"Questioning"

By: The Angelic Temptress

Disclaimer: DC Comics, Bruce Timm, Warner Bros. and others own all the characters, save one. No infringement is intended. The story idea is mine, and the characters are only being borrowed for practice. I'm not making any money.

Rating: PG-13 for language

Spoilers: "Starcrosssed" and parts of "The Return"

XX

Chapter 1: Gotham Nights

Alexia tightened her hold on her pillows and allowed her shoulders to release their tension. Her body was exhausted, but she avoided complaining. It was all part of the job description, and her mission meant everything.

After all, it was her duty. She had been chosen; she had been assigned to take down Hawkgirl and anyone helping her. That had been her order, and she'd die before failing.

Just as she was slipping into the first stage of sleep, she heard something, a faint but very distinctive noise. When she felt a cool breeze run over bare arms and thin sheets, she quickly grasped the weapon hidden inside one of the hotel's pillows. With a quick whirl of her body, she pointed her gun at the intruder standing near the foot of her bed.

Even though she recognized him, she didn't waver her aim.

He only reacted with a cold stare.

"Do you always sleep with your handgun?"

"Do you always sneak up on unsuspecting women in their hotel rooms?"

The Batman's expression did not change. "Your safety's on," he mentioned bluntly.

The agent gave an annoyed smile and lowered her weapon. A bit embarrassed, she stood from her queen-sized bed and grabbed a cotton hoodie from the closest chair. After pulling it over her white tank, she ruffled her wavy hair and straightened her drawstring sweatpants. He had kept his eyes on her the entire time.

"I could arrest you for breaking and entering," Alexia stated, flashing him a smirk of confidence. "But I doubt that bothers you much."

Once again, The Batman, known for his frightening and intimidating tactics, did not reply. His answer was his infamous "bat-glare."

The detective studied him with her chocolate eyes. His suit, made of some sort of flexible Kevlar, looked as if it would be a little uncomfortable. He had designed it for his body alone; that was obvious because it outlined every toned muscle on him. His cowl covered half of his face, concealing his eyes and nose but leaving his strong chin and lips to be seen.

The Batman towered over the agent by a good six inches, but she figured she was quicker than the Dark Knight. After all, he was only human.

"If you have something to say, say it or leave. Unlike you, some of us need sleep." Alexia set her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes.

"The League has agreed to meet with you, but on our terms. We decide when and where the questionings take place."

"Fair enough. When do we –?"

"Ours is right now," he interrupted. "Begin."

Alexia's jaw nearly dropped with surprise, but she recovered with a courteous nod and motioned the Caped Crusader to sit down.

He didn't.

"All right. Can you tell me the last time you saw Hawkgirl?"

"The day the Thanagarians left Earth."

"Where was that?"

Batman didn't reply.

"Oh. I see. You can't give information about yourself." Alexia spun a chair around, straddled it, and ran a hand through her hair. "You know, I could get a warrant to search your hideout."

He didn't flinch.

"There is no Watchtower, so that rules out keeping Hol is space… And I believe I heard rumors of a Batcave hidden somewhere below the city…"

"I hate repeating myself, but I will for your benefit. We've severed ties with any and all Thanagarians the moment they attacked the Watchtower five months ago. I have no information on her whereabouts."

"Do you really expect me to believe that bull –?"

"Agent Zorica, I could care less if you believed me or not."

She gritted her pearly whites and stood. "What I don't believe is that Gordon allows you to pull this shit in his city. Things would be different if Gotham took its crime seriously."

Almost with a dramatic effect, his eyes sized her up before he turned his back to her, strode to the terrace, and leaped off the fifth story. On instinct, Alexia ran to where he had been only a second prior and scanned the empty street, searching for any sign of him.

He had somehow disappeared.

"How did he…?" Her words trailed off as a small smile grew on her face. Although their meeting had been brief, Alexia had acquired two bits of information: the Batman was human and knew where the traitor was located. That, or he wanted her to think he knew.

After all, there were five other members on this team, meaning five other chances to eliminate her targets…

She stepped back inside of her hotel room and closed the doors behind her. Knowing he wouldn't be returning that night, she crawled back into her unfamiliar bed and thought. As reflected on the Dark Knight's attitude and replies, she fiddled with the gold necklace she wore around her slender neck.