Chapter Thirty-Five

Later at the Park…

After dinner the group headed for the area boasting Gotham's urban legends. The wandered through the museum first taking in the heroes and Villains' gallery. After this they road the coaster inspired by the guardians of Gotham and went to the 3D show they now sat waiting for the stunt show to start.

Dick had seemed reluctant to linger in the area and Zanah figured it was because he wasn't interested in the display of hero worship that was present. She grinned as she wondered how the crowd would react if they knew the real robin and batgirl were in there midst. While Dick didn't seem to care too much for the attention paid to his other half Barbara seemed to revel in it. Zanah shook her head and tried not to comment. 

As she looked through the crowd Zanah felt panic grip her. A group of Daggett's goons were in the crowd and apparently searching for someone. She muttered a curse for letting her guard down for too long. No doubt one of Daggett's spies had recognized her earlier and the party headed her way had been sent out to bring her in.

"You okay?" Dick asked noting her mood shift.

"Not really, can we leave."

"I'd love to," Dick replied.

The two tuned to go. "Hey where are you going the shows about to start?" Barbara said.

"I'm not feeling so well, I'm going to go wait outside," Zanah explained.

"Suit yourself. Dick let her go I'm sure she'll be fine," Barbara said.

"Babs…"

"She right I'll be okay alone," Zanah said feeling it better not to get him involved.

"Are you sure?" Dick asked.

Zanah nodded before she vanished into the crowd. Dick turned his attention back to the stage area reluctantly.

Zanah stepped out of the theater area and sat down in the shade of a tree as the moon hid behind a cloud. The thugs made their way through the gate and grinned pleased to have not lost her. Zanah noted that the grounds were empty meaning all the tourists and guests were at the show or had gone home. She sighed relieved as she rose to her feet. She lashed out with a kick taking one of them out easily and punched another in the nose.

"You've been a bad girl Zanah and your father told us to get rid of you," one of the men hissed as he drew out his gun. Zanah dove behind the cover of a car and glanced over counting her opponents half a dozen all armed and prepared to kill her if necessary the odds weren't in her favor.

The crowd fell silent as the spotlight rose on the rooftop. Dick turned his attention from the stage out the door in time to see a man beyond draw what looked like a gun. He got up from his seat and started towards the exit.

"Dick where are you going?" Barbara questioned.

"I'm going to go check on Zanah. I'll be back," he said to appease her.

Barbara nodded and turned her attention back to the show.

Zanah dashed form the car out the gate and onto the main path through the park as bullets ripped through the air. Their sounds hidden by the pyrotechnics from the stunt show.

"Damn it get her," the man in charge ordered as Dick stepped out of the theater. Staying in the shadows he watched the six men disappear out of the gate. Dick took the two injured men out of commission before following the others in the shadows.

Zanah raced down the main path trying to think of a place that would put her at an advantage against the gun carrying lackeys. Recalling the cargo nets and the weapon shops she raced through the gate of the Realm of Adventure as more shots were fired.

Dick heard the shots and watched as Zanah disappeared into the land of Adventure. What's going on? The men chased after her and he stepped through the gate and remained in the shadows. He watched as a dagger flew through the air hitting the lead man in the shoulder.

Zanah dove into the cargo net entrance and moved silently up them with a cat like grace she then lat the ropes squeak to reveal her path. Inviting them to come into her lair if they dared. Dick heard the sound and watched as the men put guns away to pursue. Clever Zanah, he thought as he to entered the rope maze to aid her.

He easily took the straggling two out of play. They had poor balance and were too busy worrying about staying up right to notice him. Dick followed the other four waiting for his next opening to reduce their number without revealing himself.

Zanah crouched near a down slope as her pursuers came closer she tripped up the one in the front. The man tumbled down the ropes and lay at the bottom, and grunted before lapsing into unconsciousness. Satisfied she climbed up the side path and moved into a faintly lit cave area. She then made noise to draw the three remaining men to where she was.

Dick came to the spot where the others had been moments earlier, saw the fallen man and grinned. Nice work. He then moved up the path and found on of the three remaining men within reach and wrapping his arm around the guys neck in a sleeper hold, hand over his mouth Dick render him harmless. He then entered the cave.

Zanah raced down the path around an enclosed waterfall and back up the side out of the light. Ahead of here the path forked off in two directions: one of the paths winding around the back of the castle, the other entering the netting that lead into the modern section of the area. 

Zanah entered the modern section and then passed immediately through the section to the pirate area. Her pursuers close behind. The netting here widened into a large opening and she grinned knowing that here she could face them both and have the advantage.                 

She stood in the middle of the passageway and watched as only two men entered the passageway. They grabbed hold of separate walls to stay up and Zanah laughed. She walked across the ropes towards the man to her left since he was further along and balancing her weight on the balls of her feet she lashed out with a high kick. Followed by a punch the guy bounced against the net wall and back at her she clothes lined him. She grinned when he fell to his back with a thud. The ripples of the net in the wake of his fall, having no effect on her balance at all.

Zanah turned in time to see the last of her attackers slump in Dick's grasp.

"So, sis you enjoy the cargo nets?" Dick asked trying to make light of the situation.

"Yes, they were great. I'll have to run through them again sometime when I'm not being chased."

"Who are these guys? What's going on Zanah?"

"Just friends sent by my mother no doubt," Zanah said.

"Whom do they work for? Why are they after you?"

"The sharks. They want me to go home," she replied.

Dick nodded realizing she'd say nothing else. It was a personal problem and she didn't want to involve him in it. "We should get back to the theater before the show ends. I don't want to have Barbara asking a whole bunch of questions."

   Zanah nodded and the two made their way out of the netting. They then headed back to the area dedicated to Gotham's legends. Zanah took a seat on a bench and watched as Dick vanished back into the theater, only to reappear moments later with Barbara.

"Well now what? The park will be closing soon," Barbara asked.

"We shouldn't head back to the manor yet," Dick said.

Zanah nodded and Barbara sighed.

"How about a movie?" Dick suggested.

Barbara grinned. "Sounds like a great idea.

"How much later should we stay out?" Zanah asked.

"I'd say past midnight," Dick replied.

The trio moved out of the park and piled into Barbara's car.

At Wayne Manor… 

Bruce laid awake Selina's head resting on his chest. His fingers brushed against her cheek and eyes fluttered open.

"What time is it?" Selina asked.

"Almost eleven. Did you sleep well?"

Selina yawned and stretched. "Yes," she purred softly. "Did you?"

"For a while," he replied. "Hungry?"

"I'm famished," she replied.

"Lets go see about that dinner," Bruce whispered.

Selina nodded and lifted her head. Wrapping the sheet around her she slipped out of bed and made her way out of the room to get dressed. Bruce got out of bed and dressed. He moved out of the room to the steps and found Selina waiting. She wore a long purple silk nightgown with a black robe over it.

Bruce kissed her briefly before taking her hand in his and starting down the steps towards the kitchen.

Upon entering the kitchen Selina sat down at the small table and watched as Bruce opened the fridge. The two then sat down to a quiet dinner.

After dinner the two returned to his room and dosed off for the night.

Not long after that Zanah, Dick and Barbara crept into the manor. Barbara gave Dick a peck on the lips and thanked him for a fun day before disappearing upstairs to her room. Dick sighed and shook his head.

"You okay?" Zanah asked.

"Yes, just tired of her games. I'm sorry she's giving you a hard time."

"Don't worry about it. I can handle her and she's not bothering me."

"I meant what I said before about going back another time. Would you like to?"

"Yes, today was nice. I'm sorry that it was interrupted," Zanah whispered.

"Don't be I enjoyed the game of tag, though I'd prefer playing without bullets," Dick laughed.

"Yes, next time no guns," Zanah replied.

"You tired?" Dick asked.

"Not really," Zanah answered.

"Feel like a game of pool?"

"Not right now," Zanah whispered. Making a decision she grabbed the collar of his jacket and pulled him to her. Lips met in a hungry kiss, which was returned without hesitation. Zanah broke the kiss and let go of his jacket.

Dick blinked. "What was that for?" he asked.

"A proper thank you."

"Thank you?"

"For the day."

"Your welcome."