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-One

Selina crept silently into the Manor not wanting anyone to know she was back. She moved up the steps and down the hall to her room. Upon entering it she doesn't even bother with the lights. She moves to the bed and starts digging through her suitcase for a change of clothes. She paused hearing the doo creek open behind her.

"Selina…"

"I'm here Bruce," she whispered moving more quickly wanting to avoid his learning of what had happened earlier.

"Why did you come in so quietly?" He asked.

"I didn't want to disturb anyone," she replied as she kicked the dirty blouse under the bed.

Bruce stood puzzled trying to figure out what was really going on. He turned on the lights and Selina turned away from him as she pulled on a clean blouse. Bruce stood silent for a moment taking note of her fresh bruises, which she tried to cover.

"What happened?" he asked gently.

"Our mutual friend decided he wanted to see me," she said bitterly.

"Daggett. What did he want?"

"To talk."

 "What about?"

"He wants me to work for him."

"What did he want you to do?"

"He wants me to give him Batman's head."

"And if you don't give it to him."

"He'll expose me as Catwoman."

"So take him my cowl and pronounce me dead."

"No. I won't let Gotham suffer. This city needs you. I can take care of myself it can't."

"Selina I won't let you be exposed."

"I won't be."

"What are you going to do?"

"Get that tape."

"Selina, don't give him an excuse to kill you."

"Would you rather I give him what he wants… Gotham."

"If you go I'm going with you."

"No Bruce, I have to do this alone."

"Selina…"

"I've made up my mind Bruce."

"Be careful."

"I will."

An uncomfortable silence fell between them and after about a minute of it he left.

Selina sighed relieved he was gone but she knew he would try to help her. I'll just have to find away to keep him out of this.  She told herself as she left her room. In the hall she was met by a concerned stare from Zanah who had apparently sensed something was wrong.

"What is it?" The young woman asked staring at Selina.

"Daggett has me on tape proving I'm Catwoman he threatened to expose me unless I do as he asks."

"Kill Batman," Zanah whispered seeing the look of distress in her friend.

"Yes, I'm going to Daggett industries tonight to get that tape."

"You're walking into a trap."

"I know. If I'm captured promise me you'll not let him come for me."

"I can't promise anything he's a difficult man to deal with and when he's determined it's hard to stop him."

"Then promise me you'll try."

"I'll try."

"Thank you."

"When are you leaving?"

"After dark."

"Good luck."

"Thanks." Selina whispered before she turned and moved downstairs to the kitchen to get some ice. She then slipped into the dark quiet lounge and settled down on a couch to rest. She closed her eyes but the silence didn't last. The sound of footsteps entered her ears and her green eyes opened to see Bruce switch on a table lamp.

"Selina don't go tonight. Daggett will be expecting you. Wait until tomorrow."

"I can't. If I do he'll expose me."

"So expose yourself first."

"If I did that I'd be arrested and the jail isn't safe. Besides who could I trust?"

"Commissioner Gordon you saved his life he'd believe you maybe even let you go."

"If I tell him the truth I put his life in even more danger."

"Not if you keep the conversation between you. No one else would have to know you'd spoken."

"And when Daggett exposes me tomorrow?"

"He'll keep the case in his hands personally make sure you're safe."

"This could backfire and if it does we could all be exposed."

"Selina please stay."

"Okay, we'll try it Bruce."

"Go relax, rest."

"Thank you," Selina whispered before she moved upstairs. Sorry Bruce, but if I stay as you ask I know while I rest you'll go on your own to take care of my problem. I can't allow that. Like you said it's a trap and I won't allow Gotham to suffer because of me, Selina thought as she pulled out a Catwoman costume and hid it in a towel she then moved into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Steam began to fill the room as she changed. I just hope you can forgive me for lying to you. Turning her attention to the mirror she wrote a quick apology before opening the window and leaving.

Later…

Bruce moved up the stairs towards the bathroom to check on Selina. It had been nearly an hour since she left him and he was starting to worry something was wrong. He knocked on the door softly but no answer was given. "Selina…" he called. He was met by a disturbing silence before the door squeeked open apparently left unlocked. "Selina," he called again as he stepped into the steamed up bathroom. Turning his attention to the mirror he saw two words that made his heart race as anger boiled to the surface.

"I'm sorry."

Bruce threw open the shower door and found it empty and the window open. "Damn it Selina," he swore in frustration as he shut off the water. He then left the room.

Mean While At Daggett Industries…

Catwoman stood on the roof and stared down into the office below through the skyline. They're right this is obviously a trap. I could still back out go back to the manor and pretend I never left, but I can't let Daggett get away with this. He promised me the thing once upon a time ago that would have won my loyalty my freedom to leave with Bruce but it's not possible even if Bruce had agreed to it we could never have lived with each other or ourselves knowing that we left Gotham to him. The city is a part of us. He guards it like a sacred treasure and it's the one place I've ever thought of as home. I won't let him have it. Selina thought before he put her claws to the glass and cut out a small hole placing the glass down she reached in and unlocked the window.

After opening it she checked the floor below for a security system using a can of odorless smoke to reveal any beams. Seeing nothing she dropped in and headed for the safe as she slid her night vision lenses into place. She then knelt and began working on the combination. The room was silent and the lack of security measures put her on edge but she neither, heard or saw any sign of Daggett or his men. She had just opened the safe when the lights were turned on and she found herself blinded.

Catwoman screamed in pain as she closed her eyes and struggled to remove the night vision even while she fended of attack from the ambush. Why didn't I hear or see them? What is going on? She wondered as got the lenses loose and found herself surrounded she cursed herself realizing they had been hiding in the secret passage which she had managed to forget. Sloppy Selina very sloppy, she scolded as she took down several of her attackers but she was hopelessly out numbered and she roared in rage as she was his from behind. Pain exploded through her skull as she was pistel whipped a second time before she fell to the floor in a heap as darkness claimed her and blood dribbled down her face.

"I told you I wanted her contious," Daggett roared furious.

"She would have escaped."

Daggett bent down and pulled off her gloves. "Tie her up."

"Shall we notify the Batman?"

"Not yet."

"Why?"

"I have some questions to ask Miss Kyle first. Notify me the moment she wakes up." Daggett said before he turned and left.

At Wayne Manor…

Bruce sat in the study his mind uneasy he glanced at the clock again and rose to his feet and began to pace unaware Zanah stood in the hall watching him. She's not back yet things must have gone bad. I suppose it's time I went in to help. Strange I get no indication of danger from her. She's not dead 'd have felt it. She must be uncontious. Time to move, Zanah decided before she moved upstairs to her room and changed to the Wraith and left.

Back at Daggett's office…

Selina blinked and surpressed a moan as she tried to reach for her head. Only to find her wrists tied up behind her back.

"Get the boss she's coming to," a man's voice snapped. And she remembered quickly what was happening as Daggett entered the room. Her green eyes locked on him and if looks could kill he'd have been a pile of ashes. The hatred on her face clearly displayed.

"Leave us," Daggett instructed and his men left immediately. "You certainly are a fool Selina I offered you a chance to live and you refused. Why? It's not like you know Batman he's just a shadow you're chasing after. He'd never allow you to know who he is you're a criminal."

Selina said nothing not about to explain. He would get no insight from her before he killed her.

"You know who he is don't you," Daggett said with realization.

Selina gave no response made no movement at all to betray her thoughts.

"Who is he?" Daggett was again met with silence and he realized she would say nothing more to him. Not about to give up he grabbed her left arm and tore away the sleeve. "I'll be back," he warned. And once he vanished his men retuned to see to it she didn't' get away.

Moments later Daggett returned with a small vial in one hand and a seringe in the other. He filled the nedal with the vials contence and after removing any air bubbles Daggett moved to the bound Catwoman and drove the nedal into the flesh of her arm and finding a vein he injected the liquid into her blood stream. Withdrawing the seringe once it was empty he looked at her and smiled. "We'll see if you're so quiet once that works it's way into your system."

  "Daggett you're going down," she roared in rage.

"No Miss Kyle you are but before you do you're going to take Batman with you," He said before he pulled off her mask and turned to leave.

"You want us to call the Bat."

"Wait a couple of hours let him squirm."

"What about her?"

"Take her to one of the labs for now."

"You don't want us to kill her?"

"Not yet she may have some very valuable information for me." Besides if she as important to Batman as I suspect I'll enjoy let him watch her die before I kill him as well. Then again I could torture her first before finishing her off. What would affect him the most? It's an interesting question. I'm going to enjoy making him suffer. Once he's gone Wayne and the commissioner will be easy to remove than Gotham will be mine. Daggett thought before he turned and left.

Once he was gone Daggett's men Dragged Selina from the office to one of the research labs and strapped her down to one of the metal tables before moving out into the hall to stand watch.

Selina stared at the ceiling and her thoughts filled with dread. If he gave me what I think he did I may very well expose everyone just as I feared. Bruce was right I never should have come alone. I told him to stay away but under the circumstances I hope he shows up soon if he doesn't we may all die because of my stupidity.  "Please hurry," she murmured before closing her eyes and struggled to focus on fighting the drugs working their way into her system.