Hunter's Night
By Christy
A/N: I am so, so sorry for not having updated in so long. Apart from finishing another novel, I've also been dealing with severe, debilitating health issues that have finally needed to be dealt with, a long time coming. I've been in constant, severe pain for over a year and have finally figured out why - torn back discs. I've started treatment with little success so far, so if you could pray that this next treatment would help - that would be amazing. Thank you!
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Dinah
She really felt like she was hung over.
Maybe she was.
Hell. She should've left the Waynes' house when she had the chance. That dinner had been more than a disaster. Not only had they argued, but she'd also run. Coward.
Her parents would be so ashamed.
"Earth to Dinah?" Harvey waved a hand in front of her face.
"Sorry," she apologized, rousing herself back to the present. "Sorry, Harvey. Just... my mind's been drifting lately."
"You, uh, took off pretty quickly the other day," he said. "Everything... okay with you?"
"Yeah. Yeah. Just... something came up. But I'm good now." She had to be. She shuffled through another pile of paperwork on Maroni. "I've been over these briefs a million times," she sighed, rubbing her temples.
"Oh, I don't know about that," said Harvey lightly, "I'm more of a boxers man myself."
Dinah looked up at him, startled, and he grinned.
"I'm sorry," he apologized. "Just trying to make you smile. You've been a little distracted lately."
Dinah looked down. "I know, and I'm sorry."
Harvey's hand touched her shoulder; she stiffened without knowing why.
"It's none of my business to get into your personal life," he said. "I'm just worried about you, as a friend. I haven't seen you this shaken up before, and if there's anything I can do to help, I'm here."
Dinah nodded wordlessly.
"Dinah, listen. I just want you to know that I'm here for you. I hope you know you can trust me."
"Of course I trust you, Harvey," Dinah told him forcefully, heaving a sigh. "I would never have said yes to your offer if I didn't." She managed to crack a smile, feeling guilty at the way she'd been treating him. He was a good man and deserved better than her personal demons.
Harvey smiled, pleased.
"I'm sorry, Harvey. You've been nothing but a good friend these past months, and I... I really haven't."
"So make it up to me. Mexican," said Harvey, rising to his feet. "You're buying." He flashed her a mischievous smile.
Dinah let out a scoff but got to her feet, grinning. "That's harsh, Dent."
"You know what they say about me," said Harvey lightly, holding the door open for her. "I'm meaner than I look."
"That's for damn sure." Her phone buzzed; she jumped, her heart pounding. It couldn't be -
It wasn't. It was Diana, apologizing for the other night, and wanting to get together again soon. Dinah smiled faintly and wondered why she was so disappointed.
"Everything okay?"
Dinah felt a flash of irritation at Harvey's constant barrage of personal questions before she released a long breath. He was just being a friend. It wasn't his fault. He didn't know anything. He wasn't Oliver.
He wasn't Oliver.
"I'm good," she said, forcing herself to smile. "Let's get some chow."
Time to put Star City behind her.
She was starting to really fall in love with Gotham.
Diana
It was infuriating, knowing that assassins were out there and it was next to impossible to find them. I stood beside Artemis, watching as Dick and Cass sparred with each other. Barbara sat on my other side in her wheelchair, watching the two spar with keen eyes, sketching their moves, logging them in that photographic brain of hers. I knew that Cass was going incredibly easy on her brother, but there was no chance in hell that he'd be able to take her on, not with her skill set. Not yet, anyway. Not for a very long time.
I frowned, thinking about Cass. And her mother. Shiva was one of the assassins on the list. She knew us. Better than any of them. She knew where we lived. Our habits. Our friends, our family. Our weaknesses. Everything.
She could seriously hurt us if she wanted to. Well, she could try.
And then there was him. I couldn't even say his name, too enraged.
"Stop it," Artemis ordered suddenly. "You're brooding. You look just like him. Frankly, it's disturbing."
My crinkled brow smoothed as I fought a grin. One thing I loved about Artemis: even when I was the princess of Themyscira, she never cared about telling me exactly what she thought about me. It was fantastic.
"That is disturbing," I agreed. I hesitated, watching the kids, then called out, "Dick, watch that left side. You keep leaving it open."
"She's - ugh - too freaking fast -" grunted Dick, blocking another blow from the tiny girl.
Cass grinned, then slapped him lightly upside his head.
"Dude, c'mon!" groaned Dick. Barbara laughed; and Dick flushed, glowering at her.
I smiled. "C'mon, Dick, you can take it. Just cut more sharply and block next time."
"Keep your arm up," Artemis also instructed. "You're a good fighter, Richard, and fast. You're also an acrobat. Use what you have to your advantage."
"Against this mini-ninja? Minja?" Dick draped an arm around Cass's shoulders and ruffled her hair fondly. Cass shoved him away, grinned.
Laughing, I said, "Cass may have had more training than you, but you have your own set of skills, hon. She's using what she's been taught - take what we've taught you, and take what you've been taught in the circus. It's a marriage of the two. For me, when I trained at Nanda Parbat, I had to figure out how to mesh the sheer brutal force of Amazon combat training with the more subtle ways of martial arts. It took time, but eventually I figured it out. You will, too."
"If I get that chance," grumbled Dick. "If I ever get back in the field."
"You will," I told him, my heart melting slightly.
Artemis made a noise in the back of her throat. "You're going soft," she groaned under her breath.
I shrugged. "Guess so. Comes with being a mom." I shot her a sideways look. "You'd be a good mom."
"Don't." Artemis glared at me. "I will chop your arm off."
"No, you won't." I grinned.
"Don't you have work to do?" snarled Artemis acidly.
I smirked at her change of subject. "I do, yes. "I have to follow up on that museum lead. I checked out all of the staff, and they seem clean. The woman that I talked to - Annie. Even her records seemed spotless."
"Almost too spotless?"
"Mm... not exactly. Hard to put my finger on. But there was no tail, no fur. I can't really see any resemblance between her and the cheetah woman."
"Athena or that witch Circe can cast strong spells, Diana," Artemis warned me darkly. "No matter how much you may be resistant against magic as the Princess of the Amazons, that does not mean that other people are not. Spells can still be cast. And if they're strong enough, even you might not be able to see against them. Not unless you're looking for something."
"Hmm. You have a point," I muttered.
I'd have to sneak back into the museum tonight, I mused that evening. It probably wouldn't be wise to include Jim in the knowledge that I'd be stealing something from the museum. Speaking of Jim... I glanced at Artemis again. The Amazon was on edge, restless.
Time to make something happen.
"Drawings look good, Bee," I told Barbara kindly, smiling down at her. "What are you doodling on the side?"
"Oh, just -" Barbara flushed. "Codes. I'm writing codes. Just for fun."
"For fun, huh? For what?"
"Well," said Barbara, "I was taking a look at your security firewalls the other night when I was in the cave, monitoring you guys, and you have a few potential holes. I was trying to figure out ways to plug them, and to reroute the plugs so we can catch potential hackers and get their locations on the spot, as soon as they try to hack into our - your firewalls."
Damn. My eyes widened. "And... you think you've figured out how to do this?"
"Well, most of it. Just need to fix a few things," Barbara amended. "But yeah. I could try running tests from my own laptop, just to see. Or I could try and hack into your system from my computer and see if the signal will bounce back to my computer."
I nodded slowly. "I'm sure Bruce would be interested in that. Let's talk it over tonight, and see if we can get it set up."
Barbara beamed widely. "Wait, really? You mean it?"
"Of course," I said.
"So - I can be, like - a member of the team?"
I frowned, my heart clenching. "You already are, hon." I touched her shoulder, pressed gently.
"You are very brave," remarked Artemis suddenly. "Few would be as strong as you have been."
Barbara shrugged, staring down at her legs. "Nothing else to do, really."
"Still. Not many would be as brave as you."
"Well... comes with the territory, I guess. Cop's daughter, living in Gotham. I still have my brain. My upper body. That's something. I can still help."
Artemis smiled faintly. "You are determined, young one. A true warrior."
Barbara flushed red under the praise. "Coming from you, that means a lot," she said honestly. "Thank you."
"I only speak the truth," Artemis told her firmly.
Barbara hesitated, then shot me a devilish grin. "I know," she said, a hint of laughter in her voice. "It's one of the reasons my dad likes you so much."
Artemis went red. "I..." She coughed, choking of thinking of a reply. "I... admire your father's... persistence," she managed to finally get out. And even that sounded painful.
It was really hard not to laugh. So, so hard.
"He likes that about you, too," Barbara went on, clearly aware of the Amazon's discomfort. "He says you're a firecracker, that you've got spunk. He doesn't really talk about other women, you know, since Mom. But he likes you. He talks about you all the time."
Artemis turned purple. From embarrassment or sheer rage, I didn't know. Toss-up. I had to cover my mouth.
"How... interesting," bit out Artemis.
"Although," said Barbara, still grinning evilly at me, "he says you probably wouldn't make a good cop. Not because you're a girl or anything - he just said you probably couldn't go around taking orders. That you're too stubborn. His words, not mine."
"He said what?" Artemis seethed, her hands clamping into fists.
Barbara was too good.
"You know, being an Amazon and all," Barbara went on. "I told him you totally could - but he said he'd make a bet with me that you couldn't. Not a real bet, obvs, but just for fun. I think he was just kidding, tho -"
"That arrogant, self-righteous -" Artemis burst into a long stream of Themysciran insults. "I should go down there this minute and slice off his -" and she continued in more Themysciran curses.
Cass and Dick had stopped fighting to stare at her, wide-eyed.
I nudged the red-headed warrior. "Hey. Cut it out. Now."
Artemis's teeth were bared as she rounded on me and Barbara. "I'll show that precious, egotistical father of yours that I can take orders," she snarled. "I'll join his precious police force."
A pause of silence.
I raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "You sure?"
"Don't question me," spat the wild Amazon. "I'll do it. I'll take that bet of his, and I'll shove it in his arrogant face."
"You'll need another identity," I told her, still unruffled. "A new name."
"Do you think I care if they know my identity?" snarled Artemis. "Let the bastards come."
"They'll know ours, too," I reminded her gently.
Artemis scowled.
"You know... you could pull off being a blonde," Barbara said, flashing me another secretive smile. "We'd have to get you a wig, of course."
Artemis shot me a glare. "I already don't like this."
"Wait, what?" Dick panted, as he and Cass trod up to us. He wiped his brow. "Arty's joining the cops?"
"Make the arrangements," Artemis hissed, and stormed off back towards the house.
As soon as she was out of sight, Barbara and I burst into laughter.
"She didn't even notice when I called her Arty," Dick said, grinning. "Seriously, though. She can't be a cop! She'll just mow everyone down."
But I just smiled. "She may surprise you. Nice going, Barbara." I fist-bumped her. "Quick thinking."
"As long as Dad gets back in one piece," said Barbara, smiling sheepishly. "I hope she doesn't kill him. He really does like her, though. Don't tell him I said this - but he's got a major crush on her. I think it's good - ever since Mom left, he hasn't been the same. I think Artemis'll get his mind off things."
"If she doesn't slaughter him first," Dick remarked dryly.
"Well, yeah, that," Barbara said, shrugging.
After I and the rest of the family helped Artemis build her cover, I called Bruce and told him I'd have to sneak back into the museum - that evening.
"I can't wait for someone else to steal it," I told him over the phone, pulling on a pair of black leggings. "And I don't want to wait until night. By then, it might be too late."
"You've been monitoring the item."
"The camera's working, yes," I affirmed. "But something doesn't feel right about this. Almost... as if there's a blanket of magic over it."
"Just... be careful," Bruce warned. "I'll be back tonight."
"No luck tracking any of the assassins?"
"Not yet, no. Still following up on a few financial leads for Deathstroke. But he's still MIA."
"Great," I muttered. "I'll call you back when I have the knife. See you tonight, love."
"Tonight." His voice softened. "Be safe."
"You too."
Heart warmed, I kissed the kids good-bye and hurried off to the museum in the evening hours. The knife should still be there.
Once in the quiet museum, carefully I scoped out the room, meandered up to where the knife was located in the exhibit hall-
"Back again?"
I turned to see the museum curator Annie coming up to me, smiling.
"Yes, actually," I said, smiling. "To take another look at the kopis."
"It is a beautiful knife, isn't it?" she said wistfully, falling into step with me. "Can you even imagine what it must have been like, living back then? The culture, the language, the arts, the knowledge... the sheer knowledge... If only, right?"
I smiled. "I'm sure it must've been incredible. Ups and downs, I'm sure. But still. They don't make stuff like they used to."
"Hardly," scoffed Annie. "Technology can only get you so far. I think back then they had... a certain magic. A wonder, a respect for nature and the things around them, the things that mattered. Today we rely on Google for everything - we don't even use our own brains anymore. Back then, they hungered for knowledge, science, religion, myth - everything seemed to matter so much more and had more weight."
Hmm. Partially true. She had a point. But nothing could really compare to indoor plumbing. Or a nice hot shower.
Bruce would be so proud, I thought dryly.
"You're very passionate about your work," I said, smiling.
"I am," she agreed. "I just wish more people were. It's... been hard to get funding. People care more about iPhones and technology and the latest, greatest App and which One Direction boy band member left the group than they do about history, about learning. I'm doing everything I can to keep things up and running, but it's been more difficult. People want more interactive, more entertaining exhibits."
"Which costs more money," I said.
"Of course," she said.
Hmm. Maybe some Wayne money thrown her way could help. I had been wanting to get more involved in the Gotham world as Diana Prince...
"Maybe we could organize a gala," I suggested. "Get some benefactors to support the arts, history."
"If only I could. Unless you know someone like Bruce Wayne -" Annie sighed, frustrated.
I'd have to talk to Bruce before getting involved. But I was here to steal the knife, not get involved with the museum. But still... couldn't hurt, could it?
"Anyway, I'm sorry to ramble on," Annie apologized. "You're here for the knife, not our financial woes."
"No, it's important to know," I said honestly. "And thank you for sharing. I'd really like to do something about it, help out in any way, if I can."
"Well, if you know any billionaires, let me know," she joked. "But in the meantime, here's the kopis..." She motioned to the case.
The empty case.
"Where is it?" I demanded.
"I don't know." Annie stared at the case, alarmed. She seemed to be in shock. "I don't know."
The knife was already gone.
Shit.
Bruce Wayne
"And there's no one at the museum that you immediately suspect?"
Diana shrugged helplessly as she tugged on a thin sweater, taking a seat at the other computer seat in the cave beside the main chair. "I did background checks on all of them. They all look clean. Obviously I could be missing something."
"Anyone go to Greece recently?"
She shot him a look. "A couple of the staffers, yeah," she admitted after she realized he was serious. "There was one lady - Annie, the museum curator - but unless there was something that I missed, she looked clean. No spots or anything," she joked.
"Unless she was goddess-protected. Can they do that? Hide... magic from you?" The very 'm' word left distaste in his mouth. He would never admit to Diana that his main hatred of anything magical was that most science didn't understand it yet. Oh, he was trying. But he'd been studying Diana's lasso for the past several years, and he was still no closer to figuring out how it worked.
Damn magic.
"I... I guess," Diana sighed after a minute. "I mean, magic doesn't have any effect on me. I should, in theory, be able to see beneath a magical illusion. Unless it's not an illusion - but how could it not be?"
"It's something to do with that dagger," Bruce said grimly, throwing on his underarmor shirt. "Maybe that's how she transforms. Performs some kind of mystical ritual."
"It's possible."
"It's possible if it's a ritual created by an Olympian," Bruce said.
Diana rubbed her eyes. "Uh-huh." She sighed. "How about you handle the Olympians and I'll handle the criminal psychopaths and deadly assassins."
"Deal," he said dryly.
A pause. He hated this, hated seeing her like this.
"Dick needs to go back out," she said in a low voice.
Bruce tried to hide a flash of anger at her willingness to give into Dick's pleas. "It hasn't been -"
"Two weeks, I know. But it's long enough. He's learned his lesson, Bruce."
"If we can't be honest about punishment, why should he obey us?" demanded Bruce sharply.
Diana hesitated. "I just... I don't want him resenting you."
"He'll deal with it," Bruce said shortly. "I don't give a damn about his attitude."
Diana's eyes narrowed. "And I don't want you retreating into that protective shell of yours," she said, poking his chest none too lightly.
Bruce grit his teeth and pulled away to retrieve the rest of his armor. Behind him, Diana sighed.
"He needs a father, Bruce. Not just Batman. Not just a teacher. A father. I'm trying to be the best mother I can, but I can't be both. You need to more than train him, than punish him. You need to accept him. You need to... you need to love him."
"I'm protecting him," Bruce argued, irritated by Diana's naivete concerning the situation. He locked his chest armor into place and turned to face her. "If he can't obey me in the field, he'll get himself killed, and I can't let that happen. I won't let that happen."
Diana nodded slowly. "And I understand that, and you're right. But Bruce, you've barely said a word to him these past couple weeks, and that has to change, for both your sakes. Otherwise you'll never learn to trust each other. It's a two-way street, Bruce. He needs to learn to trust you just as much as you do him."
Damn it. Why was she always right about things like this?
Diana glided up to him, placed her hands on his chest. "If you don't take the time to get to know and trust your son," she said quietly but firmly, "then you will lose him."
Bruce's jaw clenched as he weighed his options. Finally, he nodded shortly. "Fine. I'll talk to him. But I'm not reinstating him early."
Diana sighed. "You're more stubborn than I am."
"I think that's up for debate," said Bruce wryly, earning a small smile from his fiancee.
"Just... just talk to him, Bruce. I know it's hard for you. You have to get to know him. And not just in training. He's still just a kid. But he's in our world now, and he needs you both as Batman and as Bruce Wayne."
Bruce took his cowl, stared down at the mask. "I don't know if I can do that," he said after a moment. "I can be Batman. Bruce Wayne is another matter."
Diana took his face in her hands. "The real you, the real Batman, the real Bruce Wayne - they are one in the same. Not the Bruce Wayne who spends his money on fast cars and flirts with every woman in sight, who can't stay awake at company meetings - that's not Bruce Wayne. The real you is Batman. I knew that the moment you put this armor on. But you have to take that armor off, sometimes." She smiled faintly, her fingers dusting over his stubble-covered jawline.
"It's not that easy," said Bruce quietly, sliding his hands over her wrists.
"I know. Especially now with all these assassins after us. But if we're going to beat them, we need to be strong as a unit. As a family. Now more than ever."
Bruce nodded. "I know."
Diana leaned up to kiss him quickly before moving away to get changed -
Bruce pulled her back into him, unwilling to release her so soon, and kissed her hotly, soaking in the way she felt in his arms, under his fingers. Mixtures of soft skin and well-defined muscles, silky black hair and deep, blue eyes.
It was so easy to get lost in her. Too easy. Her breathing quickened; she was pressed against him, tantalizing, hot - Every inch of his body felt on fire, her skin hot under his palms - He buried his hand in her hair, turning to press kisses to her neck, her shoulder, her collarbone -
He was rewarded by a sharp intake of breath before she tugged his face back up to her and took his lips with hers, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, into his hair.
Oh, hell...
This was dangerous... This was deadly... If they didn't stop now...
He had her pressed against the cave wall now, no space between them. He'd never wanted anything so much in his life. He needed her, like the breath in his lungs.
Something beeped in the distance - he ignored it; it wasn't important. Nothing was more important than her in this minute, this second, nothing was ever more important than her -
Another alarm beeped. Police band.
Diana paused, her lips still on his, her breathing heavy - and finally pulled back, smiling. Her eyes were shining. "Gotham calls."
"Gotham can wait." His gaze was still focused on her lips, swollen from kissing, her face flushed golden, her eyes dark and heady, drawing him in.
"Is that so?" She nipped his jawline.
He groaned, kissed her again. "No," he grumbled, and eventually, reluctantly pulled away.
"Mmm," she hummed knowingly, smiling. "That's what I thought."
She knew him too well.
She would never make him choose between her and Gotham. Not that he would ever need to.
"Never stops," she said.
"Never does. Time to suit up." He buzzed for Cass to head down.
"So what about Barbara?" Diana turned, glowing into her Wonder Woman suit.
"Smart girl. Photographic memory."
"And?"
"I created the firewalls as a test," Bruce said, taking his cowl in one hand as he ran a hand through his hair, checking on the police scanner. "Which she figured out on her own."
"A test? Bruce -" Diana shook her head, exasperated.
"I needed to see what her level her was," Bruce explained. "She figured out the holes in minutes. Impressive. A few tweaks, and I think she can help us in more ways than just installing more firewalls and tracking potential intruders."
Diana frowned. "Oh?"
"I think we could use her more. Here, in the cave. Monitoring us. Hacking into systems, real-time. Working alongside us. She was good the other night, kept her cool."
"At this hour?" Diana's brow furrowed. "She's still in school -"
"So is Dick. Barbara's strong. I think she could handle it," Bruce commented. "We could talk to Jim. Have her try it out, see how she works. If it doesn't work, we pull her out. If it does... we could use her as a more permanent member."
Diana studied him for a moment, then shook her head.
"What?" Bruce demanded.
"You. Us. I would've never pegged you as a team player."
"Everyone has to make compromises," he said dryly, touching the computer's keyboard.
"Not you."
"With you? Yes. I've had practice." His tone was amused.
"Mmm-hmm. Speaking of compromises, love..." Diana turned to see Dick and Cass coming out of the elevator, the former trudging behind his sister with a glum expression on his face, arms crossed.
Finally, Bruce turned to him.
"Don't make us wait all night," he said brusquely. "Suit. On. Now."
Dick stood upright, the energetic gleam in his eyes returned. "Wait, seriously?"
Bruce spread his hands in an agitated manner. "Do I look like I'm joking?" But it was a half-hearted attempt at his grim exterior, and he knew that Dick could tell.
Dick grinned and leaped towards the glass case that held his suit. "Two seconds, I swear!" He snatched his suit and disappeared into the cave's bathroom.
Bruce felt the corners of his mouth tilt upward. He slid on his cowl and looked down to see Cass grinning devilishly up at him. She gave him two thumbs up, yanked her mask down, and darted into the Tumbler.
Dick returned a moment later, still grinning.
"Let's move it," said Batman, somewhat amused.
"You got it, boss-man!" Dick gave him a mock salute, still grinning cheekily, and hopped into the car after Cass.
Bruce shook his head, grumbling something to himself. Dick's cheerful vigor had not yet been dulled by the horrors of Gotham's underground. Bruce wouldn't admit it to himself just yet, but the last thing he wanted was to see that light in Dick's eyes dim. The tragic, gruesome death of Dick's parents had affected the boy's kind-hearted spirit, but there was something about Dick Grayson that Bruce realized he was only just beginning to see. A determination, a fierce, kind energy that surrounded the boy.
Bruce could never forgive himself if Dick were hurt, and in that he knew Diana understood. While Cass had come from darkness and was beginning to grow in new light, Dick had come from the light and had been doused in that darkness of his parents' murder. But maybe he could come back from that. Not fully, not completely. But Bruce knew that he and Dick were nothing alike. Dick could recover. His vitality and good-natured spirit were impenetrable thus far. But Bruce... He knew that he could never fully reach that point.
But maybe Dick could.
Bruce had already seen that familiar light in Diana's eyes harden with experience. Harden after killing Ares and enduring Athena's mental torture. Another reason to hate magic. Of course, Diana had come from magic. Was created by it. Wrapped in it. Her very aura was magical, and sometimes he wondered if she'd bewitched him. But with the beautiful side of magic came the dark side - and it killed him to not understand either side. He felt helpless, and there was nothing he despised more than feeling helpless. He was a detective - he could solve crimes, catch murderers, expose the corrupt.
But magic? He still had very little understanding of how it worked. And not understanding something was not something the Batman liked.
The surprised and pleased smile on Diana's face made it all worth it.
"There you are," she murmured, pressing a lingering kiss to his jaw.
"Hey," he muttered, pulling her back to him before she could move away. "C'mere." And he kissed her again before they left.
"Oh," Diana said, after they finally separated and entered the Tumbler. "Did I tell you that Artemis is going to be a cop?"
Bruce turned sharply. "She what?"
Jim Gordon
Gordon sighed, rubbed his temples as he took his glasses off for a minute. Thank goodness Barbara could stay at the Waynes again for the night. It was shaping up to be a long one. That skin killer - the one who took the skin right clean off the bodies - he'd struck again. Still no trace, a clean kill. And they'd had no progress with the assassins. The Waynes were still in danger, and so were their counterparts.
"Sir?" Lawrence knocked on his door. "Just wanted to let you that new transfer detective is here, sir." He was flushed and stammering slightly.
Gordon frowned. New transfer detective?
"I don't recall -"
"She was a last minute transfer, sir," Lawrence said, stammering. "She, uh, she's waiting to speak with you. Here's her file." He handed Gordon the file.
Gordon flipped through, read over the detective's work, past history. He didn't recognize the name...
Gordon raised an eyebrow. "Thank you, Lieutenant. Send her in." Gordon rose from his seat and went around to pour another cup of coffee for the new transfer. He heard footsteps entering. "Anything you like in your coffee, Detective?" he asked without turning around.
"The blood of my enemies."
Gordon nearly dropped the mug in surprise. He turned sharply to see none other than the red-headed Amazon warrior standing there. But she looked so different, he almost didn't recognize her. Wavy blonde hair, thin glasses, slim black pants, short heels, and a white blouse. She looked... beautiful. Stunning, really. No wonder Lawrence's jaw had been on the floor.
He himself couldn't get a word out for a good ten seconds. He cleared his throat, collected himself. "Cream? Sugar?"
Artemis's mouth slanted upwards. "Black."
Gordon managed a smile. "Why doesn't that surprise me?" As he handed her the cup, he could almost feel the electricity in the room. She was oozing a confidence and unintentional sensuality he hadn't seen from the brusque warrior before.
Artemis took a long sip of coffee.
Gordon cleared his throat again. "Have a seat... Detective." He took a seat in his chair; she sat down in one fluid motion, crossing one leg over the other, ever the proud Amazon. But Diana must've done her makeup, there was a softness there. "So. You transferred from Chicago?"
"Indeed."
"How long were you there?"
Her eyes narrowed, but her small smile remained. She knew he was testing her. "Five years. Graduated from the academy there."
"Tough program. You think you can handle Gotham?"
Artemis's smile turned dark. "I know I can handle Gotham."
There she was.
Gordon hid a grin. He leaned slightly closer, lowered his voice. "You know police procedure?"
"I did my research. We are quick learners."
A pause.
"Why this?" he asked quietly, knowing she would understand him. "Why a detective?"
"Why not?" Her lips curled upward.
Gordon's eyes narrowed. "We're not vigilantes. We follow procedure. I hope you understand that."
"Please, Commissioner," she drawled. "This is Gotham."
He couldn't help but smirk back. Damn her, she had a point.
Gordon rose to his feet, held out a hand. "Then, on behalf of the Gotham PD... Welcome to the force, Detective Essen."
Artemis quirked another half-smile. "Thank you, Commissioner Gordon. Glad to be here." And she turned and strode out of the room proudly, chin upturned. "Perhaps you'll think twice next time before betting against me."
"Before what?" Gordon demanded, baffled.
Artemis merely raised an eyebrow and shut the door behind her, shooting him one last arching glance.
Gordon rubbed his jaw, bewildered. Betting against her... what was she...
Oh, no. No, she wouldn't.
Barbara, he thought, groaning internally. His daughter had probably goaded Artemis into joining the force. That little sneaky daughter of his was trying to set them up. Set him up. With an Amazon. The most deadly Amazon warrior besides Wonder Woman.
This would be interesting. Did Artemis even know procedure? If not... this would be one hell of an experience for her. But she was smart. Amazons were, he'd quickly realized. She'd catch on if she hadn't already done her due research, which he'd assumed she had. Artemis was many things, but she was no fool.
Artemis. Not her name, not here.
Her name was Detective Sarah Essen... This would be interesting.
But he missed the red hair. He had a thing for red-heads. Strong, beautiful, stubborn red-heads.
He cleared his throat and tugged at his tie, reddening.
Aw, hell.
Thoughts?
Thought I'd make this a more fun chapter. I can't tell you how much I love writing those family moments. And phew. Some heated, long overdue moments with Bruce and Di!
- Christy