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-Five
The next night…
Selina walked across the street and into the park. She made her way through the crowd her green eyes searching for her target. He spotted her at the same moment she spotted him and made his way to meet her.
"Miss Kyle what an unexpected surprise," said Daggett as he moved to her side.
"Roland Daggett, you didn't think I would miss such a lovely event did you she?" purred softly.
"Not going to make a scene. Are you kitten?" he asked grabbing her by the arm in an attempt to steer her away from the press.
"Of course not. I don't need to," She replied as she stood her ground.
"Really, and why not?" he inquired his steel gray eyes wide with interest.
"Because Clay Face will do it for me," she said with a grin.
"So, why are you here then?"
"I love to crash a good party…being the center of attention suits me."
Daggett inspected his unwanted guest with close scrutiny trying to act as though she were any other person in his path. His attempt was in vain. Her green eyes were alive with amusement at his expense. Her lips curved into a wicked smile at his discomfort in her presents. Her ivory skin was well displayed by the revealing black gown. The low v-necked off the shoulder top of the gown was enough to tempt and tease the long gown split on the sides revealing her long shapely legs. The outfit suited her. It spoke of her other half rather than the proper secretary he had met. She was intoxicating to look out.
"That dress certainly has that effect."
"You like it…" she began prepared to taunt him further but he cut her off.
"Very much. Too bad you're not playing for my team kitty. Together we could own Gotham," he said as he took her by the hand.
"Well, that would be difficult for me to do seeing how your goals include eliminating my friends," she said.
"Does Catwoman have friends? The Catwoman I've heard so much about had one friend herself. You've had your claws trimmed kitten. You're no longer your own keeper. Batman has you on a leash," he said and he kissed her hand before taking the other.
"You're wrong, I choose my friends. He's my friend not my master."
"You're in love with him and it's made you blind. You're at his beckon call," he said as he prepared to dance.
"My love has made me one person again."
"But does he love you? If he found us together like this would he be jealous. Would he die to save you?" Daggett asked as his right hand let go of hers and rested on her hip. His fingers brushing over the fabric caressing her.
"I don't know," she lied.
"He would… Interesting. But are you sure? I think in the end if given the choice between you and the city he would pick the city. I think you're chasing a shadow Miss Kyle," he whispered as he drew her close.
"Maybe I am, but at least I know and understand him, you however hide in the shadows," she said trying to relax his hand at her waist was making her uncomfortable.
"If you would be my ally Miss Kyle I'll let you know all about me."
"What do you want from me?"
"Batman's identity."
"And if I refuse," she whispered.
"Then I'll kill you," he whispered into her ear as his hand slid down her hip exploring her curves.
"In front of all these witnesses," she said her grin growing wider.
"You are so cleaver kitten. You were counting on that weren't you," he whispered.
"Like I said before I love to crash a good party."
"Well, I'm glad you decided to crash my party kitten, because you are such an enchanting creature. Do you think that your caped friend would mind too much if I kissed you?"
"I don't know Mr. Daggett, but I would."
"Oh come now kitten be nice. After all with one word I could have you arrested."
"Yes, but I could do the same," she purred.
"Daggett!" Came an angry cry from the crowd.
"It sounds like you have company Mr. Daggett do I'll be leaving. Good night," she whispered and with that she vanished into the crowd.
Batman watched from the roof as a non-descript man made his way through the crowd towards Daggett.
"You won't get away with this. The whole world will soon know who you really are," The man shouted. He was stopped by Daggett's bodyguards, but easily broke free as he revealed his true form a massive form of clay with glowing yellow eyes.
Batman watched as Daggett vanished with disgust as the other man continued to rage.
"See what you've done to me. I did as you asked and you betrayed me. For that you will die!"
The guardian of Gotham dropped off the roof into Clay Face's path. "That's enough! Let the deal with him," Batman said in a voice that demanded compliance.
"The law protects people like him. Get out of my way Batman this is not your concern."
"You're wrong."
"He's not worth protecting! He's evil."
"Let the courts judge him. Go to the police."
"He owns both. No! If you protect him I'll kill you as well."
"Don't do this."
Clay Face said nothing. In response his fist formed a solid form and he lashed out at the Dark Knight.
Batman dodged the blow avoiding the second and the third as well, but the fourth caught him off guard and he hit the wall with such force his head spun. When he lashed out in defense he found his attempt pointless. The clay form molded to his fist to shield the blow, before withdrawing to follow after Daggett.
Batman watched as Daggett's bodyguards shot at the clay mass filling him with lead.
Clay Face merely laughed and the bullets fell out of him leaving him unharmed.
Who is this guy, and why is he so intent on killing Daggett? What happened to him, to make him like that? Batman wondered as Clay Face roared in rage at yet again losing Daggett's trail.
Daggett was gone and Clay Face would soon vanish as well, until the next opportunity for a public execution of the industrial giant presented its self. Batman turned and left knowing the danger had passed; there was nothing more he could do for now so he headed back to the cave.
Later in the Bat Cave…
"So how did it go," Selina asked as Batman returned.
"Not as well as you hoped. I didn't have any luck. You're right time's running out Selina and I need to find proof of Daggett's illegal activities. What I have isn't enough."
"We need to get into his private files."
"How? They'll be locked up tight in his new office at Wayne Enterprises, my office. The room is a veritable fortress?"
"You know the building Bruce, the security measures. You know its vulnerabilities."
"If I go in there even in disguise they'll recognize me, and if I go in a s Batman…"
"Daggett may put two and two together. I know, I never said you would be going."
"Selina no…"
"Bruce, I have to…"
"But he'll be looking for you…You'll be walking into a trap."
"Not f I want to get caught."
"Selina if he catches you he'll kill you."
"No, he won't…"
"What makes you so sure?"
"Two reasons. First he'd rather eliminate Batman and I'm his best bait."
"What if you're wrong? You've stepped on his toes on several occasions? He may want to kill you enough that he'll forget about trying to trap me."
"He won't Bruce. At the party earlier I saw it in his eyes… In his own sick twisted way he's in love with me. He wants me Bruce. Wants me working for him and on his arm," she whispered.
"Selina…"
"Talk to me Bruce get me through security and I'll get what we need."
"I won't let you do this Selina. He's dangerous. Everyone who gets in his way has this annoying habit of disappearing. I won't lose you again."
"He won't kill me."
"I won't give you to him Selina."
"You have to…"
"You're not afraid of him?"
"I am…the man scares me to death and makes my skin crawl."
"You're not doing this, I won't…"
"Yes you will, because you have to make a choice, either hand me over to him or hand over the city."
"Selina."
"I'm right and you know it. You can hand me over and I can fight back or you can hand over Gotham city which can't."
Bruce stood silent for a moment stunned by her words. He had been protecting Gotham for years and the thought of giving it to Daggett filled him with disgust, but as he considered the alternative, handing Selina over to Daggett her words echoed around in his head. He wants me… Bruce's mind was flooded with images of her under Daggett's control and felt a rush of emotions, rage, disgust, fear, sorrow, and shame all at once. His stomach turned angrily and acid rose up to the back of his throat. His knees grew weak and he sat down to prevent falling. He blocked out the images as thoughts of his city under Daggett's control flooded his mind. Though they upset him it was not as nearly intense as the thought of giving her over to Daggett had been. He stood up suddenly and looked at her.
"I won't help you," he said.
"Bruce…"
"I'd rather hand him Gotham on a silver platter than give him you," he whispered holding her close to him.
Selina stood stunned, unable to believe what he had just said. "Bruce all those people, they're counting on you…"
"Strangers, people I don't know. I've given them my entire life Selina. I would give Daggett anything I had to save them now; anything except you," he whispered staring into her green eyes needing her to understand.
"Bruce, you don't know how much comfort your words give me; but it's my decision too and I won't…" she began before he kissed her to silence her not wanting to hear anymore about this. Determined to banish the thought of her in Daggett's clutches from his mind. Selina kissed him back shocked by his desperation to keep her from discussing the issue any further. He held her close for several minutes reliving his fears and then let her go.
"Bruce…"
"You're not going Selina. You or Catwoman…"
"How are you going to stop me?"
"I'll lock you up. I'll sedate you, what ever it takes."
"Why?"
"Because the thought of losing you to him is one I can't handle… it disgust me more than anything else ever has."
"Bruce…"
"I mean it Selina. I don't want to hear another word about this, because it's not going to happen."
"I appreciate that you're worried about me…" she began in protest.
"Worried about you! Selina I'm scared to death," he snapped interrupting her.
"Bruce I can take care of myself you know that."
"I'm not afraid for you, I'm scared for myself."
Selina blinked confused, "Why?"
"I don't know what I'd do if I lost you again."
"Bruce… I didn't realize how much this would upset you… I promise you won't hear another word from me on the subject," Selina whispered.
"Thank you," he whispered before he kissed her forehead and turned his attention back to his work.
Selina moved upstairs and pulled out of her bag a cell phone and a list of numbers for contacts. "Hello, do you know who this is?"
"Catwoman."
"Good, I need a complete schematic of Wayne Enterprises security system and I need it fast."
"What's the rush?"
"I have a score to settle wit the current owner."
"Enough said. After this we're even Catwoman."
"Of course." Selina hung up the phone and laid down to rest. Once I get that information I'll go see what I can find to prove Daggett's not what he seems. Sorry Bruce, but someone has to face him and since I know he can't kill me it looks like I've been elected. I just hope I don't get in over my head. Selina thought before she drifted off to sleep.
