A/N: Hey guys! I'm glad Freeze was accepted. I tried to make him a little colder (no pun intended) than he was in Never Leave Your Partner Behind but I think because he still loves Nora (and since Marjorie was a friend of his before his mutation and has also been relatively sympathetic to him since what happened), he'd help Marjorie.

And yes, Shadow Knight 1211 and Jedi Master Chris, it does seem a little fast that Batman was cured but I hope this chapter shows that he'll be affected by the cure…

And a word of warning…I did have to shorten the big boss fight between Batman and Grundy…just so you guys know.


Night at the Museum

Batman woke up. What happened…Joker had poisoned him, the cure…it had been an hour. Freeze did say that he would be disoriented. "Marjorie?" He called out, pushing the blanket off him and getting to his feet. His vision spun and he nearly lost his footing. "Marjorie?" He tried again, gripping the wall for support. She wasn't answering. Something was wrong. Where was she? Vision spinning and footsteps wobbly, he struggled into the main lab. The whole place was a mess. Papers were flying everywhere and equipment was destroyed. "Marjorie?! Freeze?!"

But there was no answer. Her tracker. Activate her tracker… "Alfred, do you have Marjorie's location? She was taken hostage."

"I'm working on that now, sir. And how was your nap? I trust Mr. Freeze gave you the cure."

"Yeah, he did warn that I would be disoriented. Ugh." Feeling sick, Batman doubled over and breathed deeply. When he felt like the room wasn't spinning anymore, he lifted his head slowly. But it didn't work and everything began spinning again.

"Sir? I've found Ms. Marjorie's signal. She is inside the Cyrus P. Gold Museum."

Batman tightened his fists. "Penguin."


"How about a little fun, Margie?" Penguin smirked at me. I was inside the Iceberg Longue, lying flat on a table. Fortunately whoever tied me down was really bad at knots. I slowly worked on getting my wrists loose. My legs were spread out and Penguin stood threateningly in front of them. "I've heard you've kept Wayne's bed warm. Hell, you're carrying his brat to prove it. Since he's not here, how about you keep mine warm? You do look a little cold." He guffawed, sounding like a penguin crying.

Hell no, that wasn't going to happen to me. By this time I had gotten loose and found the Beretta I had hidden in my utility belt. I sat up quickly and cocked it. "Cobblepot, if you touch me, I'll use your nuts for target practice, got it?!" He flinched, stepping back. "I did it to a guy on Arkham Island when he tried the same shit. He survived but is walking around Arkham City now without his family jewels."

"I know." He mumbled as he stepped away. I kept my Beretta and eyes aimed on him. "You're quite a gal, Marjorie Wilde. I'm what you call a collector. If I don't have it, I'll get it. I've got a special trophy case with your name on it! But since I'm feeling rather sporting tonight, I'll make you a proposition."

"What kind of proposition?" I asked, untying my ankles.

"Remember your ten pals from Precinct 13? Well, I've got them here, all spread out around my Iceberg Longue and museum along with your friend, the ice cube."

What the…?! Gordon was thinking about sending them in to find out what was going on…somebody must've betrayed them. "If you or your goons have done anything to hurt my friends, you've got another thing coming, Cobblepot." I got off the table.

"That's why I haven't, Margie. Here's my proposal. I've been updating the Iceberg Longue and Museum but need to see if it's perfect. So I've got your pals all spread out throughout. Your job is to find all of them…without any of my men finding you. If you find every one of them, then I'll let all of you go, unharmed. I give my word of a gentleman."

Huh, your idea of gentlemen and mine are miles apart. "And if I don't?"

"If you refuse or are caught…then you go in your special trophy case…without that fancy utility belt or jumpsuit." He took a long puff off of his cigar and bleached it into my face. I coughed. "I think it's fair."

I didn't have any other choice. "As long as you keep your promise. Or else you're going to have twelve very angry people after you; Mr. Freeze, Precinct 13 and me."

He smiled, showing his rotten yellow teeth. "Then let the games begin."

I left the Iceberg Longue. I heard a man shivering. "Marjorie…help me…"

"Forrester!" I cried out. The stout officer was encased in ice…Penguin shot Freeze's ice gun at him…this wasn't good.

"I decided to be nice and give you a freebie." Penguin cackled as I punched the ice and yanked Forrester free.

"You ok?" I asked.

"Yeah…thanks…" Forrester shivered.

"Where are they others?" I asked.

"Throughout the Museum, we were all separated when Penguin busted us." Forrester rubbed his arms against his chest, trying to warm up. His once white wife-beater was painted with the words DEAD COP in dark purple and his orange jumpsuit was torn.

"Ok, first step is to…" I looked out and saw that the Iceberg Longue was built inside a giant aquarium, completely covered with ice. "Jesus Christ."

"Told you I was remodeling the place. How do you like it? Well enjoy ice-skating you two." Penguin grinned at us.

"Wait until I get my hands on you…" Forrester clenched his fists. I grabbed his shoulder.

"Leave him. We'll get him later. Right now we need to get our pals out of here." I warned. "Come on, let's find a way down." There was a little ladder off the cast iron catwalk. Perfect. I climbed over it and began climbing down. While Forrester was following me, I turned on my detective vision. There were four people frozen in the ice, dead obviously. My computer didn't recognize them as members of Precinct 13 but thugs that had crossed Penguin. But there were two figures frozen to the wall…Strickland and Whitman were also incased in ice.

I took a couple of steps before the ice began to crack. This isn't good. "Be careful and walk slowly Forrester, the ice is really thin." I warned.

"Tell me something I don't know." He muttered. We slowly stepped across the ice, wincing every time we heard cracking. We were very close to Whitman and Strickland when Forrester tapped my shoulder. "Oh and before I forget, watch out for Tiny."

What? "Tiny…? What the heck is…?" CRACK! The edge of the ice broke and a giant shark burst through. "TINY!" I nearly lost my balance and fell backwards. Forrester caught me and stabilized me as the shark chomped angrily at the ice before disappearing under the water. "What the effing hell was that?!"

Penguin's voice came over the intercom. "Sorry, Margie. Did I forget to mention my little friend down there? Meet Tiny. Who'd have that such a big fish could be so useful? Not me, that's for sure! He's like a mobile garbage truck. Whatever I drop into that tank just…vanishes. Poof. Problem gone!" He cackled. I couldn't wait to get my hands on the fat bastard's neck and strangle the life out of him. After I kicked his blubbery ass to kingdom come that is.

"How are we going to get to them?" Forrester pointed to the frozen figures. Ok Marjorie…think…I saw a raft hanging above the small surface of water. Problem solved. I took out a Batarang and tossed it, cutting the rope. The raft splashed into the water. Taking out my Batclaw, I shot it at the raft edge and began pulling it in.

"Hop on the Ice Raft Express." I joked, getting on. Forrester hopped on and I aimed my Batclaw at the giant iron ring by Whitman. It hooked and I began pulling away. I decided to try lightening the mood. "Row, row, row your raft gently down the stream. If you see a great white shark, don't forget to scream."

"Could…always….count on you to…lighten the mood…Marjorie." Whitman smiled as Forrester and I cut him down. "Get Strickland…over there…"

"That's on the agenda." I said, hooking the Batclaw by Strickland and pulling away. "Hang on, we're coming." I shouted.

"Take…your…time. Does it…look like…I can go…anywhere?" Strickland tried to laugh.


It took longer than he anticipated…but Batman arrived at the museum. He had to stop several times along the way and hide until his vision improved and his vertigo went away. But at least it was improving slightly.

He heard a low whistle by him. "You ok?" Standing there, his cowl pulled low over his face and holding his Bo staff, was Robin.

"I'm getting there. Why did Alfred send you?"

"He was worried about you. First you get poisoned and are now disoriented?"

That reminded him… "Here. Get this blood analyzed and go through all the hospitals in Gotham. Anybody with this in their veins will be dead within twenty-four hours." Batman tossed the blood sample he managed to collect from himself before arriving at the G.C.P.D.

"Whose blood is it…? Oh, it's yours, isn't it?" Robin said, looking at him. "I'm staying. You and Marjorie need my help."

"No. You're needed in Gotham. Get that blood analyzed."

Robin nodded. "Oh and before I forget, take this. Alfred said you'd might need it." He tossed the line launcher at Batman. Perfect. "How come you don't order Marjorie around?" Robin asked.

"Because I know she won't listen." Batman mumbled. He watched as Robin flew away. Marjorie…he wondered if she and Sam were ok…no. Don't think of that now. Batman aimed his grapple gun at a lamppost by the front door. Marjorie could take care of herself and the baby. If anything, she's probably got Cobblepot on the run. That image made him chuckle.

Heading inside the museum, he saw that the main arch was locked. Taking out his cryptographic sequencer, he tired figuring out the password. At once, the screen began fizzling out.

"Oh, having a little trouble getting inside?" Penguin's mocking voice came over the intercom. "Sorry to tell you this, Batman. But there's no way you're getting inside!"

Damn it…he must have sequence blockers…Batman calibrated the cowl to track jamming signals. There were three of them. All located outside the museum. He got to his feet, trying to ignore the dizziness as best he could. Batman hurried back outside to destroy the equipment when he realized something…only military grade equipment could block the cryptographic sequencer.

How did Penguin get his hands on them?


"I don't want to leave you guys here undefended." I said when we finally got Strickland freed.

"Hang on, what's that?" Forrester pointed to an army trunk sitting at the ladder leading off to the wings.

"Don't open it." I ordered before scanning it. "Yep, it's clear. I was checking to see if there were any booby traps. But it's got some interesting stuff in it."

"Like that? Shark repellent?" Forrester shivered as he opened the trunk. "Holy Shi…"

"Shush!" I said, touching my finger to my lips. "We don't need Penguin knowing what we've found." I muttered.

"Oh right." Forrester whispered as he picked up an anti-assault rifle. Stickman and Whitman whistled. "Damn, how does he get this stuff?"

"From somebody on the outside, probably." I said, finding ammunition for my Beretta and Smith and Wesson. "Or maybe it was stolen from TYGER guards." I pointed to the striped T logo on the side of the locker.

"No matter how that overstuffed turkey got it, it's ours now." Whitman said as he took out a rifle. "We're coming with you, Marjorie. Never leave your partner behind, remember?"

"I know." I winced through another contraction. "But all three of you are still cold and weak from being turned into popsicles. This is home base, so guard it with your life. If I find anyone else, I'll send them your way. Mr. Freeze was taken hostage too, so if you see the seven foot robot walking around, remember he's a friend." I said, beginning to climb the ladder.

Once I reached the top, I touched my belly "Listen Samantha Martha Wayne or Thomas Samuel Wayne, whichever you are. You are to stay put and out of trouble. If you don't stay put until after Mommy and Batman takes care of that obese pigeon, you won't be allowed to become a crime fighter until you're at least forty." I laughed, knowing that the baby probably wouldn't understand what I was saying. But it made me laugh and laughing made me feel good. Sammie kicked and the strange thing about it was that it seemed like the baby understood what I was saying.

Now to find everyone else…


Come on, Wayne. Batman panted as he hid from the final team guarding the last signal jammer. The first two were easy to find, they were on the surface and close to the museum. The other was in the abandoned train station beneath the Bowery. Were they armed? To his surprise, they weren't. Closing his eyes, Batman took deep breaths. The dizziness stopped when he had his eyes closed. Wait a minute…maybe he could use this to his advantage…

He opened his eyes and threw a smoke pellet at the group. They became disoriented and distracted…now! Closing his eyes, he crept into the line of fire. Using his hearing, he took everyone down. Because his eyes were closed, he didn't have to worry about the dizziness. Focus on the sounds…the smells…the feelings…within minutes, it was over. He opened his eyes and saw that everyone was down. Now to destroy that jammer before he got dizzy again. He shoved his fist in the screen and pulled out the wires.

Got them! Now to get into the museum. He returned to the museum, again, he had to slow down and stop in corners to control the dizziness. At least it wasn't going to last.

He got into the museum and entered the password. The gates opened and he got inside. There was the loud sound of arguing. Batman walked up to the balcony overlooking the exhibit, not jumping when the automaton of dinosaur jumped out. It fizzled out mid-roar and stood there, jaw agape. Looking down and fighting back the dizziness, he saw that two thugs were threatening a prisoner…Elvis Jones of Precinct 13! What was he doing here?! No matter…he had to stop them.

Thankfully, they weren't armed. Again, he jumped down to them and closed his eyes, fighting completely blind. This was getting easier and easier. His sight was nothing, his senses much better when he had his eyes closed.

Batman opened his eyes, seeing that everyone was down, except for Officer Jones. His wife-beater read in dark purple DEAD COP. "Thanks man! I thought I was dead meat!"

"You're of Precinct 13, what are you doing here?"

"Gordon sent us in to find out what was going on…somebody squealed us out and we're all spread out throughout the museum."

"What about Mr. Freeze and Marjorie Wayne? Have you seen them?"

"Yeah…a group brought them in. Marjorie was unconscious and the ice man was being threatened by their fire thrower."

They were still alive then. They had to be. "How long ago was this?"

"I don't know, half an hour maybe. They were being taken to the Iceberg Longue."

He had heard all he needed to know. "Thanks officer. Stay here. You'll be safer here."

"The name's Jones. Elvis Jones."


I managed to sneak my way into the dinosaur exhibit. The men in there were armed. I counted three of mine on the bridge. Miller. Michaels. Sanchez. They were kneeling on the ground, their hands on their heads. Like the others I had rescued, they wore dirty orange pants and wife beaters painted with the words DEAD COP.

Ok, now grapple up to the gargoyles and take them out that way…then I noticed that two of them had thermal imaging cameras. I had to take them down and out first before I could take out the others. They were looking up above…that's when I saw the grates in the floor. They wouldn't notice down below…carefully I went beneath the grates and snuck up behind one of them.

Now! I jumped through, covering his mouth and pressing against his occipital ridge. He screamed before going limp. I dragged him into a dark corner and got beneath the grates.

"You blokes might want to check the ground floor. I think Margie has left you a present!" Penguin bragged over the intercom. Damn it! He must have trackers on them too! Whenever I take them down and out, they'll know about it! I had to move quickly…


Batman came upon the aquarium before the Iceberg Longue. The iced over surface was beginning to melt. This was bad. That ice only meant that Penguin had Freeze's ice gun. There had to be a way to stop him…Freeze would know. Batman calibrated the cowl to look for subzero spots…there! In one of the exhibit rooms. He had to get Freeze out and get him out now. Because if Penguin had his ice gun, he probably also took his suit.

He hurried off.


Ok, five down…I needed to get the last one. Fortunately, I had taken down both of the ones with thermal imaging cameras so I could attack from above. I crouched low on top of the gargoyle, waiting for the lone guard to come cowering underneath the gargoyle. Come on…come on you prick. Patiently, I waited for him to step into my line of sight. Got him! I fired my grapple gun and pulled him up. He screamed as I tied him by his ankles.

"Oi! You little bitch! I'm going to get you and I'm going to get you good!" I heard Penguin call out as I jumped down.

"Take a number and get in line." I yelled as I hurried over to Miller, Michaels and Sanchez. "You guys decided to have a party and not invite me?" I asked with an innocent smile.

"Some party…thanks Marjorie." Miller smiled at me. "Ok, if you two haven't noticed, Marjorie saved our asses. We guard this room! Nobody we don't know in or out!" He ordered. I noticed Freeze's suit in a nearby case. This wasn't good. He needed the protection of his suit otherwise he'd die.

"Did you see where they took Freeze?" I asked.

"Yes, on the opposite wing of the building. They've got him in a special case, complete with heat lamps."

"Thank you." I said, leaving. I needed to find Victor and fast.


Batman entered the atrium to loud jeers. There was a loud group of prisoners. He entered the ring, surrounded all over by barbed wire. BANG! A gunshot rang out. "Help me…" Looking up, Batman blinked as another member of Precinct 13, Officer Best, limped through the upper entrance. He could only watch as Best was shot again in the back. The brave officer fell down, dead. No…no…

Penguin stepped into the atrium, laughing away. He was holding his trademark gun umbrella on his arm, laughing. "So Batman, you here for the cops? Wayne's bed warmer? The ice man? Or me?"

How dare he call Marjorie that…"I was only here for Freeze and the hostages. But now, I'm taking you down too." Batman grimaced.

"Ooh, aren't you scary!" Penguin mocked.

"You're about to find out…" Batman clenched his fists.

"Am I really?" Penguin allowed a thug to light the cigar in his mouth. "As I was telling Margie earlier, I'm what you might call a collector. If someone wants it, I like to think I got it. And if I don't have it…I'll get it. So here's the thing. Back there, I've got a cabinet that has your name on it, just waiting to be filled. And, as luck would have it, here you are, standing just where I want you. So…what do you think? Are you going to be a good boy and give up nicely?"

"You're not giving orders here anymore Cobblepot…" Batman felt the dizziness begin to slowly subside.

"I was hoping you'd say that." Penguin smirked. "Look around you. This group of terrible psychopaths are all here, begging to join up with me. But unfortunately for them, I only take the best. And today, best is whoever can kill you. Ok, boys! It's initiation time!"

The gates opened and the psychopaths rushed out, screaming. Again, none were armed. This would be easy…

Relying on his other senses, Batman took down the thugs one by one. The jeering subsided…opening his eyes, he say that he had taken all of them down.

"You weren't supposed to beat those odds, Batman!" Penguin yelled before firing at a cage high over Batman's head. Batman rolled out of the way as the cage crashed to the floor. The large hand ripped out of it. He watched in horror as a TITAN infected thug ripped the cage apart like a soda can and threw the remnants at Batman. Again, the Dark Knight dodged out of the way as the torn cage sailed over his head. "Oh, now he looks really mad, Batman! Good luck!" Penguin walked off.

The doors opened, revealing more thugs, some armed with clubs and hammers. This was going to be difficult…

BANG! A gun shot rang out. Batman saw Marjorie standing above a grate, holding out her weapons. She must've snuck in from below. Marjorie…she was ok…he couldn't help but smile inside. "Get the TITAN! I'll take care of these punks!" She yelled. "Ok boys…time to dance!"

It took a bit of trial and error but Batman finally worked out a pattern. He'd stun and sucker punch the living day lights out of the hulking brute. Then he'd jump on the stunned monster's back and guide it to an electrified fence. Once it got close enough, Batman would jump off and watch as it was electrocuted. But by the time the thug was down, Marjorie had cleaned up everyone else.

"You ok?" Marjorie asked once the dust had settled. She was sweaty, her jumpsuit torn and bruised. Her hair was falling apart…but she was ok.

"Yeah…and you?" Batman asked, fighting the urge to embrace and kiss her.

"You know I am." She smiled as she took her braid apart and re-braided it, wrapping it around her head. "So what took you?"

"Dizziness." Batman groaned.

"Here." Marjorie took something out of her utility belt and tossed it at him. "Suck on these, it should take care of the vertigo."

"What are they?" Batman looked down and saw the wrapped candies.

"Ginger candies. Worked wonders when I had morning sickness, remember?"

"I remember." He unwrapped one and began sucking on it. It did work. "Have you seen Freeze or the rest of Precinct 13?"

"I haven't seen Victor since we were captured. I've rescued six of my comrades from Precinct 13. Forrester, Whitman and Strickland are outside the Iceberg Longue. Miller, Michaels and Sanchez are in the exhibit room on the other side of the museum. Penguin has Victor's suit in there and he also has his ice gun."

"I noticed. Jones is at the entrance last I saw him. And I'm sorry to say this, but Best is dead. Penguin shot him in front of me."

Marjorie's face twisted in sadness. Another one of her comrades had fallen…he wanted to hug her and tell her everything was going to be ok. "I was wondering if that was a gunshot I heard earlier. I slipped into the grates and came up underneath you." She took a deep breath and wiped her face. "Ok, so that's six, no, seven rescued between the two of us. One dead. Altogether, eight accounted for. That means there's two more…"

"They're probably in the Longue. I'll grab Freeze's suit and get it to him. You find the others and get them into the exhibit room. They'll be safer there." Batman said before leaving.


I did as Batman said and got the four officers into the exhibit room. The suit was gone. "Batman came and got it." Miller explained when I asked him. I needed to get back to Batman and Victor. I had to make sure my friend was ok.

As I was leaving, I had the strange feeling I was being watched again. This time, I saw the familiar blue cloak and fedora standing before me. "Hello Marjorie." He said, almost smiling.

"Damn you're fast." I said, sitting down as my legs were killing me. "God…how does Batman do it?" I asked.

"Years of experience. That and he's not carrying a baby. Still impressive." He sat down next to me.

"I was asking a rhetorical question." I fought the urge to snap. Wordlessly, the Phantom Stranger began rubbing my shoulders. That felt so good…just like when Sam did it after a long day at the gym…was this really Sam? His angel? If not, then why was he so much like him? "Do you know my brother, Sam?" I asked when he finished.

"I met him once." The Phantom Stranger seemed almost sad. "He spoke so fondly of you the one time I did know him. I suppose that's why I came."

I nodded as Sammie kicked me again. "You're being a good little baby for staying put. It's not much longer, honey. I promise." I whispered as I rubbed my belly.

The Phantom Stranger chuckled, the laugh reminded me of Sam, but in a pleasant way. "You'll make a wonderful mother. Just as Bruce will make a good father." He gently patted the belly and got up.

Then I thought of something. "Stranger?" He stopped. This was something I had always wanted to ask Sam if I had a chance. "Do you think…Sam would forgive me about the night he died?"

He looked over his shoulder. I thought I could see a touched look on his face. "He forgave you a long time ago. It wasn't your fault Marjorie."

A huge weight fell off my shoulders. "Thank you…Sam…" I said, feeling sad. The Phantom Stranger vanished as I blinked. Snap out of it, Marjorie. I thought as I rubbed the tears away. You're don't doing Sam or Best any good if you start crying. You need to focus. Help Batman stop Penguin and Strange.

The Iceberg Longue. Batman would no doubt be heading that way.


Freeze stumbled out of his sweltering exhibit as Batman released him. He looked at Batman pitifully. "Give me my suit back…" Freeze reached out

"Penguin is protecting himself with your ice gun. How do I get past it?"

"Now…why would I tell you that?" Freeze crawled away, escaping into the cool darkness.

"Because if I can't stop him, then I can't save Marjorie."

Freeze nodded. "All right, there's a security override I built into my suit to keep others from using my suit against me. It didn't work…they threatened to kill Marjorie if I tried stopping them. Cobblepot stripped me bare and threw me in here. One more thing. Bring Cobblepot here. He will pay for what he planned to do to Marjorie and had done to me."

Batman took the security override chip out of Freeze's suit and passed the suit to him. "I'll take care of Cobblepot."

Freeze called out to him as he was walking away. "Batman, there's one more thing about Marjorie. You have to find her fast."

"After I stop Freeze."

"No, you don't understand." He said as he began taking the suit apart to get into it. "She's very far long in labor and very close to giving birth."


I was reloading my ammunition from the army locker in the aquarium when Batman came over using the Batclaw and raft. "Marjorie. Why didn't you tell me you were in labor?" His face was calm. This wasn't good.

How'd he find out…? Victor…he must've told Batman when he got his suit to him. "I was when you woke up. Penguin and his goons had other plans."

"Why aren't you at the Medical Facility? It's safer there." Batman argued.

"That's the other thing." I sighed. "Long story short, Strange had my labor induced when he arrested us. He also had something injected into me that sped up my contractions. I didn't learn what had happened until after I rescued everyone from the Riddler. Batman…" I gripped his forearms, getting scared. "…Strange is after Sammie. I knew Freeze would keep me safe and I couldn't risk everyone's safety at the Medical Center."

Batman didn't look shocked. I thought I saw a look of disgust flirt across his face but he shook it off. "You're getting out of here now. No questions asked. I've already called Robin and the Batwing already. They're going to take you out and get you and Sam somewhere safe."

No…I stopped him. "Strange will go after us no matter what we do or where we hide. Besides, I'm not leaving until you get my husband out. When Bruce leaves, that's when I leave too. Never leave your partner behind." I said.

I did this not just for the benefit of anyone else who might be listening in, but for Bruce. We went in together and he knew I wasn't going to leave until he was done here as Batman. He nodded, touching his ear piece. "Alfred, call off Robin and the Batwing. Marjorie is staying with me."

"Thank you." I said to Batman as we got on the raft and prepared to go across the raft. I was ready for it this time…but the shark popped up. Batman jumped back but returned to punch the crap out of that shark's snout. "Thanks…that thing scared the living crap out of me. Ask Forrester about my reaction sometime."

"I'll keep that in mind." Batman mumbled.


Batman made sure Marjorie stayed behind while he took care of Penguin and the ice gun. "I have the security override. I'll take care of Cobblepot. You come in after I'm finished and get the last two cops out." He argued before he stepped into the Iceberg Longue.

"Come in Batman!" There was a buzzing noise as Penguin fired the weapon at Batman. He dodged out of the way. "Hold still!" Penguin called out. Now he needed to get close enough to stop the ice gun. "Come on! I can do this all night long!" Batman kept jumping and running, managing to get onto the walkway. Holding the override behind his back, he activated it and walked closer. Penguin had the last two cops; Southwold and Denning kneeling at his feet. "Say goodnight, Batman!" Penguin began to fire. But the override was working. "No! No! What's wrong with this bloody thing?!"

Batman punched Cobblepot clear off the walkway. He fell down the ice tower onto the floor below. "You're finished Cobblepot!" Batman yelled.

"I'm sorry! Please! Don't hurt me!" Penguin backed up into a corner.

"I can't guarantee that." Batman glared down at him.

But Penguin only began laughing as he took a detonator out. "Me neither."

"Batman! Look out!" Marjorie yelled as she grabbed the two cops and pushed them down the catwalk. But it was too late. BOOM! There was a loud explosion as the ice tower fell apart. Batman and Marjorie went falling down. Batman fell through the floor of the Iceberg Longue. He didn't see Marjorie anywhere. She must've fallen away and was still on the upper floor. Something was wrong…he saw a giant figure chained to an electric conductor.

This wasn't good. "I tried to help you, Batman. I gave you the opportunity to end all this and just walk away but oh no. You had to be the big man! Well, guess what? From up here, you look pretty small." Penguin took out a switch and pressed it. There was a sizzling noise as the conductor warmed up. "Aw, now don't look so sad, I've got a little surprise for you down there." The chained figure lurched and was brought to life. It was a huge man, the skin white as a ghost. Raggedly clothes hung on his muscular frame.

"Solomon Grundy." It chanted, marching forward. "Born on a Monday! Christened on Tuesday! Married on Wednesday!" He tried punching Batman but his fist stopped short.

"I found him down here when I bought this place. Comes in handy!" Penguin gloated.

Grundy, or whatever that thing was, pulled hard and yanked the shackles from the wall. Here we go. Batman took a deep breath. Good thing he took those candies earlier. She was right, they were helping.


I had slipped down the ice tower as Penguin exploded and was off to the side. My head spun and my ears rang. Ugh…I needed to stop Penguin. Fortunately, he was busy watching whatever creature he had down there fighting Batman. I took out my Beretta and snuck up behind Cobblepot. I had to get that switch out of his hands…fire away.

BANG! I fired away at his hand. It made contact, sending the switch flying.

"Oi!" Penguin swung around and saw me. "Damn you, Wilde…!" he drew his umbrella gun with his free hand and began to fire.

"Hey, just be glad it wasn't your balls!" I yelled as I dodged one of the missiles he sent my way. "To be honest, I don't think you have any!" Another dodge.

"Hold still, you bitch!" Penguin yelled. I just kept ducking until he had run out of ammo. There we go. "What the hell is wrong with this thing?!" Now! Get him Marjorie! I began punching the living daylights out of him.

I twisted his bleeding hand behind his back. He screamed in pain. "That was for what you did to Victor!" I kicked him in the knees. "That was for Best and Precinct 13!" Putting my foot on his throat, I held him down. "And this was for threatening to rape me…" I sucker punched him.

There was a loud roar from the pit and then a long silence. "Marjorie? You ok up there?" Batman called out.

"Yeah, I'm ok." I smiled down at my trophy. "Just had some one on one time with Penguin."


Batman checked on the other two guards once he escaped the pit Solomon Grundy had been in. Denning was lucky and had gotten away. Southwold on the other hand had been killed. After a moment of silence for her fallen comrade, Marjorie turned to Batman. "So what are we going to do with Cobblepot?"

"I'll deal with him." Freeze said as he stepped into the room.

"Well, look who it is…Mr. Fr…" Penguin mockingly called out as Freeze stepped on his hand. He screamed in pain.

"Enough…" Batman said. He thought he saw a smile cross Marjorie's face when she saw Penguin being hurt. It was understandable why she would look that way. He shivered as he reminded himself. After all, he did kill two of her fellow cops…but this was going too far… "Freeze! That's enough!" Batman yelled.

"Of course." Freeze said with an icy smile. He picked up Cobblepot by the collar. Penguin looked at him, the first time all night he saw the man truly afraid. It was satisfying… "You will pay for what you've done, Mr. Cobblepot." Freeze hissed.

At that moment, Batman's earpiece came on. "Hey Batman, are you busy?" It was Oracle.

"No, Oracle, I'm ok. What's going on?" He asked, waving Marjorie over.

"I think I know what Protocol Ten is."


A/N: Yeah, sorry guys, I know I really cheated with the Solomon Grundy fight but I really wanted to get this chapter done (and I'll be honest, I had written more fight scenes for this one chapter than I usually do, in one day, I broke my record and got over 5,000 words in one day, so I was all fight-scened out). If you want me to write the battle scene between Grundy and Batman, let me know and I'll work out something.

You know the drill. Ten more reviews. So at least seventy before the next chapter. And the usual; at least one thing you liked and at least one suggestion for fixing or further chapters.

As today is the last day of 2012, I want to wish a Happy New Year to everyone!