Nyssa crossed the Gotham skyline, traveling from building to building. She'd been at this for 5 minutes. He should have found her by now. Sure enough there was a slight whoosh of air behind her. Nyssa's mouth curled.

"It took you long enough." She remarked, turning. "I-" She paused, taking in the silhouette at the other side of the roof. "You are decidedly not Batman."

"No, I'm not." The woman stepped forward. Her costume was black and emblazoned with a bright red bat that matched the color of her hair. "You must be Nyssa al Ghul." She frowned. "I've seen your picture in old batty's files. Why are you in Gotham?"

"I came to ask Bruce's assistance." Nyssa said. Batwoman sputtered.

"Not to sound, skeptical, but aren't you the current Ra's al Ghul?" She pronounced the title Razz, causing Nyssa's teeth to grit.

"Your information is old." She said.

"Doubtful." Batwoman said.

Nyssa tilted her head. "I had hoped to converse with Batman on neutral territory-"

"Then you shouldn't have come to Gotham." Batwoman said. "Now leave, before I make you."

Nyssa scoffed. "You wish to challenge me?" She said, rising an eyebrow.

"Challenge implies that the fight will be fair." Batwoman said.

Nyssa pulled her sword from it's scabbard and tossed it to the ground, then smirked at Batwoman. "There, now you stand a chance."

"Confident." Batwoman said. "I love that in a woman."

"As do I." Nyssa replied. Batwoman grinned, her blood red lips, pulling back in a smile.

"It's such a shame that I'm going to have to kick your ass." She sighed mournfully, then struck out. Nyssa, blocked her arm, pushing it down and using it as leverage to flip Batwoman on her back. She pulled her legs to her chest and pushed herself backwards, rolling over and landing in a crouch. Nyssa smirked. Batwoman slid her leg out, sweeping it out to try and catch Nyssa's legs out from under her. Nyssa jumped back.

"How do you expect to defeat me?" She asked, "When I was trained by the man who trained the man who trained you." She ducked another one of Batwoman's strikes.

"I trained myself." Batwoman grabbed Nyssa's arm and pulled her against her chest. "If Batman had his way, I wouldn't be doing this." She whispered in her ear. Nyssa dropped to her knees, tugging Batwoman over her shoulder. Batwoman somersaulted and landed on her feet, her arms up, defensive.

"You are quite skilled." Nyssa admitted to being impressed as she straightened up. "Take me to Batman, I need to talk to him."

Batwoman snorted. "I dont-"

"Stand down, Batwoman." A deep growl interrupted them. They both turned to look up at the water tower above them. His cape was whipping around him, his eyes narrowed.

"How are you doing that?" Batwoman grumbled. "There's no damn wind." She straightened up and stood back.

Batman jumped down, his cape spread like bat's wings. He hit the roof in a crouch. Straightening, he came close to Nyssa. She refused to move, staring straight up at him; meeting his gaze unflinchingly.

"Why are you in Gotham?" He asked.

"I came to ask for help." She said. "I wish to learn another way. I am sick of killing."

"Then why not ask for help from your husband?" Batman asked. "Why leave Star City?"

"As well you know, my husband's resolve not to kill has wavered." She closed her eyes. "In addition, I lost someone I truly cared for, even began to love." The bitter memory of Laurel's death soured her mouth, but strengthened her resolve. She looked Batman straight in the eyes. "You asked to save me once, when I was a child."

Batman nodded. "You refused." He said, bluntly.

"I was young." She said. "and we both lost much that day." She hesitated, then added. "Do it in memory of her. Of Talia."

He stiffened.

"My sister." She said.

He closed his eyes, his mouth pressing into a line. SIlence fell. Around them, the sound of the Gotham night enveloped them. A police siren, a drunk cursing, a bottle breaking, someone slamming a door. "Surrender your sword." He finally said. "You won't be allowed to operate on the streets until we've given you permission."

"We?" Nyssa asked.

"My team." Bruce said, turning to Batwoman. "Take her to the cave."

Batwoman nodded. "My bike's 3 blocks over." She looked Nyssa up and down. "Try and keep up."