What Makes a Man?

Chapter 3

The sound of police sirens were heard long before their arrival on the scene. Gordon inwardly cursed as his vehicle pulled into the area, which was deserted. Issuing a few orders to seek out the runners, Gordon got out of his car and started scouting the area. He couldn't see anyone. The place was pretty much empty except for a couple of trashcans that had been knocked to their sides, contents spilled. Amongst the spillage, he could see the usual garbage components- empty containers, food leavings, clippings and something else. He immediately recognised the red stains smeared across the ground. It was then that he noticed that some were in the shape of foot-steps, and they led off- someone had wandered away, and they were injured. He pulled out a swab kit to take a sample of the blood, and lent closer. It was then that he noticed the blood mixed with something else- something he took to be far more sinister. He called out to one of his men.

"It's a sexual assault. There's more bodily fluid than just blood here. Secure the area, the perpetrator might still be around."

He took a second swab of the evidence and placed them in a sealed bag. Then he began to follow the footsteps, calling out softly.

"Its ok…if you're still here, please indicate where you are. We're the police and we're here to help you-"

No response, but he heard a rustle. He turned and in the dark unlit shadows of the building before him, he saw a figure moving- but only just. He went to move towards it.

"Stay there!" Demanded a voice.

Gordon was surprised. It certainly wasn't a voice he was expecting.

"Batman?"

"Just, I'll be right with you…I got beat up a little. I'm fine though." Out from the darkness limped the caped man, although whether or not he had a cape was hard to say, he had it clutched tightly around him. At Gordon's questioning look, he shrugged.

"They had knives and slashed at my suit. The legs are coming off, its not a problem."

Gordon knew that a wrecked suit was not a problem, but there was something in this scenario that really got to him. He stared at the man before him, then to his feet, where a smear of blood prooved that the footsteps he had traced belonged to his boot. Batman noticed the direction of Gordon's gaze, and attempted to shift from view, agitating an injury in the process. Gasping, he started inching towards where he knew his pod to be.

"Batman…" Gordon said, moving closer to the injured crimefighter. He tentatively placed his hand on Batman's arm. Batman shoved it off.

"I'm fine, Gordon."

"Something happened. I can see that." Gordon said.

Batman shook his head.

"They beat me up a little, I'm hurt, I'll just go home and fix it up with my medical kit."

"No, you need to go to the hospital. This is serious. Very serious."

"IT'S NOTHING" Shouted the Batman, breathing heavily, nose beginning to drip blood anew. "Nothing. They just…beat me…just."

He couldn't finnish, something was making his stomach heavy and nauseous. Breathing deeply was all he could do to keep it at bay. His stomach felt like it was suddenly holding a gallon of oily greasiness. The image of Sweets entered his head, and suddenly, the greasiness rose, and he couldn't stop it. With a painful hurl, he began to expel it. Throwing up all over the ground, unable to control himself. The retching continued to do so long after the greasiness stopped. The contractions in his stomach pressed against his chest, making his ribs burn with agony, and elsewhere as well. Gordon walked over and helped the ill man up. He offered him a mint, which Batman accepted, spitting the bitter taste out of his mouth before consuming it.

"Thanks" he said quietly, then remembering "The girl? Did you find her?"

"She got away- we assume she ran off in the middle of her phonecall. She contacted emergency services."

"And have you heard from the others? Batgirl and Nightwing?"

"They managed to get a couple of guys, but none connected to Kalinsky. Drug related- but thats not important."

Gordon wanted to help the man before him. The man he trusted with every single career making case he couldn't solve himself. He knew what had gone on there, that night. It was plain for anyone to see, but for the sake of the other man's dignity, he remained discreet. He bent towards Batman and began to whisper quietly.

"Look, they need to make a kit, its- woah- woah!"

The whispering obviously disturbed the other man for some reason, because with great force, Batman lunged his head away from Gordon and the commissioner noticed that he had begun trembling. Gordon remained still until Batman composed himself.

"Sorry…don't know what came over me."

"It's fine..." Gordon continued, this time keeping his distance, a close eye on personal space. "No one will have to know. But, for your sake, you really need to get checked out. You could be seriously hurt…"

Batman began walking away, aiming for his vehicle.

Gordon called out. "Then let me know one thing, if not for your own sake, then…then for the sake of the case, and justice. I know those are important to you."

Batman nodded silently. Gordon continued, dropping his tone.

"Was it Kalinsky?"

Again, Batman gave one silent nod, and turned toward the backstreet, but Gordon wasn't finnished.

"Please, Batman. What can I do?"

Batman turns to the man, still not looking him in the eye.

"Pretend this never happened."

He left.