"Ah ha!" Tim rushed from his bedroom to the living room, "I've got it!"
"Got what, sport?" Dick looked up from the morning's paper. Tim's Aunt and Uncle had allowed the young traveller to crash at their house for a few nights. It even got Tim out of having to do a paper for his "museum" trip the previous day.
Tim looked around to make certain that his caretakers weren't around. "Where's Barbara?"
"She took off while you were asleep. Unlike me, she has a home in this city, ya know."
"Well, whatever. I am pretty sure she'd discourage me from doing anything anyway!" Tim was obviously excited about something, and that worried Dick.
"Now hold up, I may have the same response."
"Wouldn't stop me." He held up a book, "Check it out! I made up a design!"
"For..." Dick took the younger's book cautiously, "Oh, geez, let it go, bro!" The tossed the book to the side.
"Hear me out, Rich." Tim picked up the book that held his costume design, "You may be content with sitting on the sidelines, but I have to go out there and make a difference the only way I know how."
Dick looked at the book in Tim's hand, "There's no way in heck that design would even get off the ground. Namely due to funds. How do you expect to fund that...thing?"
Tim shrugged, "I'll find a way..."
Mawk collapsed in his room and sighed. Everything he did for her just seemed to be wrong. I defend her honor, I'm wrong.I defend our money, I'm wrong. When am I ever right? Kimber was an issue he really wished he could speak to Curtis about. After all, Curtis actually gave him good advice many times. The kid was like a junior psychologist, or something. But as of late, Curtis was more and more unavailable; too engrossed in his job and school that his social life plummeted. "Doesn't have far to fall," the former high school football star laughed.
He looked to his phone. He wanted to call her and to apologize. "But I already did that. She said she just didn't want me risking my neck for nothing." He stood an walked to his closet to change.
"That's a promise I can't keep."
Kimber stared into her palms with horror. She had been sitting in the bathroom in her dress for the past half-hour, thinking. Her feelings for Mawk were... waning at best.
"How did this happen?" She turned her hands over a few times for no reason and continue to think. "Where did the magic go..." It was more fo a statement than a question. Was it all due to the part over a year ago? Was she scared to lose the man who had become a great friend over her high school life that she was willing to date him? Did she even love him back then or was it a fear of letting go?
No. She had loved him. It was real. But now it was gone. But where did it go?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a wringing phone. "Hello? Hey, Curt, wassup?...Yeah I'm home now...Naw, not free. I've got...some thing's to think about... Naw, I'm totally fine, just something personal...Yeah, I know I can talk to you about it, I'd just to prefer not to!" She suddenly just got heated at the boy on the other line. "Yeah...Yeah, whatever...Go take a nap, or something, Curtis...Whatev's. Bye." She clicked the phone 'off' and then instantly regretted her shift in attitude but she didn't want to call back. She couldn't talk to him at the moment either. Even though she probably should have.
"Dammit!" With anger, she chucked the phone across the bathroom and it smashed into the wall violently. And she sat there staring at the phone and crying. They were both broken.
Batman crept along the rooftop, his steely gaze fixed on a single person. A man in an all-black unitard sneaking behind a very prominent research facility. As much as Batman wanted to jump down and freak out the mook, the man in black had done nothing wrong. Yet. Back in the Justice Lords days, being near the S.T.A.R. Labs research facility would be enough to take any character to jail. Now here was a man in all black sneaking around for God knows what, but the Bat could do nothing buy watch for now.
C'mon, freak, make a move.
The nightcrawler did just that. In the blink of an eye, the man was through an open window and just as fast the window closed.
Bingo.
Kimber staggered from her bathroom and managed to change her clothes from her dress to clothing she felt more comfortable in: slightly tight jeans and a hoodie. Under the hoodie, she had on a sports bra and part of her first Batgirl outfit. As much as she hated it, she was becoming like the old man. No, not her father but Bruce Wayne. The Batman.
"Goin' somewhere, Sweetie?" Her mother called to her from the living room.
Kimber paused at the door, "Yeah, I just need to go for...a walk, I guess." She hoped, her mom didn't catch the tremble in her voice.
No such luck. "Kimber." Her mother stood and approached, "Have you been crying?"
"What?" Kimber wiped her eyes with her sleeve and turned to her mom, "No, Mama," She smiled as best she could, but her mother saw through the disguise.
"Kimber," Mrs. Lee frowned slightly at the front her daughter was putting on, "Something's wrong," Her voice shifted from protecting and powerful to soft and caring in an instant, "How was that dinner with Mawk?"
"Good."
"Did something happen?"
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"..."
"Kimber..."
"Yes, Mama, I'm sure!"
"He didn't try to-"
"MAMA!" Kimber looked at her mother with disbelief, "No!"
Instinctively, the older Lee raised her hands in an effort to calm her daughter, "Okay, okay, calm down." She ruffled Kimber's hair, "Just making sure."
"He's a good guy, Mama. It's just..." Kimber found herself walking to the couch. She had hoped to go to the library. She had things to do. Homework to finish. Tests to study for. Papers to write. Whatev's. "I don't feel the same way I did a year and a half ago." She plopped down on the couch. "After that...party... I realized how precious he is to me. But, now I don't feel like he is precious in the same way, y'know?" She looked to her mother.
Mrs. Lee slowly nodded her head then shrugged, "How do you know you ever really loved him like...well, like a relationship 'love'?"
"Huh?"
"Kimber. I know what you two did for high schol," Her mother smirked, "Have to say that it was pretty smart. A false relationship to keep yourself away from the other guys."
"Well...it wasn't totally that reason." Kimber looked off out the window, "He was trying to get away from a group of girls and I happened to be the subject of some creepy guy's affections, so it just worked out. After all, it was a typical relationship: he was a jock and I was a A+ student with a national title in gymnastics. Match made in stereotype heaven." She grinned though her burning-red eyes were anything but happy.
"Kimber, a fake relationship can mess with you, you know," She brushed a loose strand from her daughter's face, "As proud as I am that you didn't fall into risky behavior with boys in high school, I think maybe your method was...extreme."
"So you think I tricked myself into liking him? Because I didn't." Kimber scootched forward on the couch, "I didn't realize I loved him until after that stupid party."
"Loved?"
Kimber felt tears well up again in her eyes, "I don't think I care for him the same way, anymore. I don't know, but something just..."
"...doesn't feel right." Batman carefully wandered the halls of the empty S.T.A.R. Labs building. Equipped with a flashlight and infrared lenses, he shouldn't be having so much trouble searching for the trespasser. He had gotten in through the window next to the one the sneak and snuck into and yet there was no trace of anyone. Batman squinted in the dim light and clicked off his flashlight. Maybe more progress would be made if his light was off.
A rattling caught his attention. Quickly the Dark Knight ran out of the room he was investigating and headed to the noise. Easy, Batman. As he approached the room the sound had emanated from, he slowed his stride and pressed his back against the wall. From his belt, he retrieved a small pipe-camera and carefully maneuvered it around the corner of the door. Looking into the viewer he saw the man in black rummaging through various boxes. Though even one object from the box would fetch a pretty penny, the trespasser seemed to sort past them with little care.
He's on a mission. He has a specific goal in mind. Batman thought to himself, But what?
The Bat didn't know what the thief was looking for, but whatever it was, it was big.
Suddenly, the thief whirled around; a remote in his hands. He held his hand out toward a large safe and the safe whirred to life.
Time to step in. Silently, the Dark Knight crept up behind the man in black and jumped to tackle him. The thief somehow expected the surprise attack and sidestepped, dodging the tackle. Batman rolled onto his back then jumped to his feet to attack, but the man was already inside the large safe. "Who are you?"
"I think the better question is," The digitally distorted voice echoed from the safe, "'where am I?'"
Batman rushed into the large vault and found himself asking that very question. Within the safe's four walls was a simple case that had at once held a suit. Maybe that's what he stole? But what would a thief need with a suit? Batman turned and rushed out of the safe, "Where are you?"
"Good to see that pretender isn't with you, Batman." A voice came from Batman's right and instinctively the detective punched to the voice. His packed fist connected with someone and the thief fell back to the ground.
"Oof! Hey!" The man cried out as he hit the ground, "I knew you had good reflexes, but that was crazy!" The man's face was still turned from Batman.
"Who are you?" The question was now more charged as Batman solemnly approached the surprisingly lanky foe.
"Like I said," The thief reached for his belt buckle and pressed it just as Batman reached for him. The man in black vanished before Batman's eyes. "'Where am I?' is the better question."
Batman was angry but knew better to chase after the thief. He had whatever he wanted. The suit or whatever was in that safe was gone. Couple whatever secret weapon had been holed up inside that vault with the thief's teleportation power and Batman knew that tonight was not going to be the night he'd find the thief. With a hint of animosity, he reached for a small paper the man had left behind. He unfolded the note and frowned. "Best return to the cave. It's time for some answers."
"Feel's like it's always night in this damn city..." Stewart looked from his window to Shayera. It had been a long time since he had laid eyes on her. A long time. And he was dang certain that he would make this work between them, "Shayera."
"Yes, John?"
"I-I have something I want, er, need to tell you."
"Well, don't keep me in suspense." Shayera crossed her arms and a smile playfully darted across her lips.
Stewart smiled. He loved the way she smiled. It was never a full smile but always a half-cocky half-shy smile. He rocked back and forth on his heels before speaking, "The past few years have definitely been hectic, especially after we were taken down by a traitor."
"A wrong soon to be righted," she murmured.
"But I do not wish to focus on Batman right now. No. The past few months have shown me just how much certain people mean to me. In fact, certain people actually have turned out to mean a lot." He awkwardly got down on one knee.
Oh, he better not be doing what I think he's about to do... Shayera smiled through her teeth. However, within her was a struggle. She had a duty to a greater plan. A higher calling.
"I've never done this before and years of fighting have hardened me to matters of the heart, but-" from the energy of his purple-ish ring he fashioned a rather exquisite engagement ring. "Shayera, I've lost you once and thought it permanent. Now that I have you back, I don't want to lose you again." He held the energy ring up to her, "Shayera of Thanagar; will you marry me?"
Shayera put a hand to her chest. "I-I-I don't know what to say..." Her breath had been sucked from her lungs. A few moments ago she thought this would have been easy; Just say 'no'. But now that he really had asked for her hand in marriage, her heart decided logic was for the birds. It was true, she had grown close the John Stewart. He was an admirable man and a courageous warrior with a powerful honor code. It was no wonder the Green Lantern Corps had recruited him to police Earth and its sector. But she was already with another. Betrothed to her commanding officer. She couldn't say yes, but she found it just as impossible to say no. "It's a beautiful ring, John." She tenderly clasped his hands, "But...I can't say for sure yet if I'm ready for this step...With everything that's happened, my world is still spinning, spinning. Please understand that this isn't a 'yes', but it isn't a 'no' either. I just need to think about it some more."
The African-American bowed his head as he stood and the ring faded from view. Even so, Stewart didn't appear to be as crest-fallen as she had expected. Disappointment was obviously written on his face, but with it was hope. Hope that after she thought about it, she'd say yes.
Oh, how I wish it were that easy.
Batman entered the 'Cave and placed the note on the evidence table.
"Whatcha got there, boss?" Robin's excited voice came from the prisoner's chamber.
"Don't you have a home?"
"Don't you?"
"Fair enough." The Bat gestured for Robin to check out the paper. "Learn anything from our former D.A.?"
"Not in the slightest. He's half co-operative, after all. But even he is unsure where he had been taken. I'll be dropping him off in Blackgate later on tonight."
"You're aware that it is midday now?"
"Yep. Speaking of which, you're never out that late. What gives? Did anyone see you after sunrise?"
Batman opened up a microscope program on a module of the Batcomputer, "I did some undercover work. Stretched Matches Malone's legs for awhile to glean some information."
"Anything?"
"Later this week," Batman moved a lens piece over the paper on the table before him, "Some mob boss is supposed to meet with Ras to talk about a partnership of some sort. Apparently this boss is choosing to side with Ras's extremist agenda."
"And this paper is a clue to the 'where' of this meeting?"
"No. This is from a thief," A damn good one.
"Who?"
Batman moved the microscope and allowed his protege to see the note unhindered. There was nothing on the paper except for a messy red 'X.'
Diana stood up out of the garden and eyed over her handiwork. As much as she enjoyed heroing in the past, raising a garden turned out to pose just as many challenges for her as saving a life. But finally my children are free to soak up the rays! She hated to admit it, but she could understand, now, Poison Ivy's obsession with plants. They were easy to talk to, cheap to manage (if done properly, of course), and don't keep secrets aside from the occasional aphid. "Which is much less than I can say for Bruce Wayne..."
The more she lived with the billionaire playboy, the more her first assumption of him was proven right: there was more to the young dashing man than the tabloids could ever know. The many surprise meetings, the late nights at the office, the numerous dates; Diana wasn't sure what to make of it all. Back in the day, she probably would have recruited Clark Kent to do an investigative report on Bruce or maybe petition Batman to dig up whatever Wayne was hiding in Gotham. But now she was on her own and left to her own devices.
"And I feel it all starts with that vault down in that cave of his. I've heard of men needing a 'man-cave', but that's ridiculous!" she crouched by her flowerbed. "I know the rich like to have everything bigger, but that cave looks so under developed! Unless he is secretly also into minimalism as an art style." Realizing she was speaking to flowers, she stood up and moved for the mansion. She wanted to go out again. Despite some of the company, the last dinner party Bruce had taken her to hadn't been so bad.
"If you were bored, you should have spoken up!" Bruce Wayne's lovely baritone rang behind her and his surprisingly gentle arms wrapped about her waist.
"Be careful, Wayne." She warned, "Wouldn't want the news to think we're officially an item, would we? After all, what would that do to your bachelorhood?"
"Maybe it's time I slowed down that role anyway, huh?" He laughed into her raven hair, "How's about a duel?"
The Amazonian pushed him away and faced him, "Like the sword fight?"
Bruce half-shrugged, "I was thinking on a more... personal level?"
Diana couldn't help be grin, "Personal? How much more personal do you want to get, Mr. Wayne?"
Bruce didn't respond. Instead, he jumped up and shot is foot out for her head. The kick was sloppy and obviously a playful warning strike. Diana easily batted him to the side and pivoted to her left to face him, striking a powerful stance known only to Amazonian warriors. "Oh, ho ho, you want to play, this game, Mr. Wayne?"
Again Bruce half-shrugged, "If you'd indulge my interests?"
"A playboy with interests outside of women and speedy cars? Pinch me, I'm dreaming." She punched forward and Bruce deflected the attack. Then he jabbed out with his off-hand. He had a clean opening to her right cheek, but instead of taking advantage of the opening and punching her face, Bruce reached out with his pointer and thumb and pinched Diana's cheek.
"Pinch. But only because you asked politely." He winked.
Diana swept Bruce's feet out from under him and grabbed him as he was in mid-air to throw him to the side. As soon as the billionaire rolled onto his back to rise, Diana winked back. "You are quite the kidder."
"And you always fill me with surprises, Ms. Prince." Bruce flipped up and struck out with his heel to her temple.
Diana raised both forearms to block the back-kick and pushed him back with her hands. Before he was able to regain his footing, she executed a palm thrust to his chest and knocked him back into a bush.
Diana wiped a bead of sweat from her brow, "Tired yet?"
"Are you asking me or telling me?" Bruce shakily stood from out of the hedge and had to laugh at the scene he must have made. "C'mon! Try something!"
Mawk wheeled his bicycle onto the side porch of his house and snuck in through his bedroom window. Soon he'd be ready for action. Soon he'd be able to make his city safe again and safe for Kimber. He nearly had all the means, he just needed a few more items. He looked to the satchel that held his suit and reached for it, careful not to prick himself on the pointy accessories. Soon, Kimber. It would be awesome for him to be a superhero; to stop crime and make the city safe for the normal people to walk about. And the hero always get's the girl, so of course his relationship with a certain Asian-American female would become even stronger! Hopefully.
He stared at his mask.
A/N: So a shorter chapter with not too much action. A bunch of detective work and psychology employed by every character... Wonder Woman, Kimber and her mom, Mawk is back, Dent, etc... This is setting up for a ginormous turn of events within the next few chapters before Chizz really starts to hit the fan. You got the Thangarians, Ras, the entity, and now RED-X?
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