Why would anyone want to live in Gotham City?
That was a question she had heard so many times she had lost count. The answer was simple. The only reason why people would live in the nations most crime-ridden city is it was home. As silly and sappy as that sounded, it was true. It was home...her home. Selina Kyle had been away from Gotham for nearly a year now, running around in Asia and sampling some of the finer treasures that it had to offer. However the inevitable longing of home had called her back. She had to rebuild up a new persona for herself, now that Selina Kyle was a wanted criminal; who would be caged up if she ever resurfaced again. The hardest part was parting ways with old friends. Friends like...but that was the past. It was best to keep looking forward.
She gazed over the city as she crouched between gargoyles, remembering that despite it all, Gotham could be beautiful at night. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. Smelling car exhaust, smoke and the promise of rain. Home at last. She smiled and decided to have a romp in her old territory. Perhaps she would run into him tonight. She had heard the rumors though, read the newspapers. Some part of her, the one that she usually listened too the most, told her that perhaps it wouldn't be wise to provoke him. Despite the warning of her deeper instincts, she did crave some sort of companionship that only an old friend could provide. Batman was one of the only ones who knew of her true self, and in a way was part of the problem. Things had been fine when Batgirl was the only one that knew of her...darker nature, but when Batman found out about it when she had attacked that cosmetic maker...it broke her heart, probably his too. Again with past matters?
"Probably becoming more sentimental," she muttered to herself, after all, wasn't that what brought her back here? She was about to leap off the side of the building when she thought she heard something. She paused, and held her breath. She listened again, there definitely was someone up here with her. She tuned around and took a defensive stance.
"Come out, or else you'll be needing about eight hundred stitches," she said as she prepared to either fight her way out or run. Slowly, a cape flickered in the light. She sighed and relaxed a little.
"Oh, it's you," she said as she tried to laugh off her fear. He didn't move from his spot, didn't make a sound or make the first move. Strange for him. Something was different, she could feel that much at least. She decided to play it safe.
"It's been awhile Batman," she said to him as she relaxed her pose. She waited for him to say or even do anything. It was very strange for him to just stand in the dark shadows for so long.
"Aren't you going to ask me what am I doing here," she asked, trying to make him say something. Again he stayed silent. She decided to tell a small white lie.
"The truth is," she said, "I've come back to Gotham to meet an old friend of mine. Heard he's having some trouble with some things, so I thought he would like someone to talk about it. Even though he probably wants nothing to do with me," she said a little sadly, "but hay, what else do I have to loose?" She waited for the "your freedom" line she set up for him to say...but again he stayed silent. Now it was getting annoying.
"Aren't you going to say or do anything?" She paused and waited for something. Finally after what felt like minutes did Batman finally make a move, but not towards her.
"Just keep your nose clean Selina," he said pulling out his grapnel gun, "I mean it. I don't have the patience for you anymore. If you do pull something while you're in Gotham, you'll sorely regret it." With that he flung away, leaving her to stare down at where he had been standing. Something definitely happened while she was gone. She had planned on a few robberies while she was in town, but now her curiosity was perked. She had to know what happened with him. This still could be fun, but she had to keep her whiskers clean for now...he seemed more serious than ever before. She decided to head back to her new apartment and think of where to start. For now, her hunt was over, but there was always tomorrow night.
'Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in...' he sighed and opened his eyes. Being in solitary wasn't exactly the worst thing that had ever happened to him, but now he was just getting bored. He had already counted the buttons in the room (there was exactly one-hundred and thirty six of them) and he had already thought about every movie, t.v. show, book and song he could think of. Now his mind wanted to wander and that...wasn't a good thing anymore. He sat up a bit and looked down at his restraints. He moved his arms and legs a bit, and then arched his back as far as he could, not trying to get loose but it was just something to do. He huffed and turned his head back toward the door in hopes that perhaps someone would eventually open it and...then what? Take him back to another room and lock him in that one? He turned his head back toward the ceiling and looked up at it. He tried distracting himself again by listening to himself, hearing his breathing and heartbeat...and the quiet chuckles. He hadn't noticed them before. Had he been doing them the whole time? Was he ever quiet anymore? He closed his eyes and held his breath, wanting to hush them up.
As he exhaled, his idea of escaping came back to him. Sure he probably could do it, given enough time and determination (and that is exactly what he had plenty of, especially the latter) but then what? Again he was left with the dilemma of what he would do afterwards. There was one thing he did know for a fact, even with the horribleness of what happened at the docks he still desired to be a crime fighter. Even with all that had happened to him and now, he still believed in justice and protection of innocent people. Some part of him...kinda knew that...he probably wouldn't be allowed to ever be Robin again. That quiet small tiny part of him that was still the old him was whispering that to him, and he had to agree. He wanted badly to be Robin again...but having time to really think about it (after all what else was there to do now but think) Bruce would probably never let it happen, but not because what had happened to him.
As he had sat there strapped down on that table and had time to reflect and really look at himself, he kinda realized something. He had always been a little more...darker than the others. He had always enjoyed the fights, enjoyed the rush of it...enjoyed hurting them. He had lost his temper once with Clayface, and now he kinda realized that if Bruce hadn't been there to...to stop him...he could have possibly killed Clayface. Maybe that's why Bruce had taken him in, and had watched him like a hawk? Had Bruce seen what he was turning into, or rather what he was, and was trying to stop it? In the end he supposed it didn't matter. He was hurting people whether he meant to or not now.
'Perhaps I should stay here,' he thought to himself, 'maybe I've been sick my entire life.' He only thought about it for a moment though. He didn't want to be forgotten here, and live his life away in this place. He wanted to make a positive difference, despite his darker nature. He wanted to help. Perhaps his darker side could help in with that. He had thought back to that night, as he had smacked and slashed at Holloway. He came to realize another thing. Batman's way of things wasn't working out. Sure some people would go strait after a run-in with Batman, but most of them kept going on and on. There were so many bad people out there on Gotham's streets, even more that kept getting away with things, like The Penguin and Rupert Thorn. Batman had a very noble code but he kinda realized that he was nothing more than a disgruntled janitor. Always cleaning up a new spill, and as soon as that was done a new one would be there waiting for him.
Of course there was no way you could one-hundred percent stop crime, but he could at least slow it down and stop some of the worst offenders. However killing them was still out of the question. That was always and forever would be wrong. Holloway however was probably still in the hospital, never to hurt anyone ever again. His mind would jump from one subject to another, going over wanting to be Robin again to accepting never to be Robin; then back and forth up till the point his ideas were just a whirl-pooled mess and it greatly confused him to think about it any longer. He finally just sat there and looked up at nothing, and then finally thought back to not his old crime fighter life, but his Tim Drake life.
He did wish that things could just go back to the way it was. All he wanted was his old life as Robin again and the family that came with it. He stopped thinking about it when he heard the laughter and felt the tears. Had he been crying? He wished he could wipe his face, it was getting itchy now. He sniffled a little and was just about to recount the buttons on the walls when he heard footsteps. He sat up again and looked at the door.
'Finally,' he thought, 'about time they came back. It's been hours.' He wasn't sure what he was expecting but when the orderlies came in with the...equipment his heart sank. Really? Is this all they cared about? Another problem was the other orderly, Greg. He didn't like him. He usually was the one who did the feedings and he wasn't ever gentle about it. He sighed in frustration and turned his head away from them. This was getting really old. He looked at the two when they approached him, he was toying with the idea of fighting it but then again it'd just be worse for him. He decided to just cooperate with them and get it over with, luckily midway through the feeding the two orderlies started talking to each other.
"So Greg," said the one orderly, "why are we doing this now instead of later?"
"Because Bartholomew and the others got a phone call," said Greg, "I guess someone important is coming to see the kid and I guess they want to make everything look good as possible." JJ perked up at that. It had to be Bruce coming to visit. He relaxed slightly at it, thinking now perhaps he could somehow convince him to let him come back home. Tell him he'd learned his lesson and that he'd be a good soldier from then on. His train of thought was interrupted when he felt Greg rush the last of the mixture. He glared up at him, he was getting really tired of him doing that every single time, After they finished with the feeding, it was time for him to go back to his cell and wait for whomever was coming for the visit. After standing up from the strap-down table, he stretched his arms, legs and back and was more than golden to let them take him back via the wheelchair. He had to make sure that he be absolutely good for this. He had convinced himself that this was his evaluation meeting and despite what had happened with Max, that his behavior was good enough to possibly allow him to go home. It's not like he wanted to go around kicking in everybody's face that he saw on the street. When he was left alone in his cell, he took the time to wash his face and brush his teeth. He even tried to straiten up his hair in the back but without a mirror it was kinda hard to see if it was right or not. Then he sat on the edge of his bed and patiently waited for the next step. He couldn't help but build up what was to come, almost halfheartedly believing that he would soon be going home today. He excitedly stood up when he could hear the clicking of approaching footsteps, but then was slightly taken back when he could hear the voices.
"I understand your concerns Mayor," said the all familiar voice of Bartholomew, "but I can assure you that despite one isolated incident, he's been perfectly calm and obedient with staff and other patients."
"I as well understand doctor," said a voice that was firm and from the sound of it unhappy, "but if what District Attorney Van Dorn's reports say is true then, I want to see to this matter personally." JJ did recognize the voice. It belonged to the new mayor of Gotham, Mayor Doug Hayes. He had been in office for only about a year, due to the old mayor Hamilton Hill deciding that Gotham was just too hard to control anymore, and had moved away to Blüdhaven to enjoy retirement away from any of the standard risk of living in Gotham. He had heard a lot about the old mayor from Bruce and Alfred, in that while Hill didn't fully agree with the idea of Batman, he did put up with it and accepted any help offered from him. Hayes however, was a different story.
Hayes was a younger man, hansom and really did seem to be genuinely concerned about Gothams' crime rate, safety, and upholding the law as much as Batman. That is where the similarities ended though. Hayes was adamant at ridding Gotham of not only the super criminals but The Dark Knight as well. He stated clearly in his campaign that if elected mayor he did plan on getting rid of Batman after taking control of the criminals. True to his word, as soon as the new Arkham was considered a success in keeping the psychos in, he started focusing onto Batman. However with a lot of public love, and Gordon and the GCPD backing him up, Hayes had a hard time finding support for his side of the fence, and in so stayed fairly quiet for some time. As the group of people came to view, there was of course Dr. Bartholomew and some orderlies but then there was Mayor Hayes with what looked like a male secretary and a woman he didn't recognize. Hayes was looking over him with a very stern expression. Perhaps he was in trouble with the mayor about the docks? The woman he didn't recognize tried to not stare too long at him and adjusted her glasses to distract herself. The secretary was busy writing something down, but would make quick glances at him. JJ approached the glass and looked up at them. The mayor knelt down to match his eye level and looked at him. He seemed to be looking at everything about him; taking mental notes. His face did soften quickly though and he gave him a small smile.
"Did you contact Gordon?" asked Hayes turning to his secretary.
"I called Gordon as soon as we left the office," said the secretary, "He said he'd meet us here as soon as he was able to do so."
"That's fine," said Hayes looking up at him, "saves us a trip to the station." He turned back to JJ and shot him another reassuring smile.
"Can we go in Bartholomew," he asked without looking up, "I'd like to talk to him without the Plexiglas between us."
"Well," said Bartholomew apprehensively, "he hasn't said a word as of yet, and I'm not sure if that would be-"
"I want to talk to him like a human being," said Hayes standing up and turning to Bartholomew, "and I'm sure it'll be fine. Respect goes a long way and I feel like he hasn't had any of that in a very long time." JJ looked up at him. He was starting to like this Hayes guy, finally someone willing to work with him rather than just talk down to him and treat him like a freak. He nodded approvingly at Bartholomew and stepped away from the glass. Bartholomew sighed and opened the cell door and let Hayes with his secretary and the woman in. Of course the two orderlies and Bartholomew followed close behind them.
"I'm Mayor Doug Hayes," he said to him, warmly extending his hand, "this is my assistant John Hues and this," he said waving to the woman" is District Attorney Janet Van Dorn." JJ took his hand and was surprised how firm he held his hand and shook it. He looked up at Janet and gave a little nod in her direction and attempted to say 'hi' but all that came out was a weird quiet 'hee' laugh-like sound. She kept a strait face despite the weird noise and looked like it didn't bother her all that much, but he was done attempting to talk again.
"I'm sure you're wondering why we'er here," Hayes said to him. JJ had already put two and two together and figured that they were here over the docks thing and possibly about Batman. He knew that Hayes really didn't like him so he was probably going to try to get something out of him.
"We're here to talk about what happened," he said to him, yep, he called it, "about The Joker and Harley." That caught him off guard. He took a step backwards without realizing it, causing Bartholomew to get more apprehensive about the whole thing.
"Mayor Hayes," he said gently, "I understand you have questions that need to be answered, but you must realize: that is a very delicate subject. I don't think he's ready to talk about that." Hayes looked at him and decided to try something else.
"Alright then," he said looking back at JJ, "is it alright if I ask you some other questions then?" JJ slowly nodded, he knew that Hayes was trying to get to Batman without upsetting him.
"I know what happened to you was really bad," Hayes said, "and I know you probably feel a sort of loyalty to him, but we need to know who Batman is." JJ folded his arms and tilted his head. He wasn't about to tell him anything.
"I'm sorry, but he's just as responsible for what happened to you, and I want to see justice for you done. Can you help us out?" JJ shook his head. He wasn't going to tell him one single thing about it. Hayes looked disappointed but he seemed to understand. He decided to change the subject yet again.
"Do you like it here?" JJ gave a quick glance at Bartholomew, but then shook his head and then pointed to the notebook that Hues was holding.
"He has had some concerns about his current treatment," Bartholomew quickly interjected, "but I assure you that they are necessary for his recovery." Hayes glanced over at Bartholomew and was about to say something but everyone turned when they could hear approaching footsteps. Gordon was walking fairly quickly, probably hoping that he would have beaten them to the asylum but he quickly entered the room with the rest of them.
"Sorry I'm late," he said adjusting his coat, "traffic was bad in midtown." He walked passed the adults and made his way over to JJ.
"How are you doing son," he asked putting his hand on his shoulder, "you holding up alright here?" JJ looked up at him and then buried his face into Gordon's chest as he hugged him. Finally, someone he knew. He may not be Bruce or any of the others, but he was just happy to see a true friend. Gordon returned the hug and patted his back warmly.
"It's good to see you too son." Gordon looked up at the others in the room, he cleared his throat and gently pushed JJ away from him, but left his hands on his shoulders and was about to say something when he was interrupted by Hayes.
"We need to talk Gordon," he said flatly, "you know what about." Gordon looked at him and slightly nodded in agreement.
"Let's take it somewhere more private," said Hayes as he quickly glanced back down at the child as he walked past to leave the room, "It'll be better for everyone involved." As the adults left the small room, Gordon looked down and said:
"I'll come back after this and we'll talk some more." He took his hands off of his shoulders and as soon as he left, Bartholomew closed the door and guided the group back up the hall. JJ sighed, all he could do now was wait to find out what was really going on. He knew Gordon would tell him, and in one way or another, would tell Batman if something was really going on. He sat back down on the bed. He still had a bad feeling about the whole thing, kinda realizing that this was all his fault, all because of what happened at the docks. Hopefully it'll work out in the end.
Bartholomew closed the door after he instructed his secretary that they were not to be interrupted and turned back towards the group. Hayes was sitting on the edge of Bartholomew's desk with his arms folded. He was looking particularly hard at Gordon.
"You know we have to go after him now Gordon," he said to him, "he's gone on for far too long."
"Listen Hays," Gordon said.
"No, you listen Gordon," Hayes said raising his voice and stepping away from the desk, "I understand that Gotham has been a cesspool for years and yes, perhaps at the time we needed someone like Batman to help keep the crime rate down. In the end though he has been breaking the law for years now, and he used you to keep up his little war."
"Now hold on," Gordon said, "he's never used me-"
"Oh, so you're saying you used him?" Gordon's face was starting to look like he had eaten something sour.
"I don't care what you say or what good he has done in the past," said Hayes walking away from him, "but Batman's actions have caused severe damage to that child, probably permanent. Janet," he said turning to her, "would you be so kind as to read off the list of charges that we are pressing?" Janet opened up a file folder and adjusted her glasses.
"Child abuse which includes neglect and emotional; possible physical. Child endangerment, child abandonment; those are the ones related to the child but when captured we also plan on charging him with assault and battery, aggravated assault and battery, harassment, stalking and manslaughter."
"Manslaughter," Gordon cried out. Hayes nodded.
"Involuntary Manslaughter," continued Janet, "the reports of the autopsy of the Joker show that he was shot to death by what appeared to be a dart gun," she looked at Jim and lowered her glasses, "if it turns out to be the child that killed him, then the state is prepared to charge Batman with the crime because based off of the doctor reports including Bartholomews'," she said gesturing to him, "the child is clearly deranged and therefore will most likely not see any trial. That of course that may change if the child passes a competency evaluation."
"This is absurd," Gordon said turning to her, wondering how on earth she found out about the autopsy report, "you and I both know that what's happened to Robin isn't his fault."
"Gordon," said Janet, "you're fooling yourself. Whoever Batman is should clearly know that putting a young child in dangerous situations could lead to horrible consequences and that is precisely what has happened. I know," she said closing the file, "that his heart maybe in the right place, but his actions have led to the mutilation and severe emotional and psychological damage to a juvenile. Out of all the good Batman has done, you can't deny that Gordon," she said softly. Nothing was said for over a minute; the room was quiet and all that could be heard was breathing and the occasional squeak of a floorboard when someone shifted their weight.
"Gordon," said Janet, "I expect your full cooperation in this. If not I'll have no choice but to press aid and abet charges on you and none of us in this room want that.
"You're probably the best Police Commissioner this city has ever seen," said Hayes, "and the people love you, second only to Batman. I know that you have some...emotional ties with Batman so I'm having an outside investigation working on this case, but please," he said to him, "if you have any idea who Batman or any of the others are then tell us now and I can guarantee leniency."
"I know what you all are thinking," Gordon said to them, "but, no. I do not know who he is behind the mask, nor any of them. I also know the law," he said looking at Janet, "the night I had him bring Robin to me I outright told him to tell me Robin's true name and he said nothing...he didn't say one word during the exchange." Hayes sighed and folded his arms again. He did believe Gordon, he had no true reason to lie. Gordon was looking hard down at the ground, it had to have been Bullock who had told Janet, there wasn't anyone else other than himself and Montoya. He closed his eyes and sadly applauded Bullock...in the end he was right in doing so. He knew that much, but now his best friend was in deep trouble with the law and it was his duty to uphold it.
"We need you to come downtown and make your official statement with the head investigator," said Janet, "but first we need those blood samples we talked about doctor. We need to find out who he is as soon as possible. Here's the warrant for it," she said as she walked over to him and handed the document. Bartholomew looked over the paper carefully.
"Yes," he said looking at the document, "I'll have a nurse get them strait away...but...I'm not sure how he'll react to it."
"I'll go," said Gordon, "perhaps he'll be more calm with me around." Bartholomew looked over at Hayes and Van Dorn and both nodded in agreement.
JJ wondered how long the meeting would go on for, it had been almost thirty minutes now and he wondered if Gordon had forgotten. The footsteps jarred his thinking and he turned back toward the window. He felt relieved when he saw Gordon, and as the nurse typed in the codes, he saw that Gordon whispered something in Hayes and Bartholomew's ears. Bartholomew handed him a small whiteboard to bring with him. The door opened and Gordon stepped inside. He stood up and again gave Gordon a hug. When he let him go, Gordon sat on the bed and motioned for him to sit next to him. JJ sat between him and the others who were still outside the room.
"We need to talk about something important," said Gordon handing him the whiteboard, "about what happened." JJ took the board and pen and wrote down on it:
'Is it about Max?'
"Is it about Max," Gordon repeated aloud, looking up at the others, "I don't know anything about that."
"Max is a patient here," said Bartholomew through the two-way speaker, "there was an...incident involving him and Max. Max is currently...in the county hospital." Gordon nodded, understanding what he meant. Gordon looked back down at Robin and in turn he glanced away from his gaze.
"No," said Gordon changing the subject, "no what I need to talk about is, well," he didn't quiet know how to put it for him. He wrapped his arm around him and held him close, just as he would have done with Barbara when she was his age.
"We need a blood sample from you," he said to him, "because we need to find out who you are and," he said taking in a breath, "to find out who Batman is." JJ looked up at him. Even though he kinda already knew what they were there for, it was still a shock to hear Gordon just tell him flat out. Gordon pulled him close and was hushing him. Dammit was he laughing again?
"I promise it's going to be okay," he whispered to him as he held him, "I'm going to do my best to help you all." He relaxed in Gordon's arms, he believed him, but he still caused all this. If he had just stayed home that night, hadn't gone out for patrol...none of this would be happening. He held onto Gordon tightly as he heard the nurse walk in and Gordon held onto him as she drew out the blood. He was trying so hard to be good for this, but even then he still struggled against him as the withdrawal happened, there were too many memories and too many feelings. He tried to ignore the quiet voices taunting him as he bled out after he violently ripped out the small IV cord. Tried to ignore the horrible wailing laughter that echoed around the room as it taunted him. Everything was just too much right now, the realization of his actions, the possibility of everyone he knew going to jail. He buried his face into Gordon's side, trying to muffle the noises coming out, but he could hear Dr. Bartholomew trying to get everyone out of the area in attempt to pacify the situation. He knew he was going to get another tranquilizer, but he almost wanted it. He turned his face from Gordon's side when he felt Bartholomew grab his arm to administer the tranquilizer, and as he did he caught one last look at Mayor Hayes as he walked away. Hayes had a mixed expression of anger and pity.
Unfortunately, Bartholomew only gave him enough sedative to calm him down, not enough to make him fall asleep. This was one time he wanted to sleep the pain away. He lazily blinked as Gordon kept rubbing his back and telling him that it would all work out.
"I'm afraid you'll have to leave now," said Bartholomew, "he's had a very long bad day today." Gordon nodded and stood up. As he walked away, JJ slowly turned his head to watch him leave, but Bartholomew turned his face back towards himself and shone a bright light in his eyes. He eventually stood back up and left him alone in the cell, he had said something to him but he didn't really listen to it. The lights eventually turned off in the hallway and it was apparently time for sleep. He hoped that the tranquilizer would be enough for him to go to sleep quickly, if not let him have a somewhat peaceful nights sleep. He couldn't help but to think one last time before he fell asleep about what was about to happen and hoped that Bruce and the others would be able to handle it.
This was all he needed now, an attack in the ward to make the parents pull their kids out. He had personally gone to the county hospital to check on Max. He was still unconscious when he had arrived, and he couldn't personally see Max because they were prepping him for surgery. The kid kicked his head so hard that his brain was swelling up, and they had to crack his scull further to make room for the swelling. That kid was ruff on him, but the doctors told him that he was probably holding back on him too. The kid could have killed him, if he had truly wanted too. Williams rubbed his head in frustration. Leland was right, he had a part in aggravating the situation. The kid was far more unstable than he had realized. Perhaps after Bartholomews' meeting, he would talk to him and Leland about separating him from the rest of the children. The phone started to ring, he looked up at it and wondered if it was his sister calling him. He picked up the phone and answered:
"Doctor Williams speaking."
"Hello Williams," said the voice on the line, "how's Arkham holding up for you these days?" Williams face paled. He sat up in his chair and tried not to let his voice waver in response.
"Yes, hello Mr. Thorn," he said nervously scratching his hair, "e-everything is going very nicely here. We have several patients here under our care and we hope to help them-
"Isn't that wonderful to hear," said Rupert Thorn rocking his desk chair, "and I'm so glad to hear that you're finally making things work out for you. Perhaps you're finally in a position to start paying me back?" Williams wiped his forehead, he was starting to sweat .
"I-I know I owe you a lot of money Mr. Thorn," he said as calmly as he could, "but we're still waiting for some new grants to still come through, and we've only been up and running for less than a week. I...It's going to take some more time before money is available to me."
"Oh, I understand perfectly," said Thorn almost playfully on the phone, "these things take time to build up, and from what my boy's have been telling me that you've have a, let's just say, a difficult patient who isn't making things very easy for you." Williams heart sank down to his feet.
"What...do you mean," he cautiously asked.
"Oh, come now Williams," said Thorn laughing, "you don't have to pretend you don't know what I'm talking about. I hear things Williams, things like rumors and let me tell you, there's several big ones flying around in the criminal underworld right now. Do you know what one of those rumors is, Williams?" Williams didn't say anything.
"I also have people who know how to sneak into places, people who also tell me what they've seen," he continued on, "now I'd like to know something Williams. Is it true what they say about the Joker?"
"I can't confirm nor deny that," Williams said to him, "I really don't know for sure." Thorn mulled over the answer for a moment. Then turned to look at his fireplace for a moment.
"Alright," he said to him, "I'll let you have that one at least, but I know for fact what you have over there and don't bother 'confirming or denying' any of it."
"What do you want Thorn?"
"Let's make a deal Williams," said Thorn, "I'll wipe your debt slate clean, you won't owe me a single dime for what you've borrowed from me and I'll deny ever even knowing you. In exchange for that, all I want in return is the kid."
"Now hold on," Williams said, desperately trying to take Thorn off the trail, "we don't even know if the kid really is-"
"Don't you pull that shit on me Williams," Thorn yelled into the phone, "I know about the teen in the hospital and I also know that Mayor Hayes and the DA office is about to press charges on Batman, my advice to you is to shut up right now and let me finish explaining our little deal. If you don't give me the kid, then...well, you already know."
"Look, just give me more time," Williams said, "I'll have the money soon and then-"
"I see you don't seem to understand, so let me repeat myself: I get the kid, and you don't end up in Gotham River, do I make myself clear?"
Williams slumped into his chair. He was stuck in one Hell of a hard place. Either he do what Thorn tells him to do, or he could go to the police and have jail time for money laundering.
"Look," Williams said, hoping to buy more time, "I get what you're asking for, but you need to know that he's...very unstable right now and if you know about the teen in the hospital then you know about the docks as well."
"So...that's also true," asked Thorn.
"Yes, and if I were to just hand him over right now, who knows what would happen. Give me time to calm him down, and when he's more stable I'll call you and set up a time." There was no quick response from Thorn, Williams neck itched from the sweat dripping down into the collar of his shirt.
"Alright doc," said Thorn, "I'll give you some time to fix the brat, but don't take too long or I'll have the boys come fetch him for me, and I'll have them drag your sorry ass along with him. Stay in touch." Williams heard the phone click and listened to the dial tone of it. He was in it deeper than ever now. What the Hell was he going to do? If he did the right thing, he'd go to jail. If he did what Thorn wanted, he'd be killing a kid and would have a angry Batman after him...and then he'd go to jail. If he did nothing or ran, he was dead. Thorn wanted Batman's identity, he was sure of it. Why else would he want him? All of them had talked about it more than once in meetings. Hell after he was admitted the entire island's security was tripled, but apparently that wasn't enough for someone to sneak in and find out he was here. He put the receiver down and held his head in his hands, he had no idea what the Hell to do.
"Right, let me know if you need anymore information on it. Goodbye."
Bruce hung up the phone and started looking over the paperwork again. This trial was going to be a bigger headache than he had imagined. Korbon and her lawyers had been very thorough, it was going to be nearly impossible to convince the courts about the border school mishap. He slammed his hand on the desk. If he had just put more time into the story and had been more careful, none of this would be happening and he could focus on more important matters. He looked over the papers again and again, trying in vain to somehow find the answer in the pages that Korbon had somehow missed.
"Sir?"
"What is it Alfred," he said without looking up from the paperwork. He heard Alfred enter the study and quietly pick up one of the papers to look over it himself. Finally after a moment Alfred said:
"Sir, wouldn't it be more prudent to ask of help from your friends in the Justice League in this matter? I'm sure that they'll be somehow able to help you out in this court nonsense."
"No Alfred," he said looking up at him, "I won't do that. This is a lawful trial and I won't have it be tampered with in any way." Alfred had a small look of disappointment in his face for a moment but then it turned into repressed anger.
"I'm sure that with all the good you have done for not only Gotham, but the world in large, that you're allowed one boon in life. Perhaps this is the time to use it, sir." Bruce looked up at him and opened his mouth to counter-argue with him but found himself not coming up with a good enough answer. He closed his mouth and looked back down at the paper work. He put his head in his hands and quietly said:
"I should have done that months ago." Alfred didn't know what to say at that, he went to move over to him and try to comfort him but then the doorbell rang. He cleared his throat and turned towards the door to hurry along to the entrance. He soon reached it and opened the door and was genuinely surprised to see who it was.
"Miss Kyle," he said looking her over, "it has been a very long time madam."
"Yes, it has been Alfred," she said kindly to the old man, "is it alright if I come in and see Bruce? I've heard the reports and...I know they can't be true Alfred and I wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help."
"Of course," he said stepping aside for her, "please do come in. I'll go fetch him for you, please wait in the lounge." She smiled and entered the manor. She instinctively rubbed her arms, wishing she had brought the cute small jacket that matched her dress; she had forgotten how cold it always was here. She nervously looked through her contents of her purse as she waited. If she had been dressed as Catwoman, she'd have all the confidence in the world, but now she was just Selina Kyle; who was hoping that Bruce wouldn't call the cops on her for just showing up. She could hear footsteps and she stood up to look toward them. Bruce came in, not dressed in that silly old yellow and brown suit he use to dress up in but was more casual that she was at the moment. She at first couldn't tell if he was upset with her or just upset in general but as he approached her, he smiled at her like he hadn't done so in a very long time. As he came nearer he opened his arms and she embraced him back.
"It's good to see you Selina," he said as he held her in the friendly embrace.
"It's good to see you too," she said as she stepped back and quickly wiped a small tear away from her eye, "I was afraid of you not wanting to see me."
"Why would you think of that," he asked her.
"Oh you know," she said waving her hand, "with being a wanted felon and all." Bruce looked down at her and she could see that he was probably mulling over the idea of calling the police, but he seemed to made up his mind and said:
"Look, let's not worry about that right now, let's just...talk."
"Alright," she said sitting down on the couch, "that's the reason why I came anyway. I wanted to see if you needed anything. I can tell this has been hard for you."
"Harder than you could possibly imagine Selina," he said quietly. Nothing was said for a moment, she was waiting for him to say something. Finally she decided to break the ice.
"Is there something I could do to help out?"
"I really don't think so Selina," he said, "Korbon has me pinned down and I don't know how to get out of it."
"I hope you don't mind me asking Bruce," she said to him, "but..is any part of it true?" Bruce quickly went to say something, but then cleared his throat and folded his hands in front of his face and rested his chin on top of them. He looked at her through the corner of his eye and then looked strait ahead.
"It is true that Tim never attended the school," he said to her very flatly, "but there was a very good explanation as to why...but the problem is I can't say why he wasn't there." Selina listened to him, and carefully thought about it.
"It's a 'Damned if you do, damned if you don't' scenario then," she asked offhandedly.
"Yes."
Selina wasn't going to ask him about it, if he wanted her to know he'd tell her, and she did believe that he at least didn't intend any harm on the kid, so whatever did happen was probably bad. She went to say something, but she was cut off by him.
"I'm sorry, I don't want to talk about it anymore."
"I understand Bruce," she said standing up, she could see that he was upset about it and wasn't going to talk about it any further, "but my offer still stands Bruce. If you need anything," she said pulling out a piece of paper, "call me at this number anytime, even if it's just to talk."
"Thank you Selina," he said to her, "it's good to know I have friends on my side at least." He gave her another hug and walked her to the door. She smiled at him and waved goodbye to him and he closed the door. He couldn't help but to smile, she was telling the truth the other night. He was sure that it was a half-truth, but it was good to know she was still Bruce Wayne's friend. He walked back towards the lounge when Alfred practically ran into the room.
"Sir," he said to him, "I think you should see what is playing on the television right now." Bruce walked over to the remote and turned on the t.v. and changed it to the news station. On it was Mayor Hayes, having a press conference. The head line of the report was: Batman: Most Wanted Man in Gotham. Bruce turned up the volume of the television and listened to Hayes.
"There can be no more hiding behind the lines of the law anymore for him," he was speaking to the press, "he has stayed hidden in the dark for far too many years, broken too many laws. Now his reckless endangerment of a child has ended badly, as many have predicted it would. That is why I have no choice but to file charges on Batman. He is to be apprehended on-" The television was abruptly cut off when the small end table was thrown into it. Alfred jumped and looked at him. Bruce was seething, and didn't say a word as he ran down toward the cave's entrance. As Alfred went to make a move towards the broom closet, the phone began to ring. He picked it up and answered:
"Wayne Manor."
"Have you seen the news," asked Dick, "it's playing here in Bludhaven too."
"Unfortunately so Master Dick," Alfred said sadly, "Bruce just destroyed the television and went straight to the cave. Is there anyway you could come and-"
"I'm sorry," Dick interrupted, "but I got orders here at the BPD...there's a warrant out for Nightwing, he's to be arrested and brought in for questioning as well. I'm assuming the same goes for Batgirl as well."
"What are we to do, Master Dick?"
"I, I really don't know," Dick said, "I thought that Bruce would somehow...I don't know...fix it like he usually does."
"I'm sorry Master Dick," Alfred said, "but I'm getting another phone call."
"I'm sure it's Babs," said Dick, "look, tell her to lay low for now. I'll come to Gotham as soon as I'm able to but for now...I don't know I guess just stay tight for now. It's all we can do." Alfred nodded even though the gesture couldn't be seen by Dick and sadly said his goodbyes as he hung up and started to talk to Barbara.
She was shocked out of her peaceful trance of planting new flowers with probably the most annoying noise she had ever heard in her life. She looked around thinking it was a police siren at first, but when she saw Harley dancing around waving a newspaper in the air, she just shook her head and turned back to the flowers. Suddenly the door of the greenhouse was literally kicked in, breaking some of the glass in the frames and the noise produced from Harley was all the louder and somehow more shrill. Harley was dancing around and waiving the paper with such force that she was knocking down plants left and right.
"Harley," barked out Ivy as she turned to face her and grab her to stop her rampage, "settle your ass before I kick it out! What the Hell is going on?! Harley had the biggest grin on her face, probably the biggest one she had in months.
"Read the paper, read the paper," Harley yelled out with as much excitement as a sugar-filled kid, "just read the paper!" Ivy took the paper from her hands and tried to flatten it out as best she could. She looked at the Headline:
"Bat On The Run: Police to arrest Batman on sight and bring him in for child abuse charges."
Ivy read the article carefully. She couldn't help the laugh that came out. The Batman, who believed in justice above all other things, was now on the wrong side of it. He was a crook now just like her. Now he'd know how it would feel to have to hide all the time.
"Did ya read it?! Did ya read it?!"
"Yes I did Harley," she said handing it back to her, "and it was a good laugh too. Best news I've heard all year."
"No, not that," she said thrusting the paper back into her face, "read this part!" Ivy moved Harley's arms back so she could read the paper as she held it up:
"Hayes reported that the child was being taken care of in an undisclosed hospital."
"He's gotta be at Arkham Red," Harley screamed out, "my little man is still alive and is only one job away! Okay, we're gonna need to do a job to get back into the nut bin. First we'll need some dynamite, a crate of whoopee cushions, twenty gallons of pie filling and-"
"Are you completely stupid Harley," yelled out Ivy, "there is no way you should even think about going out right now!"
"Why not Red," Harley asked, hurt from her yelling at her, "you'd said that you'd help and-"
"Think Harley," Ivy said to her tapping her head, "not only is there probably tight security on PJ-"
"JJ," Harley corrected.
"...on the kid," Ivy continued, "but if Batman even heard about you doing something, and based on what mess you've caused...I'd kill you Harley."
"Ah, Bats don't kill nobody," Harley said waving it off.
"Harley," Ivy said, "your actions changed the game permanently. He's probably snapped from all the pressure and of all the stress of all this...and you have no idea how he'll act. No. I'm not even going to tempt it Harley. It's too dangerous right now."
"But Red..."
"NO. It's. Not. Happening. Not right now," she said to her, "we'll play it by ear, let things cool off...then maybe we'll go get the kid, but for now we stay put." Harley started to pout, but she seemed to get the idea and quietly left the greenhouse. Ivy started picking up the overturned plants and started her own plans on how to possibly get the kid out. She was sure that now that Batman was on the run, he'd probably was planning on doing the same thing himself. It was a race against time now. If Batman got a hold of him then there would be no hope of ever getting the kid for her. Harley had to stay out of it though...he'd probably beat her to the point of crippling her, and that would be lenient for him. She would have to do it alone and she would have to do it soon.