A/N: Thank you Xerios, Xiowolfe, Wolvies gal 1, and Sebastian 1 for your reviews! ^__^
~*~
"Get the hell out of my cave."
-Dark Knight Returns
~*~*~
The safe house was rather large and secluded in a spot in the way back of a forest, much like the mansion had been. Most took the opportunity to find a spot to sleep, while those plagued with insomnia wandered aimlessly around the halls or simply sat in their rooms silently crying.
Logan, being one of the few unable to sleep, found himself on the roof facing a disheveled Bruce still in costume. He was standing with his head tilted back, face to the sky, his eyes scanning the sky slowly as though he were searching for something.
"How's Virginia?" He asked without even moving.
Logan, slightly surprised that Bruce had even known he was there, took a step forward folding his arms over his chest, "Hank an' Jean treated the infection and bandaged her up, she's sleepin' now."
Bruce nodded mulling something over in his mind.
"I need ta know something'," Logan started as he himself glanced up at the sky, "Who're we dealin' with here? You obviously know 'im, an' that kid…"
"Tim," Bruce snapped glaring at Logan, "His name was Tim," Looking away, his eyes narrowed and his lips tightened into a thin white line, "Something wasn't right with that place… No security…" He said changing subjects.
Logan raised an eyebrow letting his eyes fall onto Bruce, "That, what's his name, probably killed 'em all."
"No," Bruce shook his head, "No bodies, Joker always leaves behind a body…" His voice dropped in timber as he spoke, "Usually smiling ones." He turned away from Logan and walked to the edge of the roof and jumped off.
Logan sighed inwardly and turned his eyes back to the sky.
~*~
A gust of wind shot into the room through the open window, cape billowing out behind himself, Bruce glanced at the wall finding a mirror. He scowled turning away preparing to take off his costume and put on some normal clothes.
'If Joker has a some kind of dimensional transporter, he could have someone else working for him… or with him…' Bruce paused at the foot of his bed furrowing his eyebrows in thought, 'But who?'
A glass dropped somewhere downstairs and shattered, Bruce turned for the door just as a scream filled the house. Pulling out a spare cowl from his belt, he pulled in on as he darted from his room and down the dark hallways to the kitchen. Pausing outside the kitchen door, his eyes grew wide as red smoke began to seep out from under the door.
"What's going on?" Logan, Rogue, and Hank ran in having heard the noise.
Logan scowled at Batman and pushed passed him to the door, "Don't just stand their!" He growled throwing open the kitchen door.
"No, wait!" Batman shouted then turned and shoved Rogue and Hank away from the smoke that billowed out of the now opened door, "Hold your breath!" Batman ordered the two as he pulled out a gasmask from his utility belt and put it on, "Go get the others!"
Hank grabbed Rogue by her gloved hand and pulled her out of the room.
Once they were gone, Batman darted into the kitchen finding Kitty curled up on the floor sobbing and Logan was standing in the center of the room staring at nothing in horror.
On the wall was a note written in red marker, 'There is no peace for the sane.'.
~*~
"Even the safe-house isn't safe?" Jamie whimpered pulling his knees up to his chest from where he sat on the couch staring at Batman warily.
Rogue, kneeling in front of a trembling Logan, glanced up at Batman frowning slightly, "What the Hell's going on here? I've never seen Logan like this, and truthfully, it's kinda scary."
"Exactly," Batman nodded, "He was subjected to a large amount of fear gas, I gave him and Kitty the antidote, they should be fine in a couple of hours."
"Fear gas?" Rahne asked over Kitty's sobs as she tried to comfort the girl.
Hank raised his eyebrows, "Who exactly are we dealing with here, Bruce?"
"As far as I know, The Joker and The Scarecrow, a psychotic murderer and a master of fear."
"That sound real good," Virginia muttered rubbing her eyes tiredly, "How'd they get here?"
"I don't know. A dimensional transporter of some type most likely."
Jack and Hayley exchanged at look but neither spoke their thoughts.
Jean paused her pacing, "Where would they get one of those?" She asked turning to Batman.
Pulling off his cowl, Bruce glanced out the window at the rising sun, "It's not 'where' they got it, it's 'how'."
~*~
In the corner of my mind
Where he sits and waits for me
There's a wall of confusion building
And the sky begins to bleed on me
Don't fall asleep to dream
I'm looking for a way out now
Peace of mind is all I need
Don't fall asleep to dream
I'm awake now
(You can't touch me, I won't sleep no more)
I'm awake now
(You can't touch me, I won't sleep no more)
I'm awake now
(You can't touch me, I won't sleep no more)
I'm awake now
-Goo Goo Dolls, I'm Awake Now
~*~*~
A/N: Please Review!!