Hunter's Night

By Serena

A/N: Hey, guys! :) So sorry for the lack of updates. Things are crazy. I'm diving into an intense round of editing my latest novel, and God Willing after that, send it off to publishers! We'll see! I hope this will be the year where you guys can actually read my stuff, published. I can't even begin to tell you how amazing that would be... but here I am daydreaming again. Praying!

So I'm sure most of you have heard that the new Batman TV show is really going to be a high-school-ish drama, instead of a gritty cop drama like most of us were hoping for. I'm so disappointed. And Arrow is just not doing it for me at all.

And now Jesse Eisenberg is going to be Lex Luthor?! Oh dear goodness.

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Jim Gordon

Jim honestly didn't see much of a difference between being a lieutenant and commissioner other than the fact that he had a lot more paperwork, a lot more talking to the press, and a lot more doing other things he also didn't like. Namely, less time in the field and more time warding off the press, not to mention overeager D.A.s such as poster boy Harvey Dent. Although Jim had reluctantly let him into the mix, he was now starting to regret letting Harvey take the reins on the Maroni case. But Dent was so eager to finally get Maroni.

Jim watched with guarded caution as Dent continued to barrage Maroni and his lawyer with question after question. Maroni, despite the rough shape he was in, was grinning smoothly. He figured he would get out of it, and his lawyer looked ready to shoot Harvey any second. Harvey was doing his best, but Jim knew that it wasn't enough. Maroni was an old pro at this; and even though Dent had made a name for himself at Internal Affairs, Gotham was a whole different story. And Jim wasn't sure if Dent was up to the task.

"He's getting nowhere," sighed the young assistant D.A., rubbing her temples.

Jim cast her a quick, calculating glance. He was starting to think that maybe she was even smarter than Harvey. And Dent was many things, but Jim admitted that he was a very clever man.

"Not with the lawyer in there," Jim agreed. "Maroni's too comfortable. He's been through this a hundred times before."

"He's a cool cat in there," agreed Dinah Lance with a frown. "Harvey's throwing everything he has at him, and it's not doing enough." After another pause, she shot Jim a look out of the corner of her eye. "You said 'not with the lawyer in there,' Commissioner."

Jim nodded slowly. "So I did."

Dinah didn't say anything else for a long moment. Then, she added hesitantly, "Gotham is very different from Star City. And it's different from D.C. Harvey's used to doing things... his way, to say the least. Used to taking over, taking charge. Gotham... Gotham doesn't let you take it over. It really takes over you, doesn't it."

Jim nodded slowly. "I'm afraid it does." A pause, and there was a lag in Dent's interrogation as the younger D.A. tried a different, more open tactic. "What made you leave Star City?"

Despite the dark room, he could see Dinah's cheeks color slightly. "Some... decisions I wasn't ready to make. Some things I had - have - to figure out. It's a long story. It just wasn't a good fit for me."

And you think Gotham is? Jim thought wryly. But he studied the young woman. There was something about her... something that made him believe she might turn out to be even stronger that Dent himself. Before Jim could respond, Vic Sage stormed into the room, a scowl on his face. Ignoring Dinah Lance completely, he snarled, "Not that I don't appreciate a good break now and then, but this was my interrogation, Jim."

"I know," said Jim. "Harvey came in, wanted a go at him."

"Golden boy gets what he wants," muttered Sage grimly, folding his arms over his chest.

Jim raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were going to talk to the Waynes."

Sage scoffed. "They'll talk when they want to." He shot Jim a knowing look. "Or let Blondie do it."

"I have a name," snapped Dinah.

"Didn't ask," snapped Sage shortly.

"Who shoved a tazer up your ass this morning?" Dinah spat.

Jim stifled a groan and coughed. "Enough." He nodded to Dent, who was striding out of the interrogation room. A second later, the door burst open to reveal a very irritated Harvey, his golden hair slightly askew, uncharacteristically out of place.

"He's not going to talk," said Dent grimly.

"Surprise, surprise," muttered Sage.

Dent glared at him, then returned his attention to a thoughtful, somber Jim. "Zucco's going to talk. And we have enough evidence to put Dent at the scene with Zucco. But... we need more witnesses. People willing to talk. And even though Zucco will talk, he won't talk against Maroni. He's not a rat. We need someone who can testify."

A pause.

"What about... What about... Wonder Woman?" Dinah blurted out.

Sage scoffed.

"What?" demanded Dinah. "We all know it was her and Batman who brought Zucco and Maroni to us, not to mention a lot of their thugs. Why wouldn't she testify? I know Batman's... harder to reach, from what I've heard, but would she? Commissioner, could you talk to her? Or could you possibly let me try and talk to her, if I can?"

But Harvey was waving his hand in dissent. "Dinah, no offense, but there's no way Wonder Woman would testify. Not to mention the fact that she's technically outside the law. Her testimony wouldn't hold."

Dinah's eyes narrowed. "She's not dumb, Harvey. I think it would work."

But Harvey shook his head. "We need to find a different angle. We'll interrogate Maroni's men next. Maybe some of them won't be as stiff-lipped as Zucco. We'll offer them a deal if they testify. Some of the lower level thugs might take it."

Jim nodded. "All right... But if that doesn't work... We do something else." He turned away and smiled faintly at Dinah, who hid a smile in return.

"Oh?" said Harvey edgily. "And what exactly do you suggest?"

"We do it my way, Dent."

But as Jim entered his office, Sage was right behind him and shut the door before Dent could even think to come in after them.

"I realize Maroni is at the top of our list, but we have another problem," Sage said.

Gordon frowned at the even more intent note in the lieutenant's voice. "Go on."

"Deadshot, Commissioner. He's one of the deadliest assassins out there, and he's clearly in town for a while. Just because Maroni's behind bars doesn't mean that the threat is over."

"I know," said Jim heavily. "He needs to be caught." A pause. "Which is why I'm making you Captain."

Sage's eyes widened only fractionally. "Thank you, sir."

"You're the best man I have, Sage," Gordon said frankly. "Whatever is coming, I'll need you to stay sharp. But that won't be a problem for you, I think."

"No," said Sage, his eyes gleaming. "No, it won't."

Dick Grayson

It was hard to ignore the tension at the house. Despite the fact that Zucco and Maroni had been captured, Bruce and Diana had been on high alert for weeks now, and both were getting nowhere with the Deadshot case. Everything led to dead ends, and he and Cass could see the frustration on their adopted parents' faces. And despite Diana's effortless elegance and goddess-like qualities, even Dick could see the dark circles around her eyes. Cass saw it more than he did, Dick knew.

Something else was wrong. Something neither Bruce nor Diana were telling him, and they sure weren't telling Cass, either.

Dick at first thought going to school would be a relief - he'd get to meet a lot of other kids - it actually turned out to be more stressful; his mind was always on being Robin. On getting whoever it was that was trying to hurt his new family. It was a breath of fresh air to actually be doing something more normal for a change, though... the boring routine of classes. Bruce had enrolled him in a top private academy, which unfortunately required him to wear a starchy uniform; but he didn't mind all that much. Still... he realized his wish of going to school was quickly trumped by wishing to be training with Artemis and Philomena.

But at least he wasn't completely alone. Barbara had been enrolled in the school, too, although Dick knew she was leagues ahead of him.

So engrossed in his own thoughts as he crossed the quad, Dick didn't even see one of the school jocks standing with his buddies, waiting to trip him. Dick instinctively avoided the boy's foot, but the jock shoved his foot out again, and Dick stumbled slightly.

"Watch it, you scrawny loser," the boy warned with a sneer.

Dick turned to glare at him. "Maybe if your feet weren't so big, Mike, you wouldn't have to tell me to get out of the way."

Mike's eyes widened. "What did you say to me, runt?"

"Not worth it," muttered Dick, turning away.

Mike stormed after him, but then something hit Mike in the back of the head, and the taller boy fell forward, nearly taking Dick with him. Dick jumped out of the way and found himself staring down at Mike, the back of his head covered in peanut butter and jelly. Mike roared with anger and struggled to his feet, whirling around to find the culprit. Dick was startled and delighted to discover it was none other than Barbara Gordon.

"Waste of a good sandwich," she sighed ruefully, brushing stray red hairs out of her face.

"What a freak!" Mike snarled.

"Wow," said Barbara smoothly. "That's the best you can come up with? Not surprised, considering the tiny size of your brain."

"You're one to talk, Miss Cripple," retorted Mike cruelly.

Dick saw red; he was about to pummel the boy -

"Miss Cripple?" cut in Barbara, shooting Dick a warning look. "Wow, look at you, coming up with a name like that! Using two-syllable words, I'm so proud of you! I guess you're not as dumb as I thought. Then again... "

"You think I'm dumb?" demanded Mike, turning red.

"No, I know you're dumb."

"Oh, yeah?" And without warning, Mike burst forward, pushed her wheelchair over. She tumbled to the ground, falling out of the chair.

"Don't you TOUCH HER!" growled Dick, and he shot through the air, tackled Mike to the ground, and started punching him. Mike howled, tried to hit him back. The two struggled, fought for control. But despite Mike being twice Dick's size, Dick easily overpowered him, kept him on the ground. "Apologize!" Dick snarled, jerking Mike's arm behind him.

Mike was sobbing. "STOP IT! JUST STOP IT!"

"APOLOGIZE!" roared Dick.

"I'M SORRY!" shrieked Mike.

"TO HER!"

"I'M SORRY, BARBARA!" Mike howled.

"RICHARD GRAYSON!" shouted the principal. "GET OFF HIM!"

Barbara stared at Dick, stupefied, as he shoved Mike's head into the ground and slowly got off him. He wasn't even breathing heavily. Dick shot a withering glare to Mike and went over to Barbara.

"Here," he said, and set her chair upright.

"Thanks," said Barbara, and gripped the arms of the chair.

"Need help?" It was an honest question, not filled with pity or awkward, strange staring. He hoped she wouldn't be irritated by his gesture. Somehow, though, in the back of his head, he knew that she didn't mind.

"I got it, if you could hold the chair - at least, before Principal Avery gets here," she added ruefully. Dick nodded glumly, but held the chair for her as she pulled herself up and into the seat, taking her legs setting them back in.

By that time, Principal Avery had made her way over, and stormed right up to Mike, who had gingerly picked himself up. "Are you all right, Mr. Harkins?" she demanded.

Mike shook his head sullenly.

Avery turned to glare over at Dick. "My office, Mr. Grayson. Now."

"He was just helping me," protested Barbara. "Mike pushed my chair down."

"No excuses, Miss Gordon," replied Avery coolly. "Grayson, move it."

Barbara glared at her. "Fine, Miss Avery," she said, as Dick began to trudge towards the office. "But I really don't want to tell Dick's guardian, Mr. Wayne, that you're dating Mike Harkins's dad."

Dick stopped, whirled around, and stared at her, wide-eyed. Principal Avery's eyes narrowed to slits.

"Would you like detention, Miss Gordon?"

"No, Ma'am," replied Barbara sweetly. "Would you like to speak to Mr. Wayne in person? My dad and his dad are good friends. I really don't want to have to call Mr. Wayne or his fiancee. They're all busy people. You probably don't want that, either."

Principal Avery's face turned bright red with rage. "Grayson," she spat out finally. "Get out of my sight."

Dick shot Barbara a devilish, thank you grin. "See you later, Barb."

"Bye, Dick. Thanks." Barbara wheeled away, her nose turned up archly at the Principal.

"Watch it, Miss Gordon," the Principal warned. "You're on thin ice."

"Good thing I can still swim," said Barbara, and rolled away.

After his last class, Dick saw Barbara wheeling herself outside, seemingly expecting to take the bus home. However, he called out her name and all but stumbled over himself to get to her.

"Barb," he said, jogging up to her. "My Grammia just called. Gramps, uh, Alfred, is gonna come pick us up. Both of us."

"Oh, OK. Thanks. Am I coming over to your house?"

"Yep." Dick shoved his hands in his pockets, suddenly awkward, and looked away.

After a pause, Barbara suddenly asked, a bit uncertain, "You want to be friends?"

Dick looked at her, honestly puzzled. "I thought we already were."

Barbara smiled.

A few hours later, Barbara and Cass were in Cass's room, playing Barbies, ugh, and Dick was sitting in the kitchen doing homework, when suddenly the back door opened, and in strode a young woman with long dark hair and flashing dark eyes, carrying a motorcycle helmet in one hand. Dick tensed, wondering if she were allowed to be in here. He kept a few batarangs hidden in his shoe; he slipped one out, ready to throw. The woman's firm gaze swept the room, and she frowned, her eyes resting on him.

"Who're you?"

"Who are you?" countered Dick, ready to strike if necessary.

The woman shot him a funny look, as though she were amused by him. "Easy, kiddo. I'm part of the family."

"I don't know you," argued Dick.

"I don't know you, either," said the woman.

"Helena!" Diana came into the kitchen, smiling. "Haven't seen you in forever." She and the woman embraced warmly, and Dick relaxed. "How are you?"

"Good," said Helena, amused. "So this is the kid, huh? Robin?" She looked at Dick.

Diana looked over at Dick and smiled. "Yes. Helena, this is Dick. Dick, this is Helena, my oldest friend, and the second daughter." Apparently it was an inside joke, but this woman seemingly was a member of this strange, mixed family. Dick had only ever had his parents, so to go from being an only child with no close relatives to having a sibling, grandparents, and several aunts was overwhelming.

"Hey, kid," said Helena, punching him lightly on the arm. "I'm your Aunt El."

"Hi," said Dick sheepishly. "Sorry about that."

"Nah, don't apologize, kid," said Helena easily. "Can never be too careful. Glad to see you were ready to take me down. Can't imagine the kinds of psychos crawling around this city. But then again," she said with a knowing look, "I bet you can take it, Rob."

Dick looked at Diana quickly and grinned. "Yeah."

"Knew it, tough guy." Helena fist-bumped Dick. "Got a good kid here, Di. How'd you get so lucky?"

"I'll never know," said Diana fondly, pressing her lips to Dick's hair. She ruffled it, ignoring Dick's protesting yelp, and went around the counter. "Want some coffee?"

"Know me all too well, Di," drawled Helena. "How's the rest of the family?"

"Crazy as always," Diana replied. "Adjusting. The aunts are going to move into our old house soon enough. Bruce is helping them to get cover IDs and find jobs in the city."

"Aw, it'll be so dull without them," complained Helena, taking a swig of orange juice right out of the jug.

Diana whisked that away from her. "Hey. Get a glass, you bum."

"It's my house, too," argued Helena. She turned to Dick. "You doing all right, hon? Sorry you're stuck with these crazies, but what are ya gonna do."

Dick shrugged, grinned. "It's been good."

"Well, if you ever need to get away from these weirdos, you are more than welcome to chill at my place. Nothing special, but I have a sick XBox and a nice flatscreen. My Christmas presents." She shot Diana a grin. "I'm such a kid. Must be why I'm such a great teacher. Speaking of which..." She took the jug back from Diana and took another swig. "I got a job at Gotham Private Academy, Di."

Diana beamed. "El, that's amazing! That's where Dick and Barbara Gordon are, actually."

"Sweet," said Helena, shooting a grin and a wink to Dick. "We'll have fun. Don't think I'll go easy on you, kiddo."

"The good thing is," said Diana, "If he ever needs to get out of class for patrol or mission reasons, you can help him out."

"Abuse my power to help a bunch of vigilantes?" said Helena with mock horror. "How dare you say such a thing!" She took a muffin out of its glass pastry case and stuffed a huge bite in her mouth. "I'th's okay," she said, her mouth full. "I'm the Hunthreth."

Dick frowned. "What?"

Diana slapped her on the shoulder. "Don't talk with your mouth full. My goodness, you really are a child."

Helena grinned a toothy grin, revealing the food in her mouth. She smacked her lips together, clearly enjoying the roll of Diana's eyes. She swallowed and licked her lips. "I said, I'm the Huntress."

Dick's eyes widened fractionally before narrowing at Diana. "So, do you guys have a monopoly on superheroes or something?"

"Superheroes?" Diana laughed. "Haven't heard that one before."

"I like it," said Helena. "But speaking of which..." Her voice grew more serious. "Di, there's something I need to show you." Subtly Dick knew she was trying to say "without kids present."

Dick glared at her. "Hey, I'm Robin."

Diana smiled faintly. "We'll be right back. Hang tight, finish your homework. I'll show you later."

As she and Helena disappeared through the doorway, Dick glowered after them.

"Homework, shomework," he muttered. "Stupid."

"I'm telling you, Di, this isn't like anything I've ever seen." Helena's shaken tone put more concern into my head than had been there in a long time. "The guy's skin, taken clean off. It was precise, perfect... performed like a top surgery."

I stared at the pictures of the man. I had never seen anything like this, and I'd grown up in the Narrows. But despite all the gruesome things I'd seen, despite everything we'd been through, despite even Ares... this was different. So different. This had been planned. This had been purposeful, intent, calculated.

I ran a hand through my hair and rubbed my eyes. "Just keeps piling up, doesn't it."

Helena frowned, observed me carefully. "Hey. You don't look so good."

"Thanks," I laughed dryly.

"No, I mean it. You look tired. You never look tired."

"I'm only human, El."

"Human, my ass," Helena snapped, startling me. "What's wrong? Is it Bruce? It can't be Maroni and his thugs... You went up against Ares and you pulled through okay. But something's wrong. What is it?"

I looked away, my jaw clenched. "Nothing. I'm fine."

"Don't lie to me," snarled Helena, grabbing my arm. "You can fool other people, but I know you. What's going on? Is it Bruce?"

"No." Well... "Yes. No. Not really."

It's me. It's not. It's Ares. It's Athena. It's me.

"Talk to me." Helena's voice had softened. "You know me better than anyone. You know this stays between us."

"I know." I sank against the back of the Batcave computer chair. "It's... a lot of things." I wasn't sure how much to tell her; and it disturbed me that even I couldn't tell her, my closest friend, what was exactly on my mind. I couldn't tell Bruce... Bruce wouldn't accept the way I was thinking. But Helena... I had to tell Helena. She would understand. Her, of all people. "It's... me. I've been having nightmares. About Athena. Artemis. My mother. I see them every night, taunting me. Threatening me, my family. And... the more I see them, the more I want to kill them." My jaw clenched. "Bruce and I... we're having issues."

"He won't kill; you will."

"Yes." I felt my chest tighten. "The bigger our family gets, the more enemies we have, and it only gets worse. Deadshot is just the start. It's almost as if we've invited the psychopaths to come after us. The stronger we get, the worse they get, and the more they want to challenge us. How can I just let them hurt us, Helena? How can we just let them sit behind bars when they are trying to kill us?" My voice had lowered into a snarl.

Helena watched me with cool eyes. "You don't."

"But Bruce -"

"Bruce has been jaded by his parents' death, Diana. He can follow whatever self-righteous path he wants to follow. You're an Amazon. You're a killer at heart, whether you like it or not."

It stung, but it was true.

"You were born and bred to be a warrior. You can't help it; it's just who you are. It's who your mom is - both Alkyone and Hippolyta. You've been raised in it. But like you said... you were born an Amazon. Created to be a soldier. At the core, it's what you are."

"But what I am and who I am are two different things."

"Not necessarily," Helena argued. "What you are helps to determine who you are, I think. And honestly, Di, Bruce knew what you were going into your relationship, your partnership. He knew your history, your mother. If he can't handle that, he should've figured that out a long time ago, especially before you started having kids."

A pause.

"So what should I do now?" My voice had lowered to a murmur.

Helena straightened, folded her arms over her chest, and raised her chin. "You do what you were born to do. You know who you are. When people go after your family, you protect them. You and Bruce have chosen to go out there and kick the scum of Gotham to the dirt. You chose to do this. Now you follow through. Bruce can do what he wants to do. You do what you have to do. You're a mom now. Protect your family. By any means necessary."

I mulled over her words for the next few days, but they did not make me feel any better.

Because Bruce would never accept a partner who would willingly take a life, even to protect our family.

Interlude

On a yacht in Gotham harbor, a well-dressed man sipped a scotch and idly played with an empty bullet casing. His gaze flickered over four different sets of pictures strewn across the table. He picked up one of the pictures and studied it carefully.

"Not a bad looking broad," said the man sitting across from him.

Deadshot smiled thinly. "Not bad at all," he agreed. "But what's your interest in them, Sionis?"

Roman Sionis took a sip of his own drink. "With Maroni outta the picture, it's only a matter of time before the Bat and the Wonder Chick come after me."

"Maroni hired me," said Deadshot. "But he didn't pay. It was someone else. But you already knew that."

"Course. But I also know that this mysterious benefactor didn't only pay you to take out the vigilantes. I've been hearin' things. Rumors. There're some serious players in the game. Cobblepot wants in on the action. Savage is in. And that ain't even countin' the other assassins Maroni's got out on 'em."

Deadshot lazily flicked a toothpick at his plate. "I'm not worried."

Roman grinned. "Maybe you should be. From what my boys have been hearin'... Maroni's got some serious meat in the game. He's sending out files to the best assassins in the world. Even if he's out, we all know he ain't payin'... And there's plenty who are thirsty for the Bat's blood."

Deadshot grinned. "More the merrier. It'll be fun."

And he rose to his feet and disappeared into the yacht, whistling.

In the slums of Los Angeles, hidden away in an abandoned fighting ring, a hulking man smashed the face of Maroni's messenger into the ground before taking an encrypted USB hub from the man's fingers. He imported the hub into his computer and stared at its contents onscreen. His bloodshot eyes narrowed.

"What have you got yourself into this time, Querida?" he rumbled.

Standing amongst a pile of dead men, a tall woman in a long black coat slipped a USB stick into her phone and gazed over the two faces portrayed onscreen. Her face showed no emotion, but her eyes narrowed fractionally. Turning sharply, she stormed out of the small bar set into the Tibetan mountains and disappeared into the shadows of the night.

She had been called to Gotham. It was time she returned.

Thoughts?

Wow, this is so late, and I APOLOGIZE, I really do! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Hopefully you see Diana's thought process... and it's probably not the best idea to get advice from Helena, but they are friends, and at this point, Diana's feeling pretty alone.

And I'm sure you know who the two mysterious people are at the end of this chapter.

- Serena