CHAPTER 4

The next day, Danielle went to the clock tower before going to speak with her father. She found Barbara on the metal platform, listening to what the bug that Danielle planted picked up. "Hi, Barbara. Hear anything interesting from overnight?"

"No, not really," Barbara replied. "So, are you going to see your father again today?"

"Yea, but what am I going to talk to him about? He's like a complete stranger to me. I feel very awkward around him."

"I can understand that. He's been a complete stranger to you for most of your life."

"It's like there so much to say, but at the same time, nothing to say. Does that sound weird to you?"

"Not at all," Barbara replied. "I think Helena would know better than anyone what you mean."

"Where is Helena, anyway?"

"I'm not quite sure. She has fallen back into depression about her split up with Reese, and took off. I tried talking her out leaving her out in daylight, but you know her when she makes up her mind."

"Yes, I do," she replied.

* * * *

Helena was standing on a roof top across from Reese's apartment. He was still at home, perhaps taking the day off. Helena found herself staring through his window at him walking around in his living room. She began to wish that she was in that room with him, sitting together on the couch and watching television. Not before now, has there ever been a time Helena had every felt the slightest desire to give up her hero mantle to live a normal life. She loved him so much, she would actually consider doing just that. Right now, that desire was small, and was sparked by just watching him in the room, but she did not feel ready to give up the mantle just yet. There were asses that still needed to be kicked from here to eternity. Her mother's death has yet to be avenged, though she had her chance with confronting Clay Face, but for some reason, taking him down did not satisfy the anger that she had felt. Even kicking Harley Quinn's ass did not ease her anger.

But she missed being in his arms so much. Her body ached for his embrace once again. How long must she endure this separation? How can she ever survive this separation? It was tearing her heart to shreds.

A tear streamed down the sides of her face. How she missed his lips on hers. She missed the way he always looked at her, and his precious smile. God, she missed him.

* * * *

Oswald Cobblepot was sitting in the cafeteria an hour before the scheduled meeting time between him and his daughter. He had to admit, his daughter was very intelligent. He had found the bug on his shoulder when he had returned back to his motel room. So, he had to do what he had come to do in New Gotham, while under the surveillance by the daughter of the bat: the Huntress.

Just like her father, the Huntress was poking her nose where it didn't belong. No matter, he had found a way around this minute problem. He had it in his pocket so he could have it record his 'genuine' conversation with his daughter.

He laughed as he pulled out a purple pill. This little pill that he made, which usually took an hour before it kicked in, would keep his heart beat steady, even when he's lying through his teeth. He could not have his daughter snooping where she didn't belong.

A man entered the café in a tan trench coat. His face was hidden by the shadow of the tan hat that he was wearing. He looked around the bar and saw Oswald sitting in his booth. He made his way to that booth and sat across from him. "Mr. Penguin," he greeted, taking his hat off and placing it on the table.

"Mr. Donaldson. I must say, you look remarkably healthy."

"That's because I am," he grinned.

"I heard about your little ideal with your disease and your healing."

"Yup, I am disease free," Bill replied.

"How did you get out or prison so fast?"

Bill laughed, "All they had against me is kidnapping. So I'm out on bail! With my lawyer I can escape the whole ideal without any prison time."

"That's good to hear," Oswald said. "Because I would have hated for our plans to be ruined. We have had this planned for over a year."

"What about the Huntress?" Bill asked.

"She is of no concern to me. She is inexperienced compared to her father, Batman. Not to mention that my daughter is friends with her. I can confuse my daughter so badly, that she will be more of a hindrance to the Huntress than an Ally."

"We may just pull this off," Bill said.

"How can we not, my friend!" Oswald leaned back into his cushioned seat. "Soon, every bank in New Gotham will be flat broke, and we'll be able to fund every criminal activity in the United States. We'll be the kingpin's of the underworld!"