These are three short scenes based on the animated Justice League episode 'A Better World'. They contain spoilers for that episode, and actually they won't really make sense unless you know what happens in it. So go watch it now. Find a way. 'Cause it's a great episode.

And for those of you still here, enjoy!

Inertia

She ran her hands over the surprisingly uncomfortable upholstery, and waited for him to speak. She couldn't completely shake the thought that this was a trap, a trap that she had walked right into just because Batman had offered her a ride. She'd never forgive herself, if it was.

She'd never forgive him.

"Well?" She raised her arms behind her head and straightened her legs, arching her back as she stretched. "Do you have something to say, or did you just want the pleasure of my company?" She rolled her shoulders as she settled back into her seat, watching what she could see of his face.

"I came here to tell you that you have to stop."

"Mmm." She smiled to show her annoyance. "I would have thought you knew me better than that by now."

"I do. But I'm asking that you take the idea seriously this time."

Her eyes narrowed. "So you think that if I took it seriously before, I already would have changed my mind?"

"I'm only talking about this time. Things are different this time."

She turned towards the window. "Not as I see it."

After a brief silence he asked, "You heard what happened to the Joker?"

She nodded absently. "Of course." Wait, was he implying -- She turned to him, eyes widening in indignation. "But he was a murderous lunatic!"

She was conscious that a bit of fear had edged into her voice, and he must have heard it, because he smiled. "Oh, yes. He's different. It could never happen to you."

"Don't mock me. Even if the Justice League would do that to a mere thief, they'd have to catch me first."

His mouth twisted in what she thought might be disgust. "They just did catch you. Who do you think I am?"

She felt a surge of panic, rising to the top of her disbelief, and grabbed at the door. There was no handle inside, and it refused to open at the pressure of her hands.

"You're already in custody," Batman continued calmly, "in a small container that I can make impenetrable if I so choose. And you're dressed as a well-known thief and carrying stolen goods on your person." He smiled. "Not that that makes a difference."

"Let me out!"

He grabbed her arm and twisted it painfully, obliging her to face him. "Selina, if you stop now, you'll be okay. If you stop now."

Selina? she thought wildly. He released her, and she felt back against the uncomfortable upholstery. She rubbed her sore arm, more to make a point than to ease the pain. "Is the only way to get out of this car to tell you that I'll stop?"

He closed his eyes. "I'll let you out no matter what you tell me."

"I won't change. I can't."

"You can."

"I won't, and for me that comes out to the same thing."

He pressed a button, and the door opened, allowing in the cool, smell-infested air of the Gotham. It comforted her, reminding her that there was a whole wide world outside the Batmobile. Lots of places to hide.

Catch me if you can, you assholes. She began to slide out of the car, but a hand grabbed her arm again. This time, she managed not to betray the sudden jolt of nightmarish fear she felt.

But when she turned to look at him, he was almost-smiling. He crooked a finger at her.

"What?" she snapped, and then remembered. "Oh. Of course." She removed the large gold bracelet and the Bastet earrings she had hooked through her costume ears, and handed them to him. He released her. She felt safer once she was out of the car, safe enough to rest a hand on the canopy and duck her head down to smirk at him. "See you around," she purred.

"I hope not. And... Selina."

"What?"

"See if you can't get yourself killed before we find you."

Her stomach knotted. "Have I done something offend you?" she asked lightly, as her fingernails raked the canopy of the Batmobile.

He shook his head, not in a way that meant no, and pressed a button. She leapt back as the door closed.

"What, no kiss goodbye?" she shouted to the Batmobile as it sped away.

She looked down at her hand, at the ring that he had probably let her keep, and smiled sourly. A goodbye present? A token of his condescension?

He was overreacting. He had to be.

And he would see her again, whether or not he wanted to.