Chapter Twenty-Five: Biting Without Barking

"Lie awake in bed at night and think about your life. Do you want to be different? Try to let go of the truth, the battles of your youth…"

-30 Seconds to Mars, A Beautiful Lie

Communication. Communication is the oil of social interaction. Without it, relationships blow up and burn out. There is no social institution that can continue to function without it. It is the foundation of not just personal relationships but diplomatic ones. It is the key difference in a society considered to be in a 'golden age' than one in a 'dark age'. Communication is the grease that allows for understanding, compassion, and acceptance of others and their choices in the world. A lack of something as simple as truthful discussion can destroy anything.

The Monster–

Keeping Kagome out of danger was as much a job as my other day to day tasks. I certainly couldn't imagine not keeping her with me after her readiness to leap into danger. She was undoubtedly skilled, but she'd told me herself that her powers weren't always reliable. I didn't want her rushing into danger when she didn't need to be. I'd avoided the topic when she mentioned it, I didn't want to lose anyone else I cared about. I also didn't want it to be something that would alienate her from me. I knew she was irritated by my pushing the topic off, but she'd let it go so far. We had larger problems with Pyg continuing to harm cops. Gordon making the call to stop people from rushing in – even if I nodded to it and got some credit – was creating a growing line of dissonance in the force. What good were my licenses if this man would just murder cops anyway?

I rubbed my temples and picked up my glass, sipping at the liquor inside. I needed to be focused, but I also hadn't relaxed much in days. Tonight, I'd agreed to attend some sort of fund-raiser, but I was considering cancelling as it had been Sofia that had arranged it. I'd paused because Kagome was who I'd planned to take with me. She seemed glad for us to have a night away from the club or home, so I was loathe to take that from her. I closed my eyes and let out a short breath when she set her hands on my shoulders and started to rub them. I wasn't sure I'd ever done anything to deserve this woman, but I planned to keep her all the same.

"You're getting short tempered." She commented, still massaging my shoulders. It was difficult to be irritated with her when she did that. "We'll figure it out."

I knew she was concerned as well as I was. She was worried for a different reason than myself, she didn't want to see more people hurt. Each time she watched those reports I saw the sadness in her eyes for the lives lost. She was always going to be a much softer creature than I was. That aspect of her was one I'd prefer to preserve. I set a hand over hers and pulled her arm forward, so I could kiss her hand. I wanted to finish this Pyg creature as much to stop the moisture in her gaze as to restore my own reputation.

"I know we will, I still dislike it." I offered her a smile I didn't feel as she sat on the arm of my chair, her other hand still settled on the back of my neck. "This event, are you sure you want to go?"

"I do…" She nodded slowly, glancing away from me. She did that when she was lying. She both did and didn't seem to want to attend. Yet, she rarely lied to me about anything. I frowned a bit, what could I really do? If I pressed her then she could easily do the same to me about my issues with her willingness to leap into harms way. There was a tiny wedge being driven between us by what we didn't say. Yet, I couldn't bring myself to fill that void. I knew it would end in an argument. I wanted to argue with her less than I wanted to pause that growing crack…or perhaps I was just still very afraid that she would see me for who I was…that I would go overboard. The moment where I could have asked for more information passed.

"We'll have a nice dinner." I said instead. "It'll be good for us to get out and away for a short while. Clear our heads."

"I think so." She agreed, putting on a smile that didn't reach her eyes. I kissed her hand again, offering what silent comfort I could. I didn't know exactly what was bothering her but perhaps if I remained ready to listen she would say something without the need to prompt her. She seemed tempted to say something else, so I waited, I'd wait for her if she needed me to…as long as she needed me to…

"I should go get ready." She commented after glancing to the time. She leaned down to kiss my forehead this time and I offered a small smile, forcing it to the surface. I watched her walk to the bathroom that adjoined the office and sighed. Was it just Pyg getting to her this much? Maybe. It was hard to tell. She'd been quick to point out before that she wasn't unaccustomed to death, but these cops…a lot of them weren't horrible people. She didn't seem to have much pity to spare people she found unredeemable such as the fellow I'd shot in the limo for her. These cops were far from all being horrible people, they were just going with the best answer the city had, my licenses. My resolution may not have been how the world usually did things, but Gotham wasn't really like other cities. Until Pyg, my system had made lives for cops much safer, it was only Gordon that had stepped aside from that. The idiot had gone to the Falcone's for help. If I didn't know how concerned he was I might have put him behind this whole Pyg business since the serial killer seemed to have a specific interest in keeping Gordon alive.

I wouldn't decipher it now. I got up and hit the button to interrupt view of the office to security. I needed to prepare as well.

The Maiden –

Oswald was too good at reading people to not know something was wrong. I was relying on the idea that he wasn't sure what I had in mind. I knew we would not be driving toward the dinner tonight if I had told him I sensed something wrong. I felt like I had the night at the old city hall…like we were going toward a trap and were in danger. This creature that had been murdering everyone…Professor Pyg he called himself, he would be there. I was sure of it. It's what I couldn't tell Oswald, he'd never let me go…

I had thought about calling Detective Gordon, it should be a police matter, but it wasn't that simple. Not with the silent war happening between him and Oswald. If I handed over credit for the capture or removal of Pyg to the JCPD then it would lessen Oswald's grip on the city. I knew that much from all the talking he'd done lately. I had to help him remove the guy while also making sure credit went to him somehow. I wasn't sure how to do that and tell him what I thought was coming tonight. He'd never let me come without us blowing up at each other. We would argue later, that was inevitable, but this seemed easier.

It didn't mean I didn't feel bad about it. Worse whenever his eyes softened, and he looked at me searchingly. He wasn't pushing me for answers even though he knew something was wrong. I suppose we each would have a lot to talk about after tonight, but I wasn't willing to back down this time. I resisted the urge to sigh as we pulled to a stop outside the building where we were to have the fund-raising dinner. Oswald looked particularly sinister, did he even realize it? I wonder if he pushed his hair up like that specifically, to seem a little taller. He'd replaced his usual sharp ties with a bow tie of a plainer silver-esqe color. I suppose it was less distinct because we were attending a charity event?

"Kagome." His voice drew me from my thoughts and I realized he was offering me a hand to help me out of the cab of the car. I slipped to the side to take it and carefully got to my feet. Why they'd given me heels I don't know. I wasn't very good at wearing them. I felt off center. I wish they would have given me flats. At least with Oswald standing a bit straighter I didn't end up that much taller than he was. I took his arm as we headed slowly for the door, I did my best not to act as nervous as I felt. Now that we were here I was second guessing if I shouldn't have told Oswald more of what I feared was going to happen here tonight. Still, a bit late for that. I followed him with a lot of other well-dressed couples into a lobby where people were chatting in small groups. I sensed more than saw the stares. I felt the curiosity about me, but no one approached me to ask me anything while I was on Oswald's arm. He was a welcome, if unexpected, shield against the social aspect of the night.

I probably would have enjoyed the evening more if I wasn't worried that we were on the executioner's block. Here I was, waiting for the blade to fall in hopes I'd be able to pause it. This was feeling less and less of an innovative idea by the moment. I swallowed back a lump in my throat, I could do this. I'd been afraid before and gotten through. I'd had a whole group of capable combatants with me in the feudal era, but now I had to do it alone. It was a bit scarier without other people to rely on. I jumped when Oswald squeezed my arm then glanced to him apologetically at the raised brow he offered me.

"Sorry Oswald. It's nice to meet you." I murmured in embarrassment to the couple he was introducing me to. They were going to think that I was forced to be here at this rate. I had to try and relax. He spoke another moment to them and pulled me to the side, eyes serious.

"Kagome, what's wrong?" He whispered, his tone concerned not for his reputation but for my behavior. I managed an unsteady smile.

"Something just feels wrong here…dark, like people died here." I whispered back.

"It's Gotham, people have probably died in almost every old building." He returned, frowning at my answer. "If you are unwell we can leave."

"No, no. This is good for you. It looks good that you're helping orphans of the city." I replied swiftly. I'd practiced the line in the mirror and I felt it came out rather well. I squeezed his hands back where he held mine. This was horrible…no more lying to him once I dealt with Pyg, it was too much. He didn't reply, it was clear he could tell I was hiding something. I wasn't good at deceiving anyone. There was a flicker of pain in his gaze and I almost spilled my plan but then he leaned forward and kissed my cheek. He couldn't reach my forehead with me in these damn heels.

A gunshot interrupted our quiet moment, others had left to head to the dinner. Oswald tore his gaze from me to the other room. A voice that made my skin crawl spoke up then. "So sorry to interrupt…"

A man wearing a chef outfit and a pig's head walked into the room. I instinctively slipped in front of Oswald and narrowed my eyes, ready to call up a shield. I didn't expect this so soon, what was happening?

"The servers are getting everyone seated. We don't want the food to get cold." The man said, calmly glancing between myself and Oswald. "The others are waiting, after all. It'll be bad for their health if we keep them waiting. Shall we go in for dinner?"

Of course, he took guests hostage…I couldn't just attack him…I didn't know who had been shooting. He held up a cleaver and cheerfully added: "Chop, chop."

I walked with Oswald toward the dining room. There were two men dressed as 'servers' when we arrived with guns. Was it just the three? Could I take three at once? Maybe if two were near each other?

"Kagome, don't do anything rash." I heard Oswald hiss in my ear as we were 'seated' at the table. There were already dishes set out, but they still had lids over them. The rest of the guests were clearly terrified. The Pyg had been all over the news for weeks now after all, the fact that he was insane and very willing to kill was well known. The other two, I wasn't as sure about them. Why risk Penguin's wrath? Just for money? Seemed unwise. Still, they'd done it, so I couldn't expect they would switch back to our side.

"We have to do something." I hissed back. "He'll kill these people…"

A sudden pain in my hand shot up my arm and let me know there was something very wrong. When I turned the man had stabbed my hand with one of his knives, effectively trapping it to the table. I hissed with pain as I heard Oswald scream next to me.

"So rude, I was going to be doing a number for you." The Pyg clucked his tongue at us. "Sit down, Pen-guin."

Oswald grabbed the knife to get my hand free and the psycho shook his head. "Pull it out, and the next one goes in her eye."

I took a deep breath, trying to maintain my composure with the pain. It wasn't as if I'd never been hurt, I'd certainly taken damage before in battle, but this wasn't exactly battle. I hadn't really been prepared for it. This madman just struck out without any sort of notice. Oswald glared at him but released the knife and slowly took his seat. I reached up though with my free hand to take the grip.

"Well, she's a feisty one isn't she?" Pyg commented at my gesture, pulling another knife casually out of a pocket. "You want to lose an eye then?"

He started toward me but bounced backward at the shield I put up around him. I grunted as I pulled the knife out, trying to ignore the rush of blood and glad that Oswald was swift to wrap one of the napkins around my hand. I glanced to the two servers, more pink shields flickering into place. I winced as one started shooting and the bullets ricocheted back into him…that took care of one of the three.

"I can't keep them up long…" I commented, glancing back to Pyg's shield, which was already starting to crack where he was slamming into it with his cleaver. Apparently, my ability hadn't been a part of his plan.

"Kagome…" Oswald grabbed me as I wavered when I took my feet. It was harder to hold my powers while bleeding. He glared at the rest of the room as he set me gently back in my chair. "Get out!"

People had still just been sitting there, staring in wonder at what had just happened around them. Now they screamed and started to flee as quickly as they could. Oswald sat me back in my chair and then disappeared while I tried to focus on keeping my shield in place. This was a horrible idea, should have just told him…fuck, my hand hurt. Would I lose it? Would they give me some horrible moniker nickname for being one-handed now? Was I gonna be some side-kick of Penguin's according to the news? Some one-winged creature? This wasn't quite how I wanted this to go. Dammit.

"Fuck this…" I saw the second of the servers run for it when I couldn't keep up his shield enough to hold him, he was out the door after the others. That made it a bit easier, two less shields to keep in place.

"Well, well. I must admit I didn't expect this…" The man hissed, clearly annoyed that his aggression wasn't letting me out. "Still, it doesn't seem like Pen-guin cared to stick around. It's just me and you, girl. What worth is he to you? I still might be convinced to let you go if you decide that you'll stop working for him."

"Burn in hell." I hissed back, annoyed at his sing-songy voice. I held my hand tighter, feeling my pulse quite clearly through the soaked fabric of the napkin.

"You'd be well acquainted." He slammed against the shield again, it was starting to visibly crack under the pressure. "Here the rumors where you were some sort of holy woman, but you're just a devil to work with Pen-guin. You think he'd treat these people any differently than I did? He's the would-be dictator of the city, nothing more."

I narrowed my eyes and watched my shield tighten closer around the Pyg, forcing him to crouch inside the confines. Could I make it small enough to crush him? Since it was already faltering, the light growing cracks that seemed to be flaking away in thin layers, I doubted it. I wasn't sure if I could even contain him much longer, and he'd made it very clear what he planned to do to me if I were to fail to keep this shield in place.

"It's fine Kagome, you can stop now." Oswald assured. I didn't know what he had in mind, but I trusted him enough to close my eyes, letting go of the power I'd held. I'd certainly never tried to make more than one shield before, and making it around someone else was new too. I wasn't sure if it was that or the blood loss, probably both but I was already losing consciousness when I heard shots. I didn't even jump, they were more like echoes as I spiraled into darkness before the bullets could hit this strange killer.

The Monster –

She'd known.

Kagome had known something was going to happen, but she hadn't stated it directly. Had she wanted to face Pyg? I couldn't exactly ask her as he seated us at the table, only tell her not to do anything. Was she really going to just be reckless like this? Apparently, we should have argued over her level of involvement. I'd have rather done that than have her in harm's way like this. I'd of argued with her until tomorrow, which would have resolved this even being a problem now.

"We have to do something." She hissed at me. "He'll kill these people…"

He'd noticed us talking and suddenly stabbed a knife through Kagome's hand. Didn't she realize I didn't care about any of these people except for her? I screamed at the man, but there was little I could do without his goons opening fire on us both. I moved to my feet at his motion and leaned closer to her.

"So rude, I was going to be doing a number for you." The Pyg clucked his tongue at us. "Sit down, Pen-guin."

I grabbed the knife to get it free of her hand, it was already bleeding heavily, he had to have hit something important. The idiot with a pig on his face shook his head at me negatively. "Pull it out, and the next one goes in her eye."

Was he serious? I stared at him, trying to memorize what I could of his eyes. This man would die, I'd make certain of that. Before he was a thorn in my side I just wanted removed. Now, now I'd burn down all of Gotham to get to him if I had to. I let go and slowly took my seat, still glaring at him. I didn't expect Kagome to reach up instead and grab the knife with her free hand. Was she trying to get killed?

"Well, she's a feisty one, isn't she?" Pyg commented cheerfully at Kagome's resolve, drawing another knife casually from one of his many pockets. Speaking to her. "You want to lose an eye then."

He started toward her quickly and I began to stand but Pyg bounced backward at the pink shield that appeared around him instead of her. She grunted in pain as the knife was pulled free, blood running like water from her hand. I jumped in to wrap it as best I could in a napkin, but it was certainly bleeding more than a wound to the hand should. I felt energy more than I saw more shield's appear. She wasn't a one-woman army…dammit…

"I can't keep them up long…" she commented, eyes flicking to me and back to Pyg. His 'gentlemanly' demeanor had dropped off and he was grimacing as he slammed his cleaver into the shield with strong blows. I could already see it starting to crack, the way you might expect to see a line growing in glass. At least this wasn't something he'd expected, he must have put off the rumors about Kagome's abilities as just that…

"Kagome…" I grabbed her as she started to fall over when she stood up. She looked ready to pass out at any moment. The rest of the idiots inside, likely spurring her stupidly heroic efforts, were just sitting there gaping. I screamed at them as I set her back in her chair. "Get out!"

Idiots.

That got them moving, fleeing for the door as quickly as they could. I dashed out of the room, searching for a gun. I'd heard one go off, but I didn't know where it was. I really needed to just have one built into my umbrella one of these days. I looked over those running away but I didn't see anything. Where the hell was the weapon, in the room? I headed back in against the crowd pressing past me. One of the server's was on the floor, seemingly shot but I hadn't seen from where. I'd heard a gun go off, but I'd been focused on her wound. How had he shot himself? The second goon's little shield vanished. He looked at me and her and then fled, too bad for him I'd still have Zsasz hunt him to the ends of the earth.

The second fallen goon had a gun though and I gathered it to point it at the Pyg. Her shield was smaller than before, but it was heavily cracked now. She probably wouldn't last much longer.

"It's fine Kagome, you can stop now." I assured her. I knew she wouldn't drop her shield if she didn't think I could handle it. Nor did I want her to. I knew Pyg would probably go right for her. She trusted me at my word though. Her power vanished after I asked, and Pyg started forward but didn't make it a full step before the first shot caught him in the chest. Several more followed. I walked over to put more of the clip through his head, pig, real, it didn't really matter as long as I put enough bullets that he wouldn't get up ever again. I dropped the gun after the clip reached an end then and ran back toward Kagome. She'd lost consciousness and was still bleeding.

"JCPD, everyone put down…" the voice drifted off as it's owner entered the room.

I have never been quite so happy to have Jim Gordon arrive.

End Chapter

Whee, pretty much caught up with most of the events to the mid-season break now that Sofia and Pyg are gone. Since both irritate me I was glad to kill them – yay fanfiction aha. Kagome may have pushed herself a little too hard there. Oswald is mad at her, so more drama incoming next chapter I'd say. Things will start to deviate from the show on some angles but less on others (what with Oswald not being in jail but other aspects will still happen to line up with aspects of the show). I make no promises on my next update as I'm in one of the most dull classes I've ever taken that seems to love to waste my time and it's gonna only be getting rougher as I get closer to the end of the class. Happy Easter to those that celebrate such things, it's what gave me the time to work for a while today (yay). RIP my fan fun writing time after this though : (.

-Aura

To my reviewers:

As always, thanks for the love. I am always happy to see reviews. I got a whole ton today that gave me all the warm fuzzies and made me really want to get back in here and finish this up (it was close to done anyway but still). Thanks also for all the warnings about the last chapter not posting correctly – figures it was the time I didn't double check!

Tatewaki2000 – Wow, thanks a lot for the enthusiasm. I'm glad I had a chapter in the works to post for you after all that love : )

Tofallento – Thank you. I hope you continue to enjoy.