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 Nine
Selina blinked wildly. Where am I, she wondered but she found she couldn't remember. She had left earlier to guard the Commissioner she knew that but beyond that she was drawing a blank. I must have been caught, she realized. Her head started to clear and she remembered the small room from earlier and some kind of gas. How long have I been out, she wondered. Selina's vision now in focus she could see that she was in some kind of factory and she quickly realized she was hanging above a large grinder. The sound of voices bellow filtered through her haze filled mind and he realized she wasn't alone.
"It's kind of ironic don't you think? I mean Catwoman here is about to be used to feed all the cats in Gotham city," said the heavyset man.
"Yhea, and after she's done going through the digestive process she'll be rolling in kitty liter," said the bruised man.
"It's a shame we have to kill such a pretty kitty," said the tallest man in the group.
"Forget it. She'd rip your throat out," said the bruised man.
"Shut up you imbeciles. We're supposed to be watching for the Bat," said the heavyset man.
"Forgive me for not laughing at your pathetic and feeble remarks, but I've got more important things on my mind. Like how I'm going to kill you and how much it's going to hurt," said Catwoman.
"The only way you're getting out of here is by way of Happy Cat," said the bruised thug as he turned on the grinder. Selina closed her eyes as the chain holding her began to move down.
"Oh, don't be so sure about that," came a cold voice.
"Who is it? Is it the Bat?" Asked the heavyset thug.
Selina opened her eyes puzzled. "A woman," said Catwoman confused and she looked down at the rotating blades, her toes getting closer to them by the moment.
"Who said that? Was it the Bat," the goons questioned as they ready their guns.
In the cover of the shadows a mystery woman attacked. With sword and claws killing all who got in her way. The stranger stopped the grinder just as the tips of Catwoman's boots came within reach of the rotating blades. She then freed Catwoman from her chains before vanishing into the night as Batman and Robin entered the room.
"Looks like we missed the party," said Robin.
"You've been busy," Batman noted.
"Believe it or not this is not my handy work. I was nearly cat food," Said Catwoman.
Robin looked at one of the dead men and then said; "I find that hard to believe these men have claw marks on them."
Selina walked over to the guard indicated and laid her claws on his face. The claw marks were twice as thick. "See I told you," she whispered.
"Well, who did then?" Asked Batman.
"I don't know some woman. She came in like a ghost and fought, fiercely with a vengeance, and then she just vanished like a Wraith," she replied. Selina grabbed hold of her right arm blood covering her gloved hand as she stumbled into Batman.
"Are you all right?" He asked concerned.
"I'm fine," she lied holding her wound tightly to hide the extent of the injury.
Knowing she was lying Bruce pulled her hand away to reveal her bloody arm bandage. "You're bleeding."
"It's just a scratch, I'll live," she said standing up and moving to leave. But her head spun due to her blood lose and she shook her head trying to clear her vision the gesture wasn't missed by Bruce.
"You're not going anywhere alone," he said his voice stern as he grabbed her by her good arm turning her towards him.
"Ah my Bat in shining armor," she purred as she laid her head against his chest. "I could really use a ride home," she whispered.
Batman scooped her up in his arms, carried her out to the bat mobile and opened the hatch.
"Okay great, I'll just hail a cab," said Robin with disgust.
"Not dressed like that you won't," said Batman and he threw Robin a change of clothing.
"Thanks," said robin sarcastically as he returned to the factory and changed. A few moments later he walked back out and tossed his suit in the car. He then turned and walked away. "I'll see you later," Dick said coldly as he jammed his hands in his pockets and moved on his way. Behind him the Bat mobile came to life and drove off. He walked a few blocks until he was back in the city. As he tried to hail a cab a motorcycle pulled up along the curb and a familiar voice asked, "Going my way?"
"Depends on where're your going," Dick replied.
"No where in particular," she replied.
"Sounds good to me." Dick climbed on the motorcycle and she drove off.
"Haven't we met before," Dick yelled over the roar of the engine.
"If you feed me any one upon a dream crap Dick I'll throw you off this thing," Said Zanah.
"Relax Zanah I was just kidding."
"Good."
"So, where are we going?"
"Do you like fish?" she asked.
"Yes."
Else Where…
Selina glanced out the window and realized she was nowhere near Gotham. "I thought you were going to take me home," Selina whispered weakly at seeing the land near Wayne Manor.
"You can go home later. You've lost too much blood Selina. Unless I treat you soon you'll go into shock," Batman said as he pulled into the Bat cave. He got out of the car carrying Catwoman in his arms. She watched with fascination as the car was turned around and then taken into the floor. She'd always wondered what this place looked like.
Batman carried the injured Catwoman over to a metal table and laid her down on gently. He then walked off for a moment to change out of his Bat suit. "Gun fire," he questioned.
"An occupational hazard."
"How?"
"Saving the Commissioner," she replied as he returned to her side now Bruce Wayne. He lifted her head carefully and put his jacket under her.
"I can't sedate you, you might go comatosed."
"To bad I stopped drinking now would be a really good time to get drunk."
"This is going to hurt," he warned as he pulled away the bandage. Blood oozed out of the open wound as he tore the sleeve of her costume open. "When did you change to purple," he asked. Bruce lifted a scalpel from a group instruments by the table and then cut the wound open a bit wider.
"Oh, you noticed," she asked trying to ignore the pain.
Bruce sighed and began to work on pulling out the slug. To keep from screaming out Selina bit down on her lower lip until blood she could taste blood but she ignored the pain driving it back unwilling to give into it. She was stronger than it and she wasn't about to let him see her vulnerable. She'd shown that too much lately and he'd hurt her, she thought herself untouchable but she was wrong he still possessed the ability to hurt her deeply.
"You can relax now Selina. I've got it."
She sighed with relief and wiped the fresh blood away from her lip. Oh thank God.
"What happened," Bruce asked as he started to wrap the wound.
"Well I…" Selina began and then stopped distracted. She could feel his warm breath beating down on her skin. They hadn't been this close willingly in a long time. Not since Shreck's Masquerade ball, she realized.
"What is it?"
"Nothing… I showed up at Gordon's office and he thought I was you. I got there just in time because a moment later we were pinned down behind his desk. I took down one of them as Gordon escaped to safety, but two others came in. I didn't move fast enough and I was hit," she replied.
"Why did you save him?"
"I don't know."
"Come on Selina you don't do things for no reason."
"I did it because you and him are the last decent things left in Gotham," Selina replied as she sat up wanting to get moving.
"Why did you come back?"
"It doesn't matter," she mumbled.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine Bruce. Please take me home."
Gotham City Aquarium…"Oh I thought you meant the edible kind," said dick seeing the aquarium building.
"Do you always think about your stomach," Zanah asked.
"Yes."
Men, Zanah thought to herself, as she stashed her bike in he bushes. She then moved up the two flights of steps to the entrance Dick hot on her heels. Zanah pulls out a lock pick and sets to work.
"How long have you been doing that?"
"What coming to the aquarium or picking locks," she asked as she heard the tumbler click signaling the door was unlocked.
"Well, what do you think," he asked.
"This is the first time I've been here, but I've been picking locks since I was five," she replied. She quickly clipped a wire at the top of the door, opened it and then pressed a few buttons on the alarm panel shutting it off. The green light flashed ready and she walked in.
"You could give Catwoman a run for her money," dick teased.
"I doubt that, besides I'm not a thief," Zanah said as she walked passed several small tanks towards the large shark tank in the back. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"What were you before you became friends with Bruce?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Well no offence, but you don't seem like the high society sort."
"None taken. I was a circus performer."
"What was that like?"
"I loved it. What was your life like before you lived on the street?"
"I don't remember," Zanah lied as she repressed images of the orphanage like environment. The constant pressing of various adults teaching her things a child was never meant to learn. A shark swam past her as she stared at her reflection.
"Are you okay," he asked seeing her shift in mood.
"Yes."
"Is it painful is that why you don't want to remember?"
"I don't want to talk about."
"Okay, mind telling me why we came here?"
"It reminds me of home."
"Why?"
" I've always lived among sharks."
"Let's head home Zanah it's late," Dick said wanting to get her out of there the image and her mood was beginning to worry him.
"Okay," she said and they turned and left.
At the loft…Bruce pulled up in front of the reinvaded warehouse. "You live here," he questioned.
"Yes," she replied getting out of the car.
Bruce followed walking her up to the door. "I don't like this Selina… you shouldn't be alone."
"I'll be fine Bruce." she replied as she unlocked the door. "Thank you for your help I appreciate it."
"You're welcome."
"Good night Bruce," she whispered and then she opened the door and slipped inside.
"Good night," he echoed before the door closed and he left heading home.
Several minutes later at Wayne manor…
Alfred met Bruce at the door and when he asked, "Is Dick back yet?"
The older man replied, "No sir and Miss Zanah is still gone also."
"Maybe I should go look for him," Bruce said and at the same moment Dick and Zanah entered the manor. Both seemed to be in a good mood until she spotted him and a frown appeared on her face. "Zanah I…" he began in apology.
She said nothing just sent an icy glare in his direction disgusted by his refusal to help Miss Kyle. Selina had saved his life by her constant warnings and he was too stubborn and proud to listen when she was in danger. His refusal could have cost Selina her life.
Bruce shook his head knowing that anything he had to say would be useless. Zanah was right he had behaved like a jerk. His head fell with shame as he realized that Selina's refusal of his protection earlier and Zanah's temper were all within reason. He wanted to take back what happened earlier that night but it was impossible the damage had been done and there was nothing he could do to change it now. "Good night," he said before he turned and left moving upstairs to his room for the night.
"I think I'm going to go to bed," Zanah said softly her concerns about being found weighing down on her heavily.
"Are you okay?" Dick asked his voice full of concern.
"Yes," she lied closing herself off.
"What did you mean earlier about living among sharks?"
"Nothing… look I'm tired it's been a long day," she said before she turned and headed upstairs to her room.
Dick stood silent for a moment puzzled by her sudden avoidance of conversation, before he too moved upstairs to settle in for the night. She was right it had been a long day.
