"Team, suit up and report in the mission room for briefing," Batman ordered over the intercom system.
"I thought we had the day off," Conner muttered, turning off the TV.
"Maybe it's an emergency mission," Wally suggested.
"Whatever it is, we better get going," Artemis sighed, standing up.
"I'll see you guys there," M'gann smiled, morphing her clothes into her uniform.
"Not if I beat you there," Wally smirked, dashing out of the room.
"Did they forget that you and I are in our uniforms already?" Kaldur asked Superboy. Conner shrugged and walked out of the room.
"You still need to get your water bearers," Artemis reminded him, quickly running out of the room. Kaldur allowed a small smirk to slide onto his lips before he raced out of the room, determined to not be beat.
"Damnit!" Artemis growled as she entered the room, being the last to arrive. "I have to get an outfit that's easier to put on!"
"Wait, Rob's not here," Wally noted.
"That is because Robin will not be joining you for this mission," Batman informed them as he entered the room. The computer came on and showed an image of the Gotham museum. "Earlier today, an icon was delivered to the Gotham City museum. This icon is said to be a treasure that will grant its owner one wish, if you can remove the crown without damaging the icon." The image changed to a golden cat icon, with a bejeweled crown on its head. "Needless to say, it's worth millions."
"Okay, not to sound rude or anything, but why are you telling us this?" Artemis asked. "Don't you and Robin have this covered?"
"Ordinarily we would, yes," Batman nodded. "But the Joker has broken out of Arkham and we need to track him down before he can get reacquainted with his right hand-woman Harley Quinn. While Robin and I are tracking down the Joker, I want you to guard this icon. It's being targeted, tonight."
"Understood," Kaldur nodded. "But, if you do not mind me asking, how do you know this?"
"Because, Catwoman is the one that plans on stealing it," Batman answered. An image of the cat themed thief appeared. She wore a skin tight body suit and had a cowl with cat ears. Goggles were over her eyes, covering them.
Wally let out a wolf whistle. "She's hot."
"Don't let her know that," Batman warned him. "If she finds out what you just said, she'll use it to her advantage. She's always got a trick up her sleeve, so be careful."
"How long should we stay?" M'gann asked.
"Until the morning if you have to," Batman answered.
"We will depart at once," Kaldur nodded.
The Gotham museum was silent as the night dragged on. The members of the team were all patrolling with M'gann and Superboy outside and Artemis patrolling the hallways. Kaldur and Wally were both inside the room that held the cat icon.
"Can I just tell you guys how much this icon thing freaks me out?"Wally commented through the communicator. "I mean, those ruby eyes just seem to follow you everywhere."
"I agree, it is rather unsettling, but we must protect it," Kaldur told him.
"Besides, I mean, it can't be that bad," M'gann told him.
"Yeah, you're just scared, Baywatch," Artemis smirked.
"I am not! That thing is just freaky!" Wally hissed.
"I find it endearing," a new voice smirked. Kaldur and Wally look at the entrance and saw Catwoman, casually leaning against the archway.
"How did you get in here?" Kaldur asked, taking out his water bearers.
"The roof," Catwoman answered with a smirk, as she pushed herself up and walked towards the two heroes. "Cats always prefer high places, didn't you know that?"
"I know that you won't get away with that icon," Wally shouted, running at her. Catwoman stayed in place. As he got closer she smirked and jumped in the air, flipping over him. The feline-like woman kicked him in the back, sending him crashing into the wall. She landed in a crouched position on her hands and feet. She turned towards Aqualad and slashed her claws, trying to strike him. Kaldur formed the water to make a shield, guarding him. His other bearer stayed a sword and he lashed out, trying to strike at her.
"Aqualad behind you!" Kid Flash shouted. Kaldur gasped as he felt a pain in his lower back. To be more precise, it was at the center of his spinal cord, a sensitive area for him. He fell to the ground, hissing in pain. Aqualad and Kid Flash looked up at the newcomer, taking the person in. He was a young teenage boy. He had on a tight leather vest that was black in color. He wore leather pants and wore boots that were heeled. His arms were covered by fingerless black leather gloves. His fingers were covered by steel claws. Over his head was a cat eared cowl that had tufts of black hair sticking out of the end of it. He had a collar, not a choker, an actual collar around his neck. To wrap the costume up, he had something wrapped around his waist, giving him a tail. In his hand was the case for Aqualad's water bearers. The case that shielded his weak spot.
"Nice work Tomcat," Catwoman praised, giving the small boy a hug. She nuzzled his face and smirked at the two boys. "Meet my apprentice, Tomcat."
"Kid Flash, Aqualad," Tomcat nodded, lightly drumming his fingers against his leg. "It was nice meeting you, but we really must be going. We have an auction to attend and all that."
"Hold it," Artemis growled, aiming an arrow at them. Superboy dropped from the skylight and Miss Martian followed behind him. "You aren't going anywhere with that icon."
"Artemis, Superboy, and Miss Martian," Tomcat smirked. "I was wondering when you were going to show up."
"Too bad the Joker escaped from Arkham," Catwoman sighed wistfully. "I would so enjoy seeing my little Tomcat play with Robin. That would have been fun."
"Perhaps another time," Tomcat smiled up at her. "Right now, we must deal with our current playmates."
"Yes, I suppose so," Catwoman nodded, slowly unzipping her costume. The boys couldn't help but blush as the zipper stopped under her naval. She reached a hand inside her costume just as Tomcat let his fingers slide under his pants slightly, making the girls blush.
"Are you going to stop us by putting on some kind of show?" Superboy asked.
"Just one," Catwoman answered, pulling her hand out of her costume, the handle of her whip securely in her hand. Tomcat pulled his fingers out, gripping the handle of a whip. He pulled it and revealed that the tail wrapped around his waist, was his own whip. They both cracked them expertly, smirking. Kaldur and Wally stood up, preparing for the fight. Catwoman flipped backwards, swinging her whip at the flying Martian. The leather wrapped around the green girl's waist and she was flung into a wall. Superboy let out a yell of anger and jumped at the feminine feline.
Tomcat flipped backwards as Artemis began shooting arrows at him. Kid Flash ran at him, trying to throw him off balance. Tomcat simply smirked and swung his whip, wrapping it around Kid Flash's neck. He used it to pull the red head close, smirking. "You know, I've always preferred redheads." He slammed his lips against the redhead's, making the speedster freeze in shock. Tomcat pulled away, smirking at Kid Flash who stood frozen. Tomcat stuck his tongue out and playfully licked the boy's nose before kicking him away, the whip resting limply at his side. "That kiss certainly was hot." Tomcat licked his lips, winking at Wally. "Even if forced, a kiss is still a kiss."
"Whoa! Time out! You do not just kiss the enemy!" Artemis shouted, aiming an arrow.
"Why not?" Tomcat asked, tilting his head in an innocent and cute fashion. "Catwoman and Batman kiss sometimes. In fact, they do it a lot and deeply. Compared to them, we just made out."
"Okay, that is way too much info," Wally groaned.
"How do you think I felt," Tomcat scoffed. He jumped out of the way, as Aqualad's water whip slammed onto the ground. "What a naughty fishy. We weren't done talking. But, if you want, I can show you how a real whip works." He lashed out, grabbing Aqualad's wrist with his whip. Tomcat swung him around before bringing him closer. He dug his claws into Aqualad's back, and kicked him away, knocking the Atlantean out. "Now…where were we?" An arrow flew past him, nearly grazing his cheek. "Fine, we'll continue fighting. It's so disappointing when your toys don't listen to you." Artemis shot more arrows but Tomcat swung his whip, striking the projectiles down in midair. "You'll have to do better than that," Tomcat smirked. He ran forward and jumped in the air, flipping and swinging his whip. He landed on the ground like a cat.
Kid Flash rushed towards Tomcat, intent on knocking him off his feet. The cat-like thief swung his whip low to the ground, grabbing a hold of Kid Flash's ankle. The speedster was swung around before he collided with Artemis. Tomcat nodded to himself and turned back to his mentor, who was just dodging the punches and objects thrown at her.
"Catwoman!" Tomcat shouted, running towards her. Catwoman nodded and linked her hands together. Tomcat stepped into her hands and was shot into the sky. He elegantly flipped through the air and flew towards Miss Martian. The green skinned girl used her telekinesis to push him away. Tomcat flew into to the podium holding the icon.
"No!" Catwoman shouted as it fell to the ground, breaking. The two cat thieves looked at the broken icon before looking at each other and nodding. Catwoman flipped over to her sidekick and stood next to him. "Well, that's too bad that our treasure just had to break," she sighed.
"Agreed," Tomcat nodded. "See you next time kitties!" The male thief reached into his pocket and took out a small sphere. He threw it onto the ground and smoke appeared, clouding up the room.
"Baywatch! Clear the air!" Artemis shouted. Kid Flash nodded and spun on his heel, creating a small tornado that got rid of the smoke.
"They're gone," Miss Martian sighed.
"I can go after them!" Superboy shouted, getting ready to jump.
"No! We need to get Aqualad back to the cave," Artemis told him. "And…we need to tell Batman that the icon is broken."
"Well…? How was it?" Catwoman asked, sitting down on one of the gargoyles. Tomcat leaned against another and nodded.
"It was rather…exhilarating," he smiled, looking into the light.
"I told you it would be," Catwoman smiled. "You just beat your team. They never saw any of that coming." She slipped off her mask, running a hand through her short, dark brown hair. Tomcat nodded and pulled his mask off as well, revealing Dick Grayson underneath.
"Too bad the statue broke," Dick sighed. "I wonder how we're going to explain this to Batman."
"Who cares," Selina shrugged her shoulders, looking at the stars. "I never gave you that day of relaxation I promised you this morning. I made you train with the whip all day long. Sorry about that birdie."
"It's fine, I had a nice time," Dick smiled. "Becoming Tomcat was fun."
"I'll pay you back though, there's an amusement park in Steel City this weekend. I bet I can convince old Batman to come with us and let his hair down," Selina smiled.
"Sure, I'd like that," Dick smiled. "I want a chance to act like a family." Selina nodded and ruffled his hair, earning a small purr of satisfaction.
"Look at that, I got you acting like a real cat already," Selina smiled. She tugged her cowl back on and Dick followed. "I'll see you tomorrow kid."
"See ya," Dick smiled as Catwoman stood up, stretching her limbs.
"Oh, and by the way, you might want to sleep over at that cave of yours tonight," Selina warned him.
"Can you at least give me an hour to change and go over there?" Dick requested.
"Sure, its going to be awhile before Batman gets home anyway. And don't think you're off the hook. We're going to be talking about that kiss later." Catwoman winked at him and jumped off the building, landing on the one below. Dick sighed and rolled his eyes, taking out his whip and began swinging through the city to get to the phone booth.
So, what do you guys think? I've been toying with the idea of Tomcat for a while now. I just got to thinking about what if Dick was the sidekick for Catwoman, and this image of Dick as Tomcat just wouldn't leave my head. I've fallen in love with the idea, character and personality of Tomcat. Tell me if you want to see more of Tomcat and I'll post more chapters!