Batman's perspective:

The Catwoman had called in sick this night. That, along with The Batgirl and Robin starting their patrol early so Batgirl (unaware at the time of the call) would not have to deal with Catwoman, meant that The Batman was on his own for the first time in a long time. He could deal with that. His relationship with Catwoman had a lot of complications.

But then Batman opened the front shield of the Batmobile to see Catwoman in the passenger's seat, smiling at him and saying, "Meow, lover."

"I thought you weren't well," said Batman.

"I lied," said Catwoman playfully.

"You're straight now," said Batman firmly, hands on hips. "Why do you insist on playing these games with me?"

"Because they're fun," said Catwoman. "Why else? Other than that you'd lose interest in me if I were a truly good girl. Or you'd have ended up with one of those boring college kids who just want to be good women and find a good man. You don't want to admit it, Batman, but you like me because I'm far from perfect."

Batman could not make himself say otherwise, most likely because it would have been a lie to the woman he loved. He entered the Batmobile and began the drive to Gotham.

"By the way, I know you were just being nice to that intern," said Catwoman, now extremely serious, "But anything that's going on has to stop ASAP! Got it?"

"You know about Aria?" asked Batman, surprised Catwoman could have so quickly found out about the young lady who had expressed affection for and hugged Bruce Wayne the other day.

"I warned you," Catwoman reminded him. "We always find out. Listen, this going straight for civilization thing goes against my instincts as it is. My God, that civilization let my parents down to their deaths and forced to steal to survive for most of my life. Don't even think I'll put up with cheating. Understand?"

"I only didn't want to hurt her feelings," said Bruce. "I've been breaking it to her gently."

"Tomorrow," demanded Catwoman. "Look at me." Batman saw that Catwoman absolutely meant it and nodded.

After preventing a few routine crimes, Catwoman smiled, "You know, all those years of stealing, I had to fight back guilt when I brought the shit home. But now..."

"Then you know you made the right choice," Batman smiled back at her. For one of few times since his parents were killed Batman was happy as well.

"I guess," shrugged Catwoman.

"However, there is a rule on this team," said Batman. "No swearing."

"Piss off, white boy," chuckled Catwoman.

It was then that they heard an alarm sounding. Because they were on a short building, Batman fired his Batgrapple in the direction of the alarm. Catwoman grabbed him from behind but objected, "It's too late to do anything about it."

"We'll see about that," said Batman as they swung. Sure enough, they soon saw two beanie-wearing men fleeing with bags from the alarm.

Batman and Catwoman pursued them down a manhole into the sewer. and followed. Two separate tunnels were ahead, and each burglar took a different one.

"Take the right," ordered Batman. "I've got the left." Batman took the left and began gaining on the criminal. He dropped his back and charged at Batman, knocking him down with a punch. This man was clearly much tougher than he looked.

Batman caught the shoe in his hands and kicked three times into the man's gut. Surprisingly, this only knocked him back, but a few punches finished the job.

Whatever performance-enhancing drugs these men were on had Batman terribly worried about Catwoman. "Catwoman! Be careful. These men are stronger than they look." No answer. "Catwoman, respond. Catwoman? Catwoman!"

Batman took the unconscious burglar through the tunnel Catwoman had run through. No one there; no sounds of anyone ahead. There were two possibilities. Catwoman could have been killed or succeeded, but being near stolen money had reawakened the thief in her. If so, she had taken the goods and body away so it would look to Batman like she had only gotten lost.

Batman took his own target out of the sewer. "I see you made good, too," called Catwoman from behind.

Batman gasped and turned to see her. This is what I get for doing this to James Gordon for years.

"I'm sorry," apologized Catwoman. "Didn't mean to scare you like that, not that I thought anything could."

"You're what?" asked Batman. Catwoman apologizing for surprising him was shocking. "Never mind. To the Batmobile!"

During the drive to Catwoman's apartment, Batman had a difficult question to ask. "About Aria. I'm not going out with her, but I don't want to break her heart, either. May I have a few days to break it to her gently?" He knew he was getting a very cold response, but it was only right to ask."

"Sure," said Catwoman. Batman was surprised. Ordinarily Catwoman was harder than nails, but now she was easing up after the slightest effort. Before Batman had long to wonder they had reached Selina Kyle's home street.

Sabisia William's perspective:

Being on the right side had made Selina's best friend, Sabisia, feel better about herself. She was not sure Selina, who hated society and took to crime, like a fish out of water, felt about it, but she seemed more comfortable than Sabisia would have guessed.

Selina entered the apartment, not looking as cheerful as usual. "Bad night?" asked Sabisia.

"Great night," said Selina plainly. Because Caesarion, Catwoman's pet cougar, did not like Sabisia, Selina got him his turkey and reached over to pet him. Caesarion growled. "Not a good night for you, big boy."

Sabisia thought this was weird. "Wanna talk over dinner?"

"No," said Selina. "I'm going to bed."

Something was wrong. Selina was not herself.

Bruce Wayne's perspective:

"In short," said Mayor Falsootu at a speech about economics with Bruce and other local business and labor leaders sitting behind him in chairs the next afternoon, "We can report that the economy of Gotham City has never been stronger!"

That's because the national economy as a whole is excellent, you lying slimeball politician!

It was then that Bruce's ringtone sounded. "Hello," he whispered so as not to interrupt the speech, however much he would have loved to.

"Mr. Wayne," said Sabisia Williams, "You've gotta come over here right now!" She sounded afraid.

"I'm a little busy right now," said Bruce.

"It's Selina," said Sabisia said. "She's sick. Caesarion doesn't recognize her; we grew up together, scavaging and stealing to survive, yet she acts like she hardly knows me; but most of all, I can see written all over her face she's not the woman I've..."

Bruce could hear a dial tone. "Sabisia? Sabisia?"

At long last, the speech ended. "Thank you all for coming," said Falsootu to the business and labor leaders as the crowd left. You're unwelcome, Mr. Mayor.

"Anyone want some lunch?" asked Falsootu. Some there were opposed to either Falsootu's anti-Batman politics or political party, yet like any competent politician, he made nice with all.

"No thank you," said Bruce to the surprise of everyone. To keep up appearances, Bruce had spoken against his alter-ego, so he was the person they would have expected to refuse. "An emergency has come up."

"Maybe I can help," offered Falsootu.

"No," Bruce shouted. "I mean, that won't be necessary, your honor. I'm sure you have important things to do today."

"Good luck," said Falsootu, a bit startled from Bruce's outburst.

Bruce entered his limousine and was driven to Selina's apartment. He entered Selina's room and saw Sabisia there, bleeding from the left cheek, arm, and forehead. Bruce seized a roll of paper towels and poured water into a bowl. He used both the paper and water to stop the bleeding, then clean up the blood after making sure that he had closed all the wounds. Although he succeeded, it was clear that Sabisia had a visit with a doctor coming.

"I can't move my arm," said Sabisia. "I don't know if it's broken." More like an emergency room for her.

"Who did this?" asked Bruce, having a hard time believing who it had to be.

"Selina," explained Sabisia. "She said she's robbing the 7th National Bank of Gotham at eight tonight. I know this is either the moment you've been waiting for or been dreading, Mr. Wayne, but it's not her."

"How do you know that?" asked Bruce.

"I told you," said Sabisia. "She's not acting like herself. We grew up together I know. Something's happened to change her. Talk to her. Make her see reason. You think I'm right yourself, don't you?"

Bruce nodded and took Sabisia to an emergency room.

Batgirl's perspective:

The Batman had told all this to The Batgirl and Robin. Robin was horrified, but Batgirl was not the least bit surprised

"I knew all along that the scorpion couldn't help herself," said Batgirl. "But I always thought you'd be the frog, Batman."

"Sabisia said that something's happened to her," said Batman. Batgirl smirked.

"I don't think I knew how much The Princess of Plunder had messed up your head until tonight," said Batgirl.

Ignoring Batgirl, Batman simply said, "You're not making sense. She attacked her best friend."

"If she has any friend other than herself," said Batgirl. "I know you think something complicated's at work, but here's my simpler theory. From the moment she blackmailed you, Kyle has been plotting to marry, kill, and get Bruce Wayne's money. Or something of like that. That's why you're alive. But Williams wouldn't go that far, so Kyle tried to kill her for having an once of character. Now Kyle's trying to trap us with proof of her crimes in our wings at last. I ask you, does that make sense?"

Batman hesitated, but Robin said, "Yes!"

"Robin..." Batman began.

"No," cried Robin. "She's committed attempted murder. I've defended her before. I've said she's done enough good before that we have to give her a chance. But now she's blown that chance."

Batgirl had some rough facts of life to tell Batman. "Remember, I told you that if it came to this, I'd fight you if you got in the way. It has. You're outnumbered. If you want to share a cell with her..." She hated to talk to one of the two men she looked up to, but if he would not do what was right, what could Batgirl do?

Batman paused for twenty-five seconds before offering, "Let me talk to her before this starts. If the sun comes up and she's still both free and at odds with us... I'll surrender to you kids." Batgirl and Robin nodded.

Batman, Batgirl, and Robin were hiding behind a billboard not too far from the 7th National Bank of Gotham. Eventually, Robin, on his turn to peek, pointed and whispered, there she is. Batman and Batgirl took note. She was walking towards the bank and climbed up. Then she stared at the billboard. Batman was not surprised to see that Catwoman had spotted Batman and his comrades. In her criminal days that she was unable to part with, Catwoman had always been one step ahead of him. But then she gave them a "Come on" signal.

"This makes no sense," said Batman.

"Yeah," said Batgirl. "She's never been this brave or eager to fight. Looks like a trap."

"It's also an opportunity," said Robin, drawing his Batgrapple. Soon enough, the three were surrounding Catwoman from a distance away.

"You were supposed to stay out of trouble," said Batman.

"Did you really believe me, silly cracker?" smirked Catwoman.

"I didn't," said Batgirl as she charged at Catwoman and delivered a jump kick. But Catwoman easily dodged and kicked at Batgirl. Batgirl felt like a wrecking ball had hit her in the side; she fell down, holding her hip in pain.

Catwoman was several meters away from Batgirl one moment and right next to her the next. As if she had used super speed. "It's not possible," insisted Batgirl.

"Haven't you seen enough strange stuff to buy this?" asked Catwoman before raising and driving her right boot into Batgirl's head.

Darkness came over The Dark Lady.

Batman's perspective:

Catwoman pressed her boot on Batgirl's skull. This puzzled Batman even more. Catwoman was not entirely above killing, but neither had she ever been quick to do it. At the sound of bones cracking, The Dynamic Duo charged. Faster than the eye could follow, Catwoman drew her whip, lashed it around Robin's left ankle, and slammed him into the ground three times by the whip. A thrown Batarang severed the whip, but it was too late. Robin was unconscious and Batman was on his own.

As Catwoman took a look at how short her whip had been cut, which was too short for it to be effective, Batman ran towards her and delivered a jump kick. To Batman's shock, Catwoman was only knocked back four steps.

"Good try," she said. "Knocks out almost anybody else... but to me, it's dodge ball." With that, she began running literal circles around Batman. It looked like a blur of black leather orbiting him. And it soon began drawing closer. Batman took a deep breath and judged where in the blur Catwoman was and would be in the time it took for a fist or boot to stretch out. Batman finally punched, but only felt air. A split second later, he felt pain in the groin. As he hunched over and clutched his private parts, Batman saw the blur move to the edge of the roof and stop, making Catwoman totally visible again.

"That was low, wasn't it?" grinned Catwoman. Batman was immediately felled by an elbow over the head. "That was high but somehow still dirty. Oh, well."

Batman tried a leg sweep, knowing it would never connect. It did not. "How is this possible?" he asked.

Batman snapped around as Catwoman asked from behind, "Would you believe I'm doing to you what I could've and should've three years ago?"

"Are you trying to tell me you were holding this much back every time we..." Batman knew that Catwoman had passed on a number of chances to kill or leave him high and dry. But this was hard to accept.

"Still clinging onto your male ego?" Catwoman laughed. "Let's kill it. And you." Three seconds passed. Batman's right cheek, stomach, and both sides of his chest were scratched up! Meanwhile, he also took so many kicks all over that he could barely stay conscious.

The Princess of Plunder began carrying The Dark Knight to the edge of the roof to be hurled into the pavement below! "I did enjoy our romps together, both friendly and unfriendly. But a girl's gotta grow up and become a woman." But Batman now saw that Catwoman seemed to be wearing two masks on the same head. Batman took off the one on top. Catwoman became less able to carry Batman and dropped him completely not far from the edge. Batman rose to a kneel and stared defensively at Catwoman.

"Y'know, you're getting worse in bed if..." Catwoman went from teasing to confused. "That's not it."

"You did this to me," said Batman.

Catwoman's jaw dropped. "It's coming back to me."

Catwoman's perspective, the night before:

"Take the right," said Batman as they pursued burglars taking separate routes. "I've got the left." Catwoman gained on her target for awhile before he reversed course into Catwoman and decked her with a punch.

"I like non-gentleman," grinned Catwoman. "I can do to them what I want and won't feel bad about it." The man grabbed her from behind. Catwoman tried to squeeze out, but this seemingly normal thief had the strength of a bodybuilder, and dragged her away. Catwoman got a boot in position to kick between the man's legs, but he barely even flinched.

Nuzzling her back against her opponent's chest, Catwoman said sultrily, "Hard balls. I can think of a few things to do with them." No response. No pain, no lust. Gotta be a robot.

Catwoman was dragged into a wide-open spot with the creature comforts one would expect to find in an occupied trailer. A four-foot tall man in a green top hat and similarly formal set of clothes smiled at her. "Hold her good, Jacob. I am The Mad Hatter. I'd hoped for The Batman, but then again, it was a girl who's supposed to drink tea with me."

"Alice also drank with a bunny," sneered Catwoman. "Cats don't like bunnies. No, I'll pass."

"I see this cat needs training," said The Hatter, fitting a second mask over the one Catwoman was wearing. "Mask, induce trance."

Suddenly, a powerful mood swing came over Catwoman. She felt an urge to obey the commands of the little man. It was not out of loyalty or attraction. Only something she felt she should do.

"Are you ready to join the tea party, my lovely guest?" asked The Hatter.

"Yes," said Catwoman.

Batman's perspective, present time:

"So that's the story," said Catwoman.

"Now it all makes sense," realized Batman. "You seemed so unlike yourself because you weren't yourself. And you were became superhuman because of the adrenaline rush forced by the mind control chip he put in this mask. I thought they shut off your emotions. Not anymore, I guess."

"Hey, don't get the wrong idea," Catwoman cleared something up. "I still could've done away with you a number of times, including right now. In the past, I had lots of second thoughts. Now, though... I'm really sorry." Then she remembered something else. "How's Sabisia?"

"She'll make it," said Batman. "It's not your fault."

"In that case," said Catwoman with determination, "Time for another trip to the sewer. We've got a hobbit-ass to kick!"

"First, we take the others to the Batcave," said Batman. "Alfred needs to heal the damage you did to them. I could use some help, too."

Batgirl and Robin had been put in beds with ice bags on their heads. Alfred had said that they needed only some rest and they would be fine. He was bandaging Batman's wounds.

"I've always questioned if you were the best boyfriend in the world, Master Batman," joked Alfred, "But if you can take what Madam Catwoman did to you and forgive her, you can't be that bad at it."

"Not funny," said Batman.

Catwoman had her hands on her hips. "Uh-uh. This wasn't my fault."

"My apologies, Madam," apologized Alfred. "I didn't think you'd take it so personally."

"I do take it personally," said Catwoman. But as Alfred had apologized, she changed the subject. "I had to do this for him when we were chasing Ra's al Ghul. How often do you have to do this for him?"

"Let's just say any real doctor would tell you he couldn't still be alive."

"Yourself included?" asked Bruce. Alfred smiled.

After Batman had changed into a fresh Batsuit, there was still something to do before he went back into the sewer after The Mad Hatter.

First, Catwoman said, "I think we should go to my apartment and get Caesarion first. Poor guy's been missing too much fun."

"He can come," said Batman, "But we're leaving you behind."

"You're hurt and don't know how to control Caesarion," said Catwoman. "You know I should come."

"Indeed," agreed Alfred.

So Batman walked to the Batmobile and allowed Catwoman to follow. Batman had to hope that Catwoman only wanted justice, not blood.

They gathered up Caesarion at her apartment, then drove to the block where The Mad Hatter's slaves had lead them before.

"I can't promise I won't kill the little guy," Catwoman spelled it out.

That was all it took. Batman hit the brakes.

"What?" asked Catwoman defensively. "Don't give me a 'This isn't justice' speech. It is! Hatter's worse than the Joker. At least he only ends people's lives. The Mad Hatter tried to steal mine from me and make me a killer! Besides, your holier-than-thou ethics haven't stopped the government and half the people from thinking we're just like them."

"True," Batman acknowledged. "But killing makes them right." Catwoman said nothing. Batman really had no choice but to drive and prepare to fight Catwoman on this later. Not literally, he hoped.

They descended into the sewer. They reached the two tunnels and took the one on the right. They were just a bit past the intersection when something hard hit Batman from behind, knocking him down. It was Catwoman with a pipe that she had apparently picked up without Batman noticing. Catwoman hissed and signaled with her arms for Caesarion to attack. Caesarion held Batman down and roared at him, but for some reason did not bite or claw. Catwoman sliced off Batman's belt with her claws, took out a pair of Batcuffs and tossed the belt aside. She dragged the semi-immobilized and stunned Batman to a steel pipe running along the tunnel wall and Batcuffed him to it.

"Sorry, baby," said Catwoman. "But a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do."

"Then our relationship is over," said Batman angrily.

"I know you're angry with me right now," said Catwoman softly. "You'll get over it."

"If you go through with it," said Batman. "Not this time." And he meant it.

Catwoman and Caesarion walked away. Batman began struggling with the Batcuffs. He had to get out of them fast before someone he cared about crossed the line.

Catwoman's perspective:

Catwoman hated to do that, but The Mad Hatter had to pay. "Let's hope Batman comes to understand."

Caesarion growled deeply, slowly, sadly.

"Yeah," agreed Catwoman sadly. "The hunt's about to be on. But he's less than one hundred percent and outnumbered. Who am I kidding? I couldn't kill him before. But somehow, I have to this time."

Catwoman and Caesarion entered The Mad Hatter's den to see only a man wearing a beanie and obviously, the enslaving chip underneath.

Catwoman sic'ed Caesarion on him. He bit the man's hand before being tossed aside by his empowered opponent. But this distracted the man enough for Catwoman to whip the beanie off. The man seemed confused.

Catwoman and Caesarion walked towards the man. "OK, you got a minute to remember everything. But then I want you to tell where the son of bitch..."

An explosion sounded above and the roof caved in. Catwoman screamed and tried to protect herself by ducking and raising her arms up with barely the presence of mind to cover Caesarion as she did this. Before mounds of concrete hit, though, Batman had jumped over Catwoman and spread his protective cape to protect her and the cougar, though a little piece missed the cape and knocked out The Mad Hatter's ex-slave.

Batman was straining and groaning with all the broken-up concrete on him. Catwoman lifted enough of the large pieces away so Batman could rest.

"My hero," grinned Catwoman as she lovingly stroked him from head to shoulder with both hands. Maybe gratitude and charm will settle this.

"No thanks needed," frowned Batman. "But I would like an apology."

Catwoman heard steps to the side. "Sorry," she said halfheartedly before running at the sound while signalling Caesarion to follow.

As she expected, it was The Hatter. He drew a pistol, but Catwoman whipped it out of his hand. Before The Hatter could get it back, Caesarion had tackled him.

"I know big cats don't normally eat humans," Catwoman said sweetly to Caesarion, "But don't knock it until you've tried it."

"You wouldn't," cried a terrified Hatter.

"You took my freewill away," frowned Catwoman. "You made me try to kill my best friend and the man I love. You deserve it." Suddenly, she turned around and cracked her whip on the ground. Having materialized from the darkness, Batman did not back away.

"Don't," said Batman. "Let the law handle it."

"You know that argument holds no weight with me," scoffed Catwoman.

"The images of your parents we saw in Sweden," Batman reminded Catwoman. "The ones who were disappointed in you. And who you thought were actually their spirits. Do you think they'd approve."

"No," said Catwoman. For the first time, she was reconsidering this.

"Moreover," added Batman, "If you try to kill, then I vow to fight, even if it breaks my heart!"

Catwoman sighed. "I'm past the point where I could have made an enemy of you. More than anything, I think that's why I won't do it. Oh, and I know it's a little late, but I'm sorry I ambushed you back there."

"Better late than never," nodded Batman. He opened his arms, and Catwoman hugged him.

"You saved my life," said The Mad Hatter.

"She was right about one thing," rebuked Batman. "It's more than you deserve."

Selina Kyle's perspective:

Late the next morning, Selina was taking Sabisia out of the hospital in a wheelchair. "I'm so sorry," said Selina.

"I'm so sorry," apologized Catwoman.

"It was the little creep who did this to me," Sabisia forgave her friend. "Not you."

That evening, they heard knocking on the door. "Not expecting anyone," said Selina as she answered it. It was Barbara Gordon.

"Let me guess," Selina smirked fiercely. "You're gonna threaten me again for something I did under someone else's control."

"Actually," said Barbara without a hint of hostility, "I'm proud of you. You actually let The Hatter's punishment be decided by the authorities. Why?"

"Not wanting to be hunting, I knew it would have been wrong to kill a beaten opponent, but mainly for Bruce."

"Really?" asked Barbara. "I almost think you mean it."

"Might you be close to forgiving and forgetting?" asked Selina. Oh, boy, this is better than I thought it would be.

"Don't get it twisted," said Barbara, raising her hands defensively. "I can't forget what you used to do. But stay out of trouble, and I just might learn to forgive you."

"Good enough," nodded Selina.

Batman's perspective:

"I saw on the news that The Mad Hatter lived to make it to prison," smiled Alfred to Bruce as they waited for Selina, Tim, and Barbara. "You're a great leader."

"When I became The Batman," Bruce reflected on everything, "I never saw myself as more than a loner. But you're right. I clearly did something right."

"No need to be so modest, Sir," said Alfred. "You did a lot of things right."