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 Four

The Next Night at Commissioner Gordon's House…

The building was still except for in the bedroom. Jim Gordon stood wrestling with his bow tie as he prepared to go to the Charity Ball hosted by Bruce Wayne. As he stared at the mirror his mind wandered back to the night he had first met Mr. Wayne.

The events of that night came screaming at him calling him to remember it all. The sights. The sounds. The feelings. He felt it again the crisp winter air piercing against his skin, as he watched a young boy stare in shock at the bodies of his parents.

The shrill cry of police sirens arriving at the scene. The thunderous sound of car doors slamming as police and reports poured down the ally past yellow tape like water past a flood gate to gather information from the frightened child. Then crossing through the eerie mist, created by the rapidly cooling blood, ever to the young mans side to comfort him. 

The wails of polices sirens were soon drowned out by the loud clatter of reporters shoes against the pavement rushing back and forth like a tide, as they fought for answers from the poor boy with no concern for his well being at all.

The darkness of the night that surrounded them was lost with the cruel flash of cameras forcing his vision to adjust rapidly before returning to blackness again, as he pushed his way through the uncaring crowd with the young boy at his side. The smell of fresh popcorn lingered in the air and mixed with the odor left by the flash powder.

The smell was nauseating and he stumbled blindly, thanks to the reporters, through his pockets in search of his keys as the boy climbed into his car.

Finally, his thought drifted to the unseen tears of the young boy. Tears of pain, anguish, fear, and rage that the boy had hidden so well, as well as the unheard sobs and emotions the boy would not reveal to those foolish reporters or the police. These remained unknown to all but the boy and the murderer.

The events that caused such turmoil for the young boy, which probably led to an unending grief in Bruce Wayne.

The phone rang…

The sudden noise shook the Commissioner momentarily. HE turned away from the mirror, which he had been staring at blankly and once he had regained his composer he turned to the phone and answered it. "Hello," he said after a brief pause.

"Commissioner yours and Mr. Wayne's lives are in danger. Someone wants you both dead," Selina said again trying to warn him.

   "What are you talking about Miss?"

"I told you yesterday. I witnessed two men planning an attempt on your lives at this evenings Charity Ball."

"Really," he said doubtfully now struggling even more with his bow tie.

"Listen to me, someone wants you both dead. I'm not crazy."

"Listen Miss if you have a real tip come down to the station tomorrow otherwise don't waste my time," he said and he hung up the phone. He then fixed his tie grabbed his invitation and left.

Meanwhile at the Party…

Zanah stood by the wall waiting for Dick to arrive. She was nervous given her surroundings and having nothing to do she stood practicing how to stand. The room was loud and crowded. Some couples were on the floor dancing, others huddled around the buffet table, and still others stood milling about talking. All were waiting for the arrival of their host Bruce Wayne. Zanah sighed as she smoothed out her dress uneasily knowing she didn't belong there.

"First time at one of these functions?" A woman's voice asked.

Zanah looked up and was faced with a dark haired woman with green eyes, "It's that obvious isn't it?"

"No, it's just you're unescorted and I have learned from personal experience it's best to come with someone. If you don't you end up standing on the edge of the dance floor practicing stances and smoothing out your dress." The woman replied and she laughed lightly as Zanah did. "I'm Selina," The woman said extending a hand.

"Hi, I'm Zanah," The young blonde haired woman said as she shook the extended hand. "I'm not trying to pry but where is your escort?"

"He hasn't made his appearance yet," Selina replied.

"I know that one."

"Well, I do have to get going, I have places to go and people to annoy, but it was nice meeting you," Selina said turning to leave.

"Yes it was nice meeting you."

"Oh, and incidentally the best way to stand is to have something occupying your hand; like a glass of punch." Selina said looking over her shoulder.

"What a good idea, I'll go do that." Zanah said before she turned and headed for the punch bowl.

Zanah starts to pick up a plate at the buffet table turning her attention to the food she stops as she realizes she has no idea what's in front of her. She then walks down the table trying to identify anything unwilling to eat anything unless she knows what it is. She picks up a small cracker with some gray sauce and green garnish on it. She examines it more closely and then says "Ewe last time I checked the only thing gray in food that I know of is mold and that's not exactly food. Don't rich people eat anything real?"

"No." The response came from behind. Zanah squeaked, jumped and the cracker flew out of her hand landing in the punch bowl. She spun around startled and sighed with relief to be faced with Dick Grayson.

"Dick you scared me."

"Sorry about that I didn't mean…" he paused for a moment stopping mid-sentence as he took in her appearance from head to toe.  Her white blonde hair was pulled up off her face except for a few ringlets. Her blue eyes were well defined by her peacock colored eye shadow. Her long lashes blinked hiding her eyes for a moment. Her cheeks were touched with a light dab of pink and her lips covered with a lovely shade of pinkish-purple. The black gown was indeed lovely if nor quite appropriate. It came off her shoulder and hung loosely about her complimenting her athletic build. "You look… Wow."

Zanah blushed slightly. "Thank you, I… I dropped my cracker in the punch bowl!" she said as she turned to see the cracker at the bottom of the punch bowl. Dick moved up next to her and gazed at the cracker. The gray sauce had begun to dissolve and had formed an odd mist. "My cracker drowned."

"Burial at sea."

 "Gosh, should I leave it there or should I fish it out."

"I'm not touching it. Nobody else saw you drop it in there. Come on let's get out of here." Dick said and the two moved towards the dance floor as Bruce Wayne enters the room. His arrival is announced and all present stop to applauded. Dick just stood silent and shook his head. His behavior gave him an attitude, which said whatever. It wasn't that he didn't care it was just that he knew how much Bruce hated that, his friend didn't want to be recognized.

After a few moments everyone returned to what they were doing as Mr. Wayne moved out on the dance floor with Miss Madison.

The calm scene was shattered by a wild outburst. As a woman's voice screamed. "Bruce Wayne I don't believe you… You just pick up any woman that comes along. First it was Vicky and then it was Chase Meridian the shrink. What a marriage of connivance that would have been and now its Julie. Do you even remember me or am I the one you try to deny exists."

"Selina…" he gasped in realization. Bruce blinked with surprise realizing now whom he was speaking to. He looked at her again puzzled at missing the fact it was Selina he looked at her more closely and shook his head at his foolishness. Of course it was she. Only Selina would even think to wear such a dangerously tempting dress. From the low cut v-neck line to the off the shoulder aspect of it, the sleek, slinky black gown in every detail screamed Catwoman.

"That's right and you continue to treat me as though I was some love sick girl. I came here to warn you your life is in danger!"

 "Can we talk about this else where?!" he yelled.

"Fine," she replied calmly before turning and storming out of the room. As she turned to leave the room as he suggested his lungs tightened. The dress was cut low in the back and he couldn't help himself he had to stare at her. The look of her was all to inviting and as he followed her images flashed through his mind of past events: his first meeting with her as Bruce Wayne, her first appearance as Catwoman, the night if the tree lighting ceremony at his house and the costume ball. His thoughts for a moment turned to taking her in his arms and kissing her, he started to move but his anger took over and it was his anger that responded as they entered the nearest room. Bruce slammed the door so they wouldn't be overheard and then turned to face her, his eyes now cold and cruel.

"This is perfect Selina, you just ruined my plans to announce my engagement."

"Bruce… I didn't know… I'm sorry. I only came to warn…" Selina began shocked her green eyes fell down cast hiding the pain she felt fill them.

"Oh be quiet Selina! All you've done is cause me grief… Now get out of here before I have you thrown out!"

Selina stood stunned she hadn't expected that. She looked up at him for a moment hurt and angry before she left the room. She hadn't planned that outburst.

She had planned to warn him again and then keep watch but when she saw him and Julie together something in her snapped. She had never been so angry before. Selina stood in the hallway and stared at the crowd as she tried to calm down. She felt her blood boil even as she tried to deny the fact that his engagement announcement would hurt her far worse than his cruel words only a moment ago. After several minutes Selina reentered the ballroom and kept watch for the other uninvited guests that she knew were coming.

Selina watched as Bruce returned to Julie's side. She could see the tension between them as they spoke and danced, tension she had caused. Selina sighed as she reminded herself she was only there to stop the coming danger. Selina stood by the wall and kept an ever vigil watch as everyone else went about without care.

"Man it sounds like Bruce is in trouble." Dick said stunned. "Who was she? She sounded like an angry ex-lover."

"You don't suppose that she was Miss Kyle, who Alfred was talking about?"

"If it was she's not what I pictured…"

"Yea, I know what you mean she seems a little wild for the Bruce Wayne I've met."

"She is. Oh well, we can ask Bruce about it later for now let's enjoy the evening." She's not as wild as the other visitor Bruce had a couple nights ago. I wonder if she's another old girlfriend of Batman's. Dick thought as he too Zanah by the hand. "Will you honor me with a dance?"

"Dick I…"

"It's easy, just follow me."

"Okay." Zanah whispered as Dick led her out onto the dance floor, as he did the people were all still carrying on about outburst a few minutes before. Dick took her other hand and kept his distance at first. Zanah stared at his feet watching them closely studying his movement but it was of little use. She was having no luck. "Dick I…"

"Zanah it's easier if you look at me," he said as he lifted her head and stared into her blue eyes.

"Is it?"

"Yes."

"How did you learn to dance?"

"Me, Alfred's niece taught me."

"His niece?"

"Yes, she stayed with us briefly, now she's back at school."

"Did you like her?"

"Who Barbara? She was okay… she was my friend." He replied as he moved his right hand to her waist.

"Oh," Zanah said as she tried to relax.

"Zanah."

"Yes."

"You're dancing," Dick said with a grin.

"I am." She said with realization and she smiled. I haven't had this much fun in a long time. Zanah thought as she danced to the music.

"I'm glad we met Zanah."

"Yea, so am I," she said in agreement as they continued to dance.

As things became calm and quiet the peace was interrupted again as Bruce Wayne asked for everyone's attention. All present turned their focus to the host with curiosity. "First of all, I'd like to thank you all for coming tonight your generous donations help keep Gotham running smoothly. Second I have an announcement to make."

All fell silent and the room became still as they waited for him to continue.

"I asked Miss Madison to marry me, and she has excepted, so hopefully in the near future I will be married."

The crowd cheered happily and raised there glasses in a toast all but Selina who stood by the wall struggling to conceal her feelings. She wanted to roar to shout to tear Julie apart. Bruce Wayne was supposed to be hers. Selina quieted her anger and waited. Her being there was not because she wanted him back she was there to protect him end of story, so she said nothing and did not react. She only watched as the party went on.

Commissioner Gordon made his way through the crowd to Bruce Wayne's side.

"Jim…"

"Bruce congratulations. It's about time you settled down… Your parents would be proud of you."

"Thanks Jim I'm glad you could make it."

"I almost didn't come, the city is such a mess. It's a war one out there with Batman gone."

"I know, but I'm sure it will get better."

"I wish I had you optimism Bruce."

"It will be okay Jim in the end everything will be fine."

"I hope so Bruce… For now let's not worry about it. Let's enjoy ourselves for a while and we can worry about Gotham's troubles later." Jim Gordon said before walking off.

Bruce took Julie by the hand and started to dance the whole time he couldn't help but wonder. Can I retire or will it destroy the city?

On the other side of the dance floor Dick and Zanah were standing and staring at the crowd. Zanah was about to get some freshly made punch when she spotted a couple of men in the crowd who had just arrived that looked out of place. She watched with curiosity as she recalled what had been said to Dick the day before. Zanah grinned slyly as she realized the latecomers must be the group sent to get-rid of Wayne and the Commissioner. "I'll be right back Dick," she said before making her way across the floor to the two men.

Dick watched puzzled as Zanah grabbed one of them by the necktie and whispered something to the other. The two men grinned and followed her towards the restrooms. He watched as she vanished into the men's room wondering what was going on.

In the Men's Room…

Zanah stood by the sink leaning against it her posture an open invitation and non-threatening.

"Are you sure you want to do this in here sweetie I mean anyone could walk in on us?" Said the man who she had talked to.

"Oh, yea the more the merrier, " she replied as the y moved towards her. Without warning she lashed out taking the first man down with ease. He landed with his head in the urinal and passed out immediately. The other man she over powered. "Who hired you?" She snapped.

"I don't know." He replied.

"Tell me now!"

"I'm telling you I don't know." He said.

Zanah grabbed him by the tie and dragged him into a stall. She tied him to a pipe by his tie and left him standing on the toilet seat. She then stepped out of the men's room. Another man looked at her funny as she smoothed out her dress and fixed her hair she then returned to Dick sighed.

"What as that all about?" He whispered.

"I'll tell you later," she replied.

Selina grinned as she spotted Zanah back on the dance floor. I like her style, Selina thought to herself realizing Zanah had dealt with the trouble. Good now I can go home. Selina slipped into the men's room to admire Zanah's handy work before leaving as quietly as she had arrived.

Elsewhere…

Selina stepped into her loft and sat down. She was staring at her wall hanging and she felt disgust well up inside of her. Selina you're pathetic, you disgust me. You let yourself be affected by Bruce Wayne, by Batman. You acted like a spineless lovesick baby, and then you did nothing after he treated you so badly… I won't let you destroy what we've become. You will start acting like the cunning carefree thief you are. Catwoman yelled in her mind.  Selina stood up and moved into the bedroom. Catwoman now in control she left to claim her forgotten treasure. 

Later at the Gotham Museum…

The building was dark and quiet like an empty tomb. The only occasional disturbance was security guard making his rounds. The room that was the center attraction when open was an elaborate wing of fine treasures from around the world. In the center of the display area in a glass display case sat a fine Jade statue. The Jade statue was finely crafted into a cat. The museum was dark and quiet. Outside a shadow crept up to the building. The dark figure made quick work of the security cameras. She then entered the museum. As she came to the wing of fine treasures she pulled out a smoke bomb and rolled it into the room when it went off the room filled with smoke. The air began to clear slowly, but the smoke revealed the beams for the alarm. Catwoman made her way across the floor through the beams to the display case. When she got there she switched of the alarm on the glass and with her sharp claws cut it open. She then took the statue and left returning to her loft across town.  

Catwoman placed her prize in the center of the room and sat down on the couch. Her spirits were high for a moment, but the feeling soon passed as Bruce Wayne's cruel words echoed in her mind. "He will pay for this unkindness… He must." Catwoman hissed and with that she left again.