The doctor, and not the sympathetic one at the entrance of the hospital, had spouted all this medical jargon at her and Selina had listened to only a meager percentage at it. She nodded when she thought they were at the end of a sentence. They asked her if she was alright. They attempted to examine her and coax her out of this shocked state she was in. Barb, Aunt Bee, and the kids had arrived at some point, all questioning and concerned. Selina didn't really remember any of their questions or whatever they said. Then the kids had admitted their hunger and they made their way to go get dinner. Barb promised to bring back some food. Selina still wasn't listening. At the end of their poking and prodding they took her to the ICU and to Maggie's bedside.

The only thing that Selina had actually obtained over the course of the conversation that they were unsure as to what was exactly wrong with Maggie. After a while she was alone standing at Maggie's side. The doctors had left, and her adopted family had gone to get some food, even though she wasn't hungry. For this brief moment she was alone. That's when Selina did what she had not done since she was fourteen, at Maggie's beside, whilst sitting on the uncomfortable chair, she prayed. She wasn't sure exactly who she was praying to, but she prayed. They were the prayers that she once had to memorize from Sunday School, from church and its various functions. In this moment there was something about this being completely out of her control that this practice of her former religion was comforting. Nothing answered back though. There was not a sign, nor a voice that calmed her, just deafening silence.

Then when she knew nothing was going to answer her back, the praying turned more into pleas. She begged for Maggie's life to continue. The desire to wake up in the morning and see the girl's smiling face, that this was a terrible, terrible dream. She would continue as Catwoman, stealing from jewelry stores and crooks to get more money to pay for the girl's school and anything else she wanted or she would give it all up. Maggie had to live, the insurance had gone through and they were giving them money for the bone marrow transplant surgery that could make this all go away in the less amount of time that they thought was possible. The doctor had cleared it, finally. Still there was nothing and the comfort began to go away and dread settled in. Then she prayed for one last thing before she thought that she was completely wasting her time in this trance. She prayed and begged for a happy future, a sign that something would go right in her life.

"Selina?" Her head popped up from its bowed position and she saw Bruce standing in the doorway, a worried look on his face. When he saw that she had seen him, he moved into the room. She stood, and he came over and hugged her, tightly.

Enclosed in his arms, Selina felt safe, she felt like things were going to be okay. She knew somewhere that a simple hug wouldn't do anything like that, but the fact that he was here, for her, for them, it meant more than she even imagined. For Bruce, knowing that Selina was safe and no other unknown marks made by the Joker were on her, save for the one on her neck. He just couldn't look at Maggie yet. The sight of another mistake on his part was too much at that moment.

"How did you…" She looked up at him and moved out of his tight grip.

"Barbara called me." Bruce explained. His hand brought up the bag that she didn't notice until now that he had been carrying. "I picked up a few things from the apartment for you. Commissioner Gordon was there and let me in."

"Thank you." She hugged him again, in a lighter one. This time only one arm made it around his neck as her other hand took the bag from him. She looked inside. "Coloring books, her bear and…" She lifted a brow. "A change of clothes."

"There's also your phone and…"

"An iPad?" Selina took the object out of the bag and gave Bruce a strange look. "I don't remember ever buying an iPad. Bruce…"

"It's a prototype for the new one coming out next year, with a few upgrades." He explained in a hurry. "I thought that this way you would be able to stay here but still get everything you need done."

"Upgrades?" She couldn't believe this man sometimes. It was thoughtful, but honestly she couldn't focus on anything past Maggie properly right now.

"Well Barbara decided on them." That was only half a lie, he had also put some programs on there that she would find extremely useful, namely one that contacted directly to Barb's line at the workspace below the Manor and some other things. He turned to more important matter at hand. "How is she?"

"I don't know." A sigh escaped her lips as she put the bag on the chair and turned to look at Maggie.

"The doctor didn't tell you what was going on?" Bruce's eyes narrowed. He took a moment to look her over and was troubled at what he saw. Stress weighed heavy on her shoulders, bags were not concealed and in full force, every inch of her body was alert but highly overworked. The emotions that he had expected to be apparent were still hidden deep within. That was the thing that he was the most distressed about, she was pushing down her emotions and putting on a strong face. When those emotions did decide to appear, he was going to be there, more importantly, he wanted to be there. Secretly the iPad was also for him, when he found himself sitting here beside her, waiting. A tool of distraction.

"They did." There wasn't a point in hiding her exhausted state. "I just… didn't listen."

"I can grab someone…"

"No," Waving the notion away, Selina crossed her arms and held her forehead in left hand. "I'm so sick of hospitals and doctors telling me that I just have to wait."

Without saying anything and not bothering to ask her how she was because he could tell that she was beyond drained, Bruce pulled her into him. She went into his touch, not a sign of protest.

"Hey guys." Barb showed up, as did the entirety of the Gordon clan. They were all carrying plastic bags. "We brought food."

"Where's Alfred?" Aunt Bee questioned looking around. Not noticing the quick glance between Bruce and Barb.

"He's talking to a friend of his that works here." Bruce told them. It was a lie. Alfred had offered to be the one to run DNA tests and various other kinds of tests on the invitation to let Barb and Bruce be able to stay at Selina's side through this. Although Bruce was certain that Alfred would be more than happy to come to the hospital latter on, when the commotion had died down. When he would be able to see said friend. "He'll be a while."

"Oh." She nodded, handing the bags to Jim and Barb, then pulled the nightstand and tables out from their hiding places, Sarah and Jimmy helping her. Then placed the food on the tables in an arranged order. To Bruce's surprise there were even plates and tableware. This woman was prepared, no wonder her and Alfred seemed to get along. They were probably tipping each other off to plan for events such as this. "Alright, everyone dig in."

Bruce felt his stomach growl a bit at the smell of food, but found himself without an appetite, no doubt Selina was the same as well. He bent ever so slightly towards Selina and placed his mouth right next to her ear.

"The hair suits you." He whispered and was happy to see her smirk. "I like it."

"Thank you for being here." Her voice contained only the upmost sincerity that he felt his heart swell.

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." Bruce's voice matched her and they locked eyes for a moment.

"Bruce." Jim called out to the young man, who looked at him trying to hide the earnest and fear. "Better get in here before Jimmy eats it all again."

"Dad!"

"Worry not, Commissioner." Alfred walked in carrying a brown bag, surprising most people in the room. "I brought reinforcements."

The pretense of normalcy in this moment, caused everyone to hope that soon it wasn't going to be just for show, that instead life would get back on track. Selina and Bruce both wanted this, but for now they were just happy that everyone was indeed together again.

"They put him in the highest level of security." Maria sighed at Talia. "We wouldn't be able to reach him."

"Do not doubt what the League can and cannot reach." Talia crossed her arms. "One vault is not that different the next and we have the ability…"

"Yes, yes, I know." There times that Maria knew that Talia overestimated the League's capabilities, this was one of them. When Arkham truly did not want someone to escape they would make it a priority or ship them off to a much more feared place. "However, they put him in Blackgate Penitentiary. Solitary. There is only one person who serves the Joker, he has a special ops background from the Marines and serves only on the side of right."

It took the young woman a moment to register what Maria had just told her. This was truly one of the only people alive capable of telling Ra's al Ghul's daughter no. And one of the only people who wasn't afraid of her, which made Talia place trust in the woman but there was an undercurrent of question.

"Did you think you were the only one with informants?" Maria asked.

"Will he escape?" Of course, she knew of informants, but the woman was also damn good at keeping her mouth shut.

"They'll move him." She shrugged. "So eventually."

"Move him?"

"They're building a higher security location here at Arkham." Maria was surprised the young woman was curious, but then again, she was out to kill the man. "So in the mean time they placed him at Blackgate thinking that will solve their troubles."

"He'll escape on the move." Talia understood.

"Of course." A curt nod, then back to business. "Or you could kill him on the move."

"That would be easily arranged." She agreed. Then a sour mood came over the woman. "But he explained the targets, our motives."

"But not all of them." Obviously this was not an issue to Maria. "He's a public man, he tends to pull those kinds of stunts."

"You knew this would happen?" Talia felt rage creep up on her. "Then why…"

"Which is why we only told him very few details." Maira told her. "Him broadcasting to the city that Maria Bertinelli and a foreigner named Talia al Ghul are planning on destroying Gotham is not exactly the most threatening message."

"He's never heard my name." She said in an all too calm voice. "How did he figure that out?"

Nothing.

"If he has that information what else does he know?" Satisfied that she was finally getting her point across due to Maria's silence, she sat back and reveled for a moment.

"He also knows where the League keeps their secrets and didn't bother to reveal any of that information." Maria answered. "Perhaps there is a mole on your side."

"No man is capable of that in the League." Talia growled.

"Anything is possible, Ms. Ah Ghul." She thought, then continued. "What about a woman?"

"The League associates with only one other woman besides myself and she is not here." Talia answered. "Besides she had no reason to betray us."

"I believe there's another," Maria lifted a brow. "A child, if I'm not mistaken."

"Yes, but again, she's safely stowed with her father." Talia glanced at the brilliant strategist. "Haven't you put enough blame on children for tonight?"

"Your tone makes it sound like you care." It was almost a question but not quite.

"Well your granddaughter is dying at the hospital." For everything that that Maria thought Talia was capable of, human emotion was not one of them. "I would expect you to at least be somewhat inquisitive on how she fares."

"She will die." If Maria had been a well person, then perhaps the death of her grandchild would matter. However, Maria had always seen death as a necessary happening. Besides everyone died at one point or another, what difference did it make if it was earlier in life. Plus didn't the saying of the good die young really mean that only innocence is preserved in death? "Are you trying to distract me, Talia?"

"Are you?"

"Not at all." Maria's truthful answer would have scared some of the toughest characters in Gotham. "I don't think Harley gave information just to Mr. Wayne."

"She would never be able to…"

"We made a mistake." Again, interrupting, but pressing on. "Harley Quinn knew more than she lead on."

"You think she's dangerous to the cause?"

"Perhaps not to the cause." Maria said thoughtfully. "But we should keep an eye on her."

"So are we prepared for the final confrontation?" Talia wanted to leave this damning Asylum. She hated it here and was tired of the tortured screams of its inmates.

"I wouldn't call it a final one," Maria shrugged. "But yes, everything has been laid out and I'm assuming the men know what to do and are at the ready."

"Of course." Talia nodded. "I have all my men willing to lay down their lives for this mission."

"All your men?" A raise of brow caused Talia to momentarily loose her normally ridged composure.

"Are you suggesting my men would betray me?" She challenged, regaining her sense of self.

"I'm merely suggesting that all of your men at not here." When Maria went into business with people, she made sure that all their stones were unturned and that their secrets were hers. Leverage, a way out of messy situations, that's what secrets were for her. "One in particular."

"Ah, him." Talia nodded. "He has some personal issues at present time."

"When will he be gracing us with his presence?" She cocked her head.

"After the confrontation…"

"After?" Maria was shocked. "Don't you think that's poorly timed?"

"Are you questioning my leadership skills?"
"Yes."

"Well then," Talia bit back the rage that started to boil up, but Maria saw that she had already gotten to the girl. "Perhaps you would like control of the men."

"They are too loyal to you." Maria sighed. "But I suppose that these men all trained either alongside or with him, so I will be content."

"Indeed." She pressed her lips together in annoyance.

"You know." Standing, Maria went over to the one way window. "I'm growing bored of these confines of Arkham. Besides Maronis can't do anything to me any more. I think it's time I stretch my legs."

Barb had finally convinced her family that Selina needed some time to think over Maggie and get some rest. She had the help of the rest of the hospital staff also push them out of the small private room, which she had no doubt who was secretly paying for it, in guise of the insurance. Apparently, Bruce didn't want Selina stealing for the sake to pay for this kind of care. Bruce had also wielded the influence of his family's name and his father's to convince the hospital that the three of them were allowed to spend the night until the girl was better. Including use of the internet, shower, then bringing in a couple of comfortable chairs also suited their needs.

Then Barb decided to do some digging around the online medical charts, via Selina's new iPad, which had another tracking device on it. Ass. But she wanted to find exactly what she was looking for. Maggie's chart. Since Selina was trying to hard to seem alert and awake, Barb took it upon herself to actually gather the information that the doctors had said to her through the new iPad, without anyone noticing, the virtual stealth would be easy, physically was another story.

As Barb made her way into Maggie's room with all the slyness that her wheelchair would allow her, but she paused to look over to the white bed that they were all too familiar with. There was a small satisfaction at the scene before her. While Barb had been busy downing five cups of tea and then three cups of coffee, plus two Red Bulls, Bruce and Selina had been chasing and fighting the scum of Gotham and the League of Shadows. Therefore, sleeping had come easier to them than her at this very moment. Both had their upper bodies laying on Maggie's bed, Selina tucked under Bruce's arm, which fell over her and his hand entwined with her. Had it been a happier occasion she would have felt the need to make a jest or really take in the situation, however, now was not the time.

Instead, she went searching for the iPad through the bag that was on the table closest to the door. She winced at the crinkle noise the bag made, then turned to see that only Bruce had shifted slightly. Continuing in a manner that she thought was sneaky, she managed to get through the first layer of the bag.

"Looking for something?" A voice questioned and she nearly jumped out of her chair. She turned to see Bruce standing with his arms crossed, looking at her. He motioned with his head for them to head outside. Sighing, Barb followed him.

"I was going to look at Maggie's medical records." Barb explained.

"Why don't you just ask one of the doctors?" Bruce's arm had not uncrossed.

"They're just going to do the whole be optimistic thing," She rolled her eyes. "I want the truth."

"You don't think this is going to have a positive outcome?" His brow narrowed.

"I think it's a poison that only Fox can fix." The atmosphere darkened around her slightly, but Bruce was able to briefly smirk. Then Barb realized something. "You already have him on it, don't you?"

He just shrugged.

"How did you…"

"Friends." He answered. It took her few moments before finally thinking of who it could be. But before she could say anything else, an unfamiliar voice interrupted her line of thinking.

"Bruce." The older woman had a short, full head of gray hair, that didn't past her shoulders. She seemed extremely calm and collected. Her eyes held passion for what she did and she seemed kind. She went up to hug him, which he returned easily. "It's good to see you."

"You too Leslie." Bruce pulled back the same time she did. "Dr. Leslie Thompkins, this is…"

"Dr. Barbara Grayson." Leslie nodded, sticking out her hand towards Barb. "I've heard a lot about you."

"Only bad things, I'm sure." Barb shook the hand briefly.

"Actually," The kind doctor smiled. "I rather enjoyed them."

"Leslie." Bruce leery about these two women becoming friends with another, due to their different ways of remarking on certain aspects of his life. "We wanted to know more about Maggie."

"Ah yes." Her face only fell about a fraction, but even Barb caught on.

"I don't like that face." Barb commented.

"I gave the blood sample to Lucius and regrettably haven't heard anything yet." Leslie sighed. "I hope to hear something soon, but I can't guarantee anything."

"What about in general?" Bruce wanted to know about all the avenues they could take, there had to be other options.

"On the surface, there's nothing wrong." She told them. "But looking through her medical files, her Leukemia will be a severe problem on her road to recovery. Since she seems to not have had adequate care since her kidnapping. We'll continue her regular rounds here but her chart says that Ms. Kyle was going to prepare for a marrow transplant soon. Right now I have to advise against it. Whatever is causing to do this now, would transfer over."

Bruce's brow narrowed further. Selina had never told him about that.

"You think its poison?" Barb questioned.

"Undoubtedly." Leslie gave Barb a pointed look. "Much like yours I'm afraid."

"They've been mixing compounds." Bruce interjected. "It could be a mixture of Barbara's and Jimmy's."

"With Maggie," She gave a hopeful smile, "We're not sure yet. But we will figure it out."

"Thank you so much for doing this Leslie." Bruce said sincerely, then walked back into the room.

"So, Dr. Grayson." The voice made Barb look at her. "I heard you're quite the information sleuth."

"Being a librarian hardly counts as an information sleuth." Barb smirked, secretly wondering how much this woman knew. "And it's Barbara or Babs, which ever."

"Oh I think hacking into the mainframe of the hospital to call down certain doctors is quite a feat, Barbara." Yep, she knew and if that didn't take, then the next sentence did it. "Especially when it comes from a certain location under Wayne Manor."

"So is general practitioner just a cover too?" Ah well, better to be on the side of the dark angels. Secretly, Barb was impressed that Lesile had managed to fly under her radar for as long . However, it was most likely due to the fact that Bruce hadn't received any life threatening scrapes since she started working with him.

"No." Lesile chuckled. "I'm usually over at the free clinic on the east side."

"Ah," She nodded. "So you're coming here is a favor to Wayne?"

"Actually, Alfred called me in for this one." Barb didn't hide her surprise. Apparently the old man still had a few tricks up his sleeve. "As a doctor it is easier to get around in the system than as a bat."

"You're telling me." Barb agreed. "But I'm guessing you're not here just for the Sherlock Holmes bit."

"Are we ever called to action just for the detective bit?"

"Good point." She acknowledged. "So want to help steal some medical records?"

Selina looked over Maggie's body. It was engulfed by the white hospital sheets, which the color of her skin matched. The girl's hair was neater than the day before but still messy. There weren't any bruises, cuts or anything to mark her, of which Selina was relieved but only a minute amount. Maggie was still. The only indication that the girl was remotely alive was the steady beeping of the monitors and the rise and fall of her chest. These details were really what was keeping her alive at the moment.

She was so tired, at this point all she wanted to do was sleep and pretend that this whole ordeal was the dream and in her dreams there would be peace. However, this was the reality that she had to face. Maggie lay still, hooked up to the monitors the hospital bed, the mask over her face. It had been two days since she had found Maggie's broken body just lying there, in the water that she had first received, what Holly had deemed, the girl's first holy rites. It didn't help that Selina was still feeling extremely vulnerable. She knew that the Batman knew who she was; he could get to her at any time, even now. He could take her away from Maggie's side.

Holding her head, Selina laid it down on the hospital bed and closed her eyes. Just for a moment Selina allowed herself the luxury of quick resting of her eyes. When she opened them, she wanted something to be different. She wanted Maggie's brown eyes to open, her smile to show through and her small arms to go around her neck. As she was about to fall asleep, erratic beeping was heard from the monitors and Selina's head shot up and looked widely at her niece.

"No." She whispered, as doctors and nurses began filing into the room. "No." They began to surround the defenseless girl and someone grabbed Selina's shoulders and started to move her towards the door, into the hallway, away from Maggie.

"Ms. Kyle you need to leave the room." The nurse said.

"Don't!" Selina struggled against the nurse, who wasn't prepared for the fight that ensued. More nurses attempted to restrain Selina and put her out of the room.

"Ms. Kyle! Don't make this harder than it needs to be." One of the nurses said more forcibly. "You need to…"

Selina punched the talkative nurse and darted back to the bed, she couldn't even see her Maggie, but heard the heart monitor flat-lined and more machines being rolled in. Before she could make it closer to the bed, arms went around her waist and picked her up.

Selina struggled even harder against the strong arms that held her tightly, moving her further out of the room. Causing her to panic and struggle senselessly. The arms just held her tighter.

"I have to be with her!" She shouted, before she had forgotten her training and was resisting someone that was much stronger than her. However, when she heard the girl's body jump from the electric shocks that were going through it, her mind went blank and everything that she had forgotten returned. The person holding her was obviously not ready for this and when Selina finally elbowed, punched, and stepped on the assailant's foot she was able to get away for a moment. The moment didn't last long though, and the person with the powerful grip recovered quickly.

"No!" Her yells were heard down the hall.

"Selina." The restrainer finally spoke, quietly to her. It was a voice she recognized and one that she had learned to trust. "Stop."

She did. Her fight was a losing battle and she stared in helplessness as the doctors began to shut off the monitors in the room and began to leave. Selina was breathing heavily and her hand went to the hand on her stomach of the person restraining her. She squeezed the hand tightly, wanting the feel of someone, someone that she cared for and returned the sentiment without question.

"She's gone." Selina whispered and she started to shake. Scared, alone, and nothing to fight for. "She's gone." She repeated, as if trying to make herself believe it.

Bruce squeezed her hand back and sighed heavily. He was also feeling the loss of the child in the room, but he knew that the woman he held was in pain, pure agonizing pain. He watched as the room was emptied and the nurses and doctors couldn't look at the heartbroken woman that he held. When it was finally empty he thought it would be appropriate to go in.

"Come on." He lessened the tight grip that he had on her and gently pushed her towards the direction of the room, keeping his hand gently on her side, reassuring her that he was there.

Entering the room, Selina saw something that she had seen in nightmares and dreams but something she dreaded in real life. The child that she had raised, worked for, bled for, cherished, and loved was dead. There were no words to stamp out the grief. No words to make this better and luckily the man standing beside her knew that. She had lost her closest relative, her niece, her universe. This scene was far too early for both the small girl's sake and Selina's and not in the order that Selina wanted. Finally, Bruce released her and held back as Selina moved forward towards the still form of the girl that she had given so much for.

Selina sat on the girl's bed, and took her still warm hand into hers. The sickly blood that had flowed through the small person's veins would soon stop. All the nights that Maggie had crawled into bed with her were gone. Nightmares that Selina once quelled were completely in the past. Maggie's hugs, sloppy kisses, her voice, laugh, and bright brown eyes, gone.

Bruce watched as Selina brushed aside some of Maggie's hair that had fallen on to her face during the attempts at revival. Her eyes were glued to her small niece. She wasn't crying though, he attributed it to shock, but the hand that had intertwined itself with the girl's was still there. When he decided that he could no longer take the silence or the feeling of not being able to do anything, he approached her. Putting his hands on her shoulders.

"That should be me." Selina whispered, noticing the presence next to her.

He remained silent, he knew the feeling all too well.

"She didn't deserve this." She continued. "She was innocent. I was supposed to take care of her. It was my responsibility to never let this happen to her. But…it did. I failed."

Those words cut through his heart in a single stroke. This was not her fault, it was his. He knew that he would have to relieve that burden from her. These people were trying to get to him, why couldn't she understand that… because she didn't know his other side. She blamed herself because she couldn't blame the man in the mask. Bruce knew that he would have to tell her soon, very soon.

"I'll take you home." His voice in her ear said.

She didn't have any more fight in her to say no. Today was a day for mourning, today she let herself be led around and today she would feel nothing.

Bruce looked over at Selina. She had not moved from the spot on the couch since she arrived back at her apartment. In her hands, she held a bear that he recognized as Maggie's bear that she would sleep with. Her eyes bore into the stuffed animal, still not being able to shed a tear. He quietly made tea in the kitchen, it had been what Alfred had done many years ago.

He knew that she was not herself at the moment and it worried him. She could become emotional, unstable, hurt herself. What was the most troubling was that his former mentor, teacher, and enemy's daughter, Talia al Ghul and Selina's mother, Maria Bertinelli were after Gordon's family and that meant going after all of them. Guilt washed over him because a reason these women were doing this was because of Batman. Maggie had been lost because of him. He had promised her that he would protect Maggie. He promised himself that he wouldn't let anything happen to either of them. Selina was wrong, she was not the one that had failed.

Sighing, he turned his thoughts on the woman in the other room. Honestly, thinking about her was not at all soothing to him. All he could imagine was her crying out in pain, being tortured, and being dragged into this mess. He would do anything to prevent that, but he had to keep reminding himself that the woman that he was dealing with was the very same woman that had stolen from the city's multiple jewelry stores. The same woman who had promptly kicked his ass at various points and the same woman that he had begun to… hell, not just begun but…

The tea began to whistle.

"Cups are in the left cupboard." Bruce stilled when he heard Selina's voice come into the kitchen. He had been preoccupied with his thoughts that he hadn't heard her get up. As she leaned against the door frame, she said quietly. "You don't have to do this."

"You shouldn't be alone." He replied as he filled the cups with the boiling hot water.

"You're going to have to leave eventually." She watched his movements in the small kitchen.

"It's hot." Ignoring her comment, mostly because he entirely disagreed with it currently, he handed her the tea. "What if you got out of the city for a while?"

"No." Her voice was sharp and sudden while still retaining a quiet quality to it. "I can't."

"Why?" His eyes narrowed, although he knew exactly why she wouldn't leave. She felt responsible and she wanted revenge.

"Where would I go anyway?" Selina shrugged.

"What if you were to stay with me?" The question was hesitant and something in the back of his mind was screaming at him what a horrible idea it was, but it was said before he could even think about it.

"What?" She looked at him. "Bruce, I can't just…"

"Selina, it makes sense." No it didn't. "There's enough room and you can't stay in the apartment alone."

"I can't leave my apartment." Her head shook. "I have everything here."

"Listen," Bruce sighed. "The Joker is targeting any one close to Jim in any way possible. You are the next target and..."

"I can handle myself," She lifted a brow. He had never called Uncle Jim, Jim and he said it, as if it were familiar. Wait, how did he know she was the next target? "I'm not going to run."

"You'll be safe."

"What makes me safer there than here?" Her voice began to rise. "I can fight…"

"You wouldn't have to fight. The manor is completely secure." He explained. "And it's far enough away from the city that…"

"I don't want to be far from the city." Selina was obviously not going to go without at least a final say in this. "If anything I need to go after the bastard before he..."

"He's in Arkham, Selina." Bruce had enough sense that now was the time to calm her down and to realize that her anger was not directed completely at him. "He can't do anything from there."

Suddenly she stopped. Her facial features went completely blank and Bruce watched as she seemed to completely shut out the world for a moment. He knew this look all too well. It was a look that he didn't enjoy and he knew Alfred hated those seconds that he cleared his mind in the underbelly of the manor. That was the moment she became a completely different woman, a woman possessed.

"Selina?" His hand cupped her face.

"My mother." The detachment in her voice was not lost on him.

"Wha…What are you talking about?" True confusion came over him. "I thought…"

"I have to go." With that, Selina abruptly turned and left the apartment.

Bruce waited for a moment before he trailed after her. He knew exactly what she was up to.

I bet you guys all want to take back those nice reviews don't you?

Ok, with complete acknowledgment that the majority are probably really not happy with me at the moment, let me just say that there is a reason that I want to do a sequel and it's mainly because I actually want a happy ending for these two or something close to it.

However, I do hope that you enjoyed the chapter to the extent that you could and please remember that it's not over yet. And the reviews again, guys, you are amazing! As for a Barb/John thing... he's not the only one coming to town in the next story ;) Comments, questions, rotten tomatoes are welcomed.

-EV