Jim Gordon stood waiting next to the lit Batsignal. It had been weeks since there had been any sightings of either Robin or Catwoman. All Gotham had seen was a more brutal than usual Batman. Not so brutal that the woman had died, Jim figured, just not as controlled as he usually was with the bright bird at his side. There was no telling what had happened to her with the kind of damage she had taken from the bullets. She could be in a coma, paralyzed, anything.
The image of her falling with Robin in her arms, the impact of the bullets jerking her body, Batman's scream of rage; none of it would ever leave his mind. The seemingly endless moments before either of them could get to the fallen pair. The breath of relief when the Boy Wonder had crawled out from under Catwoman; all things that made him grateful his Barbara was safe and sound at home. That she would never be running rooftops as a vigilante.
Although, there had never been any real proof of Catwoman's crimes it was known in criminal circles and GCPD that certain jobs were done by her. No one had ever been physically hurt by her that he was aware of and he was pretty sure that everyone, or thing, she stole from deserved it in some way. Almost a Robin Hood theme but that would be Star City's guy, he grinned to himself. Still he'd heard rumours of donations within days or weeks of a big heist. Even if she was a good bad guy they had been trying to catch her for years.
He could still remember the conversation with Batman that changed things.
"About Catwoman, Jim."
Jim looked curiously at the dark imposing figure on the roof with him. "Have you found some evidence against her?"
"Not exactly." The Batman's lip twitched. "You won't need to be worried about any crimes related to her any longer. She'll be working with me and Robin from now on."
"She's working for you?" Jim was sincerely shocked. He'd heard the rumours surrounding the two, had even caught a glimpse of them on a rooftop once.
"For me?" Jim heard a sound he didn't know the Dark Knight could make – a chuckle. No one would ever believe him. "Catwoman doesn't work for anyone." Jim swore he heard him mutter under his breath. "Damn woman couldn't take an order if her life depended on it."
"Jim." Batman's voice jerked Jim back to the present. He eyed the vigilante carefully. How did the man always sneak up on him? Did he sound better, though, less gruff? Laughter rang out through the air and Jim spun around to look at the roof top next to them.
Robin flipped onto the ledge of the roof and walked along it in a handstand. Standing next to him watching with a smile was a woman clad in black and grey Kevlar and armour. A utility belt encircled her waist and a whip hung from it. Long black hair spilled from the back of a cowl tipped with cat ears.
Jim felt relief rush through him. She was alive and whole and well. Back to defend the city apparently as well. He was grateful for that. He'd discovered that Gotham needed her as it did Batman and Robin. Whatever her relationship was to them, he knew she couldn't be Robin's mother; she had still been willing give up her life without thinking to protect the boy. His Barbara's own mother hadn't even been willing to stay. Catwoman looked over and waved at him. He waved back.
"Jim." Batman's voice held a trace of amusement this time.
He turned slowly back to Batman. "We weren't sure. We thought it likely she lived or you would have been worse but with no Robin either….." His voice trailed off and he shrugged.
Batman stayed silent for so long Jim was sure he wouldn't answer. When he finally did he spoke softly. "It was close, too close. I tried to make them both stop, to stay home. I was outvoted."
The Batcave was a democracy? He wondered who was more surprised to learn that – him or Batman?