself?"

"I'm not her messenger service."

"Tell her she owes me for Geneva."

"Geneva?" Batman regretted the word as soon as it was out of his mouth.

Faraday smiled. "Good times. She'll know. Pretended to be married. Tell her it's the same con here. Same plan."

"I have work to do."

"Sure you do." Faraday nodded, falling back against the pillows, eyes narrow and calculating, but still with a smile. Bruce didn't like that smile. "I'll let you let yourself out, Batman. Tell Selina she can come in the same way you did. Be good to see an old friend."

Apartment Leased to Kathy Whippe: 3:35 a.m.

Selina sat up in bed, rubbed her eyes and turned on her bedside lamp.

Batman tried not to loom. "Sorry to wake you."

"You don't look sorry."

Batman shrugged.

"Should you even be out yet?" She looked him up and down. "How's the leg?"

"I'm fine."

Selina sat up, letting the sheets fall away.

Batman eyed the black silk nightgown, strap slipping from her shoulder. "That's new." His voice was just a little rough.

Selina looked down at herself, smiled, and patted the bed next to her. "Take a load off?"

He didn't move. "I'm working."

"Okay, tough guy."

"What happened in Geneva?"

Selina blinked. "What?"

"Geneva. Faraday."

"This is why you break into my apartment at four a.m.?"

"He wants you to do a job for him."

"Really?" She examined her nails. "Got any more details?"

"I'm not your messenger service."

"No kidding."

"I thought you were going straight."

"I like to keep you guessing."

His gauntlet clamped against her soft, bare shoulder. "Stay away from those diamonds. They're dangerous." It came out rougher than he meant it. He relaxed his grip, let his hand slide down her shoulder. Then, because he couldn't help himself, he gritted out, "what kind of job did you pull in Geneva?"

Selina laughed, falling back to fully dodge his grasp. "I'm not in the mood to play Truth or Dare with Batman. How much do you know?"

"Not enough to keep it from happening in Gotham."

"That's why?"

"Yes."

She pushed a wayward strand of dark hair back behind her ear. "The only reason?"

"Yes."

Selina crossed her arms. "Like I said, not really in the mood. This about the diamonds?"

"Stay away from them. They're deadly." Now he loomed on purpose. Leaned over her, the air between them weighted with the scent of her sleep-warmed body. "And answer my question."

"I'll show you yours if you'll show me mine?" She smiled a slow, teasing smile. "You go first."

"No."

"If I didn't know you better, I'd almost say you're jealous."

He snorted.

"Look, it's almost time to get up. You want to stick around for sunrise?"

"I have a board meeting tomorrow."

Selina lifted an eyebrow. "You'll cut down on your drive time if you leave from here."

Batman tilted his head. "My leg is starting to cramp."

"You should probably rest it for a few minutes."

"Just for a minute."

"That armor's got to be weighing it down, too."

His lip quirked. "I think it is."

"So?"

"So…"

"You going to leave the mask on?"

"Do you want me to?"