A/N: 07.26.2017

Hello, all! Had a little extra time so I thought I'd get this chapter out for you good people! Enjoy!

Chapter 10

The following day, Terry was in Paris, overlooking the city from on balcony of his penthouse suite of Le Royal Monceau. It was breathtaking. It wasn't even night yet and the city was extraordinary. Photos of Paris just didn't do it justice.

"Man, Max," Terry said to himself. "I wish you were to see this." His phone rang. He grabbed it out of his pocket to see Bruce calling. He answered, "Yeah?"

"Tonight, you need to break in to the Interpol office and get to their records," Bruce said.

"Got it. How's Basem?"

"Not talking to me. But he's still in the city. So, there's that."

"It's something. Still making them go to the Manor?"

"Yes. It's safer this way."

"Like I said, it's something. Talk to you later." He hung up then dialed Max.

"Terry?" Max asked, hurriedly.

"Hey, baby."

"Hey! You get there okay?"

"Yeah, checked into the hotel and everything." He sighed, "Max, we need to come here together. You gotta see this place."

"Hopefully, we can get there, someday."

He jerked his head back. "No 'hopefully,' Max. We'll get here. I promise."

"Okay."

He could tell she was still worried. "I'm gonna have a look around the city. I'll call you later once I know something, okay?"

"Okay."

"Alright. I love you."

"I love you, too, Terry."

Terry hung up and sighed. He knew that all of this was still getting to her. And, in all honesty, he couldn't even blame her. Their everyday lives were crazy enough; all of this added pressure would be rough on anyone. It didn't help that it was across the board for his wife and two of his best friends. Maybe they could all use a vacation after this was done. But he had to focus on one thing at a time.

He went to go examine the site at the attack where Malum escaped and where Koutetsu was last seen. He arrived at the police station, dressed in his casual clothes, and just had a look around. The police tape was still up and a clean-up crew was hard at work. He stared at the damage and recalled the information he memorized from the reports.

The explosions took out the police vehicles first and, not even a second later, explosions went off around the League, allowing Malum to escape. The theory was that explosives were hidden right by where the League would be heading out. Maybe even right by their feet, disguised as improvised explosive devices.

This was planned. With great detail.

Terry was starting to get the idea that the even the members of the League who were present were planned as well.

Terry decided to grab some dinner to get ready for tonight.

Basem and Sally drove to Wayne Manor with Max riding in the backseat. Bruce had decided it was better for both Basem and Sally to stay with him for the time being until all of this was sorted out.

"I don't like this," Basem said with a tinge of anger in his voice.

"We know, babe," Sally said.

"I don't get we have to stay at Wayne Manor."

"Because your place was being watched," Max said. "Ya know? Same reason why we're driving a used car I just bought so it couldn't be tracked."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Basem groaned.

They pulled up in front of the Manor and found Bruce standing on the steps. They all got out and Bruce and Basem shared an uncomfortable glare at one another.

Sally looked back and forth between them, "So, are you two about to fight because… Basem, I love you all my heart but I really don't want to see Bruce beat the crap out of you."

"Your girlfriend's smart," Bruce said.

"Yeah, she is," Basem admitted.

"Come in," Bruce said.

Basem and Sally grabbed their bags and headed in the house.

"Not that I haven't always wanted to see what it was like to sleep in this house, Bruce," Sally said as they walked in, "but why am I here? No one was targeting my apartment."

"That we know of," Bruce replied. "Or at the moment."

"He's right, Sal," Max said. "For all we know, you could be targeted, too. And if Basem really is being hunted and they know where he lives, they definitely know about you, too."

Sally stopped. "Well, that's far more terrifying when you put it that way."

"That's why you're in the safest house in Gotham."

"Unless they know you're the original Batman, Bruce," Basem said.

"I'm prepared for that," Bruce replied.

"And what about Max?" Sally asked. "We're just sending her home alone."

"She's going home, yes. But she'll be far from alone. Quite a few detectives and former government agents owe me several favors. The house will be under constant surveillance."

"Think that'll be enough?" Basem asked.

"Terry and me have always been prepared for if something like that happens," Max said. "Trust me, I'm covered."

"Doesn't stop me from worrying about you, sister."

Max smiled, "Well, if worse comes to worse, I'll just have to count on you to save me if I need it."

Basem looked at her, "I may not be Terry but I swear I won't let anything happen to you, Max."

"I know."

"What about me?" Sally asked, sticking her bottom lip out.

Max growled, "Oh, my God, woman! You are so needy!"

"Yeah? And?"

"Just when I was getting used to the peace and quiet of this house," Bruce muttered while shaking his head.

That night, Batman glided through the sky, heading for the Interpol office. He laughed to himself; it had been a long time since he had to handle something like this completely alone without even a possibility of Basem coming to help him. He arrived at the Interpol station, landing silently on the roof before entering the building via the stairwell. "Okay, I'm in. Reading me?"

"Loud and clear," Bruce replied.

"Where's Runner?"

"Out on patrol. Still not talking to me."

"In his defense, I've done that to you a bunch of times, too."

"Are you trying to be funny?"

Batman smiled, "Oh, come on. I gotta have some kind of fun."

"You're in Paris."

"Working. And without my wife. That's only fun to you."

"You're heading for the records room at the far end of the 15th floor hall."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Batman activated his cloaking device and walked down the hallway of the 15th floor. Due to the late hour, the bare minimum staff was on hand but Batman knew that he couldn't be too careful. He came to the records room and got to the computer. He activated it and started typing, "Okay, okay."

"Found anything?" Bruce asked.

Batman rolled his eyes, "Yep. Sure did. Got all the information and now I'm back on the plane, headed back to Gotham. I just started!"

"Hurry up."

Batman typed a bit more then some more information came up. "Huh. Commander Marquis Le Grande?"

"Who is he?"

"He's a commanding officer of the National Gendarmerie here. Looks like he's the one who made both of the prisoner transfer requests. They came from him first then went to Interpol. Malum was supposed to be transferred to a maximum security prison here in Paris." Batman jerked his head back. "Okay, this is weird. It says that Malum was supposed to be moved five days before he actually was."

"So, five days before the attack?"

"Yeah. Looks someone was stalling until they were ready to free Malum."

"Yes, it does." Bruce fell silent. "Terry."

"Yeah?"

"Do not tell Basem about this."

"And why would I not do that?"

"Because Stephen Bellerose is in the National Gendarmerie."

Batman stopped, "Stephen. That's the guy who was Marie's boyfriend."

"Yeah."

"Oh, son of a bitch."

"You took the words right out of my mouth."

"Do you think he's in on this?"

"We don't know yet. We need more information."

"I guess Le Grande is my next stop tonight."

"I'm sending you his address now."

"On my way. Hey, real quick: why don't I have the Batmobile?"

"Go. Now."

Batman groaned, turned his cloak back on, and headed for the exit.

"And to answer your question: it's because you didn't ask for it."

Batman sighed and thought to himself, 'Ask a stupid question…'

Batman went to the home of Commander Marquis Le Grande. He went into the bedroom via the open window and found Le Grande sleeping in bed. Batman quickly placed his hand over Le Grande's mouth, causing the commander to awake immediately. Le Grande wanted to panic but Batman preempted him.

Batman pressed his fore finger to his lips, "Shh!" He moved his finger, "Parlez vous anglais?"

Le Grande was unsure but gave a slow nod.

"Alright. Don't freak out, Commander. I get that might be hard since I kinda broke in but trust me. I need to ask you some questions. I'm not gonna hurt you. Okay?"

Le Grande paused for a second but nodded, "Mmhmm."

Batman moved his hand from the commander's mouth.

"Batman?" Le Grande asked.

"Yes."

"You're in Paris?"

"Looks that way."

"What do you want?"

"A lot's been happening in Gotham City and I followed a trail that led me here. Then, the trail led me to you."

Le Grande pushed himself up so that he was sitting, "Me?"

"Yep."

"How?"

"You signed off on orders through Interpol for the transfer of a prisoner in Gotham to share a cell with a metahuman prisoner and for Malum's move from prison to be delayed by five days."

Le Grande looked at him shocked. "I never signed any such orders. And I certainly didn't have anything to do with that bâtard Malum escaping."

"You better tell the records department of Interpol that," Batman said. "Because the orders have your signature on them."

"They what?"

"Yeah."

Le Grande slowly got out of bed and started pacing. After a minute, he whispered to himself, "Why would I do that?"

Batman stared at him, indignantly. "That's kinda what I'm asking you."

"I signed nothing like that. And I wouldn't sign anything that would affect the American prison system. I had hardly ever have any deals with Interpol."

"Well, can you think of any way that your signature wound up on those documents?"

Le Grande thought about it. "I can look into it in the morning."

"First thing in the morning, Commander. A lot is riding on what is happening and you're the key to it all." Batman pulled out a communicator from his belt. "When you need to contact me, call me with this."

"Right."

"Clock's ticking, Commander." Batman turned toward the window and put one foot on the ledge.

"Batman."

Batman looked over his shoulder, "Yeah."

Le Grande paused for a while before asking, "How's Nightrunner?"

Batman took a second to answer. "Hanging in there."

"You know, me and him used to butt heads every now and again. But… can you give him a message for me?"

"Sure."

"Tell him… he's one of the good ones."

"I'll take care of it." Batman headed out of the window and flew off, heading back for his hotel. He activated his communicator, "Do you think we can trust him?"

"You were talking to him, directly," Bruce replied. "What do you think?"

"My gut tells me that he was legitimately surprised at the news but… well, there are some good actors out there."

"True. For now, rest up. You're going to meet with the League tomorrow."

"So, we're bringing them in on this?"

"Not entirely. You're telling them that you're following the trail of Lord Troy."

"So we're lying?"

"It's not a lie. It's just not the entire the truth."

"Man, I hope your perception of the world doesn't rub off on Grace."

Bruce smiled. "Well, given her brilliant mother, your daughter will be twice as smart as me and will be able to have a clearer view of the world."

"Hey! What about me?"

"I'm praying all her brain functions come from Max."

"Half my genes are yours, you know."

"Are you ever going to use them?"

"Oh, shut up!" Batman shouted, as he neared his hotel. "How's Max?"

"She's fine," Bruce answered. "She's at home now. I'm keeping her monitored."

Batman landed on the balcony and walked inside his room. "I'll call her in a minute."

"Alright."

"Are you sure we don't want to tell B anything?"

"Not yet. We need more information before we let him know what we found."

"Fine. Talk to you later." Terry cut the communication, took off his uniform, and put it away. He sat on his bed and dialed Max.

"Terry?" Max answered.

"Hey, baby," Terry said.

"Hey!" she said, excitedly. "You okay?"

"I'm okay, yeah."

"Did you find a lead?"

"Sort of." He went on to explain everything about the transfers and Le Grande.

"Not a lot to go on, really," Max said.

"That's what Bruce said. It's why we're not telling B anything yet."

She took a deep breath, "Well, that a questionable decision." She exhaled, "But I get it. So, Commander Le Grande, is he in on this?"

"Don't know. I don't think he is. But we'll find out soon." He looked out of the window, taking in the view of the city. "We really need to come here together, Max. When I'm not working."

"Yeah, we do. Maybe we can…"

Terry's phone beeped and he looked to see Bruce was calling him. "Uh, Max, hold up a second." He put her on hold and answered Bruce's call, "What is it?"

"Get your uniform on, now!" Bruce said.

"What? What happened?"

"There's an attack taking place on one of the police stations."

"Where's the League?"

"On their way."

Terry hopped to his feet. "Time to introduce myself. I'll contact you when I get there." He hung up with Bruce and reconnected with Max. "Max?"

"Yeah?" she asked.

"I gotta go. Something's happening. I gotta go."

"Okay. Be careful."

"I will." He hung up, threw his uniform on, and headed off into the night.

With Gotham being a quiet this evening, Nightrunner went back to Stern Ironworks to have a look around and maybe find any clues that might have been left behind. So far, all he found were traces of the burns from the magic attacks that Troy used against Batman.

"Troy," Runner growled out.

Runner heard a sound similar to a rush of water behind him. He turned around to find Tumulus standing on a pile of rubble with Lord Troy, Flicker, and Blaze encircling him.

"Look what we have here," Tumulus said.

Runner's eyes went wide as he whispered, "Son of a bitch." He knew he didn't have a chance of surviving this if they decided to attack. His only option would be to retreat. If he could.

"Relax," Tumulus said. "If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead."

"You could've fooled me, first time we met," Runner said.

"True. But do you think it's that easy? You think this, all of this, is simply to kill you, Nightrunner?" Tumulus stepped toward him then began to circle him. "No, I can do that anytime."

"You'll find I'm not that easy to kill." Runner kept eyes going from Tumulus to his subordinates and back again. His body was becoming tense as he fully expected a fight to occur.

"Perhaps. But I could kill you. If I wanted to. And I will when it's time." Tumulus shook his head. "But that's not the point of this. Not yet. No."

"Okay, then what is the point?"

"The point is for you to suffer, traitre."

"'Traitor'?" Runner asked. "Why are you calling me a traitor?"

"You will learn that as well, in due time. Meanwhile, consider this: Paris."

"What about it?"

"Are your friends as safe as you think they are?" Tumulus asked. He walked back toward his team.

Runner's eyes widened. "What the hell does that mean?!"

"Figure it out, boy." Tumulus looked at his subordinate. "Troy."

"Sir," Lord Troy started moving his hands, conjuring magic.

Runner took a step forward and shouted, "Who the hell are you?!"

"In time, you will know," Tumulus said. "Remember us, Nightrunner. Burn our names into your memory. We are the Graves. And when it's time, my face will be the last thing you'll ever see."

Troy waved his hand one more time, causing a bright, burst of light. Runner covered his eyes from the light but, when it faded, he looked to see that the Graves were gone.

"Paris," Runner whispered. His blood ran cold. "Oh, God. Terry!"

A/N: Oh, dear. Umm, oh, my!

So, here's the thing, I know where this story is going and even I'm over here like, "whoa." This is getting really intense.

You guys are NOT going to want to miss the next chapter! Be here and get ready for it!