Chapter Eight: Enter Deathstroke
So this thought has been thrown around from a few fanfictions, how are Batmans Rogues and certain allies are completely unaware that Bruce Wayne is Batman or Selina Kyle is Catwoman. I like to think that with everything that's happened with them leaving and the fact that they're grown up and managing public identities that it just went by everyone's heads. Bruce said that his life was too public at the time he left to so maybe everyones just assumed his trying to live a normal life. But also that's what also plays into the Batman mythos. A billionaire CEO and socialite it-girl going out at night fighting crime? Far fetched. Which is what the creators of the comic thought and that's what makes Batman such a entertaining and intriguing superhero. That was just my thoughts on the matter. Now on with the show!
Wayne Manor-Bristol-Gotham City
Everyone had left the manor in high spirits. What turned out to be a housewarming turned into an engagement party. There was more than enough reason to celebrate the soon-to-be union of Bruce and Selina. But soon the guests of the evening had to return home, but the young couple still had plenty of celebrating to do. Bruce and Selina saw each of them off as their guests drove down the road. The pair of them . Bruce looked upon her like she was a vision from the Heavens.
Selina looked up at Bruce with a small smile and questioning eyes, "She looks so civilized and tame. No. Definitely not the Cat I know," the young man thought. Bruce brought his hand to the ribbon that was holding up Selina's hair. Long flowing chestnut locks tumbled to her shoulders. Bruce loved how her hair danced as he cool breeze of the night softly blew against her mane.
Selina looked back at Bruce with a Cheshire grin growing on her face. "So dashing and proper. Always one to put up an act for an audience aren't ya, B? Well the show's over" she thought with respect to Bruce's persona as the simple billionaire philanthropist. Selina loosened and removed the tie he was wearing and threw it into some nearby bushes. The way they were looking at each other ignited their desire. The feel of their lips upon other's. The wrestling for control. Bruce soon carried Selina bridal style through the threshold of the manor.
They soon found themselves nestling on the couch in the study with Selina's legs draped over Bruce's like she had all those years ago on one bad day that the both of them would rather forget. A warmth spread over them and inside of them, aching for each other. Selina planted a trail of love bites down Bruce's neck while she unbuttoned the dark grey dress shirt he was wearing. Her freshly polished nails trailed up and down his sculpted and scarred chest. There were as many constants as there was variables when it came to the two, but the feeling they had when they saw twinkling lights dancing behind their eyes gave each other immeasurable comfort and security. "Did I ever tell you of this dream I had persistently when I was twelve?" Bruce asked, his sight fixed on Selina's hands, grazing his flesh. Selina just looked at him with a curious expression. "It was right after my parents died. I found myself in this forest at night and I kept hearing all these beasts all around me. Hunting me. I found this little grove surrounded by these thick bushes. The noises just kept getting louder and louder, feeling like they were closing in on me. But then.. then there was this loud snarl and everything went quiet. I looked around me feeling like it was safe to sleep. I then laid my head down, but before I closed my eyes.. I saw this pair of glimmering green eyes staring at me," Bruce looked at Selina. "They were like a panther or a lion's. But I wasn't afraid. It felt like whatever was watching me was just making sure I slept safely and soundly."
Selina cheeks became red. She recalled her late night visits to Wayne Manor before Jim Gordon brought her there to stay. She would always tell herself she came there repeatedly to see if there was anything valuable that the prince in the castle wouldn't miss. But then she saw his sleeping form and saw him toss and turn from the nightmares. Sometimes when she was in the neighborhood she would check and see how the kid was doing. Bruce then smiled softly, "Those dreams stopped when I met you face to face. I saw your eyes and somehow I knew I was going to be ok. You were my dream come true." Selina just stared at him, blankly. She stood up and took Bruce by the hand and led him to the master bedroom. What followed soon afterwards was gentle and sweet. The light of the full spring moon danced on glistened bodies which were in synchronized movement with each other. It was slow and steady. A dance in which each partner savored the other. In the aftermath, their breathing was heavy, but they were filled with comfort and bliss. It was at this moment that a tear came to Selina's eye. "Cat?" Bruce asked, "you okay?" A small smile appeared across Selina's face as she just nuzzled deeper into Bruce's chest, "Yeah, B. Everything's perfect."
Penthouse of Silver St. Cloud-Upper East Side-Gotham City
"It was like it was so many years ago," Silver thought to herself. The alluring queen of Gotham's underworld was dressed in a white silk gown and robe, and she was nursing a tall glass of port as she was looking out over the horizon of the cities skyline from the balcony of her penthouse. Silver then sat down a newspaper from days earlier showcasing the return of Gotham's favorite son.
"Twelve years... twelve years since so many things came undone. You were right and wrong about a great many things, Bruce. I was young and under the thumb of others who would just hurt and use me. Never again. I'm to be no one's pawn again. But there truly was no going back for me, Bruce. I tried the straight and arrow, but the more I explored that path the more I realized that the power to hold your will over others was the only way to survive in this world. I hope you'll never have to find out what I've done, for your sake. Things will be different. The life we both deserve will be ours. No matter the cost.," Silver thought as she traced her finger over the photograph of Bruce. She turned her eyes to picture of Selina Kyle, her heart warming demeanor quickly turning to one of an all to familiar icy cold expression. She began to scratch out the eyes in Selina's photograph and a small smirk came to her face, "No matter the cost."
Silver was broken away from this imaginary assault as her cell phone went off. "Yes,?" Silver asked. "Just like you said, Sionis has no idea I'm on your pay roll," came the voice of Slade Wilson on the other end of the call. "Excellent," Silver happily said as she took sip of wine. "Now you take care of Gordon and the vigilantes. With Sionis's guard dropped, he will be easy to take out. Oh and Mr. Wilson?" Silver asked in a playful manner.
"My dear, you have the privilege of calling me Slade. All my years of customer service and I feel you've earned that," Slade chuckled.
"Why thank you, Slade. I do however need one more item added to the to-do list," Silver grabbed hold of the paper holding it up and staring daggers at Selina's picture. "Her name's Selina Kyle."
Residence of Jim and Lee Gordon-Upper West Side- Gotham City
After the events of the party at Wayne Manor, Barbara Lee felt tired from the wholesome evening. Once the Gordon family returned home, Jim laid her down to get some shut eye. Tomorrow was the beginning of Barbara's shift in charge of the little one and she told Jim not to let her stay up too late. The patriarch of the Gordon family entered his and Lee's room to find his pregnant wife trying to get some shut eye but failing to.
"Lee? What's wrong? You've been acting off the past few of days," Jim's voice spoke volumes of his concern. "Normally I'm the one asking that question," Lee chuckled dryly, "but seriously Jim. I'm fine." Of course Lee wanted to tell Jim about everything concerning Sofia Falcone, but she felt is was necessary to deal with what she started and at the same time to protect her own family from getting hurt. "Is this how you felt every time you kept me in the dark, Jim?" Lee asked herself. Sooner or later the truth would come out, but Lee was simply hoping that Jim, out of all people, would understand.
Jim got into bed and wrapped his arms around Lee. He could feel something was off, but he felt it was up to her to tell him what was bothering her. He just hoped it wasn't anything catastrophic to her or the baby. "I love you, Lee," he whispered into her ear. This made Lee shed a single tear and she placed her hand on the arm that was wrapped around her. She could feel Jim's pulse and the warmth coming off of him.
"I will do anything it takes to protect this family," Lee told herself. "I love you to Jim, with all of my heart," she whispered back.
Just as Jim was about to shut his eyes his cell phone began to ring. He looked at the caller I.D. to see that it was Harvey. "Harvey? It's the middle of the night. What's up?" Jim asked.
"We got an emergency 911 call about some weapons deal going down in Otisburg. I'll send you the address," Bullock said. Jim hung up and proceeded to gear up. "I'll be home soon, Lee. Love you," Jim said. After Jim was gone Lee said to herself, "Please come back safe."
Abandoned Storage Building-Otisburg District-Gotham City
It wasn't too long before Jim found the building that Harvey told him about, and to find that Captain Bullock was there waiting for him. "Took ya long enough," Bullock sighed. "You sure there's a deal going down? I circled the block and it's pretty deserted," Jim pointed out. "Yeah. Somethings off. Keep your head on a swivel," Harvey replied. The cops made their way to the third floor of the complex before they both started to hear subtle movements. Normally they would address it as the creaking of an old building, but given the nature of the call they received and their past experience, Jim and Harvey knew they weren't alone. Jim made a silent gesture to take point by the doorway while Jim made sure the room was clear. Jim made his way across the room scanning every corner and shadowy area. He then heard the a creaking sound coming from above. Before Jim could react, a figure from above the rafter jumped down and began shooting a barrage of bullets down from above. Jim quickly took to cover behind a stone support pillar. The commotion immediately alerted Bullock to enter the room. He himself took cover behind the door using it as a shield.
"Got to give you credit, Commissioner," the figure said, "it's been quite awhile since I missed a target at this range. Color me impressed."
"Yeah? Why don't you come down here and I'll impress you even more by shoving my foot up your ass," Jim said. He immediately took a peek from behind the pillar and saw that the assassin had left his perch. Both him and Harvey immediately went to the center of the room with their backs to each other checking all their points
"Heh. I've heard you were a tenacious one. Good. They make the best trophies," the man said. Suddenly a flashbang grenade landed but four feet away from Bullock and Gordon. Both men were knocked back and dazed by the blast. As Jim was coming to he saw the man standing before him was dressed from head to toe in some militarized black and orange body armor with a color dissected helmet. The right side was black with no eye slit and the left was orange with one deranged looking eye staring at him. The man was equipped with a katana, numerous grenades, and twin desert eagles strapped to each thigh. The figure took his gun from his holster and pointed it directly at Jim's head. The last thought going through Jim's head was that he was afraid. Afraid of leaving his family. As the assassin pulled the trigger both men were surprised when Harvey jumped in the line of fire, taking the shot meant for Jim.
"Harvey!" Jim said. Bullock took a round to the side and there was blood everywhere. Jim took his gun and fired repeatedly at the assailant. The man fled by jumping out of the window after firing off two rounds, one of which hitting Jim in the shoulder. When Jim raced to see where he went outside, he found that the man disappeared. He quickly returned to Bullocks side, ignoring the pain his injured arm was causing him. Jim took out his phone and dispatched for immediate help. "This Commissioner Gordon, we have an officer down! Repeat, officer down!" Bullock was coughing up blood and was doing everything in his power to brace the pain.
"Heh, I always knew I'd die saving your butt," Harvey joked. "Well at least getting shot hasn't caused you to lose your humor," Jim retorted, "The E.M.T's should be on their way so ya gotta stay with me, Harv, you hear me?"
"Thank you, Jim," Harvey said gently. "Thanks for being a great friend and partner. Tell Barbara Lee I'm sorry for cheating her in go-fish," he chuckled. Jim smiled and said, "Tell her yourself when you get through this, okay?" Harvey began to listfully close his eyes his breathing steadily declining. Jims's eyes widened in shock, "Harvey! HARVEY!"
Wayne Manor-Bristol-Gotham City
Later the next morning, Bruce silently came down into the kitchen and found Selina there sitting at the kitchen island. The young woman was wearing a dark purple robe, and a black nightie with her hair let loose. "How can she get up earlier than me? We have the same late night schedule," Bruce thought to himself. She was enjoying her coffee and the morning sunrise coming up through the window. It wasn't long until a smile curled up on her lips, alerting Bruce that she knows he's watching. He walked over to her and planted a series of kisses in the nape of Selina's neck. Selina let out a small moan of pleasure as she turned her head to rub her cheek with Bruce's. "Good morning," Bruce whispered as he gently brushed some hair covering Selina's ear. "Mmmm," Selina purred, "definitely a good morning, love."
"Ahem," came a loud disruption from the doorway causing the two to look behind them. There stood Alfred smiling gently at the the pair. "As much as I am pleased that the two of you in such a state of romantic bliss, I would prefer that we keep things more civilized when a third party is present. I've already had a broken back. Don't need a bloody heart attack as well."
A smile came across Bruce's lips with him finding the whole situation humorous while Selina just rolled her eyes. "Guess you should've told us that when we did the deed on the countertop," Selina chided.
An exasperated look came across Alfred's face, "Bloody hell!"
"Alfred, she's just messing with you. Cat, be nice please. He makes our breakfast. You never know what he might do to it," Bruce joked as he began pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"With that said, I do believe I'll get started on it. Would you like the tv on, sir?" Alfred asked with Bruce replying with a nod. The first thing that popped up was a news channel just finishing up a report on de-escalating crime rates throughout Gotham, but it was the next news piece that would bring a darkened shadow.
"In other news, Commissioner James Gordon and Captain Harvey Bullock were attacked by an unknown assailant whilst responding to a falsified 911 call in the Otisburg District. The assailant fled the seen after wounding one of the officers and putting the other in the intensive care unit at Gotham General. It is unclear at this time for the reasoning of the attacks, but it's speculated that this is in retaliation for the disruption of criminal activities in the organization run by Roman Sion-," a coffee cup was thrown straight at the television causing it to crackle and spark. Both Selina and Alfred looked back to Bruce who just stood there, expressionless, but in his eyes was a fiery rage.
"Master B," Alfred began to move towards the young man, but Selina made a nonverbal gesture not to get to close. Bruce let out a heavy breath. He raised his eyes from the floor and stared at the broken television.
"Gotham General. Now."