Bruce Wayne/Batman, Dick Grayson/Nightwing, Harvey Dent/Two-Face, Kathy Kane/Batwoman, and all other important characters belong to DC Comics/Time Warner.
I am using them without permission, however I have not and don't expect to make money from this.

Rated PG-13 : language; violence, some mature concepts.

Reviews are greatly appreciated.

Duplicity

Second Guessed

- - -

She pulled her coat a little tighter around her body and peered both ways down the empty street. Figured Two-Face would arrange to have her and the ransom picked up in a dismal and probably dangerous place like this. And at the ungodly hour of 6 am, too. Inconsiderate, to say the least. She resolved that she'd have a few choice words for Mr. Harvey Dent - if she ever got the chance to say them.

As she found herself shivering - not entirely from the early morning chill - a car turned around the corner, slowed, and pulled over next to her. The door opened, and a rat-faced little man with a cigarette lodged in his mouth leaned out to look at her. "Mrs. Ames, right?" he asked.

"Yes." Her voice was soft and timid. He could probably barely hear it.

"You got the money?"

"Here." She held up the satchel she was carrying.

"Then hop on in." When she hesitated he added, not unkindly, "Don't worry; if everything's on the level the boss ain't gonna hurt ya."

Somehow that failed to be much comfort.

- - -

"They've picked her up."

"We know. We've got the trace. Keep in touch." Batman replaced the tiny microphone in his belt.

Nightwing watched, at the back of his mind listening to the voices in the earplug he wore, the voices of the various cops stationed around the ransom pickup point. At Batman's nod, he rose to his feet and followed, down a fire escape to the street and into the Batmobile.

The Batmobile... he smiled inwardly at the memory of the first time he had ridden in it with Batman. The way he had blurted out the first thing that popped into his mind... "Man, this is sweet! I bet you get tons of girls in this thing..." Batman had actually laughed, something so unexpected he hadn't even been embarrassed at how idiotic he must have sounded. But of course there was no laughing today, not in what could be a life-and-death situation.

Harvey Dent. Briefly Nightwing wondered about him as they accelerated, trailing the car which had just picked up the ransom: about what he had been like before the attack that had changed him so drastically. A nice guy, a man dedicated to the law, a decent and moral person, according to Bruce. But how could anyone change so completely, no matter what had happened to him? Had he always had those other qualities in him? Maybe everyone did. Maybe everyone had a dark side, just waiting to come out under the right circumstances.

The car ahead led them out of the city, shadowy urban sidewalks and buildings gradually yielding to the houses and yards of a suburban area. Sunrise lightened the sky over them, a rosy color staining the clouds in the east.

"How far is he going?" Nightwing finally muttered in impatience.

"Safer for him out of the city. Less likely anyone would spot him."

"You think they're going to his hideout, then?"

Batman shrugged. "Don't know. It would be smarter for him to take her someplace else. And to keep Ames blindfolded, to make sure he can't tell us where they've been holing up."

There was a brief silence before Nightwing asked the question he suspected was on both their minds. "Do you think he intends to let Ames go alive?"

The answer came instantly. "Yes, I think so. Two-Face hasn't killed anyone. I think - I think Harvey wouldn't do that."

"You think part of him is still the same, that he can still reform? Despite everything?"

"I hope so." The way Batman's mouth settled into a hard line didn't encourage that line of questioning. And of course he was worried about someone besides Ames, or even Two-Face.

"She'll be okay," he said, as confidently as he could. "She can handle this."

A tense hunching of Batman's shoulders was the only answer he got. They were silent for the rest of the drive.

- - -

"Step right in."

"Said the spider to the fly..." she muttered under her breath, trying to estimate how many men were waiting on the other side of the door leading into the barn they had finally parked in front of.

"What?"

"Nothing. I'm just nervous."

The rat-faced man smiled toothily and gestured again for her to go in. She took a last look at their surroundings, an old farm by the looks of it: untended fields, an unattractive house, and this barn. No sign yet of the pursuit she knew would arrive. The smell of years-old occupancy by assorted animals, under the mustiness of decay, greeted her when she walked inside and glanced up at glassless window-like openings dotting the upper part of the walls, what seemed to be a large old hayloft still filled with moldering hay, and thick wooden beams bracing the ceiling high above.

"Mrs. Ames, I presume." There were five men. The familiar voice focused her attention on one of them. She came to a stop as he stepped into clearer view, unable to hide her reaction.

He grinned at her and said softly, "They say you can't judge a book by its cover, but in my case... I'm Two-Face, at your service."

"I - I know who you are." She didn't have to fake her fear as she examined his expression for any sign of recognition.

"I see you've brought the money. If you would be so kind..." He held out his hand, taking the satchel as she handed it over. "I trust you won't be offended if I make sure the payment is correct."

"Not at all. Go right ahead, and please take your time." He wasn't the only one who could play at phony politeness.

With a look that might have been amused, he knelt, opened the case, and began to lift out bundles of money. The other men stepped closer, as if magnetically attracted to the piles of cash. As they moved, she saw another man who had been behind them, this one blindfolded, gagged, and with his arms in a position that told her his hands were tied behind his back. Despite the blindfold and gag, she could see his resemblance to Henry Logan.

"Looks like it's all here," Two-Face finally said, as he started to pack the ransom back in the bag.

"Now can we leave?" she asked.

"Much as I'd like to entertain both of you longer, yes, you may leave." He gestured his men out of the way and took Ames' arm, pulling him forward. "It's been delightful, but it's time for you to go home," he murmured. Ames resisted, making an incoherent sound of protest. For a moment she thought Two-Face would simply push his hostage at her, and she'd get away with it. But with a quick gesture, he pulled the blindfold off, and then untied the gag.

Only one thing to do, hope Ames was quick and clever enough to play along... "Come on, honey, I'm going to take you home," she said, holding out her hand.

Ames stared at her. "What is this?" he asked in a quivering voice. "Who-"

"Honey, everything's okay, we're getting out of here," she said a little more sharply.

No use. "Who are you?" he cried. "You're not my wife!"

"It's a trick!" Two-Face snarled.

It all happened in a blur. Kathy's eye was caught by movement above as two forms began to drop from the beams overhead. She reacted instantly, leaping forward and tackling Ames, pulling him down to the floor. Guns were out, the criminals hesitating just long enough, as Batman and Nightwing swept down on their ropes and swung into them. Yelps of surprise and shouts of alarm filled the dusty air. Gunfire echoed.

"Come on!" Kathy shouted when Ames curled up fearfully. "We're trying to save your life, but you have to cooperate!" She hauled him up and shoved him ahead of her, running as fast as they could for the nearest cover, which was a horse stall at the side of the building. Her back felt terribly exposed; she fully expected to feel the impact of a bullet, maybe the last thing she would feel - and then they were stumbling inside their flimsy shelter; she was yanking a small knife from her belt and slicing through the ropes tying his wrists.

"Stay down and don't move!" she hissed at him. But hiding wasn't for her. Kathy leaped at the thin wall beside her, vaulted over and into the next stall, and began to pull her disguise off.

- - -

Years of training had honed his instincts and reflexes until a battle like this was almost second nature. Batman ducked under the fist one of Two-Face's men had swung at him, grabbed the unfortunate crook's arm, and spun him head first over his shoulder into the floor. Almost didn't have to think about it any more.

The pursuit had gone smoothly. When the transmitter Kathy was wearing had stopped moving, they had parked out of sight of the farmhouse and barn and approached on foot. The signal had led them here, to this building, with its open skylights, an invitation for them to scale the walls and look inside... And the ceiling beams, perfect to take them closer while keeping them hidden. He would have preferred to wait until the cops got organized outside, but he and Nightwing had been prepared when Ames had blown Kathy's cover and they had been forced to go into action.

He had hated letting her do this, expose herself to danger this way. He had tried to stop her. But in the few hours they had between the ransom demand and this morning, there was little choice. Anyway, as she had pointed out, the only other option was to use a policewoman in disguise, to ask someone else to risk her life... Kathy was right, but still... her life was somehow more precious...

A gun pointed at him, death staring him in the face for an instant before Batman kicked it out of the man's hand, and followed up with an inelegant but effective punch in the jaw. With a moment's respite, he took in the situation. He had taken care of two opponents, Nightwing of one. His partner was now in pursuit of another who had dashed up the stairs to the hayloft. He started after them, but stopped as Batwoman's voice called.

"Two-Face! He's getting away!"

Harvey - Two-Face - was dashing for the back of the barn, where there must be another door, the ransom satchel clutched in his hands. Running feet and shouts announced the arrival of the police, and he glanced to see several uniformed officers charge through the front doorway and crouch in firing positions. Another glance: Batwoman was after Two-Face. Batman ran to pursue them.

Another shout, this one even more urgent: Nightwing's voice crying, "Look out!"

Batman looked up, gasped at the sight of a mass of hay and straw descending from above like a solid wall. No way to avoid it as it hit the floor, spread out, and spilled over him like a tidal wave; all he could do was cover his face. It lifted him off his feet, rolling him over, burying him.

- - -

Nightwing caught up to the man he was chasing, a rat-faced character who wasn't very big but was surprisingly fast, at the wall of the hayloft. Rat-face spun to face him, his expression a mask of cornered rage. "You'll never take me alive!" he snarled.

"I thought they only say that in the movies. All you have to do is call me 'copper', and..."

The little man turned and leaped at the wall of the hayloft, pulling himself up and tumbling in. He began to thrash in the soft mass, trying to move towards the other side.

Nightwing had followed, and perched on the edge. "You're not getting anywhere," he said conversationally.

"Just watch me!"

"I am. And I'm getting bored." Nightwing leaned to glance down to the main level of the barn. He saw Two-Face dash to the back wall. Light spilled in as a door opened. Batwoman was a few yards behind him, Batman starting to run after them. His opponent had lost his gun, he could keep; Nightwing wanted a piece of the action below. He turned to jump down to the loft floor.

"Like I said, you'll never catch me!" The voice pulled his attention back to see Rat-face man had reached the wall of the hayloft that faced out over the edge, with a drop to the main level below. He was pulling at something...

"No!" Too late, Nightwing realized what he was doing. A section of the hayloft wall swung down, releasing a flood of dank, rotting hay on the people beneath... "Watch out!" he shouted. Rat-face fell out along with the hay with a scream. Nightwing leaped down and raced for the stairs.

Below, the combatants had disappeared under a layer of moldy hay. The cops had only caught the edge of it, they were straightening up, looking bewildered. "Come on!" Nightwing shouted. "Two-Face's men are buried; we've got to get them out before they suffocate!" He looked around for Batman and Batwoman and found them, Batman sitting up, pushing a pile of hay off him, Batwoman stepping away from the far wall, meeting his eyes with a nod, and then quickly moving out the door Two-Face had disappeared through. But it was too late to catch their main target; Nightwing could hear the roar of a motorcycle fading into the distance.

- - -

"I see you managed to get my double back in one piece." Henry Logan didn't seem very happy about it; he leaned on his cane, surrounded by his matchstick creations in the vast living room of his mansion, glaring at them. Nightwing had to admit they made an odd sight: their costumes were dusty and stained and he and Batwoman were still picking hay out of their hair. Ames had fared a little better, protected in the stall where Batwoman had left him. When they had arrived he and his wife had quickly melted into a silent embrace.

"For God's sake, Stanley, go home and get cleaned up," Logan snapped. "All of you smell like a barn."

"Yes, sir." Meekly Ames wrapped an arm around his wife's shoulders and started for the door. Batman shot a cold look that would have intimidated the toughest of criminals at Logan. It had no visible effect.

"You could at least say thank you," Nightwing muttered.

"Hmmph," Logan snorted. "I might be more grateful if you'd recovered the rest of the ransom money. Almost half of it's gone. Now get out before those capes damage my work."

Outside, they all paused in the yard, looking back at the house. "Strange," Batwoman said. "Logan's a very rich man. He could make this house beautiful, he could have friends, go out, have a happy life. Instead he hides in there from everyone, lets the house fall apart around him, while he puts all his affection into those ridiculous 'statues'..."

"Yeah. He wasn't even glad to see you're okay," Nightwing said to Ames. "All he cares about is that his little life won't be disturbed by having to find a new double."

To his surprise, Ames smiled. "I don't know about that," he said. "He's never called me by my first name before." He held out his hand. "Anyway, I'll say thank you. Especially you, Batwoman. Nice disguise, but I'd know my Nancy anywhere. Sorry I wasn't smart enough to play along."

"Can't really blame you. And everything came out all right," she said, shaking his hand.

A few moments later the three of them were alone among the trees, just as at the start of this bizarre adventure only a few hours before. They started towards the street where they had left the Batmobile and the Batcycle.

"Sorry," Batwoman said as they paused on the street.

"What for?" Batman asked.

"I should have stopped Harvey. Two-Face. If I'd just been a little faster, it could have all been over."

"Don't feel bad," Nightwing told her. "He got away from me, too. Twice."

"And from me," Batman surprised both of them by adding. "Stanley Ames is safe. Two-Face's latest gang is behind bars. No one was hurt. Not a bad night's work, for all of us." His face turned to look out over the street, and the city beyond it, buildings catching the bright midday light. "We'll get Harvey sooner or later."

"I suppose. I just hope..." Her voice trailed off, but they all knew what she meant. Hopefully they could find Harvey, stop him and help him, before he did something that would seal his fate forever.

- - -

Why had he come to this place? Harvey hunched his shoulders, hiding most of his face behind an upturned coat collar, as he pulled over to the side of the familiar street. Because he was alone again, and on the run again? Did he hope for some sort of comfort here?

No, the only comfort he had out of this was the money... His men gone, another plan gone wrong, but he had grabbed up the satchel before he ran. About half of the ransom had been in it, about half a million... Enough for him to disappear again. Enough...

The door of the house he was watching opened. A woman stepped out and turned to close the door, fishing in her purse for a few seconds for her keys. Light brown hair gleamed with honey-colored highlights in the sun. Harvey smiled. Gilda was always digging in that damn purse, never could find her keys. Her lack of organization had annoyed him sometimes. Now it seemed so normal, so lovable... so Gilda.

She turned away from the door and walked to her car, opened it, and slid in. The sound of the engine drifted to his ears, and he watched it begin to move, hunching down further to keep out of sight as she pulled out and drove off.

If only he could be with her one more time... If only he could be a normal man again, the man she loved, just for a little while, just long enough to recapture what they had meant to each other. Not forever; he wasn't that greedy. Just for a night, an evening, an hour...

- - -

TBC...