Batman Return of the Dark Nights

Written by: Panthera

Disclaimer: The characters within this story belong to DC Comics and Warner Brothers I have just borrowed them for a while. No harm is meant I will return them unharmed when I'm finished the only character contained within that is not DC is that of Zanah she is an original character created by me and my friend.  Now, on with the story.

Chapter Two

A young man road his motor cycle through Gotham, and on into the countryside until he came to a huge mansion on top of the hill. He road through the metal gate, past the statues, and pulled up at the front steps, of the famous, Wayne Manor. He turned off the engine on his bike and pulled away his helmet on which was a clear picture of a robin. He walked up the steps and into the huge house. 

Dick Grayson opened the paper and walked into the study. The room was conservative. Three of the walls were lined with bookcases from ceiling to floor. Sitting in the floor at one end was a couch and end table for comfortable reading and at the other end was a large desk. In the center of the back wall was a large grandfather clock.  He walked over to the couch where Bruce sat. "So Bruce, tell me how does it feel to be dead?" He asked referring to the headline.

 "It's really overrated." Bruce said shifting in his seat to avoid putting pressure on one of his many burses. His ribs ached, his muscles were tense and in general he ached all over. "All things considered though maybe it's better this happened things between Julie and I have gotten pretty serious." He added. 

"You're not thinking of quitting again are you?"

"No, just laying low for a while, until I'm back to normal, that's all."

"Good because for a minute I thought you were expecting me to fly solo."

"Would that bother you?"

"Do you think I can?"

"I don't know."

"Are you testing me?" Dick asked hurt.

"No, of course not Dick."

"Yes, it would bother me you're my family Bruce and besides that I don't think you could give this life up."

"Maybe you're right."

"So why would you give it up?"

"Because anytime I get involved with a woman its Batman that drives them away. He's like the kiss of death."

"Are things that serious between Julie and you?"

"I think so."

"Well, you better make sure before you think about retiring," said Dick and then he left the room.

Bruce picked up the paper and opened it up. He was in the middle of reading an article when the phone rang. Alfred answered it and brought it to him. "It's Miss Madison sir."

"Thank you Alfred," he said as he took the phone. "Hello Julie. What can I do for you?"

"Hello Bruce, I was just wondering if you're still coming?"

"Coming?"

"Dinner at the Rose café."

"Dinner?"

"You forgot again didn't you, well you're not getting off the hook this time we really need to talk."

"I'm sorry Julie, I'll be there in ten minutes."

"See you soon," she said before hanging up.

Bruce hung up the phone and left the manor. A few minutes later he sat with Julie at the small table in the back of the Rose café waiting for their meal.

"So Bruce, have you thought about it?"

"Yes Julie, and I think you're right the charity ball is our best opportunity to announce our engagement."

"So you will?"

"Yes."

"Good. I didn't know how much longer I could keep this a secret," she said.

"I know."

"So, have you decided who you want to be your best man?"

"Yes, I want Alfred."

"Alfred, Why not Dick?"

"Well, Dick isn't exactly a formal affair man."

In another part of Gotham…

Dick Grayson is riding his motorcycle down a dark empty street in a bad part of town. He glances down the side streets as he goes along. Down one street he spots what looks like a fight. Dick got of his motorcycle and moved in for a closer look. As he got closer to the scuffle he noted it was a woman in the middle of the dispute. Seeing it was six against one he decided to lend a hand.

Back at the restaurant…

"He won't wear a suit?" Julie asked surprised.

  "No, he won't." Bruce replied. The suit he'll wear won't be allowed.

Back in the ally…

Dick punches one of the guys in the face as the woman took down another.

Back at the restaurant…

"Are you sure Bruce?" Julie questioned.

"He doesn't care for them, besides Alfred's the closest thing I have to a family."

"I understand Bruce, and if Alfred is who you want to have as your best man that's fie with me."

"Thanks Julie, not every woman would approve," said Bruce as their meal arrived. "Well, enough talk, let's eat."

Back in the ally…

 Two of the thugs turned their attention towards Dick as the woman brought down a second man. Dick blocked several strong blows returning them with his own taking out a second thug. The young woman dodged several desperate attacks before lashing out with an elbow to the body followed by a palm to his nose and finally a high kick to his head bringing down her third attacker. She turned her focus to the one man still standing and took him down with ease. Her eyes flashed with anger as she moved to punch him.

Dick caught her fist and said, "relax, I'm not going to hurt you. I thought I'd lend you a hand, but it looks like you can take care of yourself."

"Thanks," she said dropping her hand.

"So, what did they want?"

"They're just trying to bring me back."

"Where?"

"No where, its nothing don't worry about it I should go."

"You shouldn't be walking these streets alone at this hour. I could give you a lift."

"No thanks…"

"Dick."

"No thanks Dick, like you said I can take care of myself."

"Are you sure? I'm not doing anything, maybe we could just sit down and talk."

"Dick…"

" We could grab something to eat," he said recognizing she was hungry.

"I guess we could talk. After all you did try and give me a hand."

"Where to Miss?" He asked looking for a name.

"There is a small diner a couple blocks up if its still open we could go there." 

"Okay, hop on," he said as he got on his motorcycle.

She climbed on the back after putting on the spare helmet.

"Hang on Miss," he said as he cranked the engine.

"Please, call me Zanah," she said.

"Hold on Zanah," he said as he started down the street. He pulled to a stop soon after and they stepped into the diner. They sat down at a table in the back and looked over the menu. Dick orders a burger and fries and she orders the same. They sat quietly eating. Once he was one eating Dick asked, "Are you sure I can't take you home?"

"I told you I can take care of myself," she said between bites.

"Could I get your number so I could call you and we could do this again?"  

"No, the phone is disconnected," she said quickly.

"You don't have anywhere to go home to do you Zanah?" He said with realization.

"Dick I…"

"Zanah I have a guest room you could stay in so you won't have to sleep on the street."

"Dick that's not necessary, I'll be fine."

"Zanah, I'm not going to hurt you, I just don't want you out in the street tonight. With batman gone the streets are worse than ever and besides that it looks like it's going to rain."

"I don't know…"

"You'll be safe, I'll probably be out again tonight anyway."

"Okay, but only for tonight I'll be leaving in the morning."

"That's fine," he said and he paid for their food and they left the diner.

Back at Wayne Manor…

Bruce walked into the house having just returned from the café.

"Good evening Master Bruce. How are you doing this evening?"

"I'm good Alfred."

"And Miss Madison?"

"She's fine…Alfred Julie and I will be getting married and I was wondering if you would be my best man?"

"I'd be honored Sir." Alfred replied but his voice sounded less than enthusiastic.

"What is on your mind Alfred?"

"Well Sir, I'm sure nobody would be happier than I to see you happily married…"

"But," Bruce prompted.

"I just wonder Sir are you marrying Julie because you love her or to forget about Miss…" he did get a chance to finish his question because Mr. Wayne interrupted him before he could say her name.

"Alfred I love Julie you know that, this has nothing to do with Se… her."

"Sir, it's been five years and you still can't even speak her name, now what does that tell you?"

"Alfred Selina's death was sudden and tragic. She was a casualty in my war, cut down like my parents in some aspects. You know I grieve each loss in my war terribly. I can't forget that I failed to save her and I probably never will. You of all people should understand that."

"I'm sorry Sir, I'd just hate to see you marry for the wrong reasons."

"I know Alfred and it's a legitimate concern, but what feelings I had for Miss Kyle are gone now," he assured Alfred.  Bruce then moved up stairs to his room the whole time his thoughts raced back to Selina. Images flashed in his head forcing him to remember her. He had berried those memories to forget them, but to speak her name brought them back in a flood. He saw himself sitting in Shreck's office and he watched as she walked in the room. She was dressed in a beige suit and looked plain, but her hair and face were appealing. She went on about things she could remember and then walked him out.

His thoughts then raced forward to the night of the tree lighting ceremony. He saw him and her on the couch downstairs talking about themselves, his kissing her, things getting a little out of hand and then him having to leave. His thoughts shifted again to the costume ball. He saw himself finding her again on the dance floor. He could feel her in his arms again as the words to the song that had been playing came to him.

As he sat down on his bed that music began to play in his mind. Face to face my lovely foe, Mouth to mouth, raining heavens blows, hand on heart, tic-tac-toe… The song went on as their conversation that night played out in his thoughts.  A kiss under the mistletoe…you know mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it. She whispered again. But a kiss can be even deadlier if you mean it. He said again. The exact words they had shared the night before as Batman and Catwoman except in reveres order. They stared at each other for a moment and he wiped away a tear from her cheek, as she grew tense in his arms. Does this mean we have to start fighting? She whispered again. Before they could speak that night he had to leave to deal with the penguin.

This was an image he could never forget as well as her tragic death. Catwoman demanding vengeance on Shreck had electrocuted him and herself. She was gone he kept telling himself that, but he couldn't forget her as much as he wished he could. If I could go back to that night I would have made sure she was okay. I would have taken her with me...No sense dwelling on it I can't go back and change it. It's the past it over and done with. I need to move on. Bruce sighed as he turned off his lamp and lay down for the night. He hoped as he closed his eyes that sleep would be more forgiving and his dreams would not run to her as easily as his thoughts had. 

Outside…

Dick pulled up to the large gate and Zanah stared at it confused.

"This is where you live?" She asked.

"Yes."

"Wait a minute isn't this Wayne Manor?"

"Yes."

"You live here?"

"That's right, the name is Richard Grayson."

"You live with Bruce Wayne? Not to sound rude, but you don't seem like the type of person who would live here." 

"I'm not."

"Then how is it you're here?"

"My parents died and Bruce took me in."

"I'm sorry…Are you sure I can stay here?"

"Yes."

"He won't mind?"

"Bruce no, he'd insist you stay." Said Dick as the gate opened. He got back on the bike and they went through the gate to the front of the house. He turned off the motorcycle, parked it, and got off. He then led her up the steps and the door opened.

"Good evening Master Dick… Who is the young lady?"

"Hey Al, this is Zanah. She will be staying in one of the guest rooms this evening." 

"Good evening to you Miss Zanah and welcome. My name is Alfred. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask."

"Thanks."

"I'll take her upstairs."

The three of them moved up to the second floor and Alfred showed her to her room.

"If you need anything I'll be in the kitchen," Alfred said before going back downstairs.

Zanah stared at all of the doors on the hall overwhelmed.

"If you need me Zanah my room is four doors down on the other side of the hall. The bathroom is the door before mine."

"Okay."

"Good night," he said.

"Good night Dick, and thanks. I'll be out the door in the morning." She assured him before moving into the room. Zanah closed the door and looked at the room dumbfounded. The large room was void of much furniture. It had an oak dresser and desk as well as a full size bed and canopy with a night table. Thick velvet curtains hung by the windows and a painting hung on the wall. It wasn't much too look at in truth, but it was the nicest room she'd ever been in. Zanah dropped her bag on the floor, sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled off her boots. The mattress was soft and sank beneath her. She couldn't remember the last time she'd slept in a bed, and this was far better than the cot she'd slept on. Once free of her shoes Zanah pulled the sheets down and climbed into the bed. She turned off the light and quickly fell asleep.

Dick moved downstairs to unwind and was met by Alfred. "Sir is it wise to bring her into this house? You don't really know her and there are many secrets to protect within the walls of this house. We can't have her poking around in the wrong places."

"It will be okay Al she's leaving in the morning, besides I didn't want her out on the street, not under the circumstances, and neither would Bruce."

"You're right Sir."

"Speaking of Bruce, we were on the eastside of Gotham when we came to a certain spot and he said he hated that side of town…I thought Bruce loved Gotham. Do you know why he would say that?"

"I was afraid of that."

"Afraid of What?"

"You were in Gotham Square Sir and I was right."

"About what Al?"

"Master Bruce is going to marry Julie."

"That's great. Why didn't he tell me?"

"Its not great Sir."

"Why? Why would his hating that side of town make it bad for Bruce to be marrying Julie? What is it?"

"He's marrying Miss Madison to forget about her…she died in that part of town."

"Who?"

"Miss Kyle…"

"Who?"

"She was before your time here?"

"Who was she?"

"It's not my place to tell you about her Master Dick." Alfred replied before falling silent.

"How did she die?"

"You should get some rest young master while you can." Alfred said changing the subject.

Dick sighed seeing he would get no more information from him. "Would you check on Zanah before you turn in and make sure she gets some breakfast in the morning before she leave?"

"Of course Sir."

"Thanks Al," Dick said and he moved upstairs to his room. Alfred then moved into the kitchen.

Dick stepped into his room and pulled of his leather jacket. He didn't even didn't sit down before he spotted the Bat signal piercing the night sky. Dick sighed as he moved out of the room. He moved down the stairs into the study headed for the Bat cave.

*                                                      *                                           *

The next morning Bruce woke up and after getting dressed went downstairs. He looked about confused as he reached the bottom of steps because Alfred was not in sight. He moved into the study, the entertainment room and then the dining room but there was no sign of his old friend. Bruce stood silent trying to figure out what was going on. As he stood in the dining room he became aware of voices in the kitchen and was surprised to find Alfred sitting and talking with a young woman. Bruce looked at her puzzled trying to figure out what was going on. Zanah put her glass down and stopped mid-sentence as she stared at the tall dark haired figure looking at her. A hint of worry was in her blue eyes.

Alfred looked over to see what had stopped her and smiled. "Hello Master Bruce, and how are you this morning?"

Bruce turned his attention to Alfred. "Good morning Alfred, I'm fine old friend," he replied.

"Master Bruce this is Zanah she is Master Dick's guest. Zanah this is Bruce Wayne."

"Hello Zanah it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Hi. Speaking of Dick where is he?"

"I think the young master is still sleeping."

"Mr. Wayne I want to let you know I'll be gone before the day is out I…"  

"Don't be silly you're more than welcome to stay as you can see we've got plenty of room."

"Master Bruce what do you want for breakfast?"

"Thank you Mr. Wayne."

"I'll have a cup of coffee, bacon, and poached eggs." Bruce stood silent for a few moments and noting Zanah was uncomfortable he said, "Alfred, I'll be in the study, please call me when it's ready."

"Of course Sir," Alfred said and Bruce left, on his way to the study he ran into Dick.

"Are you okay Dick?"

"Not really. I'm beat I just got in a couple hours ago. I'd be in bed, but I wanted to make sure Zanah was okay."

"Make sure you get some rest."

"I will," Dick said before moving into the kitchen.

"Hello Zanah. How was your night? Did you sleep well?"

"My night was good and I slept really well thank you…you don't look so good though."

"It was a rough night."

"Couldn't sleep?" She asked.

"No."

"Well, I'm fine Dick, Alfred is taking good care of me so relax, and get some sleep."

"I'm glad to hear you say that and thanks." Dick said before turning and leaving. He retreated back up the stairs to his room.

Across Town…

Another man sat watching the morning news. "It's another sad day here in Gotham city. Last night as the Bat signal pierced the night sky Gothamites watched with curiosity and worry. To confirm our fear Batman never arrived. As the days pass the crime wave only grows worse and it becomes clearer Gotham's guardian is gone. The question that ways heavily on all Gothamites now is: What will become of the city?"

The man turned off the TV and said in reply, "Soon it will be all mine," as he turned his chair away from the television set. He laughed for a moment his green eyes cold and menacing his lips curved into a wicked smile as he leaned back in his chair enjoying his victory. He stopped laughing and silence filled his large office. The phone rang interrupting his moment of triumph briefly. "Hello."

"Mr. Daggett do you remember how you said you wished you could change the minds of the stock holders at Wayne Enterprises."

"Yes."

"Well, I think there might be away to do that."

"Really?"

"Yes, there is a prisoner at Arcum you may want to meet."

"Who?"

"Jervis Tetch."

"I'll send one of my people over." Daggett said before he hung up the phone.

Later at Arcum Asylum…

A man walked up to the nurses' desk and said, "I'm here to see one of the patients."

"Who?"

"Jervis Tetch."

"Follow me."

"So, what is he in here for?"

"Mr. Tetch is here because of his alter ego know as the Mad Hatter… I don't know all of the details but apparently he devised a technology that allows him to control peoples' minds. Apparently he was obsessed with some woman. She refused him and he snapped. Batman caught him and he's been here ever since."

"Very interesting."

"Here is your man," she said as she opened the window so he could see him. Jervis Tetch was a small man and he had the appearance of your typical bookworm scientist. He would be easy for Daggett to use…Jervis Tetch was exactly the kind of person Daggett was looking for. With the aid of the Mad Hatter Roland Daggett would soon control Gotham City. The man thought to himself as the window was closed.