LOVE SONG
~The Cure~
*x*o*x*o*
"Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am home again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am whole again…"
*x*o*x*o*
Police lights flash across the night sky, painting the snowy landscape in red and blue. Arms crossed, Hush diligently stands by the ambulance, guarding his sedated wife inside as chaos ensues before his eyes.
A gaggle of women formerly known as Larks stand to the side, huddled in blankets and sipping coffee out of Styrofoam cups while interrogated by the police.
Wide eyed, they shake their heads and stare off into the nothingness of their minds. Like waking from a dream, they stand in silence, mouths agape as they desperately try to remember just what they had been dreaming of.
Now fully awakened from their brainwashing and hollering like madmen, several henchmen to the Penguin and Two Face parade by. The boys in blue prod them with their nightsticks to keep them in line as they chorale them into their waiting police vehicles.
The image reminds Hush of the circus. All this mayhem needs is popcorn. That and a ringmaster barking orders.
As if on cue, Commissioner Gordon cuts through the crowd, eyeing Hush suspiciously as he passes. Leaning back against the ambulance, Hush extends a smug grin and waves a friendly hand as he catches his eye. With a snort, Gordon tosses his cigarette to the ground and turns the other cheek.
Zatanna alongside Batman appear beside Hush, cutting his amusements short. Pocketing his hands, Hush turns to greet them.
"Well... The gang's all here. Back together again. Gotham's Golden Boy, the Carnie, and the Psycho." Hush muses, remembering the days of long ago when their parents would set up play dates with one another. My, how times have changed. "Hey. By any chance, have either of you any popcorn?"
Letting Hush's 'carnie' comment roll off her shoulders, Zatanna hops into the back of the ambulance and places Selina's head atop her lap. She strokes her raven hair softly as she begins her incantation.
"…ANILES"
"So... How does this hocus pocus work anyway?" Hush interrupts as he watches the witch-lady work her magic.
Opening an eye to glare at the bandaged man, Zatanna ceases her incantation.
"Using my hocus pocus, I'll be going inside her mind and altering her memories. All memories of Mockingbird will be replaced with artificial ones. She'll think she spent the past week in a coma after falling off a rooftop. All her evil intentions will be destroyed." Zatanna's eyes flit between Hush and Batman before finding comfort in the floor. Her tone softens. "Trust me, I know what I am doing."
"You've done this before, haven't you?"
Her silence gives Hush all the answer he needs. Authoritatively crossing his arms across his chest, he watches as she works.
Batman places a firm, yet reassuring hand on Hush's shoulder.
"How are you holding up?" Batman asks Hush, his hand moving towards the badly wounded man's neck. "You should really get that looked at."
Hush jerks his head away from Batman's reach.
"I'll be fine. Just… please. Concentrate on her. Will you fix her? Bruce?"
Hush's voice is trembling, nearly pleading. For an evil, genius, mastermind capable of the most elaborate traps and intricate schemes, he appears beside Batman as such an aimless child. So incapable and insecure, reaching out for help. It reminds Bruce of that last great day they had shared together so many years ago. A much more innocent time. Perhaps there is hope for Tommy after all. Perhaps with Selina, he has finally found his heart.
No more words need be said between them. Like brothers, they know what the other is thinking. Hush looks into Batman's eyes and knows that everything is going to be all right.
Bruce nods towards Zatanna to continue. With a deep breath, she begins the incantation.
"…ANILES. ERA UOY OHW REBMEMER. ERAMTHGIN EHT TEGROF DNA DNIM RUOY NEPO. DROW A YAS T'NOD YBAB ELTTIL HSUH…"
*x*o*x*o*
"…Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am young again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am fun again…"
*x*o*x*o*
Tiny paws pad silently across the down comforter as Aristotle stalks his slumbering master. Swishing his tail in the air, the little calico pounces onto Tommy's chest, stirring him from his sleep.
Purring triumphantly, he stares down at his master's un-amused and groggy face with sparkling green eyes.
It's time to wake up.
Groaning and rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Tommy rolls over in bed and stretches out his tired muscles, careful not to pop the fresh stitches along his neck and side.
Easing himself onto his good side, Tommy runs his fingers across the cold and empty side of the bed, letting them linger along the indent that once held her delicate form. He pulls her pillow in towards his body and inhales her scent, allowing himself the simple pleasure it gives him before returning her pillow to its position at his side and dragging himself out of bed.
Throwing on a pair of boxer briefs and an old cotton robe, Tommy slowly makes his way towards the kitchen, yawning loudly as his bare feet pad heavily through his home.
Stepping inside the kitchen, he can't help but stop in place as the overwhelming urge to pinch himself arises in his brain, making him question whether or not he is dreaming.
Tommy leans against the wall for a moment, watching as Selina juggles bouncing Caesar on her hip while frying up breakfast in a skillet.
A warm and genuine smile crosses his face.
Slowly approaching her from behind, he wraps his arms around her and hopes to whatever god that may reside in the heavens above that she is not an illusion. Breathing her in, he reminds himself that she is real. That she is home, safe once more within his arms.
She feels so good against him. Warm and comforting. Safe and secure. Purring, she cozies up into his arms and nuzzles his stubbled chin.
Spinning her around in his arms, Tommy's lips lock with hers, hungrily feeding off her flesh until her lips are bruised and swollen. A growl rises from his throat.
Gasping for breath, she draws back, blushing as she removes Caesar from her hip and places him in the highchair nearby.
"Not in front of Caesar, Tommy!" Selina giggles, smacking Tommy playfully across the chest.
Not paying any mind to her protests, Tommy wraps her up in his strong arms once more and presses her against the stove. Squirming and giggling, she's powerless against him as he lays kisses along her neck and chest, smothering her in his affection.
"TOMMY!" She squeals as his hand slides inside her robe.
With a devilish grin, Tommy retreats to the kitchen table and picks up the morning paper.
"I thought I read somewhere that it's perfectly healthy for parents to express affection in front of their offspring. It teaches them the value of love... or something like that..." Tommy replies nonchalantly as he flips through the newsprint, eyeing the society pages. Glancing up from his reading, he's greeted by Selina's cynical expression. "Was I wrong?"
Rolling her eyes, Selina returns to tending their breakfast.
"Bacon's bad for your heart, you know." Tommy informs her in a haughty tone as he folds up his paper and tosses it onto the table.
"So are you." Selina replies with a self-satisfied purr as she kisses her husband's cheek. Grabbing a crispy piece of bacon from his plate, she pops it in her mouth and grins triumphantly.
Before she has a chance to sit down beside him, Tommy grabs her by the waist and pulls her down into his lap.
"I take it, you didn't miss me at all while I was in the hospital?" Selina teases as she leans backwards and scratches Tommy's chin.
"You were gone? So that's why it was so quiet around here." Tommy muses, feigning disinterest as he shovels a forkful of eggs into his mouth. "If you really must know, I missed you as much as one would miss their appendix."
Tommy winces as Selina elbows him in the ribs. Grabbing her plate, she attempts to leave, but he's too quick. Securing his arm around her waist, he holds her against him and keeps her in place. Twisting her body, she glares up at him playfully with her big, green eyes. A smirk crosses his lips before he loosens his hold.
With nimble fingers, he traces the shell of her ear, tucking her raven-black hair behind her ear in a clever attempt to check her pulse. Knowing exactly what her sneaky husband is up to, she smiles ever so softly at his touch.
"How are you feeling?" Tommy asks with genuine concern and care. His voice is small, barely above a whisper. Completely out of place for such an arrogant and headstrong man.
His critical eyes narrow on the small sliver of her face that he can see from his position, watching for the smallest sign of deception. The slightest twinge of a muscle. An escalated heartbeat. Labored breathing. Anything. But nothing comes. Instead she shifts in his lap to face him, that crooked smile that he loves so much beaming brightly down on him.
"You worry too much." Selina replies with soft, sweet eyes.
"Who said anything about worrying?" Tommy defends, returning to his normal, self-assured tone. "I'm simply asking a medically professional question seeing as I am your primary physician."
"I'm fine!" Selina nearly shouts as she moves her neck away from his fingers to stare him down. "So I fell off a roof and was in a coma for a week. So what! I hardly have a scratch on me. You're the one that looks like hell, any way!"
Selina tentatively runs her fingers across the stitching along his neck.
"That looks like it hurts."
"I've been through worse."
"I'm serious, Tommy. What happened to you?"
With a sigh, Tommy draws away from her touch.
It's hard to believe that the woman sitting with him is one and the same as the woman who held a knife to his neck. That just a couple days ago, she contained within her frail frame such an evil and blood hungry force. So vengeful and angry. Hurtful.
"Do you remember anything?"
Her eyes fall to the side, scanning her mind as she tries desperately to remember.
"It's... ugh... There's just... nothing. I vaguely remember going out for a run and... falling... but, I... it's all so foggy. Like trying to remember a dream. Why can't I-"
Tommy presses his lips to her forehead, silencing her mind.
"Don't try to force it, Kitten." Tommy assures her, trying to hide the worry in his tone. "And as for me, I just got a little hotheaded, as usual... I didn't much care for the way they were treating you at the hospital and ended up taking on an entire wing of doctors. I think it took about ten of them to restrain me. I guess I got pretty bumped up in the process."
"Aww... So you did miss me. And here I thought you didn't care." Selina teases with a Cheshire grin and narrowed eyes. "You big softy."
Caesar squeals, flailing his chubby, little arms in the air wildly and making the toys secured to his seat jingle.
Leaning across the table towards her son, Selina giggles and coos along with Caesar.
"That's right! Daddy's a silly!"
Removing himself from underneath Selina, Tommy grabs his plate and makes for the sink.
"Well, you must be feeling better seeing that you are back to tormenting me."
Glancing over her shoulder, Selina watches as Tommy makes for the door.
"Tommy… Oh, come on. I'm only teasing. Where are you going?"
"I have to go get ready."
"Why?"
"Big meeting today."
"On a Saturday?"
"It cannot be avoided."
His replies are straight and to the point. Emotionless and cold. Something that has always irritated her, reminded her of the old Tommy. The man he used to be.
Stopping in the doorway, Tommy turns to face his family once more. His eyes fall to the side as he begins to rub his neck nervously.
"Uh… Selina? I was wondering… When I get back, can we do something… You know… Like a family? Take Caesar to the museum or something?"
Selina's features soften. Her mouth turns up into a genuine smile.
"Then I thought, maybe we could go out. Just you and me. Dinner and a movie?"
"I'd like that." Selina replies softly, earning a sheepish grin from Tommy.
Lifting his eyes up to meet hers, Tommy relishes in the sight of her. Remembering why he had fought so hard to get her back.
"I really did miss you, Selina."
"I know, Hush Baby." Selina replies with the tilt of her head. "I love you."
"Not nearly as much as I love you."
*x*o*x*o*
"…Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am free again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am clean again…"
*x*o*x*o*
It doesn't matter what side of the glass he's on, this place will always give him the creeps.
Arkham Asylum. Home for the criminally insane.
Home.
This place is no home. This place is hell.
A rather smug grin graces his firm lips.
This place is the perfect setting for its newest inhabitant.
Leaning against the one-way glass panel between the observation room and the inmate's common area, Hush keeps an eagle eye on the tall, raven-haired fellow in the back, playing a game of chess with none other than the infamous Jervis Tetch.
Hugging his knees, the Mad Hatter appears excited. His fingers twitch as he eagerly prepares to move his queen. Across from him, the battle weary and broken Mockingbird sits idly, almost catatonic. His void-like eyes seem blank and far away.
Hush's eyes narrow on his prey.
"Bernard Mache"
"Hn?" His daze broken, Hush turns his attention towards the stern voice to his right.
"His name is Bernard, or better known as Bernie Mache." Batman reiterates as he steps up to the glass, directly beside Hush. His voice is stern, his eyes remain dead set on the inmates before him. "Age twenty-six. First time in Gotham. Seems to move around between major cities with other known metahumans."
"To absorb and mimic their powers, or as he likes to put it, to add them to his symphony."
"Precisely."
Hand on chin, Tetch observantly eyes the board.
"His parents died when he was only seventeen." Batman continues. "At the time it had appeared to be murder/suicide, but in light of recent events, the case has been re-opened."
Hush quirks a brow, somewhat interested in learning more about his opponent.
"His files claim he had a stable and normal upbringing. Devoted father, loving mother, part of the church choir... Picture perfect. That is until one day his father suddenly snapped. Beat Bernie's mother to death right in front of him while they were all seated around the dinner table. Ate her eyes out with a spoon just before calling the police and confessing to the whole thing. Stabbed himself repeatedly in the ear with a steak knife shortly after. When the police arrived, they found Bernie still seated at the table eating his supper alongside his parent's corpses… humming."
"Cute." Hush groans through sneered lips.
Returning his attention to the animals on the other side of the glass, Hush watches as Tetch gleefully defeats Mockingbird's king.
"How long, you think, until he escapes?"
Hush pensively runs his gloved fingers along the glass, awaiting Batman's reply.
"Escape is unlikely. That collar around his neck will see to that. If it detects any fluctuation in his tone, it will deliver a shock. Non-lethal, of course. It's designed to act much like a dog's anti-bark collar."
Crossing his arms across his chest, Hush forces a laugh.
"Your system is broken." Hush replies coldly. "It's only a matter of time before he's allowed to run loose. And when he does…"
Outside the window, a promising scene unfolds.
Jumping up on his chair, chess piece in hand, Tetch declares his victory.
Ever the sore loser, Mockingbird erupts from his seat and overthrows the table. Tiny, wooden chess pieces fly about the room, scattering here and there. The whole room stops and stares, taken off guard by the sudden outburst.
Pocketing his queen, Tetch glares at the disgruntled Mockingbird and grins a toothy grin.
"Hush little baby, don't say a word. Momma's gonna buy you a Mockingbird." Tetch begins to sing, quietly at first, but quickly gaining confidence. "And if that Mockingbird starts to sing... THEN 50,000 VOLTS OF ELECTRICITY WILL COURSE THROUGH HIS ENTIRE BEING!"
Cackling madly, the Mad Hatter begins to clap and dance around the fallen table.
Remembering his place, Mockingbird takes a seat and tentatively touches his shock collar. With fearful eyes, he glares up at the dancing milliner and pouts.
"That doesn't even rhyme." Mockingbird grumbles. "And besides, you're hardly worth the effort."
"You know why you failed, don't you?" The Hatter asks the man seated across from him. "You gave the Cheshire far too much free will. Why, if she were anything like my Alice-"
"You quiet your tongue!"
With his hands on his hips, the Hatter stares at the brooding Mockingbird and scoffs. A wicked grin crosses his lips.
"Ah, my apologies Bernard. Perhaps this shall be more to your liking." Tetch theatrically clears his throat before once more breaking into song. "Hey, diddle diddle. The CAT and the FIDDLE! The cow jumped over the moon. The little BAT laughed to see such sport. And HUSH IS GOING TO DIG YOUR HEART OUT WITH A SPOON!"
Mockingbird's face grows red as he watches the milliner sing and dance. Anger consumes him and he leaps at the man, grabbing Tetch by the throat and screaming into his face. His shock collar beeps its warning, but he does not comply.
"I'LL KI… AAAAGHHHHHHHH….nnnnggg…"
Electricity courses through his body, sending him to the ground, writhing in pain. The guards jump in to subdue him as Tetch continues to clap and dance.
"Ha HA!" Tetch giggles in glee. "What's the matter Mockingbird? Still not enough? YOU CAN ALWAYS HAVE MORE!"
With a satisfied grin, Hush turns to leave.
*x*o*x*o*
"…However far away
I will always love you
However long I stay
I will always love you
Whatever words I say
I will always love you
I will always love you."
*x*o*x*o*
Sorry it's been so long since I've updated! I've just been SO busy lately, but have finally gotten around to uploading the final chapters!
The Mad Hatter's cameo is my little 'thank you' to highland girl 1592 for being such an awesome reviewer and reader. I hope you enjoyed and sorry again for taking so long to finish this story up!
XOXO