Batman's perspective:
The Batman and Robin saw a pair of burglars gathering things in a closed store. Batman drove around the block and hit the brakes. He and Robin began looking around the corner of the store, nightvision lenses on. Because it was so dark, the odds that the burglars would spot them were not high.
The burglars got out of the store with bagfuls of unknown objects. Batman and Robin came out from the side of the store and chucked Batbolas. The legs of the burglars were tied in Batbolas. But one of them managed to stay on his feet.
Not wanting to make things too difficult for the young, inexperienced Robin, Batman commanded, "Take the downed one." Batman delivered a flying kick at the standing burglar, knocking him down. Batman snap kicked him in the head a couple more times to make sure. Meanwhile, Robin had easily kicked the prone criminal into unconsciousness.
Batman took one of the burglars' phones and called Marc Freeman, a police lieutenant and a member of the notable minority of officers calling for Mayor Charles Falsootu to rescind the arrest order and price he had put on the heads of Batman and his allies.
"Hello?" asked Freeman.
"Trace the call," said Batman. "Robin and I have some trash for you to take out."
"Thank you," said Freeman. "Now you have to vamoose. Sorry, man."
Robin was already on his way to the Batmobile. Batman was both glad for Robin's learning skills that he had gotten used to being wanted by the police and depressed that it had come to almost feeling comfortable with this new reality.
"You didn't even wait for me to call you to the Batmobile this time," said Batman as he drove away from the bust.
"Should I have?" asked Robin.
"It's not that," assured Batman. "I like that you're more on top of things than you used to be. But have you grown comfortable with being wanted? Because if you are that is a problem."
"I'm not comfortable with it," Robin made himself clear. "I think I've become numb to it."
"Me too," said Batman. "But I will never give up hope of clearing our names. I hope you don't either."
Robin said nothing more.
Bruce Wayne's perspectives:
After his shower, Bruce checked the messages on his phone one last time. He had received one from a woman he had not seen in years: Talia al Ghul. It read, "Beloved, my father has escaped. Please visit me in Egypt to plan our next move. You will find my address in a phone book."
Bruce hated leaving Gotham, especially under these circumstances, but he had no choice. Ra's had nearly poisoned the human population of the entire world once before. Batgirl would have to handle Gotham. He made a call.
"OK, what's so important it can't wait until tomorrow?" asked Barbara Gordon.
"A criminal who's a threat to the entire world, Ra's al Ghul, is on the loose," said Bruce.
"Is this your annual trip out of town and leaving me in charge of Gotham?" asked Barbara.
"Yes," said Bruce, surprised by how pleased Barbara was to hear it.
"Don't worry," Barbara expressed her confidence. "I've handled this before."
"Just remember," cautioned Bruce, "This is not a game. That you've been able to handle it before without me doesn't necessarily mean you will now, especially since the police will be looking for you."
"I know what I'm doing," promised Barbara. "Robin and I just got out of a ring of cops. Besides, you know you have to do this."
She was right about that. But Bruce had to explain his absence.
The next morning, Bruce made another call, this time to Wayne Enterprises vice president Lucius Fox.
"Hello, Bruce," said Lucius.
"Lucius," said Bruce. "I think I've long been too obsessed with work."
"Finally got it, huh?" asked Lucius. After all, Bruce had not taken an extended break.
"I'm taking a vacation," said Bruce. "If you can take care of the company in my stead." That was just a formality. Bruce knew that Lucius was extremely competent. Besides, leaving Ra's to plot the destruction of all but a few humans was not an option, even if there had been no good option to leave in charge of the company.
Selina Kyle's perspective:
"Selina," said her best friend, Sabisia Williams, "Bruce is taking his private plane on vacation.
"Really?" asked Selina. She knew two things: that Bruce Wayne and Batman were the same man and that Wayne never took vacations. "Then I can't wait any longer."
"Why?" asked Sabisia. "Why not take advantage of his absence?"
"It's an opportunity, yes?" acknowledged Selina. "But Wayne's on a dangerous mission."
"You really think that's the reason for the 'vacation?'" asked Sabisia.
"He never takes vacations," Selina pointed out. "There's no other reason for him to change that."
"You gonna help him?" guessed Sabisia.
"Wrong question," said Selina. "I'm gonna tell him that I know who he is. I'll have me a man or be a hundred thousand dollars richer!"
Bruce's perspective:
Bruce had made his statement announcing that he was going on vacation and was ready to enter his private jet, luggage containing Batsuit and normal essentials in hand. He had planned for there to be no one else on this flight, but when he opened the door, Selina Kyle was on the other side.
"Hello again," said Selina, stepping aside to let Bruce into the plane. They had met and eaten lunch together not that long ago, but not seen each other since. Why was Selina here?
"How can I help you?" asked Bruce.
"The correct question is can I help you?" grinned Selina.
"I'm not following," said Bruce. "Help me out."
"Gladly," said Selina, lying sexily on the sofa, which Bruce had to admit made her look attractive.
Still Bruce was not losing his wits. "You seem to be mistaken. I'm just taking a vacation. I don't need help for that. And you're a lovely woman, but I don't think we know each other well enough to spend weeks together." Bruce had been deliberately vague on how long this vacation would last because he did not know how long he would be gone.
"Enough bullshit," said Selina. "Let's get to business. I know what you do on nights your fickle dates aren't eating dinner with you."
No, she couldn't have! "Do you mean playing games on my phone?" asked Bruce.
"Denial is a river in Egypt," Selina groaned. "You're The Batman."
This was a moment Bruce had feared. But for it to happen with the woman he knew but could not prove to be The Catwoman was very, very bad. "If you look into me, I'm far too clumsy and skittish to be..." Selina frowned, held out an open palm, and got up.
"Yeah, your disguise is perfect," complimented Selina. "But it's hard to hide from anyone who knows how to avoid being seen. I know all about you, now, honey. That you're Batman. What you're no doubt calling a Batcave. Even that you were motivated by the deaths of your parents to do what you do. That's one thing we have in common. Did I miss anything?"
Bruce paused as the reality of this finally set in. "No. What do you want... Catwoman?"
"That depends," sighed Selina. "You calling me Catwoman isn't a good sign."
"For what?" demanded Bruce.
"I asked you if I could help you," Selina reminded Bruce. "It's up to you. You offered to put a good word in for me for rehabilitation years ago."
"That's no longer on the table," said Bruce.
"I know," understood Selina. "You're not well-liked by the cops anymore. But I wasn't offering to surrender to them anyway. I'm offering to surrender to you." She moved in close and gripped the collar of Bruce's shirt, causing him to blush.
"Why?" Bruce asked. He had not lost his sense to this woman.
"Three reasons," said Selina, "First, it's time for this chase to end - one way or another. Second, you don't know how to stay one step ahead of the cops. You need me, Brucie. Third, I can't hold it in. I like you a lot. You're great for a white guy!"
Bruce saw that Selina was about to try to kiss him and said, "What if I told you I don't think Batman needs your help?"
"Guys are the same in all colors," said Selina. "Supposedly, Daddy was killed by the police because his drinking problem drove 'im nuts. Not that I believe that, but it's probably a partial truth. It was too late for my Mom to set him straight, but it's not too late for me to guide you... whether you think you need me or not." Selina chuckled.
"Perhaps I haven't made myself clear," said Bruce. "What if I said I can't trust you? What if I said, 'I don't date thieves?'"
Selina backed up, crossing her eyes. "Then I go with my head over my heart. Cops have been monitoring me ever sense they started thinking that I'm Catwoman. I made sure to throw them off on the way here, but if I don't disappear from this country right now, it won't be long. One accusation and a hand-out of proof I've got, will put you in jail and a big fat reward in my hands. Make the right choice."
"I can take you down," said Bruce.
"Oh, no," Selina mocked and motioned her hands as if she was terrified, "You're gonna try to beat me up. Have mercy! 'Cause you don't wanna get caught beating a pretty girl you dated not long ago just because she knows your secret. Heads I win; tails you lose."
The woman Bruce had once known only as Catwoman was as clever as ever. She had him like a proverbial bat in a cage. But Bruce did not give up easily.
"You probably have an idea of what I'm doing for 'vacation,'" guessed Bruce, "So you must have brought your Catsuit."
"Costume," Selina "corrected" with a grin from her left ear. "I'm going to a... costume party tonight. Unless they catch me doing something wrong with that suit, they'll never prove otherwise." That locked the cage door.
"All right," Bruce finally gave in. "You can come. I'm flying. There's a bathroom in the back and food in the refrigerator for both." Bruce pointed to these things as he mentioned them.
"Thank you," smirked Selina triumphantly. "You're a generous guy. Now get us outta here before the cops catch my trail."
Bruce moved to the cockpit and lifted off. This gave him a chance to think about having been blackmailed into allowing Selina to come. The question was why. Was she sincere about wanting to help and looking for love, or was she planning to take Bruce out? Additionally, how had she figured out who he was in the first place? By her admission, Bruce had done a good job of hiding his dual identity.
Could she be working for Ra's al Ghul. Of course! That has to be the reason. This is all a trap.
Forty-three minutes of flying and Bruce sensed walking through the cockpit.
"I know you're there, Selina," said Bruce. "Tell me. Does Catwoman work for Ra's al Ghul?"
"You know Catwoman doesn't work for anyone," said Selina. "I don't even know any Ra's." She sounded sincere, but Bruce could not be sure. He had a feeling that Selina was either going to save his life or help end it.
Selina whistled to get Bruce to face her and pointed at his lap. "May I?"
"No," said Bruce.
"Too bad," said Selina. "I'm comin' down anyway." She sat in Bruce's lap and put her arms around his neck.
"I thought you'd surrendered to me," said Bruce.
"I lied," said Selina, kissing him.
No! Don't return the kiss.
Bruce returned the kiss.
Ra's al Ghul's perspective:
Ra's al Ghul examined his options carefully. It was time.
"Ubu," commanded Ra's, "We are finally ready to proceed. You must fly to the outpost in Sweden."
"What about The Detective?" asked Ubu.
"I will deal with him myself," said Ra's. "You need not concern yourself with him. Go." Ubu did so.
Although Ra's had been set back for nearly three years, things were finally back on track. The planet would be saved from the arrogant, irresponsible, greedy excesses of humanity.
Bruce's perspective:
"She's two hundred forty years old?" asked an astonished Selina as Bruce landed the plane.
"Yes," said Bruce.
"OK," said Selina. "It's not just anybody I'm hearing this from. But how?"
"Apparently there really is a Fountain of Youth," said Bruce. "It's known as the Lazarus Pit. It's kept Ra's al Ghul and his daughter, Talia, young. But it also affects your mind."
"Hence Ra's being nuts," realized Selina.
"You're catching on," said Bruce.
"I kind of see his point," said Selina. "This is a sick, unfair society, especially to nature. But he's going about this the wrong way."
"Agreed," concurred Bruce.
The pair walked to an Egyptian home. "This is the place I traced Talia's message to," Bruce said before knocking on the door. Talia opened it.
"Hello, Beloved," said Talia, hugging Bruce. "It is good to see you."
"This is Selina Kyle," said Bruce.
"I know exactly who she is," said Talia, giving Selina a dirty look. "Beloved, I understand that over the years that passed since we last met, you have moved on, but why, oh, why have you chosen a common thief?"
"Common?" asked a surprised Selina. "You've got a lot of nerve!"
"It isn't like that," insisted Bruce.
"Oh, yes it is," smiled Selina, wrapping her arms around Bruce's waist and pressing her face against his back.
Talia was displeased. "Enough. We have work to do. I woke up a few days ago to find my mad father out of the house. I have tracked him down. Together, we must stop him. Any other problems will have to wait."
Bruce felt as though his life had just gotten a lot more complicated.
Batman's perspective:
Batman and Catwoman were suited up. They headed towards the pyramid where Talia said Ra's was hiding and cooking up whatever his new plot was.
Batman and Catwoman slammed the heads of the two guards at the entrance together to knock them out. The three then entered and explored. For some time, there was no more trouble.
"I don't like this," said Batman.
"What is not to like, Beloved?" asked a satisfied Talia.
"Next to no danger so far," said Batman. "This is too easy. Your father captured and nearly killed us years ago. Something else is going on."
"Hold that thought, please," said Talia. "أغلق السمسم." A door-shaped gate opened ahead opened.
"That means, 'open sesame,'" translated Batman.
"Who are you, the narrator?" asked an annoyed Catwoman.
Batman and Catwoman walked into the next room. It was a large chamber for a ancient lord. But nothing pertaining to Ra's seemed to be there.
"Let's look," said Batman, though he remained mindful of any hidden dangers.
"You know," noted Catwoman. "If Ra's is gonna spring a trap, when's it gonna..."
"أغلق السمسم," Talia repeated. The gate closed.
"I had to ask," seethed Catwoman.
"Talia," shouted Batman. "Are you alright."
"Much better than you think," declared the voice of Ra's al Ghul. "My daughter is cured of her bad case of apologism."
"I am sorry, Beloved," said Talia. "More than words can say. But the time for a peaceful solution has passed."
"I knew something was off about you, bitch," said Catwoman.
"I am beyond caring about the opinion of a common thief," said Talia.
"I am who I am," said Catwoman. "But I'm no killer."
"Detective," said Ra's. "The Catwoman presents a test. My daughter wants you alive to be my male heir alongside her. To prove your loyalty, you must slay the thief."
"You wouldn't," whispered Catwoman.
"No," said Batman.
"Please, Beloved," said Talia. "I beg you. Do not hurt us both."
"I can't do it, Talia," Batman drew his line in the sand. "I can't kill. Nor can I understand how you can."
"Farewell, Beloved," said Talia. "We shall not meet again." Within seconds, water was gushing out the mouths of lion statues that were high on the walls.
"We have outposts in Sweden, North Dakota, and China," explained Ra's. "They will inject just the right pattern of energy into their respective continents to break them up, destroying man's ability to harm the planet."
"You'll do that much damage to 'save' the planet?" asked Batman furiously. "There will be billions in human casualties alone!"
"Small next to what they were doing. We leave you two to drown."
"Talia," Batman tried to appeal to the heart of the woman who loved him. Or at least once did. "Talia! Talia!" No answer.
"I want to remind you that I had to blackmail you to bring me along because you didn't trust me," Catwoman reminded Batman.
"You never miss a shot, do you?" asked Batman. But that was the least of his worries.
To be continued...
