*Disclaimer: This is a sequel of 'Kiss from a Rose'. I highly suggest you read that one first. There are some timeline changes in the series, but references from the Arkham comics are canon. This is for fan purposes ONLY. Thank you for reading and enjoy!*
*Prologue: Family Matters*
For two years now, Mia had been with Bruce Wayne, and work for Batman. She couldn't believe how much time went by. It felt like just yesterday when she and her son just moved to Gotham. Mia and Axel may get into dangerous situations around Gotham, but Batman was always there to save them. In return, Mia was there for him to patch him up. Sometimes Mia gets annoyed by the fact that Batman says he is fine when he is seriously injured. He's so stubborn, yet grateful of Mia's nursing skills.
It is the middle of July. The month that both Batman and Mia would never forget.
"Bruce, you never told me you have a cousin." Mia spoke as she, Axel, and Bruce walked in the elevator of Wayne Enterprises. The man smirked and press one of the buttons. His cousin, Kate Kane, is in the city for a visit. Mia was told that she is also Batwoman for some time, but she has been laying low.
"How come we haven't seen her?" Axel asked.
"She has a life of her own." Bruce replied. "Like I do. But, Kate will only come to Gotham when there is complications. She lives in Bludhaven."
"I can't wait to meet her." Mia said, gripping on Bruce's arm. The elevator reached the twenty-second floor. The doors open and the three walked into the party. Axel sighed a bit. He isn't into parties like this at all, but Mia really wanted him to come. Maybe it will be fun this time around since Axel and Mia will meet Bruce's cousin.
"About time you showed up, you lovebirds." A voice spoke. Mia turned to see Dick in a suit. "And here is a troublemaker himself." Dick gave Axel a high-five. Axel laughed a bit.
"Nice to see you, Dick." Mia greeted as Bruce wandered off to greet with Jim and Ben. "So, where is this cousin Bruce just now told me about?"
"Why, you wanna ask her out? Bruce wouldn't approve." Dick asked with a smirk. Mia gave him a smack on the arm. "Ow!" Dick laughed. "I'm kidding."
"So, Kate lives in Bludhaven? How come you or Bruce never told us about her?" Axel wondered.
"We...weren't that close." Dick replied. "I see her sometimes, but she is solo. You guys wanna know her, find her in Bruce's office. That is where she is waiting." He gestured the elevator.
XX
Mia and Axel walked in the office of Bruce's and found a woman standing by the bar, helping herself with a drink. The woman has short brown hair, light blue eyes, pale skin. And she isn't wearing anything formal.
"Miss Kane?" Mia asked. "I'm Mia Harlow. Bruce's-"
"Girlfriend. I'm aware." The woman spoke. "Kate Kane." She extends her hand out. Mia shook hands with her with a small smile. "And this kid is Axel, right?" Kate looks at the thirteen year old.
"Yeah. Nice to meet you." Axel also shook hands with her.
"And let me guess. You two know Bruce's secret? And he told you about mine?" Kate asked with a smirk.
"Yes, and yes." Mia said. "For two years, we've been keeping it a secret. And...Bruce just told me about you." Kate scoffed and took a drink. She walks out of the balcony as Mia followed her. "So, how long have you been Batwoman?" Mia asked.
"Five in a half years." Kate replied. "After I find out the truth, he offered me a suit. But, not everyone is thrilled about Batwoman. My way of fighting crime is...different. So, in Bludhaven, she is needed there than Gotham needs her. Gotham cares about Batman, Robin..." She paused. Mia was about to say something, but the two hear Bruce's voice.
"So this is where you are." Bruce asked, eyeing on Kate. "I see you met Mia and Axel."
"Nice to see you too, Bruce." Kate said, coming in. Mia walked over to Bruce as Axel sat on the chair. "I was just telling your girlfriend what I do." Bruce and Kate stare at each other in silent. Mia cleared her throat.
"Maybe...one day we will gather for dinner. To catch up on things." She said.
"I won't be in this city for long." Kate said. "Thanks for the offer anyway." Bruce told Mia and Axel to get back to the party while he and Kate have something to discuss alone. After they left, Bruce shuts the door and turn to his cousin. "You are out of your mind, Bruce." Kate said. Bruce gave her a sneer. "Two years, huh? Is she...the one for you?"
"What are you really doing here, Kate?" Bruce asked. "It wasn't like you to come at a time like this."
"What, you're the one who sent me letters about your nurse and the kid." Kate said. "But, you sure this is wise? To have them involved in your world?"
"This doesn't concern you. Mia knows how to fight through." Bruce told her. He walked over to look up at the portrait of his parents. "You don't know her like I do. The pain of my parents' death is still there, but it's...smaller. Mia makes me feel alive."
"Sounds to me you wanted to propose to this girl." Kate said, crossing her arms. Bruce turned back to her. Kate sighed a bit.
"Someday I will. If you have a problem with it, you stay out of it." Bruce said. Kate knew she can't argue with it. But, this is going against everything. Mia will be involved with everything Batman does. She will be in danger. Bruce walked out of his office, leaving his cousin alone with her thoughts.
Kate never meant anything. She wasn't the only one who wasn't the fan of the idea of having someone involved with Batman. Bruce rubbed his temple as he stood in the elevator. Mia and Axel have close calls in this city, but hardly run into any crime activities for two years. They know better to stay safe in their own apartment. They always contact Batman whenever they are in trouble or see one. Besides, none of Batman's enemies have any interest in Mia or Axel. Few of them were impressed by her two years ago after she killed the man who start the fires and got her husband killed a few years ago. Mia has changed after that event. She grew strong and braver.
XX
"I gotta tell ya, being in that asylum drives me nuts." Ben said with a chuckle, drinking. "I don't know what's worse, the lunatics screaming or the dangerous criminals we put away so many times."
"Yeah well, anything to keep the freaks in there." Jim said. "Let's hope nothing could go wrong when we head back there."
"Head back where, Jim?" Mia asked, coming over. The men turned to her.
"Ah, Ms. Harlow. Didn't know you are here." Ben said with a grin. "The boss and I were just talking about Arkham Asylum."
"Oh. Right." Mia said. "Well, Dr. Raymond and I will be there tomorrow evening. He needs my help for the paperwork and he said he will pay me double for all the trouble. Oh god, I just rhymed." Ben laughed at her as Mia gave him a playful glare.
"I wouldn't bother, Mia." Jim said. "I know you've been there only a few times, but I think it is better to stay where you belong in the hospital."
"I've been through worse, Jim." Mia said. "I won't be there long. Besides, the Medical building is one place I mostly go than any other building on the island. I've been learning a lot so far."
"Sometimes you can't know too much. It will put you into trouble." Jim said. Mia shook her head before walking off. She walked out the balcony. The very same balcony where she first met Bruce two years ago. Maybe he will find her here again. She turned her head to see Arkham Asylum far away from Gotham. Mia will be there for a few hours and then she will be back home safe and sound. What could happen?
"Well isn't this a deja vu?" Bruce chuckled from behind. Mia smiled and turn to him. Bruce wrapped his strong arms around her thin waist and plant a kiss on her cheek. "A place where we first met." He said.
"Yes, I remember." Mia said. "Is Kate gonna join the party?"
"For a little while." Bruce said. "We just had a little chat." Mia frowned a bit. "Nothing personal."
"Seems to me you two aren't close at all. She's your family, Bruce." Mia told him. Bruce didn't say anything. She took his hand. "I think you two should talk more. I really think she should have dinner with us one day. I still like to get to know her."
"If she is up for it." Bruce said. Mia smiled a bit. The two walked back inside the party as they see Dick waving to them. Kate watches her cousin with his girlfriend from the other side of the room. She isn't here to tell Bruce what he can or cannot do. Or cause a scene.
'Hope you know what you are doing, Bruce. Clark and the others aren't thrilled about having a nurse and her kid to be a part of this.' Kate thought as she took a big gulp of her drink before leaving shortly. Axel noticed her leaving, but didn't say a word. One day he will see Batwoman.