Highlander348: So this is the one where Makenna will extract her revenge, but how she does it? You'll soon find out once you read! ;) As for her becoming a vigilante and help Batman, I'm still thinking about that.
Lala423: Yeeee! I'm glad you're loving this version! That makes me happy that everyone is liking this rendition!
As a present for everyone, I'm going to do my best to upload more than 2 chapters today! Since tomorrow I won't be able to update until super late. I hope you all enjoy this chapter!
-M-
The day finally came when Makenna was to meet up with Darren and get her sister and niece back. It felt like months had passed since she last saw them, and she prayed Darren kept his end of the deal. No harm done to either one. If anything happened to them she'd make sure he paid dearly for it.
Makenna spent the day prepping for her meeting. She counted the money in one of the duffel bags she brought. Then she recounted it. When Bruce entered her room to check on her, he saw the pistol on the bed. He knew why she had it, but he'd make sure she didn't have to use it. Even though she was supposed to go alone, he'd still be there, but as Batman. She had no clue of his intention.
"I don't like the idea of you going alone." He said leaning against the wall.
"I can handle myself. Remember?" She replied shooting him a smile.
"To which you took a hit to your still healing wound. I was holding back."
Makenna pushed herself up from the floor and slowly strode over to Bruce, her eyebrow quirked.
"Oh really? Then how about when I get back we see who the better fighter is?" She goaded with a smirk.
Bruce pushed away from the wall, standing at his true height as he looked down at Makenna. He leaned down to her ear, his lips brushing against her ear.
"Maybe when you're healed. I don't want to injure you more than you already are."
He pulled away, a smirk on his face as Makenna glowered at him. He had her there. She wasn't a hundred percent healed and knew if she took another hit to her wound she'd be doubled over in pain. Makenna heaved a heavy sigh as she turned away from him.
"I hate it when you're right sometimes." She jested as she walked over to the duffel bag.
Makenna lifted the duffel bag and tossed it onto the bed before turning toward the closet. Bruce watched her as she pulled an outfit from the depths of the closet. She turned and set it on the bed. His eyes roamed over it. Midnight black jeans, black tank top, and black hoodie. Makenna returned from the closet once more as she set a pair of black combat boots on the floor and a holster on the bed. Bruce's eyes darted up when Makenna removed her shirt and slipped the tank top on, not caring that he was in the room. His eyes lowered to her abdomen, on her bandaged wound now surrounded with a bruise from yesterday.
"You sure you don't want backup?" He asked lifting his eyes to hers.
Makenna removed her sweatpants and slipped the black jeans on, jumping slightly to pull them up. She zipped them and buttoned them before turning toward Bruce.
"I'm sure, Bruce. I just plan on giving him the money and getting Brooke and Katy out of there. Should something come up I'll let you know…somehow." She answered picking up the holster.
Bruce's brows furrowed at her response. He watched her strap the holster around her waist and then around her right thigh. Once satisfied it wasn't going to slide, Makenna sat on the bed and pulled on the boots, lacing them up tight. She grabbed the hoodie and slipped it on. Finally she was ready.
"I'll let you know when I'm on my way back. I promise I'll be alright." Makenna reassured Bruce as she leaned up, kissing his lips.
Before Bruce could reply, Makenna had grabbed the bag and exited the room. He slowly followed after her and leaned against the railing, watching as she snatched her helmet from a chair and left the penthouse. Alfred emerged from the kitchen, looking up at Bruce.
"I imagine you'll be following her?"
Bruce nodded before disappearing. He had to be quick if he was to catch up with Makenna.
-M-
The ride to the Narrows was quick and surprisingly silent. The streets were empty save for a few people standing around trashcan fires. Makenna slowed to a stop in front of Brooke's old apartment building. They building had been condemned once it was bought and was going to be demolished soon. Makenna looked up at the building at Brooke's window. She swung her leg over her bike, leaving her helmet on as she entered the building, duffel bag strapped to her back. Makenna halted when she was confronted by suited men.
"They've been expecting you, Miss Abshire." One of the men said stepping forward.
Makenna's eyes darted down to his hands where a metal bat hung. She rolled her eyes. She should have known Darren would try and stop her. One after the other the men rushed toward her. Makenna blocked, dodged and punched until she was the only one left standing. Her eyes were focused on the stairs as she stepped on one of the men's backs and ran up the steps. Each floor was the same. Men scattered about only to be taken down, some landing a few hits on Makenna. But she never faltered. She reached Brooke's floor and kicked the door open.
In the middle of the room was Brooke holding Katy as the little girl sobbed. Brooke whipped her head up, her eyes filling with fresh tears when she saw her sister.
"Makenna!" Brooke cried recognizing her sister's helmet.
Makenna was by their side in an instant as she checked them both over. Katy threw her arms over her aunt and cried into her shoulder as Makenna moved to hug her sister. However, movement to the left side of the room alerted Makenna. She removed Katy from her, setting her in Brooke's lap as she stood before them. Her eyes narrowed on Darren before shifting to the older man behind him. Santorini.
"I hope you enjoyed the surprise when you arrived. After all I know how much you love a challenge." Darren sneered stalking toward her.
Makenna didn't speak, the helmet shielding her face from view. More men emerged from the shadows grabbing Makenna roughly and pulling her away from Brooke and Katy. Brooke shouted for them to let her go, but they ignored her. Once Makenna was in front of Darren and Santorini, she was forced to her knees, the duffel bag roughly tugged off her back. One of the men handed the bag to Darren who unzipped it and looked over the money.
"Remove her helmet." Santorini ordered, his Italian accent heavy.
The man to Makenna's right yanked the helmet from her head and tossed it aside. Her braided hair messy as she glared at Santorini. She didn't miss the flinch from one of Santorini's bodyguards when they met her eyes. She had a look in her eyes that made the rest of them want to run. Santorini seemed unaffected as he stepped forward, running a hand over her cheek.
"It's been a long time, Tesoro." Santorini spoke softly.
Makenna's lips pursed at the endearment as he leered at her, but she didn't avert her gaze. She calmed herself as she didn't respond. She knew not responding would anger him, which is what she wanted. As expected, Santorini lost his temper and backhanded her across the cheek. Her cheek stung as the blood pooled in her mouth. She spit to the side ridding herself of the copper tasting liquid before returning her eyes to her former boss.
"Sir, the money is all accounted for." Darren spoke staring at Makenna.
Their eyes met. Darren's eyes widening a fraction at the calm expression in her eyes. One thing he learned from being around Makenna was that one should always be afraid of the calmest person in the room. Her. Makenna pulled her eyes away from Darren when the lights flickered before the room fell dark. She mentally cursed knowing he would follow her. When her eyes adjusted to the dark she gazed around searching for Brooke and Katy, but didn't see them. Her ears picked up the squealing of tires disappearing down the street. Whoever it was, Makenna hoped they didn't have Brooke and Katy. She didn't have long to think when the men holding her disappeared from her side.
"Who's there?" She heard Santorini shout, the fear evident in his voice.
Makenna tensed when she felt a presence behind her. Instincts kicking in, Makenna formed a fist and rounded on the person quickly, only to have her fist caught. Her eyes landing on Batman, her lover. They stared at each other as he lowered her hand and released it.
"Brooke and Katy are with Gordon. He's taking them to the hospital." He said, calming her nerves.
"Thank you." She whispered before she was shoved behind him.
She stumbled slightly from the push, but quickly steadied herself. Her eyes landed on Bruce as he fought Santorini's men once more. The lights flickered to life allowing Makenna to catch Darren and Santorini attempting to flee. She was before them in an instant as she kicked Darren in the chest, sending him into the older man behind him. Darren jumped to his feet, shaking his arms as he sneered at her.
"Come back for more, have you?" He growled, taking up an offensive position.
Makenna didn't speak as her eyes said everything. She didn't miss the bruise on her sister's cheek when she appeared. She'd make sure he could harm either one of them again. Darren was the first to act as he lunged toward Makenna, fists swinging. She blocked each punch with her arms until she found an opening. She landed a hook punch into his chin. Makenna continued her assault. Each punch and jab forcing Darren back. He was off balance, stumbling back, Makenna's punches and kicks flashing all around him, and he was barely able to fend it off. Makenna dropped to the ground and swept her leg out, catching his in the process, sending him crashing to the wood floor. Darren scooted back as Makenna stalked toward him.
"Please! Stop!" He wheezed in pain.
"Stop? You want me to stop? Like how you didn't stop when you stabbed me?" she replied, her voice ice.
The iciness of her tone hit Darren hard as he bumped into the wall. His eyes wide with fright. The sound of a gun cocking made Makenna stop. She glanced over her shoulder at Santorini as he aimed. However, as he pulled the trigger, Batman grabbed his arm and forced the gun up and out of his hands. Santorini hit the floor, unconscious. Batman whirled around to Makenna as he saw her stalking toward her target.
"Makenna." He called. No response.
Makenna stood before Darren, gun in her hand as she removed it from her holster. Time seemed to slow as she raised the gun, aiming it at Darren's head.
"Makenna!" Bruce shouted.
She didn't pull the trigger. She couldn't. That wasn't the life she lived anymore.
"Do it. You know you want to." Darren urged her.
Makenna's finger itched to pull the trigger.
"Fine," Darren said, taunting her, feeling the cool metal of the gun on his forehead. "Pull the trigger. You won't do it."
Makenna sighed.
The gunshot echoed through the room.
"You're right. I can't." She sighed again.
Darren sat below her, ears ringing. The smoking bullet hole in the wood floor right between his legs. His eyes snapped up to Makenna as she used the butt of the gun and slammed it against his skull, knocking him out. She holstered the gun before hanging her head.
"I wasn't going to kill him." She said softly as she turned toward Batman. "Revenge is beneath me. Accidents, however will happen."
Batman walked up to Makenna wiping the blood from the corner of her lips. She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch as the pain settled in her body.
"Gordon is waiting for you at the hospital with Brooke and Katy. They need you. I'll take care of these two."
Makenna opened her eyes and nodded. She turned to leave when Bruce caught her wrist. She didn't turn to look at him. She couldn't, not after what happened. Her eyes widened when she was spun around and his lips crashed to hers. Makenna relaxed and closed her eyes as the kiss deepened only for Bruce to pull away.
"You're still you, Makenna. Remember that. Now go, I'll be there shortly."
Batman turned away from Makenna and gathered the two men as she exited the room and building. The rev of her bike was all he needed to hear knowing she listened to him. When the sound disappeared down the street, Bruce made for the police station with a special delivery for Gordon.
-M-
Makenna made quick time to the hospital. Sure she may have broken some laws, but she didn't care. She wanted to see Brooke and Katy. She was told the room they were both staying in and jogged down the hallway toward their room. When she read the number above the door Makenna pushed the door open. Inside sat Jim Gordon, Brooke, Katy and a doctor. The doctor glanced over at Makenna, giving her a smile before finishing her conversation with Brooke and leaving the room.
"Aunt Kenna!" Katy shouted.
"Hey, sweetie. How you holding up?" Makenna smiled as she approached Katy's bedside.
She ran a hand through the young girl's hair as Katy wrapped her arms around her aunt's waist. Makenna looked over to her sister and gave her a smile. Brooke returned the smile with tears in her eyes.
"You kept your promise." Brooke whispered.
"No I didn't…He still managed to take both of you when I promised that he wouldn't."
"Makenna," Brooke began waiting for her sister to look at her. "If it weren't for you then who knows what would've happened. I know I was hard on you back then, but I want you to know I am sorry. I'm glad you came for us even after everything I said to you."
Makenna lightly chuckled. "I was the idiot that joined them. It's my fault that you two got involved."
"Which is why I've set up a place for them to stay. They'll be safe there." Jim interjected gaining Makenna's attention.
She cocked an eyebrow as she looked over at Brooke. Brooke gave her a sheepish smile as she leaned back into her pillows.
"I was able to buy that apartment I was looking at and since I'll be working at the hospital I'll be close. And Jim here offered to check up on us every now and then." Brooke explained.
Before Makenna could reply the door opened as Bruce entered. Their eyes met as Makenna peered over at her sister.
"Bruce!" Katy smiled.
"Kenna?" Brooke questioned giving her sister a weird look.
Makenna had opted to climb into Katy's bed and lay beside her when she looked over.
"Oh yeah, there's something I've been meaning to tell you." Makenna smiled flashing her pearly white teeth.
Brooke's eyes sparkled with happiness for her sister as she gave Bruce a smile. Brooke glanced away from Bruce and back to her sister to find her and Katy curled together fast asleep. Bruce talked to Gordon for a few minutes before Gordon got up and left to head home. Brooke side eyed Bruce as he took a seat in the chair beside Katy's bed, his eyes focused on Makenna's back.
"Please take care of her. She may come off as being strong and fearless, but she needs someone to protect her also." Brooke whispered gaining Bruce's attention.
"I promise I'll protect her." He promised returning his gaze to Makenna's sleeping form.
Whenever he saw Makenna around Katy he wondered if that's how she'd be with her own child. She had a soft spot for children and wondered if one day she saw herself with one or two of her own. He shook the thought from his mind as he leaned back and watched Makenna slept for the first time in weeks.
-M-
Okay...this one took me a bit to write. I changed everything, and it's no easy feat. I'm going to start working on the next chapter when I get home from my appointment so be on the lookout for another chapter or two today as promised. ;) Also I will be entered The Dark Knight here soon so keep an eye out!