Chapter 20: The Call

(The Watchtower, a few days later)

Gabriel had been under 'surveillance' by Diana by Batman's command. She felt uncomfortable about watching the shifter during his private times. Green Arrow and Black Canary were in the League only conference room asking to talk with Batman and Wonder Woman. Bruce and Diana are entering and see Oliver and Dinah waiting there for them. The pairs sit across from each other.

"What's this about?" Diana asked. "About my orders for you to keep an eye on Gabriel." Bruce said, already knowing the answer/reason. "Correct. Why are you having her doing this Bruce? We might not agree with Gabriel's methods, but that doesn't mean he deserves this. How many times do we have to remind you of what he's gone through?" The archer grunted. "And how can you play at his heartstrings?" Dinah asked. "What?" Diana asked.

Black Canary frowned.

"You know what I'm talking about." Dinah grunted. "She's not doing that with him. He doesn't deserve that after all he's done." The Dark Knight growled. "You thought I was sleeping with him? By his orders?" Diana gasped. "It's the easiest way to spy on him. I've done it before with men…neither the spying nor the sex was exciting…since those men weren't very…enticing." Black Canary grunted, her voice filled with discomfort.

Oliver's eyes opened with surprise, but calmed himself. He could feel the truthfulness in her voice and cast that revelation to the side.

"Are you calling him: enticing?" Diana chuckled. "He's handsome, so I figured some of it you'd be ok with." Dinah giggled.

Batman and Green Arrow glared at both of them, but mainly Black Canary.

"I'll agree with you that he is. But no, I'm not…but it would make it more interesting." Diana chuckled. "ANYWAYS, no she's not." Bruce growled. "Does Dick know of the situation?" Oliver asked. "No, this is just League known. We can't afford for anything else to happen to any more lives." Batman answered. "For heaven's sake…but why Diana?" Green Arrow asked. "It's someone no one would expect to be an investigator." Batman answered.

Oliver rubbed his bearded chin, stroking the long golden hairs.

"So is there anything else you two want to question me on?" Bruce grunted, annoyance in his voice. "On an unrelated note: Anything new on our 'partner'?" Oliver asked. "He's been increasing security…and I was able to hack more of EI's systems…I found the owner and CEO of the company: Vandal Savage." Bruce explained. "By the gods…" Wonder Woman gasped. "So we have the kingpin…he used the other fronts just as a cover…the Blockbuster formula…the alliance with the Reach…he's been developing something only the Light knew about…" Dinah added.

Batman rubbed his chin, contemplating the possibilities.

"With half of their members locked away…the only have half of their force to currently work with." Oliver grunted. "If they sought out the Joker and his posse…perhaps they're recruiting…" Batman said. "Yes…or just using them as lab rats…like Gabriel…I still can't believe those two are his parents!" Dinah hissed. "Maybe they're doing both. Using the low influence criminals as disposable troops and those of greater strength as high ranking individuals of the group. We thought the Light was defeated…they're only regrouping…" Batman said. "We have to alert everyone." Diana said. "Yes, but half of each of the teams are in varying locations. Aquaman, Aqualad, La'gaan are in Atlantis, Superman is in Metropolis, Batgirl and Robin are in Gotham, Nightwing is in Bludhaven, that's only naming a few." Dinah said.

Batman got a transmission on his communicator from the Batcave.

"Robin? What is it?" Bruce asked. "You're getting a call from the commissioner." Tim answered. "Send it through…Gordon? What's going on?" Batman asked. "Hello Bats!" A familiar, sinister voice hissed. "Harley…what do you want?" Bruce growled. "I want the one who killed my one true love at my feet begging for mercy. Since I couldn't get the girl he saved, I got your old pal the commissioner! Say hi gramps!" She hissed. "B-Batman…don't let her have what she wants…they'll kill GAH!" Jim grunted as something hit him. "Jim!" Bruce shouted. "Bring that murderer to Arkham Bat Brain! Or paint this dump in this copper's blood! Bye, Bats!" She snarled, then hung up.

Batman punched the table. The others looked at him with concern.

"I knew killing Joker was a bad idea." Bruce growled. "What's wrong?" Diana asked. "Harley has taken over Arkham and has Jim under her boot. She wants Gabriel dead." Batman grunted. "Oh no." Dinah gasped. "I'm going to stop her, and I'm bringing Dark Beast with me. Once she's been defeated, I'm putting Gabriel behind bars." Bruce hissed. "NO! This isn't his fault!" Wonder Woman shouted. "YES IT IS! BECAUSE HE KILLED JOKER, JIM'S LIFE IS IN DANGER! I JUST HAVE TO TAKE HIM THERE AND MAKE SURE THAT I SAVE JIM AND STOP HER!" Batman yelled back. "She doesn't just have her gang there, but the others you've put in there. Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, Penguin and his gang, Two-Face and his, etc. You'll be outnumbered!" Green Arrow countered. "I can handle all of them by myself; I just have to keep Gabriel from killing any of them." Bruce grunted. "You guys need more back up!" Canary grunted. "I can handle it! I'll just need Gabriel immobilized." Batman replied. "Harley will kill Jim and you after she's killed Gabriel! You need to make it look like he's tied up!" Green Arrow retorted.

Batman shook his head and walked out. The others couldn't move; they were just utterly shocked.

(Gabriel's room)

The shifter is reading one of the books he had collected after his introduction into the team. He suddenly got a knock on the door. He put the book down and walked over to his door. When he opened it, he found an angry Batman waiting for him. Gabriel just raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Can I help you?" Gabriel replied. "I got a call from Harley, Joker's lackey. She called using Commissioner Jim Gordon's phone. She has him held prisoner. She's going to kill him if I don't bring her you." He answered. "D-Detective Burns!" Gabriel gasped.

Before Batman could say anything, Gabriel rushed past him to the Zeta tube. He then teleported just as Batman arrived at the teleportation device.

"Damn it!" Bruce grunted, before jogging to the Zeta tube.

(Gotham, Burns's condo, several minutes later)

Katherine is lounging on her couch watching TV when she got a frantic set of knocking at the door. She walked over and opened the door. She found Gabriel standing there.

"Hey handsome, didn't expect you so soon. I thought you had some of that hero business to do." She purred. "Thank goodness you're alright." He gasped, hugging her. "Thank you…but what's wrong?" She asked, a nervous chuckle in her voice. "Your commissioner has been captured by Harley Quinn. I came here to make sure you're alright and keep you safe." He replied as he walked around the room. "What?! Then we have to..." She started to say, but was interrupted, "Detective Burns, I'm afraid you'll be staying here."

Gabriel turned, a deep growl coming from his throat and green eyes illuminating brightly. He turned to see Batman in the doorway.

"I'm not some damn damsel in distress boys. I can take care of myself." She growled. "She wants Gabriel. After he killed the Joker, she's seeking revenge. I told Gabriel about how she is holding Jim, he rushed here." The Dark Knight replied. "Aww, that's sweet handsome." She cooed. "But I'm taking him to her, but it's going to be a trick. I'm going to stop her." Batman continued. "Then…"Katherine started to say, but Dark Beast added, "Please forgive me for interrupting you…but I'm going…But not until I make sure you have some of my team here to protect you in case she sends someone after you." "You're forgiven…but I don't need anyone to babysit me." The detective replied. "I agree with him, that's why I brought back up." Batman said, walking into the room.

In the doorway stood Batgirl and Robin.

"Hello ma'am, we're witness protection. We'll be your guards." Tim chuckled. "….fine…." Burns grunted. "Thank you." Gabriel sighed.

Katherine walked up to him.

"But you owe me handsome…so once everything's taken care of…you come back here…well…you'll find out. "She growled, her voice filled with aggressive seduction. "As you command." He replied. "Good boy." She chuckled. "Let's go." Batman said, walking away. "Thanks guys." Gabriel said, following Batman. "Just be careful and save him." Batgirl replied, trying to hide the worry in her voice.

Gabriel nodded and left.

"We're going to have to make this look good." Dark Beast said. "That's why I'm doing this." Batman said, then tased Gabriel with his own taser.

To be continued…