It was all over the news the next morning that Miranda Tate has escaped from Blackgate's maximum security ward. No one knew how it had happened nor who was responsible—but Commissioner Gordon promised that his department would get to the bottom of it.
Oliver Queen had gotten on his private jet first thing that morning for Gotham City with his Mother, Sister, Tommy and Diggle as Faith had mentioned that it might be better for them to come to Gotham and probably safer too.
Once they'd arrived at Wayne Manor, Bruce was waiting for them and made the proper introductions.
"So she hasn't escaped?" Oliver queried, his expression clearly showing his confusion.
"Not exactly." Was all Bruce said on that subject, before he turned his attention to Oliver's best friend. "It's good to see you again Mr. Merlyn. I do wish we had left our last visit under better circumstances."
"Please call me Tommy. I have to admit, the entire incident left me reeling, but Oliver explained a few things."
Bruce's gaze flickered from Tommy, to Thea and then back to Oliver before he said politely, "It's nice to meet you Thea."
"I guess I should say the same, but I'm confused too, as to why I'm here."
Moira clasped her daughter's hand, while Oliver ran both hands down his face. Thea, who was fairly perceptive—gave her brother a disgruntled look.
"Olly thinks he needs to protect me and that I'm too fragile to figure out what's going on."
Tommy smirked while Oliver rolled his eyes before he asked, "Where's the rest of the party?"
"Downstairs."
Oliver nodded warily, while both Tommy and Thea's confusion deepened.
"Downstairs?"
Glancing back at the Queen heir, Bruce just lifted a questioning eyebrow, which caused Oliver to shake his head—letting Wayne know that he hadn't explained about the man's alternate identity, nor Faith's as the Slayer.
"Do they know about you?"
Oliver nodded. "I had to come clean."
"And I'd already guessed." Tommy grinned while Thea scoffed.
"Sure you did dork," Thea glared, "but only after I suggested it."
"I liked you better when I didn't know we were related." Tommy groused out, petulantly folding his arms over his chest.
Moira shushed her children, including Tommy as she'd felt after everything he was like a second son.
"I'm sorry Bruce. They've been bickering the entire plane ride here."
"It's no problem. However, Tommy—Thea...I will ask you to both keep what you are about to learn confidential."
"Great, more secrets." Thea groaned, and Oliver just gripped his sister's arm—his quelling expression and shaking head had Thea backtracking momentarily. Bruce however, just smiled at the young woman and gestured for them to follow him towards the music room—which they did in short order.
When the bookcase opened, Oliver's head cocked with interest while everyone else just gaped.
"Oliver, please take Thea and Tommy and I will escort your Mother."
They all nodded as Bruce took Moira's hand and led her into the elevator shaft, chuckling slightly at the looks of astonishment on the faces of his guests. Once he was down, he sent the elevator back up and waited for the remained of their party to arrive—which they did after a few moments.
As they walked towards the cavern, the sounds of metal clashing and reverberating throughout the area caused Bruce to chuckle again.
"What's that?" Thea asked warily.
"That will likely be my wife. Please don't be alarmed by what you're about to see and I'll also ask you to remain silent."
They all nodded again, and as the full cavern came into view—Bruce's gaze fell back to Queen's and nearly guffawed at the younger man's look of pure wonder as he watched the scene before him.
For up on the platform, was Buffy and Faith—along with Angel and Spike and all four were battling viciously. Faith and Spike were sparing while Angel and Buffy were going toe to toe. Bruce gestured for them to move a bit further in where Willow was standing with Kennedy and Dawn—who were all observing the fighting with interest.
Oliver had no idea...none...
When he had heard about Slayer's in an abstract way and then more contextually when he'd realized what Faith Lehane (now Wayne) was...he had been skeptical...
But this?
He had almost scoffed that night back in New Orleans, when Faith had taunted Malcolm Merlyn—stating with such conviction that she was the most powerful player in their little game. He'd faced Merlyn in combat, so he knew how formidable the man was. He'd surmised that Wayne was likely on par with Malcolm in terms of training and combat skills...but this was something else entirely.
As the weapons clashed, Bruce continued to discretely watch Queen while Thea, Tommy and Moira all stared gobsmacked at the scene before them in shock.
Bruce slightly chuckled when he heard a loud grunt and then turned slightly to see the exact second Faith's roundhouse kick launched Spike thirty feet across the platform and down into the water. A few seconds later he surfaced with a curse and Willow's cheery voice yelled out—"Spike's out!"
Buffy, not to be outdone...nearly instantaneously feinted and then launched herself over Angel before grabbing his free arm and throwing him right next to Spike...
Angel's irate face as he came up from the water was hilarious.
The two Slayers turned to each other with matching shit-eating grins.
"So it's down to you and me, B?"
Buffy nodded. "Looks that way."
"You sure you want to do this?"
Buffy moved to the left as Faith matched her step for step, so that they were circling around each other like the two apex predators they were.
Twirling her sword expertly, Buffy laughed. "It would be more interesting if we could do this old school, yeah? But I wouldn't want to hurt you too much. You are in the family way after all."
Faith scoffed before turning to Willow. "Red, you finish that thing we discussed?"
Bruce turned an interested eye to the witch, who sighed and nodded once. "I did. Are you sure Faith?"
"I need to be prepared for anything Red, and I need to keep this little one safe or my overprotective control freak of a husband (Bruce growled)...that's right Wayne, I'm talking about you..."
Everyone turned to Bruce and his face darkened, but the slight upturn of his lips belied his complete irritation at being called out by his wife.
"Guilty as charged, beautiful."
Faith's blinding grin caused Oliver's breath to hitch as Tommy just side-eyed his moonstruck best friend, who was utterly smitten with a very married woman.
"..is going to pitch a fit so do it, Red."
"You have it?"
Faith extended her hand and the Slayer Scythe appeared, causing the newcomers to gasp.
"How?" Tommy wondered aloud.
"Magic." Bruce replied easily.
Willow started chanting and soon enough, the power of the Scythe reverberated through the cavern enveloping both Buffy and Faith. Once the spell was done, Faith vanished the Scythe and grinned at her sister Slayer before throwing her sword into the water with a flourish. Buffy grinned and followed suit and then everyone watched as both Slayer's took their fighting stances.
"Hundred on Buffy." Spike bellowed out, while Angel shook his head and said simply, "you're on."
And then in a flash it started and if Bruce thought he'd seen how lethal a Slayer could be, watching his wife and Buffy go measure for measure in hand-to-hand combat, had his heart nearly beating out of his chest. He trusted Willow's magic, and knew that Faith would never allow harm to come to their child—and it was good to be prepared—but he was having a hard time not intervening.
Buffy was the first one to land a punch across Faith's face, but to her credit Faith didn't flinch she just used that momentum and twisted her body—bringing her leg up in a lightening quick motion that caught Buffy on the exposed side of her body...causing the blonde Slayer to stumble back.
The next set of blows caused Buffy to fall, but she rolled and then vaulted herself up effortlessly from the platform before moving back into Faith's space as she continued to block, jab, and punch with as much force as she could.
But for every move Buffy made though, Faith countered it seamlessly. For every blow Buffy landed, Faith matched it. For every kick Buffy connected, Faith replied similarly with more and more force.
It was clear to see now, that since her trip down into Gotham's Hell Mouth that Faith's instincts (that had always been good), were now entirely on another level. It was almost if, as the fight progressed, she could read Buffy's attacks and continued to counter them effortlessly.
"You're playing with me?" Buffy growled in sudden understanding, while Faith grinned and as Buffy went to kick out what she hoped was a final blow...Faith launched herself into the air and came down behind the blonde Slayer. As Buffy threw her left arm behind her instinctively, Faith gripped it with her right while simultaneously propelling her body backwards, the force of the motion taking Buffy with her—Faith's leg then made contact with Buffy's side and the next thing Bruce knew—Buffy was flying through the air and landing into the water with a resounding splash...
Faith however, just stood at the edge of the platform with a smug grin on her face.
When Buffy broke through the surface of the water, her own face was filled with amusement.
"Nice!"
"Glad you approve, B!"
"And you didn't even cheat!"
"As if I'd need to cheat to kick your ass!"
"Well, if we're keeping score? You had to die to beat me, right?"
"Well at least I only had to die once, blondie! Although not for lack of trying when you skewered me but even dying twice, I still mopped the floor with you!"
"Will you both just leave it alone?" Spike drawled as he went to grab a smoke.
"What's the matter, Spike? Are you broody cause you lost?" Kennedy grinned, causing the blonde vampire to grunt.
"He's always broody these days." Faith quipped playfully, ignoring Spike's growl, as she pressed a button and the platform bridge elevated to where she could walk along it and back to dry ground.
Bruce moved over and checked her over, tilting her head side to side and tutting at her cut lip.
"You alright?" He whispered and Faith nodded and winked.
"Five by five." Her eyes then locked with the small group standing next to Dawn and she smiled in welcome. "Hello! Hope we didn't shock you too much. Buffy and I tend to get a bit carried away."
"That's one way of looking at it." Angel deadpanned while Buffy glared at him as she walked past him, taking a towel that Alfred had left for them.
"No one asked for your opinion."
"Yet I'm going to give it anyway." Angel replied cheekily.
"I don't know whether to be touched or offended you bet on Faith." Buffy snarked, causing Angel to roll his eyes at her.
"I only bet on sure things these days." Angel replied with a smirk of his own, causing Faith to giggle while Spike just took a long drag of his cigarette and blew out the smoke right into Angel's face, causing the dark-haired vamp to glare at his nemesis.
"Those things will kill you."
"Already dead." Spike bantered with a lopsided grin.
"Excuse me?" Thea demanded. "Dead?"
"Vampire." Spike pointed to himself and then Angel. "Lesser Vampire."
"I'm older than you, William." Angel challenged mockingly.
"Don't remind me." Spike bit back.
"Do they hate each other?" Thea wondered aloud, causing Buffy to snort.
"They have a love, hate dynamic. They both have Alpha issues."
"Ah." Thea nodded, as if that explained everything. "So they're both drama queen's?"
"Yes." Faith laughed in reply, as she walked over and held out her hand to the younger woman. "Thea Queen, right?"
"Yes," Thea smiled genuinely and took Faith's hand, giving it a proper shake. "Impressive skills."
"Thanks. Faith Wayne."
"Don't suppose you might explain how you both did that? You're not a vampire too, are you?"
Faith laughed again and shook her head in the negative. "I'm a Slayer. As is Buffy."
"What's a Slayer?"
"It's a long story. How about we save it for later, after dinner?"
"Sounds good." Thea agreed readily, already liking the brunette woman and based on the way her brother Olly was gazing heatedly at the Slayer, it seemed she wasn't the only one who was more than impressed with Faith Wayne.
"Do you like pizza?"
"Love it!" Thea's grin widened, surprised when Faith offered her arm and together they made their way back towards the elevator. Oliver watched his sister walk away with a small smile on his face, impressed at how quickly Thea had taken to Faith. Tommy turned and lifted a knowing eyebrow but wisely, didn't comment as he too—followed their sister back into Wayne Manor proper. Oliver watched the rest of those there leave one by one, until it was only he and Wayne standing there—the older man's expression fierce and forbidding.
"So Merlyn?"
Oliver sighed. "I don't think so. He doesn't seem to be too concerned about leaving his children exposed nor watching them suffer, and he's shored up his investments."
"And you don't think he'll change his mind?"
"No. I'd be surprised if he did."
Bruce nodded as he stared out into the cavern with a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Thea knows. How did she take it?"
"About how you might expect. She was angry, despondent and then resigned. Luckily, Tommy and she have a rather close relationship. He was her brother for all intents while I was missing and he looked after her as best as he could. She loves him, so that part wasn't too much of a stretch." Oliver then inquired hesitantly, "Talia?"
Bruce nodded, before he turned the full force of his hazel stare back on Queen. "Talia hasn't escaped, Faith called in a favor and that is all I'm at liberty to divulge."
"So when this is done?"
"Talia will be back where she belongs." Bruce then asked, "what do you know about the Lazarus Pits?"
Eyes widening, Oliver ran a hand along the back of his neck in discomfort. "Enough to know that Talia will die without it."
"So there is one on Lian Yu?"
"Yes, but something tells me you already know this."
Bruce smirked, but didn't deny it. All he replied with was, "If I were a lesser man, I would've never agreed to help you."
"And why is that?"
"Because you want my wife for your own."
Oliver's gaze narrowed, but he didn't deny it. There was no way he could deny it, so he said nothing.
"At least you have the decency to not offer me empty platitudes." Bruce's voice deepened noticeably and Oliver realized that he was now talking to Batman, not Bruce Wayne. Oliver stiffened as Wayne walked over into his space and they each took the other's measure, gazes locked, bodies in battle mode. "I'll make this crystal clear for you, in case it wasn't before...I find your obvious interest in my wife insulting. You come to me and ask for my help, and yet you make no secret of your attraction."
"I would think you'd be flattered." Oliver baited, not intimidated by the man in front of him.
"I'm not unaware of how men in general view my wife. She is magnetic and exudes raw power like a living, breathing essence. But your interest in her isn't cursory, nor is it fleeting."
"I'm not going to apologize Wayne, if that's what this little conversation is about. But I have enough self-control and decency not to act on my attraction. Something tells me it would be futile regardless...although I am curious about something?"
"And that is?"
"The conversation from before. Faith died? Was it during the fight with Bane and Talia?"
Bruce shook his head, his expression now pained.
"No. You are familiar with the destruction of Sunnydale, yes?"
"Vaguely."
"Are you familiar with the term, 'Hell Mouth?"
Oliver shook his head. "No. Although Lian Yu as I'm sure you're aware, is referred to as a purgatory."
"I am. It was Faith who postulated that the League of Shadows and the League of Assassins were in fact, two separate entities. She surmised that after Bane and Talia's expulsion from Ra's organization, they'd started their own. We didn't know until recently about the pits, nor what they'd were used for. However, when Talia made the decision to come after me she sealed her own fate. She kidnapped Faith, as I'm sure you're aware. What no one knows was in the ensuing fight, Faith defeated Bane in hand to hand combat."
Oliver's eyes widened noticeably, and if he hadn't been impressed with Faith Wayne before this moment—he'd have been for certain now.
"I discovered Faith's identity early on, before we ever met formally. I had been out patrolling one night and ran into a vampire. I saw Faith some time later in Gotham's oldest cemetery and watched her dispatch four vampires...three in quick succession and the fourth after chasing it down through the rooftops of Gotham. You can't imagine the shock I felt at discovering that vampires and demons were real. My wife is the strongest person I've ever known. She was orphaned younger than I was, with no one to take care of her. Called as a Slayer at sixteen and nearly died several times. In 2003, a great evil took root in Sunnydale, where a Hell Mouth had been located. Faith and Buffy with the use of the Scythe that you saw, shared their powers with other potential Slayers and defeated the evil. The town was destroyed as a result."
"How did she end up here in Gotham?" Oliver asked, beyond intrigued at this point.
"Faith went to Cleveland for a time, as there is a Hell Mouth there. She trained several potentials and left to come here," Bruce prevaricated as Queen didn't need to know the nitty gritty of Faith's past. That was no ones business but their own. "Slayers are drawn to places of evil. Angel sent Faith here and as time wore on, she discovered there was a Hell Mouth under Arkham Asylum."
"Didn't she get trapped underground there?"
"You've done your research I see, but yes she did."
"Arkham was destroyed, so she destroyed the Hell Mouth?"
"That's the simple version, but the more complex one is too lengthy to get into. Needless to say, she fulfilled her destiny, killed the evil but sacrificed her life in the process." Bruce's gaze narrowed as his nostrils flared, finishing deeply, "she did it for me."
"I don't understand." Oliver said after a tense moment of silence.
"She knew if she defeated the evil, Gotham would know peace at least for a season. It would be spared from the hardships that had plagued it for nearly a century. My parents died and my decision to become Batman was because of that reality and my own guilt in their deaths, and in the end—it was her love for me that allowed her to emerge victorious. The Powers that Be, allowed her to return to me and I could finally have the life I'd never believed I could have. So you see, Queen? There is nothing in this world that is more precious to me than my wife. I lost her for six months, waiting for her to return to me as I had absolutely no doubt she would. But if you think for one second that I'm going to sit idly by and not protect what's mine or allow another to take it, you have another thing coming."
Oliver didn't know what to say. He could well imagine how difficult it must've been for Wayne to lose the love of his life for those months, hoping she'd return...but not really knowing for certain she would despite his assertions to the contrary.
"She loves you that much?"
"I do." Faith's voice echoed through the cavern and both men turned to face her, seeing her concerned expression. Oliver watched Faith move towards her husband, the pull between them obvious in this moment and he sighed in defeat. No matter his own feelings on the matter, it was clear that whatever was between Bruce and Faith Wayne was something he'd never be able to touch in his wildest dreams.
As large brown eyes considered him, Oliver bowed his head humbly. "I didn't mean to offend you Faith."
"No, I don't suppose you did Oliver. I'm flattered by your interest, truly...and I hope it won't make things awkward going forward."
"But..."
"There's always one of those in these kind of situations, right? I think you're a good man, and you'll make some lucky woman very happy someday. I think it's hard for men like you and Bruce to find a true equal in this world. Someone who understands the darkness that lives inside you, and will stand by you in spite of it."
Pulling his hands in his pockets stiltedly, Oliver gave Wayne a quick nod.
"You're a lucky man, Wayne."
"I know it." Bruce replied unequivocally, as he pulled his wife closer into his side and kissed her temple in contentment.
Not replying, Oliver gave Faith one last inscrutable look before he headed back up into the Manor—leaving husband and wife alone.
After he was gone, Bruce took his wife into his embrace and kissed her passionately, gripping his hand into her hair as he ravished her mouth in earnest. After several minutes, Faith pulled back on a gasp and gazed up into her husband's eyes that were filled with unbridled want for her.
"You know you're it for me, right?"
"I know, beautiful. I love you more than anything."
"Good, because you're stuck with me."
"And I couldn't be happier with that fact." He placed another sweet kiss on her lips as he lead them both towards the elevators. Before he stepped inside, Bruce cocked his head and said curiously, "Is it just me, or is something off with Buffy and Spike?"
Faith shrugged. "Dunno. But it wouldn't surprise me. As much as Buffy cares for Spike, I have to wonder if she's come to the same conclusion I have."
"Which is?"
"That if she ever truly wants a real future, she needs to let him go and move on."
Bruce nodded, but didn't reply as he'd often thought the same thing. As much as he liked Spike—he knew that being a Vampire didn't make it easy to plan a future.
But fortunately, his future was right here in his arms and he was more thankful for that than he could ever say in a thousand lifetimes.