Welcome back, chickadees! I'm happy to have you here once more. I hope the last chapter did not disappoint and I deeply apologize for the wait on this next installment. My ten hour shifts at work really drain me and I have no time between the clinic and school to write. But, I finally did it! So, here you go!
Thank you to everyone who reviewed the past chapters! Your reviews keep me going! Also, big shout out to my boyfriend for helping me with this chapter. Thanks, big blue!
Warning: Rated T for language and some gory detail
"It isn't that big of a deal." The curly blonde hair was barely visible above the top of the refrigerator door. Jenna was leaning against the wall, smiling softly. She had left her coat on despite the warmth of the building; she was not planning on staying very long.
"It kinda is." The woman stated, wiggling her toes inside her boots. The man, Dominic, shut the fridge and shot her a playful glare as he made his way over to her. In his hands were two beers, the green bottles labeled with gold letters that read 'Sangre del Sol Séptimo' on the side. Jenna politely took the offered beverage and sipped at it lightly.
"So, I'm epileptic. Big deal. It shouldn't prevent me from doing my job."
"Which is what, may I ask?" The woman replied, smirking.
"Well, I handle the codes and blueprints and junk." Dominic grimaced briefly and took a hard swig of his beer. "I get it, Jen. My brain doesn't function after a seizure. If it isn't functioning, then I can't relay the codes or any of that." A nod from the woman. "If I take my pills, then it shouldn't matter, though. I can make it through one pickup or one escort without any problems."
Jenna stepped away from the wall, setting her bottle down on a side table and moving to the blonde's side. He watched her approach with hooded eyes, taking another long pull at the beer.
"I understand that, Dom. I do. Garth is the one who is worried. That seizure at the bank was scary for him. For me, too. Even Hunt was scared for you. It is not easy to forget those kinds of things." Jenna ruffled his hair and gestured at his arm. "Roll up your sleeve." Doing was he was asked, the man continued to lament.
"It isn't fair, Jen. I'm not an invalid. Garth doesn't understand what this sitting around is doing to me." The woman nodded, not speaking so that she could concentrate on the man's pulse. She was mouthing numbers to herself, fingers against his wrist.
"Can't you talk to him, Jenna?" Dominic asked, frowning. The woman let go of his wrist and reached for her drink once more. She drank slowly, shutting her eyes as she took a moment to relish the bitter taste of the hops. Once she finished, Jenna wiped her lips and met the gray eyes of her host.
"I can try. I can't guarantee that it will do any good."
"Please, Jenna."
"Alright, Dom. I will speak to him tomorrow." She promised. "Where are your meds?" The man pointed to an off white cabinet near to the kitchen. On the shelves, there was an array of knick-knacks; keys, a pair of dice, marbles, thimbles and a box of tissues were scattered on the shelving. Jenna spotted the orange medication bottle set aside from the rest of the junk and grabbed it. Eying the white sticker across the front, she wrote on her hand how much he needed and the name of the med: tiagabine. Popping the lid off, she counted how many pills the man had left. 'Only 5.' She thought before snapping the top shut and placing it back.
"You been taking it daily?" Jenna asked, stepping back towards the door. Dominic sighed loudly and nodded with exaggerated vigor.
"Yes, mother."
"Ha, ha, Dom. I'm just looking out for you. Been drinking enough water?"
"Yeah."
"Eating three meals?"
"Yup. Four, sometimes."
"Sleeping alright? Getting enough sun?"
"Yes to both. Will you just go?" At that point, the two were standing beside the door and the man had his hand on the doorknob. Jenna laughed, a silvery sound, and hugged her friend. They bid each other farewell and Jenna made her way back through the thickly scented hall to the stairs, which she took two at a time. Stepping out the door, she spotted her ride and proceeded to make her way to the side of the large black car. Jenna entered the passenger side, buckled in, and let Lucas drive her home.
The drive was comfortable and Jenna found herself dozing in her seat. By the time they reached her flat, the gray of the city had faded to an almost pure, inky black. The rain had let up and the stars were shining like gem stones in the carpet of the sky now that the clouds had drifted away. Lucas shook her awake, gently, and smiled at her as she rubbed her eyes. The woman thanked him sleepily and waved as he drove away, splashing through puddles of glistening rain water.
The criminal yawned again and fumbled in her pockets for her keys. The building behind her was large and well-lit; the large glass doors were illuminated with the rich glow of the grand lighting. Jenna drifted up the steps and through the doors, sighing in the more pleasant atmosphere. The hallway had a lovely carpet that was the rich green of tree tops and large paintings of men and women in random life poses and events. Stepping to her right, Jenna reached the base of a staircase, which was also carpeted. She cruised quickly up to the very top floor and whipped around the banister, spinning around it with one hand on the railing. The corridor that was laid out before her was just as lavish as the entryway of the apartments, with the same dark carpeting. There were fewer paintings to pass on the way to her doorway, which was directly at the end. The door was thick steel and was designed similarly to a barn door, as per her own request. The woman slipped her small golden key into the lock and twisted it. When she heard the click, thunk of her lock, she rolled the door to the right and let herself in.
"Home, sweet home." Jenna said out loud, throwing her arms up above her head in a mock cheer.
The loft was large, even by Gotham's standards, with five bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, two bathrooms and a covered patio that overlooked Gotham's channel. The den area, which was the lowest part of the apartment, had two large couches and a flat screen television hanging from the wall. The cherry wood coffee table had a stack of magazines and a withering bouquet of poppies.
Jenna hung up her keys on a hook on the left of the door frame, shed her coat and kicked off her shoes. She closed the door, flicked on the lights and blinked as the rooms became bright. Rolling her shoulders, she walked into the kitchen area of the loft, planning to brew some tea and settle down for some late night couch surfing.
A few minutes passed and, with her steaming mug of honeyed chamomile, Jenna curled up on the couch, still in her business clothes. She flipped to a black and white movie, one in which a man and woman were embracing one another and confessing their love, and let her mind wander. By the time the movie ended, her tea was finished and she was nearly dozing where she sat. Jenna stretched, wiggling her toes, before standing. Abandoning her cup, she moseyed into her bedroom and withdrew a pair of gray leggings and a tank top to wear to bed. Wriggling into the bottoms, which were just a bit tight on her muscular legs, she stopped briefly as a soft rustling sound from the balcony caught her attention. When it did not sound again, she shrugged and tied the string to her shorts. Removing her bra and slipping the shirt over her head, Jenna wandered back to the den, peering cautiously out where the sound had originated from.
The city lights sparkled as she padded outside, breathing in the cool air that was still thick with the rain. The blaring of car horns and screeching of tires could be heard, but nothing else. No trace of the odd rustling she had heard before. 'Maybe it was my imagination.' She thought and, with another bob of her shoulders, turned to go back inside. The movement was cut short as she nearly ran into a large dark figure standing directly behind her, so close that it could have been her shadow. She yelped and stumbled backwards, eyes widening as she took in what she believed to be a demon.
The looming creature was clad in all black, from the horn-like protrusions on its head to the long flowing cape that trailed behind it. The eyes were hot coals in the shroud of its face and were blazing as if to brand her like cattle with its glare. She gasped, covering her mouth with one trembling hand.
"W-what..." She started, but just as the word left her lips the figure lunged for her. Its clawed hand reached out, grabbing her by the front of her shirt with enough force to make her lose her footing and cry out. She was dragged forward so that she was face to face with the horror. At the closer distance, Jenna could almost make out stubble on the slightly shallow cheeks.
"Who do you work for?" Came a voice from the cowl, and it was terrible and grating.
"What?" Jenna squeaked again, utterly terrified.
"I want names! Who employs you for the organ trafficking?" The claws dug into her skin, causing welts to raise there. Jenna barely had time to register the command before the figure walked her over to the wall and slammed her against it. Her head crack sharply on the bricks, making her dizzy. Wincing, the woman tried to blink the stars from her eyes.
"I don't…"
"How do they pick their victims?" It was a threat that the creature did not bother to veil. "Who are they?" The voice was growling so lowly now that it was as if it was from the depths of hell. Jenna was positively shaking.
"I don't know the bosses or the bodies." The hand tightened, twisted her clothes so that she was being lifted to her tiptoes. Panicky breaths shuddered from between her lips, which she licked nervously. "Honest! The bosses are faceless to me. I don't even deal with them, only their hired thugs." Another rough growl came from the black shape and the abyss of the face came close to her ear.
"You better not be lying to me." It was nearly a whisper.
"I'm not! I'm just told to do the pick-ups! Nothing more. I'm just a delivery girl... p-please don't kill me." Jenna gulped noisily. She felt her feet settle back on the ground as the hand released the front of her clothes. Her legs nearly gave under her. The dark figure stepped back from her and removed a claw like contraption from somewhere in its cloak. Jenna flinched at the sight of it.
"Consider yourself lucky that I'm not taking you in tonight." With that, the demon extended its arm and shot the claw off into the dark. Within seconds, it was lifted away as if it flew on coal black wings.
Jenna stood for a full minute, staring up at the sky where the creature had taken off. She barely blinked. Her breath came in little gusts. 'Was that...'
"Batman?"
The bar was noisy, the chatter and laughter swirling around the room just like smoke from a cigarette. Glasses clinked and women giggled as Lucas swirled his hand in the air, signaling another round for himself and his friends. They all sat around a booth table, casually talking about their lives and their jobs.
"Hey, man! Did you see that crash on Siler? Total demo derby!" They all laughed raucously. Lucas wiped his eyes and glanced around for the waitress.
"Dinah was talking about going steady the other day. What do I say to that?"
"You say yes! Dude, she is a bombshell!" The waitress came over carrying a tray with five shots of some undoubtedly strong amber liquid and set them down in front of Lucas as well as his friends. One such friend, who had been staying relatively quiet throughout the night, picked up his glass in favor of holding it up in a silent toast. The body guard copied the motion and together they tossed them back, faces screwing up at the burn.
The moment the leftover tingle from the alcohol had passed, Lucas felt his phone buzzing in his coat pocket. He reached back, slipped the small black cellphone free and glanced at the number on the screen. It was blocked, meaning that it was either his employer or his primary, Jenna. Sighing, he answered the call, plugging his other ear with his pinky so he could hear.
"This is Lucas."
"Lucas! Luke, oh my God…Luke!" Came the voice on the other end. It was panicked, but discernibly female.
"Jenna?" Concern flooded through the large man now, sobering him immediately.
"Lucas, I… shit I can't… I need you!" He had never heard her sound so afraid in his time working for her. She had faced down crazed gunmen and terrorists without batting an eyelash, but whatever- or whoever- had gotten to her really shook her up. Her voice was wavering and he could hear her shallow breathing.
"Jenna, what's happened? Are you somewhere safe?" He asked, standing and stepping away from the table. His companions had gone still, watching him.
"Y-yes. I'm at home. But, I dunno how safe it is…"
"What happened?"
"I was attacked." She faltered at the end and he heard the choking sob. He cursed and slapped some pocket cash on the table for his drinks.
"Alright, I'm coming now. Are you hurt?"
"No, I don't think... just please hurry."
"Be there in 10."
Lucas apologized to his friends and began to leave, but was stopped by a hand on his elbow. He turned, eyes flashing dangerously, but he calmed when he met the eyes of his old friend.
"Everything alright?" The man asked, frowning. Lucas shook his head.
"My primary was attacked. I need to check on her." The other man nodded and released his grip on Lucas' shirt.
"Let me grab my coat."
"What?"
"I'm coming with you. I need to get out of here anyways." The larger man smiled thankfully and the two left together.
On the street, they flew through the late night traffic, weaving in and out and ignoring the angry honks of the other drivers. The lights flashed by and began to blur as Lucas laid on the gas pedal. Within seven minutes, they pulled up to the apartment building where Jenna lived. Lucas offered his friend one of his handguns, but the man turned it down as he flashed a pair of his own sitting at his waist. Once inside, the men raced up the stairs to the loft's styled door, eyes darting this way and that looking for trouble. When nothing appeared out of order, Lucas knocked once on the door.
"Jenna, it's me." A moment ticked by and Lucas' heart was in his throat from the worry. What if she was hurt or unconscious and couldn't answer the door. Just as he was about to knock again, the door slid open just a sliver. The curls and left eye of the woman appeared, stared for a moment, then the door opened enough for the two men to enter.
It was dark, save for a single lamp light. With a metallic thudding, the door closed behind them. Lucas turned to Jenna, his eyebrows pulled together.
"Are you-?" He couldn't finish as the woman flung herself at him, pressing herself into his stomach.
"Oh my God, it was terrible! I have never been so scared in my life. I just… thank you for coming!" The large man laid his hands on her shoulders, peeling her face away from his torso for a moment. He looked at her face, noticed the tear stains and the paled skin.
"Jenna, tell me what happened. Who attacked you?" The woman's lip was trembling as she answered.
"Batman." The bodyguard stared blankly at her, blinked once then twice before responding.
"Bat…man?" He asked, incredulously.
"Yes. Or… I think it was. It was a person with a black cape and these horn things and glowing eyes. He was so scary! He grabbed me and questioned me about Garth, but I didn't tell him anything. I was so terrified."
"Jenna." Lucas spoke sharply, cutting off her rambling. She let out a breath and shook her head.
"I feel so stupid for calling you. I'm probably just being silly. I'm sorry. There is no such thing as-"
"Batman?" They turned to regard the man who had accompanied Lucas from the bar, who had been all but invisible until that moment. "As a matter of fact, there is."
The statement made Jenna's posture straighten and her eyes widen. She bit her lip, contemplating his words.
"How do you know?" The woman pondered out loud, not expecting a clear answer. Without looking at her, the man strode forward until he stood directly in front of her. He met her eyes and she was at once taken aback by the deep, almost black brown of his own orbs.
"I know because I've tangled with just such a man before. Black cape, a growl for a voice, eyes that burn. That's the Bat."
"There is no such thing as a Bat Man." Lucas countered, trying to reassure his ward. Jenna frowned and squinted at the man in front of her, who had not looked away.
"And, what kind of man, may I ask, is the kind that can 'tangle' with a creature like that? Who are you?"
"I'm no one special, ma'am. Just had the misfortune of running into that thing, just like you. My name?" He took her hand in his own and brought it his mouth, brushing his lips across her knuckles in a kiss,
"It's Floyd Lawton."
Whoa! All done with that one. Yay for some Deadshot cameo! I had some trouble with the Batsy scene, but I think it came out alright. Again, I'm so sorry that I have not updated in so long! I hope this makes up for it! Review if you liked it and hang tight for some more soon! I'm already writing it!
