Disclaimer: Batman, Alfred, and other DC characters appearing in this fan- fic are, of course, DC's. Psion Force is all mine. This story is being written for fun, not profit.
Timeline: Four years before Knightfall. Roughly two years before Dick Grayson leaves to become Nightwing
Chapter 1: Then And Now
"I'm... sorry, Natalie," Cal said.
"I know you are."
From behind the screened partition, Tabitha called, "how did you find out anyway?" She emerged in street clothes, a three-quarter-length denim skirt, and black turtleneck, copper-blond braids hanging past her shoulder blades.
Natalie ducked behind the partition. "It was during a solo patrol. I was downtown, about twenty stories up, looking for work. He came up behind me. I sensed it, spun and—
"Who are you?" His voice was scarcely louder than a whisper, slicing the night like a scythe. Kensai couldn't see his eyes behind the opaque lenses of his cowl, but imagined that they were blazing. He was not pleased to see her. She tried to see herself as he might view her. Kensai had no illusions about her appearance. At fourteen, she was slightly built, (flat- chested, too—he might not realize that she was a girl, until she started talking!) wearing a long-sleeved gray tunic to the knee, and loose leggings of the same color tucked into low boots. A round helmet and domino mask adorned her head, and a stylized Greek Psi was sewn onto a cream epaulet on her left shoulder. Arm-guards protected her from elbow to forearm, and she sported a bandolier- belt with pockets and pouches. A lone dagger completed the ensemble.
"Kensai." She mumbled, barely audible. OK, there was some justification. Her major growth spurt had ended already, leaving her at her full height of five-feet-and-one-half-inch, and weighing in at one- hundred-and-three pounds—a good part of it muscle. He had to be more than twice her age, more than twice her weight, and more than a good foot taller. And for him to get this close to her without her telepathy warning her... Her palms were sweating, her heart was pounding—they could probably hear it over in Tricorner—
"What are you doing here?"
"Scouting."
"No." He said. "You're going home. What you're doing is dangerous. You're going to get yourself hurt. Or worse."
Gee, thanks a lot, Mister, she thought, with sudden irritation. I've only been doing this since I was six, and my most serious injuries have come about during intramural sports. Who died and made you king?
Mercifully, at that moment, her commlink signaled. Instantly, she snapped to attention. "Kensai." Naiad was on dispatch that night. "I'm two blocks from there, now... I'm on it... when can she get here? If I can't deal with it in fifteen minutes, I will need backup, so yes, send her. Kensai out." She looked up. Tall- dark-and-scary was still looming. She drew a deep breath. "There's a B&E two blocks over. I'm going to deal with it. If you want to get involved, I won't say no." (Like it would make a difference, if I did!) "Or, you can see me in action, and decide for yourself whether I can handle myself." (And please, don't think I'm a mouthy teen, but I've trained for this, and I've been operating in Gotham for two years, and I do know what I'm doing.)
And still he did not answer. Kensai shrugged. "I'm leaving, now." She turned, and depressed a stud on her arm guard. Her grappling hook arced on its line, looping gracefully around a horizontal flagpole two buildings over and five stories up. As she swung herself off of the rooftop, one thought ran through her mind: Natalie Aaronson, don't you dare start grandstanding now!
"Once that little situation was under control, I went back up to the rooftop. He wasn't there. I guess after watching how I handled it, he either decided I knew what I was doing or he decided to reserve judgment."
"I think I remember you mentioning running into him," Naiad said. "But that still doesn't explain how you found out—"
Natalie emerged from behind the partition, tucking a high-necked tartan blouse into a bottle-green pleated skirt. "Sometimes, being telepathic means you pick things up without meaning to. Remember, everyone's brain-wave pattern is unique, just like retina scans and fingerprints. I got a mindful of his that night. And three days later, when my young entrepreneurs' club took us on a field trip to Wayne-Tech, and Mr. Wayne was able to take a few minutes to come out of his office and say 'hi,' I picked up the same pattern." She looped a white band around her jet-black hair, securing it in a ponytail. "But I didn't think I had the right reveal it to anyone else.
"All yours, Maybelle."
Naiad doffed her helmet and ducked behind the screen.
"Almost there," Kay called from the driver's seat. "How's our patient?"
"Holding on," Callie replied. "I think I've stabilized her enough that we might be able to keep her out of an emergency room, but without the proper equipment, I won't know for sure.
"Natalie, since you're the only one of us who's actually met him before, you'll handle the initial contact."
Natalie swallowed. "Um, the last time we met, I was kind of slow of speech and slow of tongue."
Tabitha gave her older sister a hard poke on the arm. "And just think of the opportunity to erase a first impression!"
"Or to make one." Cal said. "Go with her." Consternation crossed her face. "Maybe you shouldn't have changed clothes."
Natalie considered. "It's probably better this way. I mean, fair is fair. If we know about him, he really should know about us. Besides, the road up to Wayne manor may be a low-traffic area, especially at this hour, but if any cars did happen along, I think it would be harder to come up with a convincing explanation for why Bruce Wayne would be opening the door to costumed vigilantes, don't you?
Pathwarden looked up from Jill's side. "Cal, why are you suddenly so worried?" he asked reasonably. "A few minutes ago, you were ready to let a whole hospital know about us. At least we can assume he'll keep our secret."
Cal didn't reply. As the van halted, she asked, "Kay, did you miss the gate?"
"Stopped short of it, actually," Kay said. "It might look a little suspicious letting the children off at the front door and waiting there. Besides, at this hour, he'd be more likely to let them in if he thinks they have a ways to walk alone in the rain and the dark."
Tabitha grinned. "Kay, after prolonged exposure, it looks like my influence is finally rubbing off!"
