Arkham was cold at night. All three had been placed in a maximum security wing with Lynx in the middle of her two brothers. Unlike the rest though there was hope for these three. It was undeniable that they had deep rooted involvement with key figures in the Gothum under world but they also had a hidden adversary. All three were sixteen, barely, but what set them apart that most didn't know about was they had turned themselves in without any fuss.
The doctors were amazed at the progress of their patients. They were noted to be acting like normal teenagers and one doctor went as far as to say that it seem these were not the same teens. 'Only a cataclysmic event,' Dr. Summers said, 'could have brought this about.'
Lynx woke up in the middle of the night to a light tapping sound. Looking over at the entrance to her cell, which was made of glass, she saw a figure standing there. At first she wanted to scream as the glass quietly slid away from the entrance; had someone been sent to kill her?
She stood cowering against the wall as the figure stepped into her cell. The man smiled at her, his cape swishing as he walked; "Hello Lynx."
Lynx smiled and rushed forward hugging the man; "Well that answers that question," he whispers to her.
"What question?"
"I was going to ask if you missed me."
Lynx laughed quietly; "You silly bird, of course I did. Sit down," she said steering him over to her cot.
"Not very comfortable," he commented.
"Better than the floor." Tim watched her; "What?" She asked.
He sighed looking around the cell; "When you get out..."
"If I get out," she corrected him.
"When," he started again.
"Tim," she said sadly; "I did a lot of things wrong. I could be in here for a while."
"Ahh, but you won't be. I know something you don't."
"Even if I do get out. I can't stay in Gothum, do you know how many are calling for my blood? They know I helped the Bat in some way and Penguin is still at large he'll have every member of every gang after me."
"Don't worry about it," he smiles brushing hair out of her face; "Things are happening, it's going to be fine, you'll see."
"Tim, wouldn't your parents have liked it if you were around someone a little less maximum security?" She asked.
"Bruce is my guardian and the only reason he wouldn't like it is because you are his daughter. He has a connection with you."
"But Tim..."
"Do you like me?" He rushed.
"Yes." She replied automatically.
"Do you want to be my girlfriend?"
"Of course, but-"
"Then stop with the buts," he relaxed, "it will all work out." He inched closer to her bringing a leg onto her bed and stretching it out so her back could lean against it. Slowly she relaxed as Tim's hand massaged her shoulder. He moved his face closer to hers; "Tim," she warned but it was lost as he kissed her.
They were lost in the moment; "Tim," Lynx said gaining some perspective, "What time is it?"
He sighs as he looks at his watch, "Time for me to go. I have exams for the next three days but I'll come and see you after that. During the day I mean."
Lynx smiles weakly, "I'd understand if you didn't want to come back here. It doesn't do much for anyone."
"Hey," he said lifting her chin, "As long as you're here I'll be a frequent visitor." With that there was a simple good-bye kiss, he closed her cell, and then was gone. Lynx replayed what happened in her head before returning to bed. Not knowing what would happen tomorrow.
The guard walked down the maximum security wing with Bruce Wayne by his side. Most of the tenants ignored the visitor but Jaguar and Tiger stood when he passed by. They always did when the guard walked by, it was a respect issue they had been taught at a young age and had not forgotten, but it was different this time they were standing for Mr. Wayne too. They had never met him, the guard was sure of it, they must have seen his photograph, but Mr. Wayne returned it with a nod. Lynx's cell was opened as Mr. Wayne stepped in and then shut the cell.
Bruce was glad the guard had closed the door it would make things much easier if he could say what was on his mind. Lynx looked up from her bed eyeballing him, then went back to work on her sketch pad. "I've come to make you an offer," he announced.
"Go ahead."
"I have a meeting with the board this afternoon about you," Bruce said. The only thing that she offered was a raised eyebrow. "The doctors believe that you are ready to leave but insist that you need a guardian, since you are under age. The board wants to elect someone, my name was put forward."
She sighed; "Are they talking about my brothers yet?"
"No," Bruce said getting a little upset; "The board closed their file last week. They believe they are ready to leave but since the board believes they have higher connections the board feels they need at least two more months."
"Then you can forget about me," she said; "I'm not going anywhere without them."
Bruce squatted down to her level; "Catherine, please. I'm using all of my contacts to get this done. If you turn this down others will be able to look more closely at your file and I believe they might keep you in here for a few years."
"I do not fear it," she said her eyes connecting with his.
"They will bring you down at one thirty, you have time to change your mind until then," he said.
"Why are you doing this?" She asked.
Bruce stood up; "Because the three of you are not completely Selena's children." With that he tapped on the glass for the guard to open the door and then he was gone.
"What was that about?" Anthony asked when they sat down for lunch.
"He just came to tell me something," she said.
The boys exchanged glances, "Spill it," Chris demanded.
Lynx knew that if she didn't tell all they would pry something even worst out of her. Lynx told them everything 'word for word.' "Well when they ask if you have any objections you just say no," Chris told her.
"But Chris I don't want-" but the look her brother gave her cut her off. "Chris," she said but he walked away from her.
"Listen sis," Anthony said; "He just wants what's best for you. This place is starting to make you crack, you're not use to this stuff."
"Anthony I don't know if I can go it alone," she told him.
He sat back; "but you won't be and even if you did you would be fine. Stop lying, I saw the bird come by the other night. You're not afraid of getting out you're afraid of him."
She licked her lips; "I don't want to hurt him," she said looking up at him.
Anthony reached over; "You are not Selena."
"Kyle, Catherine," a guard yelled.
"Do what you think is right," Anthony said standing as the guards clicked the cuffs on her.
The meeting had gone smoothly. The vote for Catherine's freedom had passed, now all that it needed was her consent. Bruce was good at controlling his emotions but when he saw those handcuffs on her he almost lost it. 'They were to tight,' he thought; 'handcuffs on my daughter!' Slowly he reached over and drank some water to calm himself; the amount of protection he felt for the three was astounding, especially Catherine. She reminded him of someone but he couldn't figure out who. She stood on the platform straight faced and waited for the directors to talk. "As long as there are no objections," the head of the board said.
"I do have an objection Mr. Smith," said one man at the other end of the table.
"The board recognizes Mr. Jones," Mr. Smith announced.
"With all do respect Mr. Wayne," Mr. Jones said smoothly, too smoothly, "but to my information you have no women in your household. Wouldn't it make more sense to place her in a home with at least one woman?"
"Mr. Jones," Bruce said trying to control his voice, "If you remember my household was decided upon because of the space and willingness to take on all three charges."
"But Mr. Jones does bring up a good point," the head of the board said.
"With all do respect sirs," Catherine spoke politely, "I don't believe living with Mr. Wayne, if that is what you're proposing, would be any worst then living with my brothers."
"But," Mr. Jones put in, "wouldn't you be more comfortable in a home with a woman in it? Your whole life you have at least been living with your mother."
"No offense sir," Catherine said calmly, "but Selena and I have never been really close."
"I believe Miss Kyle has cleared up any objections Mr. Jones may have had. I take it you have no objections then to Mr. Wayne being your legal guardian?" Mr. Smith said looking across at the young girl.
(A/N): my lame attempt at a cliffhanger.