Title: Catwoman: Vex – Flower Time, Part II
Summary: They've discovered Poison Ivy is behind the kidnappings, but they don't know why. More importantly, they have yet to find any of the kidnapped victims.
Disclaimer: DC owns all characters.

Batman saw Catwoman thrown across the bar towards a corner. For a second he was torn: go after her to insure her well-being or keep the civilians safe from Ivy's creations? It took most of his self-control to chose the latter and keep his feet glued to his current spot. It didn't matter what he wanted. It was imperative to get the civilians—and their kidnapped children—out alive and he instructed Nightwing to do so.

However, he couldn't help the way his gaze darted to Catwoman's motionless form every few seconds. Relief washed over him when he saw her stir. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her survey the scene. His jaw tensed when she looked at Wildcat and a small grin appeared on her face. When her gaze turned to himself, the grin vanished, replaced by something resembling a frown. He forced himself not to react outwardly to her expression, but it was as though she had struck him straight through his gut with an acid laced knife. Then, she glanced elsewhere and just as quickly, her face was blank once more as she stood.

"'Bout time ya got up," Wildcat addressed her in an easy manner, but Batman could see he had been worried, too. The former Champ cracked his knuckles and he could hear the laughter in his voice when he added, "Ya were 'bout to miss all the fun."

She tried to walk without letting it show, but it was obvious to him she was in pain.

"Wouldn't want that now, would I?" Catwoman grinned at Wildcat and Batman felt his right hand twitch.

That's when Nightwing made his move.

…

Batgirl returned to the bar after making sure the man who stopped in to have a quick drink was not involved with the kidnappings. She found the place in chaos. Batman and Nightwing were fighting the unassuming-looking waitress and losing. Catwoman and Wildcat seemed to be having the same problem with the bartender. Not waiting to find out what other damage those two women could cause, Batgirl descended towards the bar.

Too many holes had been made through the plaster on the walls and the entire bar seemed ready to collapse any second. Batgirl noticed the two civilians huddling in a corner and she dodged and blocked her way through all the fighting to get to them. They seemed just as frightened of her as everything else going, but she grabbed each one by an arm and led them out.

"No. No!" Violet the bartender cried.

It was just the distraction Batman needed. He reached into his utility belt, removing two large pellets. With one, he hit the waitress. The concentrated dose of atrazine and dichlorophenoxyacetic acid compound, lethal to plants, began to work on impact and she — it — began to dissolve. It shrieked and wailed as if in pain until it turned into a puddle of green and brown goo on the ground.

Batman threatened the bartender with the remaining pellet, "Where are they?"

Violet froze on the spot, "Poison Ivy didn't tell us. She didn't want anyone to know. Please, don't use that on me," she pleaded and raised both hands up, eyes glued to the weapon in Batman's hand. "He said we had to get the money or Ivy would have no use for us. That's all I know."

"He?" Nightwing asked, eyes narrowed.

The bartender weighed her options. There seemed no way she could get back to Ivy unharmed now. But if she stayed alive, there might be a way to serve her creator yet again, "I…if I tell you…?"

"You won't end up like the other one," Batman promised.

"You're lucky he's the one holding the weed killer," Catwoman added, frustrated that she still had no clue where Holly was being held.

"She called him Slam—"

A single bullet pierced the bartender's head and a small explosion followed erupting in large blue flames that consumed her within seconds.

Nightwing was out the door and heading up towards the building from where the bullet was fired. Batgirl left the two civilians safely outside and followed him up.

Catwoman looked at Wildcat, "Did she say Slam? You don't think…?"

"He'd never do anything to hurt, Holly," Wildcat assured her, hoping he was right. He'd only met the private investigator a few times.

"No, I know that," she scoffed, not for a minute suspecting Slam was involved with Holly's kidnapping, unless, Ivy's spores were involved. "Maybe," she shook her head, not wanting to believe it, "Maybe they're going after him next."

The boxer wrinkled his brow, "Why?"

"To get to you," Batman stated simply, his voice devoid of feeling.

Years of practice kept her from reacting in surprise at the sound of his voice. She thought he'd left with the others, but was glad that though he remained, he addressed her with such…detachment; it made what she needed to express, easier to say. Her voice was steady, controlled as she spoke. Cold, too.

"If that's true," she said, "This does not concern you." She turned away from him and towards Wildcat, "Check downstairs. I'm going after Slam."

"It's probably better if I look for yer friend," Wildcat argued, pretending he didn't feel awkwardly like a third wheel at the moment. "The plant-girl coulda been ordered to say that to draw ya out."

"He's right," Batman glared, ignoring her words and the sharp sting that accompanied them, "If someone's after you, you shouldn't be out there alone."

Green eyes snapped towards him in anger. She should have been used to it by now, but his disregard for what everyone else save himself thought was infuriating.

"While you two decide who's listening to who," Wildcat tossed over his shoulder choosing to go out the window, "I'm gonna go check on yer friend," he yelled from outside.

Catwoman looked from Wildcat's retreating form back to Batman and up into the white slits of his cowl. How many times had she done just that — search that unreadable expression — wondering what he might be thinking? Knowing her presence was affecting him more than he let on...and loving every minute of it. Wanting to slide the cowl back to look into those piercing blue eyes, which might aid her in understanding him… She would usually end up wanting to hit him…or kiss him…

But not anymore. She took a step back. She was done with it and valuable time was wasting. She turned and headed back to the door that lead downstairs. With the gunshots, she didn't have a chance to search it the first time.

As quietly as possible, she opened the door and proceeded downstairs. She heard his footsteps behind her and knew he was doing it deliberately so she'd know he was following. After the first two steps, he was as silent as she was. It was dark, with the light from outside the open door providing the only source of visibility. Selina figured she lost her small flashlight fighting Ivy's "flowers" because it wasn't anywhere on her person.

Before she could begrudgingly ask if he had a light, he flashed one on.

There were several metal cages down there, like the ones used to house circus animals before and after performances. Most of them were empty, but as they crept further towards the back they saw a few smaller cages, each holding one slumped over unmoving hostage.

…

"See anything?" Nightwing asked.

Batgirl shook her head.

From the trajectory of the bullet, they were in the right area, but there was nothing incriminating left behind. Nightwing searched the rest of the building. Whoever had fired that shot was long gone and very good at what he or she did.

Batgirl explored the surrounding buildings. There was no evidence of anyone or anything having been there either.

…

"How many were kidnapped?" Catwoman whispered, more to herself than Batman, as she counted five occupied cages. Nightwing did mention there had been more than one kidnapping, but had not given an exact number. That's when the realization hit her that Batman hadn't stayed for her, but for them. The thought left her feeling cold and she ran towards the first cage to shake the feeling away.

She retrieved the lock picks from her boot and soon got the first cage to click open. A girl about Holly's size had her hands tied together. She was unconscious, but appeared to be breathing.

As Catwoman walked around to another cage, she instantly recognized the reddish-blonde hair.

"Holly!" she sighed in relief while fumbling with the lock, but there was no response. Catwoman pulled the heavy gate door as wide as she could and pulled her out. Holly was blind-folded and gagged, her wrists and ankles tied behind her back.

Batman opened a cage and carefully laid the individual just outside it. He was working on his second lock, but his eyes were glued to the last cage and had been since he realized who lay inside. Robin, in his civilian persona, was in there. Like all the others, he wasn't moving either. Batman sprung the lock and released the fourth captive. Finally, he moved on to Tim's cage.

Catwoman removed the young girl's restraints. Holly's blue eyes were wide and staring blankly at her.

"Holly, you okay? It's me," Selina smiled weakly brushing back a few loose tendrils, "Say something, will you?"

As soon as Batman pulled Tim out of the cage, he removed the tight, metal restraints. Ugly bruises could be seen on the boy's wrists and ankles. His clothes were damp and dirty even though he had only been in captivity a few hours. Batman was about to remove the blind-fold when Tim spit out the gag, then yelled, "Now!"

Holly sprang up, punching and kicking a very surprised Catwoman. The other three kids slid towards each other. They tried to remove the ropes binding them and keeping them helpless. Tim removed his blindfold and attacked Batman with everything he had. Leg sweeps, vicious uppercuts, and a combination of every near-lethal move he had ever learned. He tried not to hold anything back, confident that the poor lighting would keep the other kids from seeing too much of what he could do.

"Holly! What the hell are you doing?" Catwoman asked, blocking the furious attack. Rage seemed to be the only thing fueling the girl.

"You think I'm buying your tricks again?" Holly yelled, her efforts only intensifying, "Hell no!"

"What are you talking about?" Catwoman shouted in return and decided to take a punch if only to grab Holly's arm. Once she had it, Catwoman maneuvered Holly against the wall, pinning the smaller girl. She spoke in a hushed tone, "If it's really you, then you know I'd never purposely hurt you. Have I since we met up again?"

Holly stopped struggling for a moment. She looked over her shoulder and whispered, "Irena?"

"Irena?" Catwoman asked, loosening her grip, "Who the hell's Irena?"

Holly shrieked, "It is you!" She threw her arms around Catwoman's neck and shouted, "Hey Tim, I think they're the real deal!"

Tim had already begun to suspect it. This Batman had not tried to hit him once and only defended himself from the assault.

Batman, for his part, knew it was Tim. The fighting style had given him away immediately. He glanced over at the kids still trying to get themselves free, and handed Tim a small device.

Tim recognized it and placed it in his ear.

"'O' will contact you," Batman said, his voice barely audible.

Tim nodded, relieved that he was finally out. Now that the adrenaline rush was fading, his body began to feel the effects of having been tied up in a cramped space for so long. Still, he had the urge to hug Batman for setting him free. He didn't, though, and kept his emotions in check.

"Thank you," was all Tim said, but after making certain no one was paying attention to them, added in a whisper, "Someone was impersonating both you and Catwoman. They looked like you, but didn't fight like you," Tim admitted, looking embarrassed for a moment. "He got me the first time," he shrugged, "So, I couldn't be sure if it was really you now."

Batman narrowed his eyes, "We'll talk more later."

Tim replied with a curt nod.

"Lead them upstairs," Batman ordered, "Their parents will be waiting for them."

Batman watched as Tim approached the others. After a few words were exchanged, the kids followed him up the stairs. Catwoman and Holly were already gone and he was glad for it. It made focusing solely on the task at hand easier. By the time he heard the joyful reunions coming from upstairs, his mind was already busy forming a list of possible suspects that one, would want to impersonate him, and two, possessed the ability to do so.

It was a short list. A very short list.