The Shadow Files 12 – The End of Lies
*Cat and Tim have been married for two years and it's been a dangerous exciting and drama filled time. It started with Hush kidnapping her and torturing her while Bruce and the others could only watch. Then Cat found out that the Joker had been the one who had killed her parents. Yet another lie Bruce had kept from her. Out raged she went after Joker as Shadow and nearly beat him to death and breaking almost all of his bones. She tried to put the fear of God in him, almost crossing the line, dragging him back to Arkham for everyone to see what she'd done. Then she was captured by Lex Luthor. After making him very angry he attempted to kill her by drowning her. Shadow faked her death by stopping her heart to throw him off the scent of her real identity. After that mess Tim and Cat decided it was time to go to Europe for Tim's four year training. Cat had cut her hair and confronted Bruce about his lie washing her hands of the lie for good and putting it behind her so they could move on. Tim and Cat were scheduled to leave in two weeks when another secret emerged that would threaten their marriage.*
Catarena entered the cave, happy to have found Tim who she had been looking for.
"Here you are. I was wondering where you wet. Are you ready to go? Beastboy wants us there early for our going away party… What c'ya doin?" She asked as she sensed his extreme aggravation.
The worst part of it was that she felt it was directed at her.
"What happened? Why are you so angry?" She asked cautiously.
"Why don't you watch this and tell me why I'm angry." Tim said as he pressed a button on the computer.
Cat watched as an old security video played of her room. The scene was all too familiar to her and the more she watched it the more confused she became. For what played before her had happened many years ago and she believed it had only been a dream but here it was replaying for her like a romance movie, the first kiss that Dick had granted her. Tears formed in Cat's eyes as she watched.
"What is this?" She asked barely above a whisper.
"I think you know damn well what it is!" Tim snapped darkly.
His sharp voice and intense eyes made her jump slightly and she shook her head as she fought the urge to cry.
"Looks like Bruce isn't the only one with secrets. You've kept a big one from me for some time apparently. You lied to me. You said I was your first!" Tim hissed through his teeth.
Cat shook her head in disbelief, desperately trying to understand what was going on.
"You were! That was a dream… I thought it was a dream! I don't understand what's going on. Please believe me. I'd never lie to you."
Cat pleaded to him as she went to touch his arm but he pulled away.
"After al the lies floating around I don't know what to believe anymore. I can't even look at you right now. I don't want to do something I'd regret." Tim said and then stormed out of the cave.
When Cat was alone she looked around in confusion. Her head was spinning. She fell to the cold stone ground and cried out as some of her pent up emotion escaped. Alfred and Bruce were at the top of the stairs to the mansion. Alfred almost rushed to Catarena but Bruce stopped him, knowing Cat would have an outburst. Cat suddenly sprang up from the floor, grabbing the large chair in front of the computer and pulling it out of the way. The chair went flying as Cat got to work at the computer. She restarted the video and watched it from start to end several times. Each time she became more and more confused and aggravated. While this was going on Bruce called Dick and told him to come to the cave before Cat got angrier and hunted him down.
"It's time you face the lies you've made." Bruce told him.
Dick arrived shortly and Cat was aware of his presence instantly. She turned a sharp eye on him. Hot tears escaped her eyes as she withheld her emotions.
"You… you lied to me!" Cat hissed hotly as the video played yet again.
Dick was speechless, he had no idea the mansions security cameras would have recorded that moment but there it was and he had to face Catarena's wrath.
"You Made me believe that was a dream! You gave me a tranquilizer! You betrayed my trust! You let me act like a fool to Tim and now he hates me! He thinks I lied to him! Now tell me what the Fuck that is! Tell me the Truth!" Catarena demanded.
"That's the truth. That's what really happened." Dick said, indicating the video.
Catarena went pale for a moment and staggered.
"Cat, I'm so sorry. I didn't know this video existed. I was only trying to protect you." Dick said as he went to touch her arm comfortingly but his hand met her claws. He winced and grabbed his wounded hand.
"Don't you Fucking touch me! I'm sick of your protection! Why are you always trying to protect me!? Why does everyone lie to me!?" She screamed, knowing Bruce was watching.
She then turned swiftly on Dick, who backed up against the computer console in fear. He had never seen the look in Cat's eyes before.
"You fix this! You find him and fix this right now!" She demanded as she cried a little out of frustration.
Dick braced himself, knowing she was going to strike him. Dick knew she'd used barely any strength, he knew he deserved much worse. The blow made him take a knee as he held himself vertical by the computer consol. Catarena was long gone before he'd hit the floor. Dick stood and exited the cave without saying a word to Bruce. He had to face his fear and find Tim before he made a terrible mistake about Cat. Dick feared Tim's wrath would be worse than Cat's, because there was nothing worse than a jealous male.
Dick was lucky enough to find Tim at his apartment. Dick figured Tim wouldn't let him in so he let himself in through the balcony to their living room. As dick shut the door he turned and saw Tim's glowing eyes from the dark doorway to the hall. Dick swallowed hard and held up a hand in surrender as he avoided eye contact with Tim's angry glare.
"Please don't take this out on Cat. Take it out on me." Dick said.
"I see she has" Tim said, noting the scratch to Dick's hand.
Dick was relieved Tim was calmer toward Cat but his tone of voice made Dick nervous.
"Wash your hand. You're getting blood everywhere." Tim said as he pointed to the sink across the room in the kitchen area. Dick went to the sink and started washing off his hand. Tim placed a first aid kit firmly on the counter next to the sink and then went to lean against the door frame to the hall again.
"Now, start talking." Tim demanded in an agitated tone.
"Catarena had asked me to give her, her first kiss before I left Gotham. As you know I granted her wish but I knew I'd break her heart if I left so I tranked her. She didn't lie to you. I tricked her into believing what happened was a dream. Her senses weren't as sharp as they are now, so this was easy. Like someone else we know I was only trying to protect her. I didn't know that video existed. I'm very sorry. Please don't be angry at Catarena." Dick told him.
"Do you still love her?" Tim asked.
"Of course I do, and I always will." Dick replied.
"I could tell… If you loved her so much, why did you let her go?" Tim asked.
"All of it happened so fast, by the time things settled down and I realized my feelings it was too late for me to change myself. You know it doesn't work on adults. Why do you think I helped you. I knew what you were planning." Dick said.
"How noble of you." Tim said with biting sarcasm.
Dick sighed as he put the bandages from the kit away.
"Look, I don't expect forgiveness from you but this happened long before you were in the picture. She was a victim in all this. Don't be angry at her. Seeing how sheltered Catarena was, my gift didn't do much any way as I'm sure you noticed." Dick said and Tim gave an amused smirk.
"I over reacted. I'm sorry she took it out on you. But it would be best if you left right now, I need to be alone for a while." Tim said and Dick nodded.
Dick then excused him self to the door and left.
After leaving the cave Catarena had ran to the city. She went to an old sub cave where some civi clothes were hidden for her. She changed and went back out into the city. She didn't feel like drawing attention to herself as Shadow. Like so many other times, Catarena broke into the cat house in Gotham's zoo. Most of the time the viewing room was left open. The zoo was in Catwoman's part of town and she wasn't about to let anyone hurt the cats. When Cat entered the room she walked around, being greeted by all of the cats. Cat found a seat and sat with her knees to her chest as she wrapped her arms around them. She rested her head on her arms and unable to stop herself she started sobbing. Her pent up emotions could no longer be contained. Catarena's presence and sobbing caught Catwoman's attention. She often visited the cat house her self. Catwoman was reluctant to investigate the sobbing at first, but she seemed to be curious. Upon entering the house she recognized Catarena at once. Catwoman stared at her for several minutes, she had never seen Catarena so upset before. Catwoman walked closer and was amazed she could get so close to Cat without being noticed, but it didn't last long. Catarena sat up suddenly and stared at Catwoman when she finally noticed her. Catwoman was frowning, not knowing what to say to Cat. Cat tried to dry her tears but they wouldn't stop.
"What happened?" Catwoman finally asked.
"More lies feed to me and Tim hates me because of someone else's lie. He thinks I lied to him." Catarena said as she cried again.
Catwoman placed a hand on Cat's shoulder.
"Come on… girl talk." She said as she pulled Cat to her feet.
Catwoman took Cat to her apartment on the west side of Gotham. Selina made coffee for them and then sat with Cat in the living room.
"So, what happened? Which one of your men is being an idiot now?" Selina asked and Cat gave a small laugh.
Selina was pleased to get a laugh out of her.
"Tim found an old security video from my room of Dick granting my wish for a first kiss. Dick tricked me into believing what he'd done was a dream. You can imagine how long ago this was if he was able to do that. He tranked me, and a few days after he lied and sent me away." Cat explained.
"This was when you left for Europe wasn't it?" Selina asked and Cat nodded.
Selina smirked at finally understanding Cat's motive for leaving.
"Despite how long ago this had happened Tim was furious. I've never seen him so angry… So angry at me." Cat said as she teared up again.
"Cat's get very jealous, you know that. But they also love passionately. You wont be rid of him that easily. He'll cool off and come home."
Cat was comforted by her words.
"I've heard the first two years of marriage were the hardest but after all that's happened this is ridiculous." Cat said and Selina laughed.
"Comes with the job descriptions you have. Things will get better I know it for a fact. I know you're feeling hurt and confused right now but try not to worry about your cat. You take him to Europe and teach him your tricks and don't forget to have some fun and buy me something shiny." Selina said and Cat grinned with a nod. "Ya know, any more girl talks and I'll have to start charging by the hour." Selina added with a smirk.
"Well knock on wood there shouldn't be any more." Cat said and Selina frowned.
"Pity, I enjoy our talks." She said and Cat grinned.
"Now I have a task for you." Cat said and Selina's eyes perked with interest. "Try again with the top bat? As a cat I know that mess with Hush was not some spell." Cat said.
"I'll try." Selina said, "Now you get going. Clear your head and go home to bed." She added.
Cat smirked at the motherly command but stood to leave. She thanked Selina and headed on her way.
Taking Selina's advice Cat went to the park to walk and clear her head. She was still upset over Tim's harshness to her. She knew he was home and so was afraid to go home herself. Once she had walked all over the part she sat by the fountain and stared over the edge into the water. The moon hung brightly in the sky above, turning the water into a mirror. She gazed at herself and played her fingers though her now short hair. The more she thought about Dick's lie the angrier she became. She had grown accustom to it being a dream and had forgotten about it until seeing it again. Seeing it again felt like someone had rapped her mind of a private thought. It reminded her of the time Beastboy had shown everyone her and Tim's first kiss. Catarena was deeply hurt by what had happened, she couldn't bare the thought of Tim hating her.
Tim lay on his and Catarena's bed in their apartment. He felt terrible about how he had treated Catarena. He knew she was telling the truth but his jealousy and anger toward Dick had blinded him. He knew Catarena wouldn't come home thinking he were angry at her. He noticed how late it had gotten and got up. He activated Cat's locator from the necklace he had made her. After gathering his courage he left to go to her.
Catarena enjoyed the park at night, it was always quiet, an oddity for Gotham. It always calmed her, being the closest thing to a forest in her steel and concrete jungle. The tall gothic towers glittered over head like protective arms. Catarena continued to gaze at her reflextion in the water, thinking about the past and wondering if she had changed at all. She looked into the water at the many coins littering the bottom of the fountain. After a moment she noticed a form appear in the waters reflection next to hers. It only took a second for her to realize it was Tim. Startled she turned slightly and looked at him. he wasn't looking directly at her and his eyes seemed sad. Cat was afraid he was still mad and lowered her gaze to the ground. She wanted to bolt. Afraid she would run from him, Tim quickly kneeled by her side, placing his hands over her right hand that was resting on her lap.
"Please don't run. I'm so sorry for what I said. I overreacted beyond forgiveness. When I saw him kissing you jealousy blinded me. It felt like it were happening that moment, though I knew it wasn't. I'd grown accustom to having all of you to myself. I knew you were telling the truth, but spoke without thinking. Will you ever forgive me for what I've done?"
Tim said and there was a pause between them. Finally Catarena spoke.
"Of course. I'm sorry you don't get to have all of me to yourself" Cat said softly.
Tim moved to sit next to her and he lifted her chin so she'd look at him.
"But I idd have you to myself. You thought what happened was a dream and believed me to be your first kiss. So let that stay a dream. Besides I had the most important part of you all to my self." He whispered hotly and Cat blushed, "And it gets to stay that way for eternity." He added as he then brought Cat's lips to his in a heated kiss. After a moment he stopped to speak again. "Why don't we go home so that I can show you how very sorry I am for this mess." Tim said with a seductive smirk.
Cat blushed again as she got up to follow him.
"What about the Titans?" She asked.
"It's only Friday. They'll understand." Tim told her.
When they were home Cat knew Tim wanted to give her pleasure to make up for the mess he'd caused, but Cat's mind was still fogged with confusion. Tim picked up on her awkwardness. She could smell Dick's scent in their apartment from his bloody hand and it was only making things worse. Tim turned to her and caressed her cheek. She frowned and rubbed her head.
"I feel like my mind was rapped of a private thought." Cat told him.
He lifted her chin with his index finger and kissed her softly. Catarena was wondering what he was up to. He lead her toward the hall to their room and embraced her much in the same manner Dick had done in the video.
"What are you doing?" Cat asked before he could kiss her again.
"I'm making that memory mine." He replied softly which made her blush, "And picking it up where it left off." He added after a moment with his seductive crocked smile that Cat loved so much. Catarena's face flushed deeper as a wave of heat washed over her. Tim grinned again and scooped her up to carry her into their bedroom, shutting the door behind him.