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 Twenty
The next Day…
Bruce woke early the next morning and walked down the hall to where Selina was sleeping. He had to see her again before she left. He crept into her room and stood by the bed just watching her for a moment. As he stood there he realized just how much he had missed her. Until that moment he was unaware of just how much he loved her.
Selina stirred and moaned softly. "Bruce look out," she screamed.
Bruce wanted to wake her she was clearly having a nightmare, but he didn't want to startle her either. Instead he crept away leaving her to rest.
Selina sat up with a start, shaken from sleep by a terrible dream. She got to her feet and moved downstairs in search of Bruce.
"Selina, good morning," he said as he saw her at the top of the steps.
"Good morning Bruce."
"Did you sleep well?"
"For the most part."
"But…"
"I had a horrible nightmare early this morning."
"You okay."
"Yes."
"What was it about?"
"You actually."
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Sure, but can we eat first I'm starving?"
"All right. What do you want to eat?"
"How about you go about your routine and I'll fix something?"
"Okay with me."
"Selina came down the stairs and then disappeared into the kitchen. Bruce turned and moved into the lounge where switched on the news.
"Gothamites can rest easy again there have been three new sighting of Batman in the past week. It appears that the cities vigilantly is alive and well much to this reporters relief. Rumor has it that Catwoman is back in town, but the curious fact is she's been turning up not to cause trouble but to stop it. Has this feline femme fatale turned over a new leaf or is she just looking to confuse matters. In other news the Jade Cat reappeared mysteriously two nights ago at the Gotham Museum. Police inspected the priceless statue and found no trace of fingerprints so the thief would appear to be in the clear."
Bruce turned off the TV and moved back down the hall toward the kitchen.
Selina looked up as the door opened behind her. "I was about to come and get you breakfast is ready," she said.
Bruce took a plate from her and they sat down at the table. They ate breakfast together in silence. When they were done Bruce looked at her and said, "So tell me about your dream."
"Well, I was at home sleeping…"
* * *
Selina lay in bed sheets pulled up tightly around her, a couple of cats rested by her feet and Isis was on her pillow. She was lost in the night until a gunshot sounded. She sat up instantly awake. Climbing out of the bed she moved towards the door and locked it as she considered her next move.
She was given little time to think because a few seconds later the doorframe splintered and the door opened to reveal Daggett and his goons. Selina stood frozen feigning terror as Daggett grabbed her by the arm.
"Knock off the act Miss Kyle. I know a woman as cunning as Catwoman isn't afraid," Daggett said.
Selina moved to lash out at him as he grabbed her by the other arm and held her at bay in a vice like grip. As she struggled in vain one of his goons produced a syringe and plunged it into her forearm. Selina felt the room spin before everything went black.
She woke up to find herself in a small square concrete room. By the structure she figured it to be some kind of holding cell. She also found that she couldn't move. Looking down at herself she discovered she was tied up as the cell door opened. Glancing up she was faced with Daggett.
"What do you want?"
"Batman," he replied. "And since he seems to be right at Catwoman's side it seems you're his weakness, which makes you the perfect bait to kill him."
"What are you going to do?" Selina asked as she wriggled her hands testing the ropes.
"As we speak one of my men is sending up the Bat signal. He will leave behind a disturbing package for your Dark Knight: your costume and a note from your kidnappers. If he responds as I expect him to he should be here soon."
"And then what?" Selina questioned as she worked on the ropes that tied her wrists.
"No, no. I tell you and you tell him. That won't do at all. Good day Miss Kyle."
Selina watched with barely contained rage as he turned and left. Once he was gone she dislocated her left thumb and easily freed her wrists. Putting her thumb back into joint she then untied her ankles before setting to work on the door.
A few moments later a window opened and Batman's eyes peered in at her. Daggett's goons opened the door and dragged Selina out.
"What does he want?" Batman questioned his voice demanding the answer.
"You in her place."
"Batman don't," Selina hissed.
"You have a deal," Batman said.
Selina at that moment lashed out revealing she was loose and took out the goons. "Run!" Selina snapped before disappearing into the shadows.
Moving through the darkness with practiced ease Selina took down a sniper. She breathed a sigh born of relief, which caught in her throat at the sound of a gun being cocked. Searching the shadows she spotted the sniper but was too late to act.
"Bruce look out!" Selina screamed but her warning came too late and she watched with horror as Batman fell to the floor.
"Bruce, Bruce Wayne is Batman? " Daggett's voice questioned from somewhere in the shadows.
Selina reacted in rage taking out the sniper before dropping down at Batman's side checking for any signs of life. Tears welled behind her eyes as she found him to be dead.
"Thank you Miss Kyle. I got to kill two birds with one stone," Daggett said from somewhere behind her.
Selina turned to lash out at him and was shot. She fell to the floor at Batman's side and watched helplessly as Daggett took batman's cowl. He then shot her again.
* * *
That's when I woke up," Selina said.
"Selina, it's okay. It was just a dream," Bruce whispered resting his hand on hers.
Selina withdrew form his touch and crossed her arms over her chest as if protecting herself from a chill only she could feel. "I'm scared Bruce. He's right. I am your weakness." Selina whispered turning her focus to the table pulling away from him. "Others will see that to. They'll use me to get to you. Catwoman is still a threat to you."
Bruce reached out lifting her head so that she was looking at him. "Selina…"
Selina brushed him away and rose to her feet moving away from the table. "Maybe I should leave and never come back."
Bruce disturbed by the distance she had created suddenly and the threat of never seeing her again rose from his seat crossed the floor to her side and wrapped his arms around her shoulders from behind. "If you left I'd search for you forever," he whispered.
Selina turned her green eyes angry at his refusal to face the facts. "Bruce be reasonable, Batman is in danger if I stay here. I love you to much too put you in danger."
Bruce lowered his forehead to rest it against hers. "Selina sometimes you can't be reasonable. I won't let you run off because you're afraid for me. I take risks everyday you know that. You're no more a threat to me than I am to myself."
"Bruce…" Selina whispered as she closed her eyes trying to stand firm with her belief.
"I won't let you leave Selina. I'm not going to lose you again."
"I should go," she whispered needing her space.
"I'll take you home." Bruce replied not willing to give her the total isolation she craved.
"What about my car?" Selina asked looking for an excuse to leave there alone.
"I'll bring it by later," he replied cutting off any further attempt for her to pull away.
"Thanks Bruce," She whispered part of her relieved that he had refused her the solitude Catwoman seemed to crave.
They left the house and headed back for her loft. When they got there he walked her in. Much to her horror she found it wrecked and a message was left for her.
"I'll have you skinned Catwoman, but before I do I'll cut the Bat's wings."
"Bruce…"
"Grab your things Selina, you're going back to the manor."
"Bruce…"
"I'm serious. Leave a note for Zanah to join us."
"Join you where, what's going on?" Asked Zanah.
"Daggett knows who I am."
"Grab your things both of you," said Bruce.
Selina and Zanah moved into their rooms and grabbed their things. The three then headed back for Wayne manor.
Later at Wayne Manor…
Dick and Alfred both looked surprised to see Selina and Zanah walk in the house bags in hand.
"What's going on?" dick asked confused.
Bruce looked at Selina for permission to speak. She gave a nod and he said. "Daggett knows she's Catwoman."
"She's Catwoman?" Dick asked stunned by the revelation.
"Yes."
"How long have you known?"
"I've known since she got back."
"When the cat statue was stolen why didn't you turn her in?"
"I couldn't."
"What about Julie?"
"She left."
"Can we trust Selina?"
"Yes… Selina why don't you and Zanah take your things up stairs and get settled in."
Selina nodded and started up the steps followed by Zanah knowing the two needed to talk alone as Batman and Robin. Zanah knew who they were but Bruce was unaware of that.
"I don't understand she's a thief," Dick snapped once they were out of earshot. I thought it was our job to turn her in."
"I'm no more capable of turning her in than you would be of turning in the Wraith. Some things go beyond even our code. Selina took the statue out of anger."
"You love her," Dick said with understanding.
"Yes."
"We can trust her? You're sure?"
"Yes. Selina's main purpose in coming here was to make sure I was alive. She wants Daggett behind bars as much as we do."
"She does? I mean he tried to kill her is that all she wants revenge seems more her style."
"She knows to kill him will draw his allies after us and she wants to avoid that."
"You're sure she's not manipulating you again?"
"I'm certain she was ready to leave town again to protect us."
"Why?"
"She convinced Catwoman is a threat to us."
"If she left she'd be a sitting duck."
"I know."
"Is Zanah in danger also?"
"Possibly they were under the same roof."
Upstairs…
After putting their things away Selina and Zanah moved back downstairs rejoining Bruce and Dick.
"Bruce I'm going back out to get a few more things I'll be back later." Selina said.
"Be careful."
"I will," she whispered before leaving Bruce then turned and moved towards the study leaving Dick and Zanah alone to catch up.
Dick opened his mouth to speak but before he could say a word Barbara appeared at the top of the steps. "What's she doing here?"
"Zanah and Miss Kyle will be staying here for awhile."
"What? Why?"
"Daggett's after Miss Kyle which places Zanah in danger also."
"They should be in protective custody with the police not here," Barbara protested.
"Daggett has too many connections they wouldn't be safe there," Dick countered.
"It's not exactly safe here either," Barbara snapped.
"They're staying here," Bruce interrupted the argument having reached him in the study.
"Okay," Barbara relented knowing not to argue with him. She shot an angry glare at the other woman before heading for the kitchen.
Zanah not one to step away from a challenge excused herself and headed in the same direction.
"I take it Barbara and Gill are not seeing each other at the moment," Bruce said.
"Yes, she up to her normal games."
"Are you worried about Zanah?"
"No, she can take care of herself."
In the Kitchen…
Barbara was in the midst of pouring herself a glass of juice when Zanah entered the room. "Zanah," Barbara said her voice cold and even as she pretended to act civil.
"Leave him alone girl," Zanah hissed, not about to pretend they were on friendly terms.
"He's my friend I won't let you ruin that," Barbara said.
"You're not his friend. If you were you'd let him go."
"You don't understand us…"
"No, I do. There is no us. You left him. Now back off."
Elsewhere…
Selina stepped out of the bank and started towards the parking garage where she'd left her car. As she walked into the building her senses went to full alert aware suddenly she wasn't alone. Moving up the stairs she headed for her car only to be attacked by a dozen men. Her injuries still fresh she was over powered quickly and dragged off.
Later at Wayne Enterprises…
Selina was dragged into Bruce Wayne's former office and brought face to face with Roland Daggett.
"Miss Kyle."
"Daggett," she hissed spitting his name out like a foul taste.
"So the infamous Catwoman turns out to be my personal secretary. I find myself wondering what I should do. My first reaction was to kill you, but then I reconsidered."
"You're a fool. I could expose you."
"Not if I expose you first. Then even if you made your accusations no one would believe you."
"Batman would."
"Ah yes, the troublesome Dark Knight. Perhaps he would but it won't matter."
"I could have you arrested right now for kidnapping me."
"I didn't kidnap you Miss Kyle. I simply wanted to talk."
"Then talk fast," Selina snapped.
"You're going to give me Batman's head on a silver platter or I'll expose you."
"Never!"
"Consider carefully kitten… You know as well as I that Bruce Wayne is a target as well. So, I'll let you and Mr. Wayne walk away from here together."
"You can't expose me the only proof you have is evidence taken illegally from my home."
"No I have proof observe," Daggett said with a grin as he turned on a TV monitor and pressed play on the VCR. Selina watched her stomach tightening into knots as she changed from Secretary to Catwoman in the bathroom at Daggett industries.
"I need a day to think about it," she said loosing all traces of confidence even as she began to plot out how to get the tape that night.
"Of course. I expect your answer by noon tomorrow. If I don't have it this tape will be turned it the police."
"You'll have it."
"Good." Daggett turned his attention away from Selina and his goons escorted her back to her car before leaving.
