Helena was greatly enjoying her sleep, which was practically a luxury these days and it was even better to be in the strong arms of her partner, so she was quite annoyed when she was woken by the T.V being turned on. Grumbling in annoyance, she slipped out of bed, leaving Jesse behind as he rolled over and snored. Entering the living room, Helena stood in front of her brother with her hands on her hips and an annoyed expression on her face, but he simply looked at her casually and shrugged.
"You look like crap, sister," Damian greeted, "Then again, that's normal for you."
Wearing only pyjama pants, he was watching the replayed football match between Gotham Rogues and Metropolis Sharks, while Helena was fighting the urge to strangle her brother.
"If I wasn't dating a police officer, who is in the other room, you'd be dead right now," Helena growled.
Damian snorted, "You could try."
"Don't tempt me, brother. I can and will kick your ass."
"Oh, go have your coffee, Helena. It's the only time you're tolerable."
Not for the first time did Helena wish her brother had never been born, but as much as he annoyed her with his arrogance, she couldn't imagine life without him and she could use a coffee. Making her way to the kitchen, she was happy that the kettle had been boiled for her and was in the process of making two cups when strong arms surrounded her waist.
"Were you and your brother having another bonding moment?" Jesse asked into her ear.
"If you mean by bonding that I wish to drop him on his ass, then yes, we were," Helena said, "Here's your black with two sugars."
"Ah, you're a sweetheart."
Kissing her temple, Jesse then headed back to the living room and joined Damian on the couch, the pair discussing the football, as Helena watched from the kitchen with a small smile. While her parents had taken to Jesse straight away, her mother more so than her father however, it had taken Damian a while to warm up to him, but after finding a few things in common, the two now had what could be described as a brotherly relationship. As for Cassandra, now adopted by Bruce and Selina, she was shy as always, but Helena knew that her little sister was fond of the police officer. She really enjoyed being with him and the fact that he knew her secret made it easier for them.
"Hey, Damian, you should get ready soon," Helena called out, "We've got to go see Terry about your suit and we also have to pick up Stephanie."
"I finally get to go out with you? Really?" Damian cried, obviously excited.
"What? No. It's your suit for the fundraiser," Helena shot him down.
"Oh."
"Yeah, I've got to get ready too," Jesse said, "Until we get a lead on the Red Hood, Yindel wants me to chase after the Great White Shark."
"You find him and we'll beat him up for you," Damian offered, "Maybe that'll get your boss off Helena's back. What is her beef with us anyway?"
"She's very old-school and by the book," Jesse answered, "She still wants Helena and Terry to willingly surrender, but I don't see that happening."
"Yeah, over my dead body," Helena said, sipping her coffee, "Damian, move it."
"You're so bossy," Damian said as he headed to his room while his sister rolled her eyes.
"I'm not going to have another homicide when I get home, am I?" Jesse asked, earning himself a slap on the arm.
-X-
"Mr. Wayne and Miss. Brown, welcome to Wayne Enterprises," Terry greeted with a smile, "Helena, a pleasure to see you as always."
"Thanks, Terry," Helena said, "Shall we have a look at a few things?"
"Of course. Right this way."
Although she was on the Board of Directors and helped Terry run the company, Helena spent most of her time in Legal, supporting District Attorney Harry Sims in the courthouse, providing the funds and back-up to help him put the criminals behind bars. As the Huntress, she made sure that Sims was able to get the criminals in order to send them to jail. But no matter how many crooks they sent to prison, crime was running rampant through the city and they weren't any closer to arresting Gotham's Mob boss the Great White Shark.
"Please keep hands and feet inside at all times," Terry said as they entered the elevator.
"How'd you go with beefing up security at the cave?" Helena asked.
"It's improved. Can't believe someone not only found it, but also got in without us knowing. I've checked the computers and nothing was hacked, but if the guy was clever enough to bypass our security, he wouldn't have left a trace in the computers either. So far, it just looks like he wanted your father's suit. Our identities are safe...for now."
"I'm hoping that's all it was. Whoever it was, I will find them and knock them into a coma. It better not happen again."
"Don't worry, it won't."
They soon arrived at the Applied Science department and Terry led the way to the stacks of thick, black cases, opening one to reveal Stephanie's new suit. Based upon Bruce Wayne's second suit, it was sleek and armoured, yet flexible and light. It was midnight black, the Bat symbol gold like the utility belt and with spikes on the gauntlets as well as the boots. From the inside of the elbow to the armpit and down the torso to the kneecap, the armour had been painted midnight purple, much like the inside of the black cape. The cowl had been modified to allow Stephanie's hair to flow out from the nape, but unlike Terry's cowl, it didn't contain a mouth plate. Stephanie gasped when she saw the suit, instantly falling in love with it.
"I take it it's up to your standards?" Terry asked, pleased with himself.
"It's beautiful," she said finally.
"Excellent. Now, Damian, there's something I want to show you that I think you might find interesting. And before you ask, no, it's not a suit."
Terry led Damian away from Helena's sight, showing the teenager a prototype of jetpack that could be used for sustained flight, something that Damian found exciting. While her brother was enraptured with the jetpack, Helena opened a drawer to reveal the modified Robin suit. Made of the same tri-weave elastic mesh used on Batman's suit, it was all-black, while the torso was covered in red armour plates, the 'R' symbol on the left breast. The armoured boots and gauntlets were green, like the domino mask and the scalloped cape was yellow with a black hood to allow for extra secrecy. Helena sighed as she looked at it. She had thought about what to do and finally came to a decision, although Damian wasn't initially excited to hear it. He was going to stay off the streets and keep training with his sister for another year and then after that, Helena would decide if he was ready, figuring that another year might be enough time. Hearing footsteps, she quickly shut the drawer, as Terry and Damian joined her.
"That thing is so cool. I wanna try it," the younger Wayne cried.
"Not just yet," Terry said, "A few more tests and then it'll be ready. Now, about your fundraiser suit. Shall we?"
-X-
The Iceberg Lounge.
Opened twenty years ago by Oswald Copplepot, who was later thrown into jail by the second Batman for arms dealing and trafficking, it had gone through a number of owners over the years until the Great White Shark finally bought it and placed one of his own men in charge. Now renovated and thriving under the control of Mark 'Brutus' Cassidy, the nightclub was the place to be, especially for politicians, sports stars and celebrities looking to elevate their social position. Open every night, it was always jam packed, the music ranging from classic jazz and blues to pumping beats that the kids these days listened to. Like its name suggests, the Lounge has an arctic theme, with miniature icebergs on the pillars and the main dance floor resembling a large frozen lake. The atmosphere was quite relaxing and it even had its own restaurant, hiring some of the best cooks and chefs in the city. On the second floor was a balcony where Cassidy could oversee proceedings, often surrounded by beautiful women who were really strong bodyguards under strict orders to protect his life. The backrooms of the Lounge, however, was where the real action took place, with gambling, racketeering and arms dealing took place, making as much money as they did legally, making Cassidy a very rich man, as well as the Great White Shark when he took his share. Naturally, given the riches he took from the club, Cassidy felt that he should become the sole owner and therefore take the full share, becoming independent from the Shark, but that would be another time.
Standing on the balcony, Cassidy was overseeing things as per usual, when something caught his eye. Or at least, someone. A security guard went flying across a dinner table, while another was thrown against one of the numerous support posts. Cassidy caught the attention of his men nearby and directed them towards the disruption, but they were no match for the Red Hood as he scattered them like bowling pins. His fighting method was fierce and brutal, but Cassidy recognised a hint of the Huntress in him, having witnessed her fighting style on more than one occasion whenever she attacked the Lounge looking for answers in regards to the Mob. With the men out of commission, the Red Hood stood beneath the balcony, looking up at the fearful Cassidy as the patrons started to leave the nightclub, scared of the masked man who had just demolished twelve men without breaking a sweat.
"So, you're the guy who runs all the black market operations for the Shark?" the Red Hood stated, "Must be a pretty sweet gig, right? All that illegally obtained wealth? I suppose that also means you report directly to the Shark."
"What do you want?" Cassidy asked.
"I just want you to send a message to the Shark for me."
Whipping out his Raging Taurus, the Red Hood fired two shots that hit Cassidy in the chest, leaving him dead amongst his bodyguards, who made the right decision to slip away and escape. Pleased with himself, the Red Hood took out a small explosive device and slapped it onto an iceberg, the timer counting down. Sauntering from the nightclub, the Red Hood was suddenly smacked in the face by a staff, his impact-resistant helmet taking the blow and he quickly regained his footing to see the quarterstaff-wielding Red Robin before him.
"What, just the kid?" the Red Hood sneered, "The adults too busy to face me?"
The Red Robin's suit was similar to Batman's in that it was sleek and armoured, with a red torso, shoulders, thighs and knees, while the rest of the suit was black. Gold plates covered his gauntlets, a harness across his chest replacing the utility belt. His eyes were covered with a spiked domino mask, while a red cape flowed from his shoulders.
"Underestimate me at your own peril," Red Robin said, "You're still coming in with me."
"Oh, I don't think so, Timothy."
"Huh?"
The Red Hood struck.
-X-
AN: Yep, the Iceberg Lounge exists in this world, even though we won't see the Penguin at all. And yes, Metropolis Sharks are an actual team in the comics. It's also not the first time I've mentioned the Superman world either. Conner Kent, aka Superboy, was mentioned in the Dark Knight Legacy as Helena's penpal.