Batcave, Flashback

Laurel and Kate were sitting down in the Batcave, Kate gave Laurel bottled water after hearing her story which she found very difficult to believe but not impossible.

"So you're saying you were actually dead, you didn't fake your own death or anything? You were actually dead and that you came back to life. With powers to boot." Kate asked incredulously.

"Pretty much," Laurel said bluntly, as Kate took almost drank her entire bottle after hearing her statement.

"Wow, I really wish I could say I didn't believe you or that your crazy but I can't," Kate said."I guess with a world where men can travel faster than the speed of light exist, so can resurrection; then again, living in Gotham almost all my life can make one believe in the impossible and especially in the crazy," Kate exclaimed.

"Yeah, I know and believe me that's just the tip of the iceberg of the things I know," Laurel said.

"So why are you in Gotham?" Kate asked.

Laurel took a gulp of her water before answering. "The people that brought me back didn't just do it out of the goodness of their heart they wanted to use me, but I wouldn't let them. I've been tracking them down for the last two years, trying to stop them. Now, they've led me to Gotham." Laurel said.

"What's your lead?" Kate asked.

"That doesn't exactly concern you," Laurel said finishing her water and getting up to leave.

"The hell it doesn't, this is my city!" Kate stated.

"Look, I came here for Bruce because of his resources and his skills, and he's not here, and no offense Kate but you strike me of being more a soldier, but I don't need a soldier. I need a detective and Bruce, was the best detective I ever met." Laurel explained.

"Your right, I am more of a soldier than a detective. But all of his resources are now my resources, also if your planning to do anything in my city your not doing it without my say so." Kate said, she then started to approach Laurel. "So metahuman or not, Bruce's ex or not, I'm gonna make life very difficult for you if you refuse to work with me." She said to Laurel's face.

"You might find it difficult to make my life hard when I don't really have a life anymore." Laurel retorted.

"I'm up for the challenge," Kate said with a smirk. Laurel stood there for a moment to consider Kate's aid but eventually, she decided to relent.

"I guess, stubbornness and being a control freak runs in the family." Laurel sarcastically stated as she extended her open hand.

Kate took her hand and shook it to confirm their partnership. "That and we have a tendency to attract some very hot babes such as yourself." She replied with a wink causing Laurel to smile.

The Peregrinator's Club

Laurel and Kate were in an elevator together, heading to the top floor of the Peregrinator's Club; an exclusive club for Gotham's wealthy elite and bluebloods. Laurel was slightly envious of Kate's resources it took her less than an hour, where it would have taken Laurel weeks to find the location of the contact. She was nervous and uncomfortable, as these high society parties brought back memories of when she dated Oliver; she didn't like them or fit in with them, looking back she knew Ollie didn't either.

"God, this is taking forever," Laurel said out loud.

"That's Gotham for you, tallest buildings but the slowest elevators," Kate said. "So this contact do you have a name? She asked.

"No," Laurel replied.

"Then who do I know to look for?" Kate questioned.

"If you can check for their pulse it will be much slower than normal," Laurel said.

"Their pulse, are you serious?" Kate said looking skeptical at Laurel.

"Just take my word for it," Laurel said. "By the way don't you think you could have chosen an outfit that draws less attention to us." She said, looking at Kate who was wearing a tuxedo with a red bowtie.

"Trust me if I wore a dress, I'd still draw attention," Kate responded.

"Yeah, you know I've met a lot of corporate billionaires and none of them have your number of tattoos," Laurel said.

"And, those are ones you can see." Kate suggestively said. "Speaking of drawing too much attention. Don't you think you're doing just that wearing that dress." She said referring to Laurel's black dress which was a bodycon dress that was over the swoon and off the shoulder, with a v-bar that brought attention to her cleavage which was nice, Kate thought. But she found herself staring more at Laurel's great legs, as the dress was above her knees but had split that showed enough of her left thigh.

"This is me not drawing attention, it's not overly revealing or expensive," Laurel replied.

"I beg to differ," Kate argued, suddenly Laurel began laughing a little and Kate joined her.

"Can we please change the subject?" Laurel asked.

"Sure, hey, just curious what happened between you Bruce huh?" Kate asked, causing Laurel to look at her. "Considering you have similar interests at night, you two would be good together." She said.

"Well for a while I thought it was just too much of a distance from Gotham and Star City to make it work, but truthfully, Bruce just reminded me of too much of an ex-boyfriend of mine," Laurel explained.

"Yeah, I guess Oliver Queen and Bruce Wayne do have a lot in common aside from being vigilantes," Kate said, causing Laurel to look surprised at her. "Oh, come doesn't take a genius to figure out Oliver Queen is the Green Arrow." She explained.

"But proving it is another matter and don't believe the tabloids," Laurel said trying to keep Ollie's secret but was secretly worried about the current public allegations about him.

"Fair enough," Kate said, the elevator stopped the had reached the top floor. "Finally!" She elated. "Shall we?" She asked raising her arm for Laurel to lock hers in it.

"Lets," Laurel said, locking arms with Kate as they finally got out of the elevator and entered the party full of rich snobs.

The Peregrinator's Club

"Here you go," Kate said, giving Laurel who was standing out on the balcony, a glass of champagne.

"Thanks, but, I don't drink," Laurel said.

"What can't handle your booze?" Kate asked.

"No, I just like it a little too much," Laurel replied.

"Oh, well, then have a sip of mine then." Kate offered, as Laurel was about to object. "Just take my word for it." She said to reassure her. Laurel hesitantly took the glass and stared at the champagne for a long moment before finally taking a sip; thinking Kate wouldn't knowingly try to ruin the sobriety of a recovered alcoholic. Despite it being delicious, Laurel noticed there wasn't a drop of alcohol in the drink and gave Kate a sharp look. "You're not the only who has a problem with alcohol," Kate said as Laurel winced.

"Are you in AA, God I can't remember the last time I had a meeting," Laurel said and recalled.

"No, been too busy guess you have the same problem? Kate stated and asked at once, Laurel shrugged in agreement. "Before I became a Bat, I got thrown out of what I thought would be my life's career after that I just sorta became directionless. My life became a montage of partying, meaningless sex, and lots and lots of rum. It was Bruce that helped me get my act together, he made me realize I could still be a soldier even if I wasn't a legitimate one." She explained. "What's your reason?" She asked.

"I turned to the bottle after my boyfriend was crushed to death by a building while he was saving my life, though in all honesty that was more of the final nail in the coffin after years unresolved grief and anger," Laurel explained.

"You know considering you pulled off a "Jon Snow", I don't think anyone would blame you for turning to it again at least for a while; I definitely wouldn't," Kate said.

"You probably already know this but I have a sister. Sara has been dead twice, once figuratively and once literally." Laurel said.

"Wait, you and your sister have both come back from the dead. Damn, you know if you two weren't so sexy I'd swear you were cockroaches." Kate said bluntly.

"Anyway, she made me and our parents think she was dead for years and when I found out she was still alive, I was livid. I got over it eventually, because she was alive and I wanted that more than anything. But over the years, I could never fully understand why she just didn't come home to us ... to me. Guess now that I'm in the same situation, I finally get it. What these people did ... to me, I don't think anyone I love will ever look at me the same ever again and ... even if they didn't I know I never will again." Laurel said slowly and sadly.

Kate stood in silence for a moment and her phone made an alert noise. "Well, I can't help with that but I can with this." She said showing Laurel her phone. "You said to check for slower pulses well, I had a guy who sorta works for me hack into the cameras on this floor and uses a program the monitors' vitals, only one who has a pulse of a Blue Whale is this guy; meet Gilbert Broome." She said pointing to the man.

"You and your cousin with the fancy toys." Laurel teased Kate.

Kate approached Broome, offering him a glass. "Drink," Kate said.

"Thank you, Miss ?" Broome said and asked.

"Kane, Kate Kane." She responded.

"Ah, heiress to one of Gotham's most prominent families. Forgive me, but I was told you don't usually attend parties like this." Broome asked.

"I don't, unlike the rest of these 1 percent blowhards I actually prefer to use my money to actually do something for the people. But I learned that a man that I could not miss the opportunity to meet was going to be here tonight, so here I am." Kate explained turning on the charm.

"Forgive me Miss Kane, but given how you brought a far more fetching date; I take it you're looking for a business opportunity? He guessed referring to Laurel.

"You got me," Kate admitted.

"Well I'm sorry Miss Kane, but my employers are not investors we are the ones who are invested in." He explained.

"I know and I'm willing to pay "Manus in Nigrum" handsomely," Kate explained and Broome looked nervous.

"How ... how do you know that name." He asked.

"Before my cousin disappeared he left me the sole beneficiary of his inheritance and considerable resources, plus I had my own ways even before that. Believe me when I say there is nothing I can't figure out eventually." Kate confidently stated, getting close to Broome's ear. "I know that your organization brings the dead back to life and I want in." She whispered.

"Miss Kane, that's an absurd notion." Broome nervously tried to deny.

"Is it really?" Kate said then suddenly grabbed Broome's wrist and checked for his pulse. " Call me crazy, but I don't know a lot of medical conditions that cause someone to have such a slow heart rate, oh there's your pulse." She sarcastically stated, Broome jerked his wrist away and began checking it.

Broome still shocked by Kate's answers went closer to her. "Let's discuss this somewhere more privately," Broome said. Laurel noticed Kate and Broome walking away, she followed them and kept her distance. She noticed they entered the game room for pool and darts, and shut the door before hearing it lock shut.


Author's Notes - Manus in Nigrum is Latin which translates to the "Black Hand". Black Hand is a DC Comics character and Villain to the Green Lantern. Also, Gilbert Broome is a reference to Black Hand's creators, John Broome, and Gil Kane.

Also, I am not making Kate and Laurel a thing; Kate's just kind of a flirt as in the comics she was suggestive to Wonder Woman and Zatanna.