[AN: When it comes to the whole Batman universe, Zatanna is my favorite character and I absolutely love her friendship with Bruce. I decided to put all the spells in italics, but if that makes it too difficult to read just let me know! The prologue is set during B:TAS, but the rest of the story is Batman Beyond, I promise. As always, I own nothing. I hope you like it!]
Zatanna sighed as she closed the door of her dressing room behind her. She loved performing but sometimes…
"Sometimes I think these shows might be the end of me," she muttered. She kicked off her heels and removed her hat. With a flick of her wrist she tossed it and it landed primly on the mannequin head that sat on her vanity. Sliding behind her screen she began to undress as she called out to her visitor.
"You know it's not polite to lurk in the corner of a woman's dressing room."
"That's why I only do it to you." Bruce's voice emerged from the shadows, his body following suit soon after.
"Well don't I feel special," Zatanna said. Coming out from behind the screen in her favorite sweatpants, her grin faded as she gave Bruce a quick once-over. "You're been near some very dangerous magic."
Bruce hesitated. "Yes," he said slowly. "I need-"
Zatanna went to Bruce and opened his cape. She pressed the back of one hand to his forehead and grabbed his wrist with her other, taking his pulse. "The next words out of your mouth had better be 'medical attention'."
"Actually they're 'your advice'. I'm not sure what the effects of this spell are supposed to be but I am…uncomfortable." He paused to search for his last word as Zatanna took her hand from his forehead and placed it on his chest. She began to whisper.
"Llet em tahw deneppah thginot." Bruce felt the warmth of Zatanna's magic as it scanned his body. Her eyes were closed and her forehead was wrinkled in concentration as she continued to mutter, now in Latin. He watched, slightly mystified before she opened her eyes and met his gaze. Her mouth was set in a grim line. "You've seen Ra's and Talia tonight," she stated.
"Yes," he replied. He learned long ago that when it came to talking about Talia to Zatanna and vice versa, it was best to keep the answers simple.
"Your discomfort is the result of two things. First, Ra's attempted to drug you, which I'm guessing you know and have already rectified." Bruce nodded and his head began to swim. Zatanna wordlessly took his arm and pulled him towards her makeup chair forcing him to sit. "Second, Talia attempted to use magic to keep you close to her. Roughly translated, the wording of her spell was 'Keep our hearts forever intertwined and let his love for me burn eternal.' But Talia is an amateur and a little bit twisted, so her spell affected your literal heart as opposed to your emotional one. Now your heart believes that hers is its other half and is missing. It is struggling to keep you alive."
"Can you fix it?" Bruce questioned. He attempted to mask how tired he felt but Zatanna caught the weakness in her friend's voice. With a wave of her hand a washcloth from her sink floated to her as she removed his cowl. She gently pressed the damp cloth to his forehead.
"I can try. But mixing magic is very risky and extremely dangerous. You'll need to rest afterwards."
"I have a job to do."
"You can either rest tonight and resume your job tomorrow or die tonight and leave Gotham to its own devices. There is no third option," Zatanna said sharply. She dismissed the cloth back to the sink as she slipped on her coat and books began to place themselves into her bag. Zatanna grabbed her wand. "Time to go home," she said as she laid a hand on his arm.
"Batmobile's outside," Bruce said. "I can't leave it."
"Elibomtab, nruter ot enyaw ronam." She pointed her wand at the wall that separated her dressing room from the alley. Outside, the Batmobile roared to life and took off towards its home. "There. Now it's our turn. Enyaw ronam, s'ecurb moordeb." In a haze of purple smoke Zatanna teleported herself and Bruce to his bedroom and managed to steer Bruce towards the bed as his knees gave out and he fell unconscious. Dropping her bag Zatanna pulled out all three books and positioned them at eye level. The pages began to flip on their own in search of the right counter spells as Alfred entered the room.
"I was quite afraid that something like this would be the case when the car returned alone," he said sadly. Walking to Zatanna's side he began to help her remove Bruce's cape and body armor. "What happened and what can I do?"
"Talia cast a spell on him, but the effects aren't what she intended," Zatanna replied. "For now, nothing, but once he wakes up you can help me lock him out of the cave."
Alfred offered a grim smile. "If only. Does Miss Talia know what she's done?"
Zatanna shook her head. "I doubt it. In fact, she probably didn't believe it would work."
"Then why do it?"
"A last ditch effort from a desperate woman," Zatanna said quietly. "I try not to argue with him about her anymore but this…she's gone way too far Alfred."
"I agree Miss Zatanna," Alfred said as he helped her maneuver Bruce onto his pillow and underneath the sheets. "What type of spell was it?"
"One to 'intertwine their hearts,' which wouldn't be a problem if she would just make up her damn mind."
"Deciding between the two most important people in one's life would be a challenge for anyone dear," Alfred said gently. Zatanna sighed as she sat beside Bruce on the bed and prepared for her magical counter-attack
"I know. But seeing him like this…"
Alfred placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It pains me as well."
The books' pages settled. Zatanna read each finding carefully, she and Alfred wincing each time Bruce groaned in pain. Finally, she lifted her wand and took a deep breath. "Here goes nothing." Waving her wand over Bruce's chest, Zatanna began to whisper in Latin again. Alfred watched in horror as a smoky green tendril exited Bruce's body. Swirling up and out of the center of his chest the tendril hung in the air, unable to return to its hiding place in spite of its efforts. Bruce groaned again as the smoky substance continued to pour from his torso until finally its end appeared.
"Destroy it," Alfred muttered horrified. "Can you?" Before Zatanna could answer the tendril began to move again. Before their eyes the green haze began to pull itself into a loose shape and suddenly they were faced with a translucent Talia al Ghul. Her face curled into a snarl and her mouth opened in a silent scream as she lunged at Zatanna. Alfred jumped back as the figure grabbed Zatanna and flung itself and the magician across the room and into Bruce's dresser. Zatanna cried out as her back slammed into the drawers. Alfred stepped forward to help her, but the apparition turned, still snarling and leapt toward Alfred. Zatanna calmly reached into the middle of the figure and closed her hand into a fist. A purple glow emanated from her hand and the Talia impression was trapped.
"Edolpmi," she whispered. Talia began to struggle and fight as a brighter green light began to shine within her. Her mouth opened in a silent scream as the tendrils unraveled and then simply evaporated. Alfred rushed over to help Zatanna up and she threw him a grateful smile. From the bed Bruce moaned again.
"I'll be alright for one night Zee," he said deliriously. Alfred and Zatanna went to either side of the bed and Zatanna placed a hand on his chest.
"He's okay," she sighed with relief. "He's weak, but he's okay." Alfred nodded and looked at Zatanna.
"I assume you'll want to keep his company. I shall bring up some blankets." Alfred said as he walked towards the door. Zatanna met him halfway and gently kissed his cheek.
"Thanks Alfred," she said. Both of them ignored the fact that she could easily conjure her own blankets; after watching the events of the night, it made sense that Alfred would want something to do to busy himself.
"If only I had the same luxury," she muttered. Sighing, Zatanna slid a chair up beside Bruce's bed, dug up his notes on the night and propped her feet up preparing for the long night ahead.
Around six Bruce began to stir. His attempts to stretch his legs out were blocked and he was forced to crack one eye to see what he'd fallen asleep working on. But instead of the expected jumble of notes and criminal files, he saw legs. He opened the other eye and took in Zatanna's sleeping form. Bruce sat up and was immediately overcome with a wave of dizziness. The motion jostled Zatanna and she too began to come out of her sleep induced haze. Her eyes snapped open when they landed on Bruce and with a swirl of her hand she conjured a glass of water. He drained the glass quickly before leaning back.
"What the hell happened last night?"
Zatanna didn't answer immediately; instead she went to the intercom and pressed the call button. "He's awake, Alfred." She turned to Bruce as she walked back to the bed. "I managed to remove the effects of her spell, but I was afraid that casting another one to heal you would be taking it a little too far."
The events of the previous night returned to him piece by piece and Bruce's brow wrinkled. "Wouldn't it just cure me of everything?"
Zatanna shook her head with a sad smile. "No. If there were any traces of her spell left over- and I mean even the tiniest little speck of a spell-my magic could have worsened your condition. Mixing magic-"
"Is very risky and extremely dangerous," Bruce finished. "Yeah I got it, Zana." He emphasized the nickname, knowing she hated it and hoping it would facilitate a change in subject.
"Don't try to distract me Brucie," she retaliated. "After what you put me through last night I think I'm entitled to a little nagging."
"Fine," Bruce said resolutely. "But can you at least magic up some breakfast first?"
"Tsafkaerb rof owt dna aet rof derfla." A tray laden with food appeared over Bruce's legs and downstairs, Alfred found a steaming cup of tea resting on the table he had just finished dusting. "He deserves a lot more than that," Zatanna said. "But I think the rest should come from you."
Bruce patted the empty side of the bed and Zatanna walked around to sit beside him. They ate in silence and once their plates were empty, Bruce glanced at her.
"Say it." It comes out like an order but she knew that it was more of a tired request; he wanted her to be the one to get it out in the open so that they could break the tension and go back to witty banter.
"It would only be a waste of breath," she said refusing to take the bait. Instead she sipped her coffee and looked through her lashes at him. He frowned.
"You were right Zee, I get it. I won't let it happen again."
"I never wanted to be 'right' Bruce. In fact, I wish I had been wrong about Talia."
Bruce snorted. "You hate her."
"'Hate' is a strong word. But I intensely dislike her for what she has put you through."
"I was a willing participant."
"Bruce, you've stuck your neck out for her time and time again and each time she beheads you." Zatanna waved her hand and dismissed their dishes, resting her mug on the now empty tray before turning to face Bruce. She placed a hand on his arm. "She will always choose Ra's over you. You know that."
"She wants to be different Zatanna. Who am I to deny her that?"
"Every time she comes crawling back saying 'never again' you give her another chance and every time she runs right back to Daddy the second he opens his arms. This woman is going to be the death of you."
Bruce met Zatanna's gaze. The curtains were still drawn and he felt the sadness that radiated off of her more than saw it. He sighed. I hate arguing with you, he thought. "I'm sorry for what I put you through. And thank you for cleaning up my mess." Gingerly, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him. She repositioned herself, leaning her head against his shoulder and placed one hand on his chest. She could just barely feel his heartbeat.
If Talia had had her way, it would have stopped, she couldn't help but think bitterly. "You're welcome." She allowed a half-grin to form when she felt Bruce stiffen slightly.
"Am I forgiven?" he asked. He knew from prior experience that if Zatanna was still even the slightest bit upset, he needed to be as far out of range as possible. Not that she wouldn't find me in minutes, he thought wryly.
"Not yet," she said reveling in his now fear-tinged aura. Alfred walked in and placed the newspaper in Zatanna's vacated seat.
"May I suggest taking Miss Zatanna to a nice dinner?" he said as he opened the curtains. "Or maybe lending her the jet? It's the least you could do."
Zatanna smiled as Bruce groaned. "Why do you always take her side?"
"Because she's always right," Alfred replied with the quickest of winks in Zatanna's direction. "I have already set out your suit for today, sir. I'll be downstairs dusting something if you need me."
"You should listen to your elders, Bruce," she teased as Alfred left. She moved to get up but Bruce's grip around her tightened slightly.
"Help me with the report?" he asked. "I don't remember much of what happened after I went to see you." She looked at him. His face was set as if he didn't care whether she stayed or left, but his eyes were those of the boy she'd met ages ago. She grinned up at him.
"Do I get the jet?"
"We'll discuss it over dinner."
"In Paris?"
"No."
"How about Spain? You promised for my birthday and then Two-Face robbed a bank," she said as he opened his mouth to say no again.
"No I didn't."
"Yes you did. Last year?"
Bruce remembered. "Maybe," he said with a small smile. Zatanna patted his cheek as Bruce's scrawled notes appeared in her other hand. She sat up and leaned against the headboard as she skimmed them, a pencil appearing in her hand as she scribbled what was probably nothing more than colorful commentary. "Those are serious notes," Bruce said.
"Not anymore they're not." Bruce sighed in mock frustration which caused Zatanna to laugh. Bruce stole a sip of her coffee as he pretended to read the newspaper that Alfred brought in. Zatanna simply waited. Before long her patience was rewarded and Bruce cleared his throat awkwardly. "Zee, I uh…I just-"
"Yes?" Her voice was sweet but Bruce knew better; usually she'd recognize this tone and throw him a bone, but it seemed that there would be none of that today.
"I-thank you. Again," he said after a slight pause. She looked at him from the corner of her eye.
Zatanna simply shook her head and returned to his notes. "I love you too Brucie," she chuckled.
Bruce gave an almost imperceptible sigh of relief and shifted closer so he could read what she was writing. "Don't call me Brucie."
"Don't call me Zana."
Bruce glanced at her. "You really shouldn't be jealous of Talia." He suppressed a grin when the word 'jealous' caused Zatanna's eyes to flash. "After all, if any woman is going to be the death of me Zee, it's you."
Zatanna relaxed and grinned also. "And don't you forget it." She took her coffee mug and drained the last sip. "But now that she's playing with magic you'll have to be much more careful," she warned him.
"I'm not too worried Zee," he said. "I have you."
[I think Bruce is a little OOC at the end, but I like to think that with Zatanna he shows just a smidge of sappy vulnerability. Is it too much? Feedback is always appreciated!]