In the shroud of night's darkness Stalker continued observing the two aged women. Framed through the lighted apartment window he could see they were feinting with each other, heated words as their weapon of choice. He was glad not knowing the content of their exchange, having learned that most people in this country spoke endlessly without saying anything. Where he came from, the fewer words spoken, the more wisdom was shared.

A soft, unexpected whisper of sound caught his attention. He shifted position on the window ledge and lifted his face, nose sniffing the acrid Gotham air. Nostrils flared as he gathered in the familiar scent only a few feet away. A smile lit the tattoed face and he spoke out in his deep, measured voice,

"Friends of yours Batman?"

"Nope." A disembodied reply drifted in the dark between them. "But they better be yours or I'll have to nail you for being a 'peeping Stalker'"

Stalker chuckled not at the words, but at the bravado of the young pup who played at being the protector of this concrete and metal jungle. He had taken measure of the youth in the past and found him to be a passable opponent. One day he would reach his prime and it was then 'the Stalker' would test him in the hunt again. Until then he would bide his time and perhaps teach Batman a lesson or two along the way.

"Approaching downwind is a wise choice for the hunter to catch his prey unaware."

"Is there a reason why I should be hunting you?"

"Not yet." He smiled again and watched with satisfaction as Batman materialized in exactly the spot he expected him to be. The pointy-eared head tilted in a quizzical manner.

"Come on jungle man. You're not one for word games. What're you up to? Hunting old, rich women can't be much of a challenge for you."

Stalker stiffened. The youngster's words spoke truth. Was his honor worth any sum of money? Perhaps he should reconsider the offer he was given.

A high-pitched screech penetrated the soundproof apartment wall. Stalker and Batman turned heads in unison to see one of the women pushing the other out the door. The pushee was protesting loudly while the pusher managed to get the door between them and close it soundly in her face. The pusher grinned and leaned breathless against the door, her body bouncing in synch with the loud thumping sounds shaking the apartment.

"Whew!" Batman remarked under his breath. "Glad I'm not that door."

Turning to face Stalker, he realized the man had slipped away without him noticing. "Darn." Terry chastised himself, knowing Bruce would do it for him if he had been aware. "I gotta learn to be more alert."

Thinking of Bruce... where was his always-on-the-mark mentor? Been on patrol for four hours without the man checking in to spout off at least one line of sage dialogue. Obviously he wasn't with Hannah since she was here duking it out with Selina. What was the story between all these women and what was really going on between Bruce and Hannah?

He'd never seen Bruce so... unBrucelike. Kind of bizarre the way things appeared. Granted, Bruce Wayne a.k.a. THE Batman, was not a good example of what one might call normal. Was it possible that he was-- getting senile? Nah! No way.

A quiet beep in his ear alerted Terry to an incoming call. A sideways glance beneath the cowl identified the caller and one touch of a finger activated the link. Max did not waste time on greetings as she blurted out worridly.

"Dana's in trouble Terry. He got her away from us when we weren't watching. We didn't th- "

"Who's got her?"

"Craig! He's got her under a spell or something. She's acting all weird around him. And the guy is clearly playing it to his advantage. Chelsea, Blade and I were taking turns keeping tabs on her to make sure she didn't do anything stupid. It was my- "

"Wha- stupid as in... " Terry prompted urgently, his mind refusing to take Max's meaning.

"As in--" her tone took on a deep, seductive note. "Hey baby, come on, let's do it.' and Dana replying-- " now her voice became excited and breathless. "Oh, yes!"

Max's imitation of a willing partner stirred sudden strange vibes in Terry which he quickly exchanged for anger at Dana's probable compromise. Max was not one to exaggerate.

"Dana is not like that. She just met the guy!"

"Riiiiiight." Max drawled knowingly. "That's what I've been trying to tell you. Craig has taken her somewhere and we haven't been able to find them."

"Where's the last place you saw her?"

"Outside Cheesy Dan's. It was my turn to watch her and Craig. We were finished at Cheesy's and heading to the Club when I remembered I promised to get Matt one of those hero figures he collects. They said they'd wait for me, but when I got back they were gone. So I went to the Club and they weren't there and no one had seen them come in or leave."

"Maybe they went to Dana's place."

"I called and the machine picked up."

"That doesn't mean she's not there. One of you should check it out."

"I'm heading there now. Chelsea and Blade are going to a couple of other possible destinations, but... Terry, I've got a really bad feeling about this."

"Me too. I'll get back to the mansion. Craig might have taken her there."

"Keep in touch okay?"

"Yeah."

Terry stepped off the ledge, wings out and body angling to catch the air currents. His jaw ached from gritted teeth as tension built inside and his thoughts raged at what he would do to Craig if the creep did anything to hurt Dana.

**************

"Bruuuce?"

The man in question grimaced in mental pain at the high-pitched, whiny summons. He pictured himself crawling away on hands and knees if that's what it took to avoid Hannah. But he couldn't do it. All he could do was remain motionless as she approached and know he would do whatever she asked of him. The rational part of his mind was well aware, by now, that he was being chemically manipulated. The unrational part didn't care about the facts, it could only respond the way it was told to.

Hannah wrapped her arms around his neck and slid down onto the chair beside him.

"Hold me." she mewled, the throbbing of her bruised hands and soured encounter with Selina having set her present mood. "I'm so unhappy."

Bruce fought her command, but his arms still came up to embrace her as she cuddled close. Her perfume wafted around his face. He turned his head away.

"Aren't you going to ask me why I'm so unhappy?"

"Why are you - unhappy darling?"

"Oh, it doesn't matter. I just need to go shopping. It'll make me feel so much better."

"Then -- that's what you should do. I- want you to be happy." Bruce forced an ingratiating grin, knowing it was what she wanted to see.

"Do you really mean that?"

"Of course."

"Would you give me a million creds so I can be extremely happy?"

"If -- if that's what you want." His eyes widened in shock at what his mouth had just agreed to. And yet... he could have said nothing else.

"Oh yes! Yes! Thank you Bruce!" Hannah hugged him, neck to neck. "Would you arrange it immediately?"

"Well I --"

"Bruce, you must."

"Yes - of course - immediately."

Hannah rose from the chair, pulling Bruce along with her and handing him his cane. She watched his unsteady gait as he traveled to his downstairs office to arrange a transfer of funds to her account. So simple. A million just by asking. Hmmm. Maybe she was going at riches in all the wrong ways. Forget Selina Kyle, Devon and the will. It all paled beside the wealth Bruce Wayne possessed. And it could all be hers -- just by asking.

**************