DISCLAIMERS/NOTES
1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by DC Comics. I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.
2. This is a femslash story. If you don't like that sort of thing, you won't like this.
3. Though most of my stories are interconnected, this is a direct sequel to Intruders, so perhaps anyone who hasn't read that should read it before this.
PART 4
Selina sat by the bedside, her heart completely broken. Her wife - her pregnant wife - was dying.
Selina knew something was wrong immediately. As soon as Zatanna began slurring her words on stage, the Catwoman's breath caught. When the magician had dropped her wand, Selina was moving before it even hit the floor. By the time Zee clutched her stomach and began to fall, Selina was there, having leapt onto the stage. She managed to catch her collapsing spouse before she was halfway down, but her eyes were already rolling into the back of her head. Selina was horrified... moreso when she saw blood trickling from Zatanna's nose.
The curtain had quickly dropped, blocking them from the horrified audience. An ambulance was called, but Selina would not allow anyone to even touch her wife... she knew it was stupid, but she could not bear anyone doing anymore harm to her, even by accident. Selina had just cradled her spouse, tears pouring down her face, begging Zee to wake up - to no response.
It seemed to take forever for help to arrive, and when it did, it was not an ambulance - it was Bruce. He had heard the emergency call on his cowl radio, and probably broken every speed limit to get there. For him, it was good the curtain was down, or the general public might have found it odd that the Batman was concerning himself with an accident at a stage show. Not that Selina cared in the least about his reputation: all her focus was on her beloved.
And now, there they were, in the Watchtower infirmary. The journey to the satellite was like a blurr to Selina: she was just distraught over what was happening. She was barely thinking straight. Indeed, the famous Catwoman had never felt so helpless. In the back of her mind, Selina was cursing herself for her inaction. While Bruce took control, she just cried her heart out. But she could not help it - her whole world was crumbling. Her wife, the woman who was carrying five babies, was suddenly and inexplicably at death's door.
Only... it was not inexplicable to Selina. She knew this would happen. She knew it! Zee kept pushing herself, kept insisting she could carry on... Selina should have put a stop to it. She should have insisted her wife stopped doing anything and stay in one of their homes, either in Gotham, San Francisco or Shadowcrest. But because Zee was as pigheaded as Selina herself, she had pushed herself too far. Clearly, the stress of carrying five children had finally caught up with the magician. Selina's worst fears had been realised. The woman she loved more than anything in the world was dying.
She had stayed by Zatanna's bedside ever since, with the magician slipping in and out of consciousness. The times she had been awake, she was largely incoherent, mumbling random things. And holding her tummy. Selina noticed that all too well. Selina was terrified, not just of what would happen to her wife, but also to their children. After all the heartache she had been through in her life, all the loneliness... she had finally found the person of her dreams, someone to spend the rest of her life with... and on the verge of family bliss, it was being taken away from her. Selina was crestfallen.
"Mrs. Kyle-Zatara, did you hear me?"
Selina darted her head at J'onn J'onzz's voice. "Huh?"
The Martian Manhunter smiled sadly. "I said, her condition is stabilising."
Selina returned her gaze to her lover. "Th... thank you." She lightly stroked Zee's sweatsoaked brow, her other hand never leaving the magician's. "Is she... are they going to... " Selina went silent as tears trickled down.
"I... don't think so," J'onn said. "The... whatever is wrong with her, seems to be subsiding."
"Please, my darling," Selina said to her comotose wife, "stay with me. I... " She tried to compose herself. She hated anyone seeing her like this. She was usually so calm, collected and confident. But when it came to her sweetheart's wellbeing, all that went out the window. "I love you so much... "
She did not even notice Wonder Woman, AKA Diana Wayne, enter. "How is she?" she asked worriedly.
"She's stable," J'onn reiterated. Unnoticed by Selina, the Martian and Amazon exchanged a knowing look.
"That's good," Diana said, before placing a comforting hand on Selina's shoulder. The Catwoman did not even move, her eyes never leaving Zatanna. "I'm so sorry, Selina... I came as soon as I could." There was a reason she and Bruce had not been at the show. Wonder Woman had ambassadorial work over in Japan, and without his wife, there was little point in Bruce Wayne attending an entertainment event. That was his excuse, anyway. It probably had more to do with the fact it was the same theatre he had been to... with his parents. "Is there anything I can do?" Diana asked.
"No," Selina answered emptily. "Thank you."
"Mrs. Kyle-Zatara," said J'onn, "you haven't eaten since you... arrived." They had been there for a few hours.
"I'm not leaving her," Selina growled. She lifted Zatanna's hand and kissed her knuckles. "I'll never leave you..." she whispered.
Diana sighed. "Perhaps... we can get you something." She looked again at J'onn, who nodded. The two then headed for the exit, Diana turning back before they left. "Selina... ?"
The Catwoman simply kept showering her fallen wife with affection.
Sighing again, Diana and J'onn left them alone...
TO BE CONTINUED
