PREVIEW: Gotham Knights: Two Sides, Two Stories
Part of the new Gotham Knights Extended Fiction Series (Meaning every time I update, the chapter's all ONE STORY, not parts or chapters of one big one. Think of it as Batman episodes: They all tell about Batman's life and triumphs and tribulations, but they could all be considered "Stand Alone" pieces. Except for the trilogies and duos like Teen Titans' "Apprentice" duo, or Batman Beyond's "The Call" twosome. Consider each chapter as an "episode", complete with trilogies and arcs now and then, when I think of really, really good stuff.)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: The first year of the Batman has its moments, especially concerning a certain feline fatale...


Tripping the alarm had been the easy part. At South and Main, the biggest jewelry shop alive ran its business on the corner, just beckoning to be stolen from; to be honest, she just did it a favor: she complied. But surprisingly, the name of the game wasn't jewel thief. In fact, there was nothing in it besides the cash in the cash register that made her shatter a jagged hole in the storefront window with just her slightly high heeled combat boot.

Well, besides tall, dark and handsome. If only he'd show up.

Her claws picking through the glass, she slid through the hole easily, the circumference of it just big enough for her form, and she hopped off the display shelf, her feet landing light as a feather. The object in question was the antique cash register situated on the far wall, the one she knew the employees dumped every cent from the electronic ones into. She'd spent enough time watching them, marking their movements and compromising her location more than once, so she knew just how to disarm and unlock the safe.

When would he get here?

Approaching the machine, she used her newly sharpened claws to undo the screws in an almost invisible panel below it, and threw the plate to the side, gazing in at the countless numbers of wires and gizmos inside the tiny space. It was an electro pulse generator, able to not only deliver an almost lethal shock to anyone who even touched the register, but also to immediately trip an alarm, alerting the police of any accomplices as well. From what she understood from electronics, which was extensive thanks to a little place called the library and a few crank calls to the FBI, she immediately identified which wires were good, which were bad, and which would trip the cops. Taking a tiny pair of wire clippers from a pocket in a decorative utility belt around her slender waist, she first clipped the blue wire, the one to alarm the cops, and set to work, snapping the green, red and yellow wires in sequence.

Satisfied she'd done her job, she tossed the utensil lightly at the machine's keys, pleased that when she did so, they didn't charge with an electric shock, and slid her claws right between the cracks and creases of the cash drawer, careful not to chip her stainless steel nails in her gloves of their black paint. Then, with a mighty push forward, the thing sprung free, the lever maneuver providing enough force to break the lock. A quick grab of the twenties and tens and she was free, somersaulting over the display shelf once again and shimmying back through the hole she'd created. No problem.

And then, she turned around, and ran smack dab into hard, gray and black clad abs, and strong hands gripped her shoulders gently but forcefully. "And just where do you think you're going?"

She glanced up at him through her green goggled eyes and cat cowl, her eyes widened with surprise and delight, and she couldn't help but purr back at him. "I was thinking about grabbing a cocktail and settling up some old debts. You want to come with? I could use a strong, handsome man for company."

"Who are you?"

"I'm surprised you don't know. I thought the ears and the occupation completely gave me away." A sharp knee to the groin made him stumble back and groan, the grip on her completely free, and she sprang towards an alleyway and up an escape ladder, reaching the roof before either of them knew it.

Against the moonlight, her eyes gazed downwards at him and she blew him a kiss, smart and sassy in a way she never was before. "I'm Catwoman, at your service. Now are we done here, or do you want to play some more?"