I... cannot even begin to describe the ridiculously longness since I have worked on this story. I have had these chapters basically written for a while, but I never thought to polish them up enough to post. But... Here they are, at last...

12. Same

"I'm not going to say, 'I told you so,' Dad, but..."

"I know, Barbara... I know." Jim Gordon shook his head. "Just wait until the media gets hold of this. They'll have a whole field day."

"I'm more worried about Riddler and Scarecrow having a field day - at the expense of all the people of Gotham City."

"Batman's working on it. If anything happens, he'll know. At least Nigma likes to leave clues. Good thing. He has to leave them."

"No, Dad, he leaves riddles for attention. That's what all his files say. He wants attention. He doesn't want all his exploits to be ignored, but now... He's getting attention from another source, now. What if he doesn't leave clues anymore? What if now we're up against one of the smartest people on the planet - and he doesn't have to keep us clued in?"

"Calm down, Barb. Nigma's obsessed. It's an obsession: it's not a cry for attention anymore... But, if Batman can't find anything, we'll... Follow the trail Scarecrow leaves."

"If he leaves a trail..."

"The only thing we have is hope, and that's more than they've got. Get some sleep, Babs." Jim kissed her forehead before standing up to walk back out to the hallway. "Any word, Batman?"

"Sorry, sir." A figure a bit shorter than Batman stepped out of the shadows. "Just me. Haven't heard anything from Scarecrow or Riddler. No robberies, no heists, and no missing people who seem related in any way to either of them. No leads at all."

"Robin..." Jim frowned and nodded. "I understand. I appreciate the effort. Keep in touch, and give Batman my regards."

"Will do, sir. How's your daughter?"

Jim turned to look at the door to Barbara's hospital room. "Doing well. It doesn't look like there are any lasting side effects. They say she'll be good to go home in another day or two. And, in a couple of weeks it'll be flushed from her system totally... You know, Babs thinks I'm crazy, but I still feel like..." Jim glanced toward Robin - only to see that the Boy Wonder was gone. "...That boy gets more and more like Batman every day..."

"Any word, Bruce?"

Batman sighed as Robin approached the Batcave's supercomputer. "The same word I've been finding. Nothing. How's Barbara?"

"The doctors say she's doing well. Scarecrow's stuff doesn't look like it left side effects.

"Good."

"Yeah, that much is good. But, we still don't have anything on Riddler and Scarecrow."

"We'll catch them, Dick. It's Riddler. He's just biding his time."

"It's not just Riddler, though. It's Scarecrow, too."

"Riddler will make it easier for us to catch both of them."

"Do you really think...?"

"Do I really think that what you saw... makes a difference? The media will think so. I don't. I don't believe it for a second. Maybe if it was anyone else... But, not Scarecrow. The only reason Nigma's even still alive is because Scarecrow doesn't realize that one of those riddles gave his plan for Barbara away. Assuming... Riddler is still alive."

"You think it was an act?"

"The Riddler was the one who initiated it, you said. And, Nigma... might think it's real. He's more a danger to himself than anyone. But, Crane... Crane can't feel that way. He doesn't have emotion. The only thing he has is fear. And, I'm not even sure sometimes he can feel that anymore."

"Batman! Gallery heist! Could be them!"

"Sorry, Victor, but it's going to be a long time before Gotham City turns into your land of ice..."

"You... will... pay... for... this... Batman... Next time..."

Robin shook his head. "Why is it I always feel sorry for that guy?"

"Victor Fries is worth feeling sorry for."

"Yeah... Too bad this didn't turn out to be Scarecrow and Riddler..."

"Maybe it's too bad... But, at least they aren't out causing trouble for now. Come on, Robin. We can, at least, patrol the city."

"It's been a week."

"And, it could be weeks more before we hear anything. Patience, Robin."

"Batman! Bank robbery! Could be them!"

"I can't believe Clayface got away..."

"Not for long. He'll be back in Arkham shortly enough."

"And, I can't believe it still wasn't Scarecrow and Riddler..."

"Batman! Break-in at the Gotham City Zoo! Could be them!"

"Batman! The alarm's sounding at the Gotham City Docks! Could be them!"

"Batman! Hostage situation! Could be them!"

"Batman! Trouble at GSU! Could be them!"

"...Looks like trouble, Batman. Someone's hit the Post Office."

"Come on, Batman! Trouble at the Art Festival!"

"Batman! Robbery!"

Barbara Gordon was allowed leave from her place at the hospital to return home, where she could recover fully from the effects of the Scarecrow's fear toxin. Jim Gordon was at work for most of the days, so she spent most of her time at home alone, thinking and moving as much as she could.

There had been no word on Scarecrow and Riddler.

And, yet, she felt like there should be something. She felt in her gut that Batman was missing something. Her father was missing something. She was missing something.

There was a lead, somewhere... That they were all missing.

Think. Think.

She knew something. She'd heard something. Something... There was a clue in her mind, deep inside there... What was it?

Barbara sighed as her phone rang. "Hold on... Hold on..." She reached across the nightstand, following the sound of the phone. "Hello?"

"Hello. Barbara Gordon?"

"Yeah, that's me..."

"This is Eliza Carrey, Crystaleye Realty. I just wanted to follow-up on our appointment."

"Realty..." Barbara sat straight up in bed. "I'm sorry, Miss Carrey, but it doesn't look like I'll be in the market for a new place anytime soon."

"Are you sure?"

"Sorry." Barbara quickly hung up. And, then, just as quickly, she dialed another number. "Alfred? Get Bruce on the phone, now. I think I have something that needs to be checked out."