Chapter Forty-Five

Two Weeks later…

The sound of Dick's motorcycle roared up the road and moments later he set foot in the house for the first time since Selina had talked to him.

Bruce looked relieved to see him, but disturbed by his appearance. Several days' growth of stubble marred his face and he had the look of someone who had slept in his clothes for several days. His hair was un-kept and he looked exhausted.

"Dick, good to see you," Bruce said to his friend and partner.

"Bruce."

"How are you?"

"I've been better."

"About Zanah…" Bruce began.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Well, you're going to," Barbara snapped as she came down the steps.

Dick cringed at the raised voice indicating his hung over state. "Not so loud Babs," he snapped.

"I'll yell if I want to damn it. Look at you hung over, un-kept, thin haggard it's disgusting. You barley knew her and you're acting like she was your best friend or something. Snap out of it she's gone. Get over it!" Barbara shouted.

Dick's blue eyes widened with fury at the vicious attack. His shoulders tenses and he became stiff as a board his grip on his helmet tightening.

"That's enough Barbara," Bruce warned concerned that Dick would turn around and walk out the door again.

"I'm not going to hold my tongue because of him. I'm sick of this. His behavior has been completely uncalled for."

"My behavior!" Dick snapped.

"That's right you've been acting like you're as dead as she is. Its ridiculous she died because of her choices. She chose to be…"

"Enough!  I'm sick to death of you Barbara. You talk about her and Selina and their flaws but maybe its time you looked in the mirror at your own mistakes. I've put up with you for too long."

"Don't you dare change the subject."

"No, its time I said this," Dick snapped. "You left me for Gill and it hurt more than you'll ever know. I wanted you back but you've been stringing me along ever since using me as you like when things aren't going well between you and him. I'm sick of it. It stops now! Let me go Barbara."

"Dick…"

"Get out!" he roared.

"But I thought you loved me."

"I loved Zanah you and I are history," Dick said before he turned and moved upstairs passed Selina who stood on the steps. He gave her a nod and vanished from sight.

"I think you should say good bye to your uncle and leave Barbara," Bruce said glad to see Dick had finally told Barbara his mind."

"He didn't mean it," Barbara said.

"I think he did and if he hadn't asked you to go I'd have. How dare you tear into him like that? Did you want him to leave for good?" Bruce asked.

"No, of course not, its just…"

"Let his go Barbara." Bruce said.

Barbara turned and left heading up to her room. Selina glared at the girl as she passed her.

Upstairs…

Dick lay on his bed staring at the ceiling not sure how he felt. Having told Barbara how he felt had been comforting and frustrating at the same time.  How can my friend treat me that way? What is the matter with her what does she want from me? Dick wondered as he closed his eyes. He heard the sound of a door slamming further down the hall and sighed at Barbara's display of temper. What right does she have to be angry?

Dick opened his eyes and looked at himself in the mirror. He looked awful, which was how he felt. Looking around further he noted the mess he'd left his room in. As he surveyed himself Selina's words came to mind and he realized with frustration she was right. Zanah's death was not his fault. Even further he was sure she'd be disappointed to see him like this. His state was allowing others like Daggett and Daggett himself to get away. 

As much as he hated to agree with her at the moment Barbara was right it was time to stop his destructive behavior. Zanah had died saving him the least he could do was take care of himself. Getting up Dick set to the task of cleaning up. "I'm sorry Zanah," he whispered.

Down the Hall…

Barbara packed up her things and blinked back tears as she looked at a picture of her and Dick. What had she done she wondered as she shoved her clothes into her bag. She looked at the other picture of her and Gill and sighed as Bruce's words came to mind. 'Julie and I could never have worked. She can't accept the life I lead.' "If that's true than I made the wrong choice. I gave Dick up a man who can understand for one who can't. So, what do I do now?" she asked herself. She looked at the Batgirl suit and realized it was time to let go it was time to give up the ghost and live the life she'd chosen it was time to go back to school.

Barbara closed her bag slung it over her shoulder and stepped out of the room. She closed the door and made her way down the steps to be faced with her uncle.

"Barbara," he said evenly.

"I'm sorry uncle Alfred," she whispered.

"I had hoped so much for you girl," Alfred stated.

"I know, and I'm sorry. I chose a different path and it's too late to go back. I think part of me was afraid to let go because I'm not sure what lies ahead of me."

"I understand."

"Tell everyone I'm sorry."

"Take care of yourself dear," Alfred said. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and watched as she left the manor.

Across Town …

  Daggett stood at a podium addressing the press concerning the still missing Jade Cat.

"Mr. Daggett is it true that you and Miss Kyle have separated?"

"Yes. I was mistaken in Selina it seems that she is a criminal incapable of change. If I'm wrong then I challenge Catwoman to find the real culprit or else turn her self in."

"Mr. Daggett according to the police Catwoman was not responsible for the theft."

"If she isn't then why hasn't there been any other thefts? Why hasn't the statue been found?"

 "You think that it's a cover?"

"Yes otherwise why wouldn't she come forth and defend herself why stay in hiding?"

"If she were responsible surly batman…"

"Batman is no where to be found on the matter, because the caped crusader is enamored with the Cat-burglar. He's no more capable of arresting her than of our learning his real identity."

"Even the commissioner believes the museum theft a set up."

"That's because Gordon is in Batman's pocket. Jim Gordon is incapable of protecting this city from danger without Batman. He believes what the bat says. I think that both should be thrown out of our fair city."

"Harsh words."

"I'm tired of the corruption in Gotham its time to take out the trash." Daggett said before he turned and left. He moved upstairs into his office and smiled as he contemplated his next move. He knew who Batman was now it was only a matter if figuring out how to get rid of him.  Once Wayne and the Commissioner were dealt with the city would be his. It wouldn't take long the people would talk about what he'd said in time they'd realize he was right. Once Bruce was gone then Selina to would be his. If only he hadn't gotten that tape. Daggett thought as Zanah walked into his office.

"Zanah my dear. I thought you were long gone. What brings you back?"

"She is long gone," The figure whispered before raising her arm to reveal a gun her eyes now yellow.

"Who are you?" Daggett demanded.

The figure laughed and its appearance shifted to that of Matt Hagen.

"Hagen."

"He's gone too," Clay Face roared before he pulled the trigger firing three shots. He then checked and finding Daggett was dead he pulled open a bag and produced the Jade Cat opening the safe he put it in and then turned and left, Several small shards of his clay form were left on the floor in his wake.

Later…

As an officer was busy taking the secretaries account of what occurred another group were busy working the crime scene. Daggett's comments to the press played on the TV in the background as Montoya found the partially open safe. Pushing open the door she stared at the contents with disbelief. "Bullock you're not going to believe this." She said.

"What is it Montoya?"

"Roland Daggett stole the Jade Cat," she replied as she pulled the statue out of the safe with her gloved hand.

Bullock stared with disbelief. "I guess he took the break of with Miss Kyle harder than he said," Bullock laughed.

"Apparently," Montoya said. She then spotted the clay shard in the carpet. "Looks like Clay Face finally got him," she added as she dusted some of the clay into an evidence bag.

Bullock shook his head. "Okay finish up and let's get back to the Commissioner."

Montoya nodded and turned back to her work.

That night at Wayne Manor…

Bruce and Selina sat watching the news neither to happy about the interview with Daggett earlier that day.

"In our opening story tonight we have a development in the missing Jade Cat."

Selina blinked relieved it meant that she was off the hook.

"Roland Daggett was found murdered this evening. Ironically as his interview aired police investigators found the jade Cat in murder industrialists' office safe. Apparently the death was the work of mystery man Clay Face as the police found clay fragments at the scene."

Bruce switched off the TV set and looked at his wife with relief. "Daggett's gone," he stated not sure how to feel. Part of him was glad to be rid of the man he was a threat to all Bruce held dear, but he had wanted the man behind bars and his murder was a crime that could not be viewed as a blessing.

"Yes, we're safe again," Selina murmured having no mixed feelings about the end result she had figured it would come out like this if not by Clay Face's hand then Zanah's."

"Clay Face is still out there."

"We'll keep our eyes open for him, but I don't think we'll see him again for a while," Selina said.

Bruce nodded. "What about Dick?"

"Talk to him. He'll be upset if you don't," Selina replied.

"Don't talk to me about what?" Dick asked as he stepped into the room.

Selina smiled as she noted the young man had showered, shaved, changed and looked alert for the first time in over a month.  "We'll talk about it over dinner," she said knowing he must be hungry.                          

     Dick nodded and the trio moved down the hall into the kitchen. They ate dinner and then afterwards Selina got up to leave Bruce and Dick to talk.

"Selina," Dick called.

"Yes," she said turning to look at Dick.

"Than you."

"You're welcome. I'm glad to see you're doing better," She whispered before she left.

"So what is it?" Dick asked.

"Clay Face survived."

"What?"

"Apparently he killed Daggett this evening," Bruce said.

Dick blinked stunned anew.

"You okay?" Bruce asked.

Dick gave no reply he simply got up and left the kitchen. He headed for the cave. Anger barely contained beneath the surface. He turned his focus to the punching bag to vent it recalling his behavior in dealing with Two Face years ago promising himself he wouldn't let the rage gain control. He worked himself until he could hardly stand up and then dragged himself upstairs to bed.

The next Day…

Selina switched on the TV and watched the news.

"In a further development since last nights report of Daggett's demise Jervis Tetch has come forward and confessed to having manipulated the board of Wayne Enterprises per Daggett's request and a further investigation of Daggett Industries has been opened oh suspicion of other criminal activities."

Selina purred contented as she laid her head on Bruce's shoulder. He brushed his fingers through her hair and drew her closer his other hand resting on her midsection.

"In other news since the Dark Knight's return the crime spree that threatened to bring Gotham to its knees has ended. Gothamites can rest assured, now their guardians have returned things should get back to normal."

Bruce switched off the TV set having heard enough. Daggett was gone, Gotham was safe and order was restored. The threat to Selina, their child and his life was no more. They were free and he was glad. Bruce kissed Selina's fore head and listened with satisfaction as she purred. He looked up as Dick left the manor yet again. I hope he's stopped his self-destructive behavior for good. Zanah would be devastated if she saw him like he's been, Bruce thought.

Elsewhere…

Dick raced down the streets of Gotham through the traffic towards the aquarium. After paying for a ticket he made his way to the shark tank and stared at them. His thoughts drifting back to last time he'd been there.

Why here?

'I've lived my life surrounded by sharks it just feels like home.'

Dick sighed in frustration. "God, I miss you," he whispered. I wish I'd known then what you meant then maybe I'd understand this.

As he stood there staring into the shark tank a woman walked over and joined him, watching the massive predators for a few moments before speaking.

"They're amazing aren't they?"

Dick nodded saying nothing.

"They adapt well. The bull Shark can survive in fresh water."

"I didn't know that," Dick replied flatly.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. I'm just not to familiar with or fond of sharks."

"Then why are you here?" she asked confused.

"Someone I cared about did, and I wanted to say good-bye. She said she felt at home here."

"She was used to being around sharks," the woman whispered.

Dick blinked stunned and Zanah smiled at him as she covered his lips with her finger, they turned to leave. Dick followed after her.

Once safely out of the public eye Dick pulled her to him, removed her wig to reveal her white blonde hair and kissed her. He only let her go so they could breathe. "I thought you were…" He began.

"Dead. I know, but so did Daggett," Zanah whispered.

"I don't understand why you were after him. Why put yourself in his path."

"He took my life," Zanah whispered. Her words were bitter and angry.

"How?"

"He picked up street kids and trained us to do his dirty work. Assassins, thieves, you name it we did it."

" That bad?" He asked with concern.

"He programmed us. That night you saw me after rescuing me from Clay Face I was feeling the residual effects of that training, He still had control.

"How is that possible you were free?"

"When I broke the surface I knew I had a concussion. After a few x-rays they found this," Zanah explained handing him a microchip of some kind.

"The woman claiming to be your mother?"

"Worked for him."

"That's why you left. You were afraid she'd make you hurt us."

"Yes. Or that she would kill you, because you knew of my existence. I didn't realize at the time you were fully capable of taking care of yourself," she said smiling.

"How long did you know it was me?"

"Not long after Tetch. Selina and I had an argument. I figured it out myself."

"How did you know she was in trouble and in turn where to find her?"

 "Instinct. The same ones that told me I'd find you at the aquarium and not the bar where you had been frequenting."

"How?"

"I could feel it. Don't ask me to explain it, because I can't, but Selina was right. It wasn't your fault."

"I know it just…"

"Don't, its not important."

"You're right, all that matters is you're alive," he whispered. Dick pulled her close brushed his fingers through her hair and kissed her. Zanah responded by wrapping her arms around his neck and raking her fingers through his hair in return.

When their lips parted again she whispered, "I missed you."

Still holding her close he brushed a stray tear from her cheek and kissed her forehead. "I know," he murmured softly. "Lets go home."

Zanah nodded her consent and the two returned to Wayne manor.

At Wayne Manor…

"Bruce I'm still worried about…" Selina froze as her eyes spotted the blonde haired young woman, who walked in the manor at Dick's side.

"Selina?" Bruce questioned worried by her sudden silence. Turning he saw the reason for his wife's silence. Zanah stood in the doorway of the entertainment room at Dick's side.

Selina rose from the couch and moved towards her friend and hugged her. "Welcome back to the land of the living." Selina said with a smile.

"Being dead was boring," Zanah joked.

"It's highly overrated," Bruce said and Selina nodded her agreement.

Else Where…

A man sat reading the paper as he waited for his bus. Seeing the headline regarding Daggett's demise and the latest turn of events in the city he laughed. His eyes shifted from blue to yellow before he covered them with his sunglasses. "I got you arrested for the one crime you didn't commit," Hagen laughed. He got on his bus out of the city. As it drove past Daggett industries his eyes went cold with hatred. "One things quiet down again I'll destroy your empire as well," he whispered his fists trying to form stone in his anger. Hagen calmed himself regaining control of his altered form as the bus drove out of Gotham.