Chapter Seven: The Wicked City

Gotham City wasn't always a suburb of Hell. Once it was a clean place, filled with light and happiness and hope. Historians and sociologists have tried to determine what happened to the city, how the graft and the corruption grew, why it spawned so many lunatics. Their answers all differ, but each and every single one mentions one pivotal event in recent Gotham history: the Wayne Murders. They were the latest generation of Gotham's wealthiest and most socially influential family. They were a family practically synonymous with Gotham. They were gunned down in a botched robbery, leaving behind their eight year old son as both survivor and witness. That it had happened in Park Row, the most upscale area of all of Gotham, made it all the more shocking. Some called it an omen, others attributed it to a curse, but the rose that was Park Row became a canker. It is presently known as Crime Alley, the worst area in Gotham. Some mutter that for all intents and purposes the entire Wayne line died that night.

The public generally viewed Bruce as an irresponsible playboy. He is the head of one of the largest corporations in the world, but it is an open secret that he leaves all major business decisions to Lucius Fox. He was active in social causes, and he tried to keep Gotham alive in the wake of the earthquake and the No Man's Land Act, but everyone knows that it is largely thanks to Lex Luthor that Gotham is once again a part of the United States.

Then there are his character issues. Though he has come close to it, Wayne has not married and likely never will, given his legendary playboy excesses. He has adopted two children, but the younger one is dead and the older one turned his back on Wayne to become a cop in Blüdhaven. This means that Bruce Wayne is practically the last, degenerate fruit of a once vital dynasty, and according to most people nothing good will likely ever come of him.

The flight was mostly silent. Buffy and Tara did most of the talking. No matter how she was dressed, Batgirl was clearly not much of a talker, and Batman had reverted to his normal personality. A few hours after they took off, they neared their goal. Batgirl turned around and handed them each a black blindfold.

"Let me guess," Buffy said, "we're not supposed to see this, right?"

"Right," Batgirl nodded. Her facial expression was firm, but apologetic.

"Oh well," Buffy sighed as she donned the blindfold. "I've never flown blindfolded before."

"Neither have I," Tara said as she did the same. "It's too bad we have to do this. I like looking out the window on planes, seeing new places."

"The view is… nice," they heard Batgirl say slowly. "You can see the buildings, and the trees, and the park, and the harbor. It's still dawn, but you can see cars driving as you get closer. It's a nice view. When you're up this high, you don't see the ugliness. The nuts. The people that hurt each other. You can forget about them if you try."

After she finished speaking, she felt a little embarrassed. She glanced at Batman, who was glancing at her. His body language screamed surprise. He didn't know she had it in her. "It's really pretty from up here," she concluded lamely.

"She's a hero, and she's poetic too," Buffy said, impressed. "You should be proud of her," she said, tilting her head in Batman's general direction.

"I am," was the simple reply.

Being blindfolded, Buffy and Tara felt rather than saw their descent. They heard the already quiet engines become even quieter. Within a few moments, they the plane jolt as they touched down. Their harnesses grabbed as the breaks checked the plane's momentum.

Buffy felt a hand take hers. It had to be Batman's. She hated being guided, but since she had no choice she let him guide her out of the plane. She climbed down the steps and on to- rock? "You may remove your blindfolds now," Batman rumbled. Buffy did so eagerly. She wanted to see a superhero's base.

Whatever she expected, it was nothing like what she saw. She was in a hanger. A few other Batplanes were present along with the one they flew in. The hanger was in a cave, an enormous one! Her eyes went up, and she saw a forest of stalactites hanging down. Squinting, she could see dark shapes clinging to many.

"Are those bats?" Tara asked.

"Yes," Batman told her. "Please try not to startle them. They're loud when they're frightened.

"Uh, we're gonna have to watch where we step, won't we?" Buffy asked.

"Occupational hazard, Miss Summers. This way."

Batman led them through a small corridor, which exited into an even larger cave. Buffy and Tara both gasped. There were broad walkways, but they could see that much of the Cave was in fact wide, yawning pits of darkness. "Keep away from the edges," Batman said as he led them down.

Looking up, they could see more stalactites, and more bats. They also began to pay more attention to the actual setup of the cave. There was a staircase leading up… somewhere. Near it was an enormous computer. It was as big as computers from the '60's were. Buffy and Tara shared a look, each immediately thinking of Willow. There were also all sorts of… weird things scattered about. They looked like trophies. There was a giant T-Rex, and an enormous playing card with the Joker's face on it.

"There used to be an enormous coin, too," Batman said conversationally. "It was a penny that I took from Two-Face. It was lost in the quake, and I've found it but I still haven't figured out how to retrieve it yet." Buffy and Tara looked at each other again. How did he know what they were looking at?

Batgirl smiled at Batman. While he didn't respond verbally, his body language conveyed amusement. He knew what most visitors noticed in their first trip to the Cave, and what order they noticed it in, and when they began to notice it.

Looking around, the two Scoobies saw more aspects of the setup. They saw a training area, and a workout centre, more corridors leading off somewhere, and a glass case that had an old Robin costume on a mannequin. As they walked, a man in an expensive tuxedo approached them.

"Welcome back Master Batman, Miss Batgirl," he said in a British accent. "I trust your trip was pleasant."

"Interesting is more like it, Alfred," Batman replied. "Buffy Summers, Tara Maclay, this is Alfred. He will be seeing to your needs for the duration of your stay. If you need anything, Alfred will get it for you." He leaned in closer to them. "He will show you around. You will listen to him as if you are listening to me."

"Indeed," Alfred murmured. "Master Batman, Miss Batgirl, I will have luncheon ready this afternoon, and I have your beds prepared. I assume you will wish to retire immediately. If you wish a snack first, I have a selection ready at your convenience."

"Thank you, Alfred," Batman said. To Buffy and Tara's surprise the usually unemotional man sounded grateful. "I assume you can take it from here."

"Of course, sir."

"Very well." He nodded at the Scoobies, and at Alfred, and turned towards the stairs. Batgirl smiled at Alfred and the Scoobies, and followed him.

"Miss Summers, Miss Maclay, if you will both follow me," he said, and led them out of the main chamber and into another corridor. "I should warn you about the stairs. They have been very well trapped, and if anyone attempts to use them without proper clearance the results will be most unpleasant. We have seldom have visitors, but we do have… tolerable guest chambers down here."

"So we don't have to hang from the roof?" Buffy asked.

"Certainly not. Master Batman hates it when people attempt to imitate him."

Buffy glanced at Tara. "Is he serious?" she mouthed. Tara shrugged.

Alfred stopped at the end of the corridor. He opened a door and led them inside. Tara gave a small gasp, and Buffy whistled. Alfred's idea of tolerable was anyone else's definition of lavish. There were two very welcoming beds, and a large television set. Buffy noticed a VCR and a DVD player attached to it. Each bed had a nightstand, and a phone on each nightstand. Tara saw a full bookcase in one corner, as well as two plush chairs. They both noticed the bar and the mini-fridge at the same time. The carpet was thick and plush, and there were some very nice paintings of nature scenes on the walls.

"This is tolerable?" Tara asked him.

"I'm certain that I can make it a bit more so, if you're willing to wait, Miss Maclay."

"No, oh no! I-" she stopped when she noticed the twinkle in his eyes.

"There is more, however. This way. The facilities are over here," he opened one of two doors in the room. The 'facilities' were a whirlpool tub, and a frosted glass shower. "The lavatory is in through the other door," he explained. After they were done looking, they ended up in the centre of the room. "Some refreshments are already here, but if you wish something fresh I can bring it to you right now. I'm afraid that some rules must be followed for the duration of your stay."

"Let me guess," Buffy said. "No wandering off?"

"Correct, Miss Summers."

"Please call me Buffy, Mr.-"

"You may call me Alfred," he said, "but I fear it will not be possible for me to call you anything but Miss Summers and Miss Maclay. It would not be proper. Now," he continued, walking over to a nightstand, "if you need anything, please give this a ring." He gestured at the phone, and they noticed that it only had one button on it. "You might have to wait, but don't worry- I will answer shortly. As for not wandering off, Master Batman insists that when not in this room, you be accompanied by myself or one of the heroes- himself, Miss Batgirl, or Masters Nightwing or Robin, who you will probably be meeting today."

"That makes sense," Tara nodded. "I guess there's a lot of sensitive stuff here."

"You have no idea," Alfred said with a rueful smile. "Even I have some difficulty maintaining it all."

"You mean you're the only person that works down here?"

"You do everything?" Buffy asked, startled.

"It is not as daunting a task as it might appear, as I have taught my charges to keep their equipment in tip-top condition. I do sometimes wish Master Batman would do something about the bats, however. Cleaning up after them is most distasteful, although it is the only truly distasteful aspect of my duties."

"Why do you do it? All of this, I mean."

Alfred smiled. "I could make a glib remark about my paycheque, which is quite substantial, but the truth is they need someone to do it. If I can help them in any way, it is not just a duty, but an honour as well. Now, if there is nothing else, I will allow you ladies to get a few hours of sleep. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," they said back.

"Well," Buffy asked as she sat down on one of the beds, "does he remind you of Giles too?"

"He does," Tara said as she took a seat on the other bed. "He really does."

"Is it the British thing?"

"Yeah, and the 'serving any way you can' thing too."

"Yeah. You tired?"

"Very."

"Me too. Good night."

"Night."

"Oracle, report," Batman said. He had changed back into his uniform. He was seldom at ease down here without it.

"Well, I found some very interesting things about the names you wanted me to check, and I think I know why you asked."

"They're active," Batman confirmed.

"I thought so. Who should I start with?"

"Buffy Summers."

"Buffy Anne Summers. Lived a fairly normal life until the age of fifteen, when she was briefly institutionalized for an irrational belief in the supernatural. After she was discharged, she burned down her school gymnasium during a dance. She got off because nobody was quite sure of what exactly happened except for the fact that a gang had broken in. Shortly afterwards, her parents divorced, the mother got the kids, and the three of them moved to Sunnydale. Her school files indicate an average scholastic ability and several minor infractions of school codes. Her mother's boyfriend died at her house in her junior year when he tripped and fell down the stairs. She was briefly under investigation for a murder of a Jane Doe near the end of that year, but the charges were dropped. However, she dropped off the face of the earth at the same time. She re-emerged shortly after her senior year began, and she was re-instated without official problems."

"Unofficial problems?"

"Her principal was dead-set against it, from what I can tell, but somebody threatened him, and it wasn't her. Not much of anything made it onto her files that year, except for the fact that her graduating class voted her 'Class Protector.' She went into a coma a few days later, and was sent to the hospital, but recovered after a few hours. That was the same day that Sunnydale High exploded, during her graduation ceremonies no less. She went to UC-S after that, and nothing official made it into her files. Unofficially, she became heavily involved with an army project calling itself the Initiative. I haven't got all the details of that yet, but from what little I can get- it needs to be investigated, now. Anyway, they were doing something- I haven't found out what it is yet- and Buffy saved them from it, earning her some friends in high places, who have made a lot of what I found go away. During all that, another Jane Doe briefly held her mother and sister hostage in their house before being taken into custody and escaping, not to be seen again. Oh- and this is the best part- this same Jane Doe was admitted to the hospital at the same time that Buffy was, and in much the same condition. Her medical bills were paid by the town's mayor- who died in the graduation explosion and who reportedly got into a small altercation with a man at Buffy's bedside, and he blamed Buffy for the Jane Doe's condition. After all that, there's not much until almost a year ago, when her mother died."

"What killed her?"

"She died of natural causes, and unless someone is being really creative the causes actually were natural. She had a tumor. There was an operation. She seemed to recover, but there were complications, and said complications killed her a few months later. Mr. Summers was in Spain at the time, and while he is paying some child support he has left the rearing of his youngest daughter to her sister, who dropped out of college to take care of her sister." Barbara's tone had long since turned vicious. "Charming, isn't he? Now, I found something very interesting: a few weeks after Mrs. Summers' death, somebody bought a plot in one of Sunnydale's graveyards for Buffy. There's a headstone and everything, with her name, her year of birth and death, and the inscription 'She saved the world. A lot.' Despite this, there is evidence of her being around after that, and a few months ago she got a job at Sunnydale's DoubleMeat Palace."

"I see." Batman considered what he was just told. The bit with the gravestone bore investigation, although in his own line of work he had almost lost track of the number of people that were believed to be dead but turned out not to be. Almost. "What about the rest of them?"

"Except for Anya Jenkins, there's nothing worth reporting."

The 'thousand year old ex-demon.' "What about her?"

"Nothing, and before you even ask, let me explain. Up until about three years ago, it was like she didn't even exist. Everything I can find stems from about one time, or just afterwards. No birth certificate, medical history, anything. There are school records from Sunnydale High, and those records give her past academic history, but none of the schools she allegedly went to have any indication that she so much as set foot in them."

"Interesting."

"Very."

"Tara Maclay?"

"Like I said, nothing worth reporting. She has a father and an older brother. Her mother died when she was young. She only came to Sunnydale to attend UC-S, and she's living in the Summers home along with Willow Rosenberg, and from all appearances was dating Willow until a few months ago."

That was interesting. Their body language indicated that the two were together. Then again, at that age many people broke up and got back together all the time. "Make a new addition to your files." he told her. He sent her his log of everything that happened in Sunnydale.

"Got it," Barbara said, before reading it. "Wow," she whistled after she finished. "And it would be a good idea to see what I can find about this 'Watcher's Council' as well."

"Agreed. Keep up the search. Notify me of any developments. Batman out." He broke the connection and left the cave. He hated to admit it, but he needed sleep. As he left, he passed by Alfred, who had a carefully blank expression on his face. Batman stifled a sigh. Alfred understood his caution where the powered were concerned, but he didn't fully approve of it. Then again, he had never seen what an individual with even a relatively small amount of 'special power' and half a brain could do if he or she let go and acted without caring about the consequences. "Goodnight, Alfred," he said.

"Goodnight, Master Bruce."

Spencer Delbert was putting the last finishing touches on his display. (Hmm… raise the bar- there. Perfect. Done.) Now all that would have to be done was to make sure that it stayed that way for the grand opening tomorrow. Now he could-

He was startled by the insistent knocking on his door. "Who could that be?" he muttered as he went to answer. He opened the door a crack. "I'm sorry, but we're-"

He was cut off by something pushing the door, knocking him to the ground. A tall redheaded woman walked in, followed by a man that Delbert had never actually seen, but knew all too well. (The Joker! In broad daylight!)

"Well, hello, my good man," he said smoothly as he helped Delbert up. "Sorry to barge in like this, but we really had to talk to you."

The woman grabbed Delbert, and stared into his eyes. "You purchased an antique sword on your last trip, old man," she said. "You will tell us where you have it."

"I'm afraid that you'll have to do as the lady says, kind sir," the Joker laughed. "I have a… reputation but this lady can do things I can only dream about."

"Tell us, or I will kill you." The woman's face changed. It became bestial and her eyes turned yellow. Her canines enlarged, and became visibly sharper.

"In- in the main room," Delbert stammered. "It's the centerpiece."

"Thank you." Dala dropped Delbert, and stalked off.

"She does have a temper," the Joker admitted, looking down at Delbert. "Now I have a question for you: would you rather die on your ass or on your feet?"

"I- what?"

"I'm sorry, you took too long. Now I have to decide for you!" Green gas spewed from his lapel flower, hitting Delbert in the face. Delbert began to laugh, and laughed even as the world died around him.

Dala heard the laughter but ignored it. She had found what she was looking for. Crossing the room in a few rushed steps, she pulled the sword out of its sheath. (The designers were brilliant.) It was a beautiful sword, but not fancy or even terribly elaborate. The Sword of Veils was very special indeed. Being neither alive nor dead, she could feel the power locked in the metal. It was breathtaking.

"Got you what you came for?" the Joker asked as she emerged back into the foyer.

"Why were you so disgustingly cheerful to that man?"

"I seldom have a chance to play good cop, my dear. Forgive me if I took pleasure in it."

Dala looked down at the grinning Delbert and back up at the Joker. She raised an eyebrow. "Good cop?"

The Joker shrugged. "Well, I never said I could keep it up for very long, now did I? So, is that ring SPF one-million or what?"

Dala looked down at the glossy black ring on her finger. "Something like that. It is meant for a far worthier owner than I."

Buffy awoke with a yawn and a stretch. This bed was amazing. She sat up and she saw Tara coming out of the 'facilities.' She had changed and had apparently just gotten out of the shower.

"Hi," Tara said. "You wouldn't believe what Alfred has in there! We should come here more often."

"Yeah," Buffy smirked. "Great rooms, if you can put up with the bat guano, lack of a view, and paranoid host."

"He's a hero, Buffy."

"I know, but he knows almost everything about us. What do we know about him? Nothing, that's what, and I don't like it."

"Say that after you shower. They have a massaging showerhead. Goddess, it's lovely."

"I didn't know you liked massaging showerheads."

"I like massages, period. Just ask Willow." The gleam in Tara's eyes was wicked.

"Tara Maclay," Buffy chided, laughing as she grabbed her bag and entered the bathroom. "Whatever will we do with you?"

She emerged many, many minutes later, also changed. "Okay, you have a point about the showerhead," she conceded.

"Told you."

Tara went over to the phone, picked up the handle, and pressed the button. She waited for a few seconds and then smiled. "Yes, hello Alfred- oh, just fine, thanks- yes, the bed was lovely, but I might have to take your showerhead home with me," she laughed at something he said, "oh I see- yes, we're ready- great! Yes, that would be fine, thank you. Okay, thanks! Bye." She put the phone down and turned to Buffy. "He's coming down and says that lunch is still waiting for us. He'll be getting us in a few minutes."

Sure enough-

There was a knock at the door a few minutes later. Buffy opened it, and Alfred was there. "Miss Summers, Miss Maclay," he said by way of greeting, "luncheon is served. Follow me."

He led them out down the corridor and back into the main chamber. There was a table waiting, loaded down with some very delicious looking food. There were also two people in the training area. One was Batgirl. Her mask was off, and it looked like 'Candy's' face was really her face, with no makeup. The other was a dark haired, masked, shirtless teenaged boy in red trunks on top of green tights. They were sparring. At least that was what Buffy thought it was supposed to be. The girl was kicking the boy's ass with little visible effort.

"I win," Batgirl said as she stood above him. "Again." She held a hand down to him.

"Tell me again- why do I do this?" the boy muttered as she helped him up.

"To get better." She smiled. "Maybe someday you'll land more than a lucky punch."

"I celebrated the day I landed that punch."

"I remember." She looked at Buffy from over the boy's shoulder. "Hi!"

"Hi!" Buffy and Tara both waved. Batgirl and the boy walked toward them.

"Miss Summers, Miss Maclay," Alfred said, "I would like to present Master Robin."

Robin held out a hand and each Scooby shook it. "Batgirl's been telling me about you," he said. "I'm sorry one of our loonies came your way."

"Why are you sorry?" Buffy asked. "You didn't send him."

Robin smiled. He was pretty cute as he was, and Buffy wondered what he'd look like when he grew up. He had a lot of potential.

"As I was saying," Alfred said, "luncheon is served. Kindly put your shirt on, Master Robin."

"Yes Alfred." He turned and started to go to a red tunic hanging on a hook before he stopped. He looked at Buffy. "I think I need a quick shower first, unless you wanna spar Miss Summers?"

"Only if you call me Buffy," Buffy smiled as she started stretching.

"Okay, Buffy."

"Winner fights me," Batgirl announced. Robin made a face.

"I hope you don't mind if I take a dive," Robin told Buffy. Batgirl crossed the floor and swatted him upside the head.

"Stupid Robin," she chided.

"No, smart Robin," he corrected.

Buffy took off her shoes and followed Robin to the centre of the training area.

"How do you do it?" Buffy asked.

"It varies. How about the best of three? First person to knock the other down and follow through with a 'knock-out' blow twice wins. Holds count, but to a count of three."

"Isn't that kinda short?"

"Yeah, but in the field you don't always have time. Is that okay by you?"

"Sure."

Robin bowed to Buffy, and after a second she did too. Then the fight was on.

The kid was good, Buffy thought. He had to have taken a dive during his fight with Batgirl. He was dodging most of her hits, and getting a couple in. He wasn't terribly strong compared to a vamp, but Buffy knew that hits could add up as a fight went on. (Well, let's change that.)

As Robin launched a kick at her head, she ducked and let her entire body drop until she almost hit the floor. She stopped her descent, and pivoted sharply. An outstretched foot knocked his leg out from under him just as his kicking leg almost became stable. He fell with a grunt, and landed on his tailbone. A quick cuff to the jaw ended it.

"One for Buffy," Batgirl called.

"Not bad," Robin said as Buffy helped him up. They went back to their positions, bowed, and went back at it. He came on harder than before. He must have been holding back a bit in their first fight, wanting to see what she could- uh! He landed a blow on her jaw, and for a split second she saw stars. Apparently, it was all the time the kid needed. He got her in a hold. (Not bad. He knows what he's doing, but so do I.) Just as she was about to break the hold, Batgirl finished counting three.

"One for Robin," Batgirl said.

Robin grinned at her.

(Damn) he thought. (That was my best hold, and she almost broke loose! I better be careful, or she's gonna take the next one.)

She felt herself grin too. They bowed, and the third bout was on. (You wanna go, little man?) She launched herself back and extended her hand in a 'come on' motion. He followed her, but cautiously. (Kid thinks I have something up my sleeve. Well, I will as soon as I think of something.)/ Buffy went into a somersault, and the kid moved back, out of range of whatever she was about to try. So, he wouldn't let her get too close, would he? Oh. Oh-ho. She had a plan. (It's a gamble, and if he doesn't go the way I want him to then I'm screwed!) she thought.

She ran at him in a brief burst of speed. The kid went into a crouch, ready for a hit to the head, feet, and all points in between. At the last possible second she shifted her angle of attack. Robin noticed and rolled to the right. (Perfect.) She sprang on him and got him in a hold. She pinned him down while he squirmed as much as he could. Batgirl counted three.

"Buffy wins," Batgirl announced.

"How did you know I'd dodge that way?" he asked her.

"I guessed," she admitted as she helped him up.

"You guessed?" he sounded stunned. "What if that was for real?"

"If that was for real I would have had a weapon and I would have used it on you."

"Only if I let you."

"Enough talking," Batgirl said. "My turn!"

"My, aren't we eager," Buffy remarked.

"I like sparring with new people," Batgirl shrugged.

"You mean she likes beating new people," Robin smirked as he retrieved his tunic and went to stand with Tara and Alfred.

"Are you okay?" Tara asked him.

"I'm fine, Miss Maclay," he told her as he put the tunic on. "I've been beaten much worse, and that doesn't even begin to cover what happens in the field. Thanks for asking, though."

"Please, call me Tara."

"Sure," he smiled.

"How was she?"

"Not bad. She's been pretty well trained, but she seems to rely on her speed and strength a lot. She seems to be pretty good at thinking on her feet. I wonder what she would have done if I rolled left instead of right." He stopped talking as Batgirl and Buffy bowed.

(Now) Buffy thought as she launched a punch at Batgirl's head, (let's see how good- hey!) Batgirl dodged it easily, as if she knew what Buffy was going to do. She tried a kick, but Batgirl dodged that too. A leg sweep fared no better. Finally, Batgirl went on the offensive. Buffy managed to block two punches before realizing that she was being set up for a kick, which she only realized on her way down.

"One for Batgirl," Robin announced.

"You're good," Buffy said as Batgirl helped her up. Now she understood why it looked like Batgirl was mopping the floor with Robin: she was.

They bowed again, and this time Batgirl didn't wait before taking the offensive. Buffy decided to take a page out of Robin's book- get the hell away. Unfortunately, Batgirl proved to be good with the whole following along thing. Within seconds, Buffy was on the floor.

"Batgirl wins," Robin announced.

"You're really good," Buffy told Batgirl.

"Thanks," Batgirl smiled.

"You should see her when she goes full out," Robin grinned. "It's something else."

"Indeed." Everyone looked at the speaker. Batman emerged from the shadows as if from thin air.

"I agree with Robin's assessment of you, Miss Summers," he continued. "You are fairly well trained but you rely on your strength and speed too much. You seem to think well on your feet. It has obviously served you well, but I doubt you would have won so easily against Robin if he were even a year further along, if you would have won at all."

(Oh really?) "And what if I fought you?" she asked.

"Is that a challenge?"

"Yes."

"Very well."

They moved back to the centre, and bowed. Buffy started to circle warily, and Batman followed suit. Despite the bravado, she was a bit worried. She had seen him in action. She made a fake left, followed by a right cross, which he blocked easily with his forearm. He flowed from the block into a roundhouse kick. She dodged, but not quite in time. Even with a glancing glow, she could feel the power he put behind. (He's human. I'm sure of it. He's not a strong as a vamp but he's still strong. Well, I'm strong too, and fast.) She launched a series of jabs at his jaw. He managed to block a few of them but one connected, and he reeled. It was momentary, but that was enough time for her. She got him in a hold, and Batgirl called it.

Batman considered her. He might have to take back what he said earlier. She was better trained than he thought, and could fight well if provoked. His eyes narrowed. He could win this, he had absolutely no doubt of that, but it would require more effort than he had initially believed. He felt his face twitch into a smile as she helped him up. (Good.)

After the bow, he made sure that he was quick to take the offensive. She managed to dodge many of his blows, but a few got through her defenses. (Now, let's see if she can change her tactics.) He let her retake the offensive, and blocked a few punches before allowing one through. He felt her put him in the exact same hold as before, and heard Batgirl start counting.

"One, tw-" with a sudden burst of strength, he broke the hold. He punched her in the jaw and got her into a hold before she could recover. Batgirl started counting again.

"One, two, three. One for Batman!"

"It's not about fighting hard," he told her as he helped her up. "You have to fight smart as well."

"I'll remember that," she muttered.

After the bow, she seized the offensive. She didn't let up, and while he managed to dodge a lot of her blows, a few got in. Buffy smiled, and poured it on.

As she got in close, he managed to grab one of her arms and throw her to the ground. She landed in a roll, but he was waiting. His kick got her in the midsection, knocking the wind out of her. A blow to the side of the neck put her down. Batgirl started counting, and Batman won.

"Do you beat everyone like that?" she asked him as he helped her up.

"No. I usually break a sweat."

She shot him a sharp look and then realized that he was either teasing her or baiting her. She chose to respond as if it was the former. "I'll make you pay for that," she promised.

"I look forward to it," he responded. To his own surprise, he meant it. She wasn't bad, and if she got some better training…

"If we're all done hitting each other," Alfred announced, "luncheon is waiting."

They all sat down at the table. Buffy whistled. 'Luncheon' included several different kinds of sandwiches cut into small triangles, a homemade chicken noodle soup with crackers, cold fried chicken, and some excellent lemonade to wash it all down. After the main course was finished, a tray of pastries and cookies appeared seemingly from out of nowhere. Buffy managed to try one of each. They were all wonderful, and clearly homemade. "I am so taking him from you now," Buffy told Batman.

"Many have tried," Alfred said with a smile. "All have failed. If you'll excuse me…" He whisked all the plates and glasses onto a waiting cart, and left.

"So what do we do now?" Tara asked.

"Oracle to Batman," a voice said. It was disguised electronically, and rang through the cave.

"I think we're about to find out," Robin told her as Batman answered.

"Batman here," he said. "Proceed." The main computer flickered on, the screen filled with a glowing green mask.

"A man named Spencer Delbert has been murdered by Smilex a few hours ago. The police have found his body. I've managed to track Joker down. He's in an abandoned warehouse outside of town. It belonged to the Breslins, but it has been closed down since Gotham was reopened. Records indicate no access to sewers." Directions flashed on the screen. "As you requested, I have notified Nightwing and he is en route."

"Understood. Batman out." The mask vanished.

"That's our cue," Robin said.

Alfred escorted Buffy and Tara back to their room while Batman reviewed the warehouse's blueprints. Buffy retrieved Mr. Pointy and a sword just in case, and Tara got a few supplies. After returned to the main chamber, Batman reached into his utility belt and pulled out two blindfolds. "Wait until I tell you to put them on," he said as he handed them to Buffy and Tara. "You two are with me in the Batmobile."

"Okay."

The Scoobies followed the Bats down a different corridor than the one they arrived in. The chamber they emerged in was full of exotic black cars. Batman went to one and opened the doors.

"What about Batgirl and Robin?" Buffy asked. Batman pointed. They were getting on motorcycles. Batgirl's was black, and Robin's a bright red.

"Put the blindfolds on," Batman said after they got into the car. After they did, he put the car into motion, and they could feel it speed off.

"How fast are we going?" Buffy asked Batman.

"Do you really want to know?"

"On second thought, no."

Minutes passed. Finally, they began to slow.

"Take the blindfolds off," Batman said. Buffy and Tara did so.

They stepped out of the Batmobile. In the distance, they saw the ruins of a warehouse. It was still mostly intact, but was long abandoned. Robin and Batgirl got off their bikes and joined them.

"Lovely," Buffy muttered.

"Batgirl and Robin will take out any obvious guards, clearing the way for Miss Summers and Miss Maclay. The windows-" Batman pointed at a set of ground-level windows- "will serve as your breach point. I will take the skylight. My jumping through will be the signal to engage. Questions?" He asked that last in a tone that said 'there had better not be.'

"Nope," Buffy told him. "We're good to go."

(Damn, I hope I never turn into an order-machine. The only thing worse would be if I started giving inspirational speeches at the drop of a hat.)

The group moved towards the warehouse. It looked deserted, but that meant nothing. Only an idiot would openly defend an abandoned warehouse if he or she was trying to remain anonymous. (And the Joker's crazy, not dumb,) Buffy thought.

Buffy looked at Batgirl and Robin as they crept forward, and turned to look at Batman. He was gone. (Okay, that is really starting to bug!) Once the two were satisfied that there were no overt guards, they motioned for the Scoobies to join them at the windows. After what seemed like an eternity, she heard the sound of breaking glass. (Finally!) The four burst in through the windows and found- absolutely nothing. Nobody was there. It was like the hideout in Sunnydale. People had been there recently, but the place was abandoned. Or so she thought until the enormous yell reverberated through the warehouse.

Tara heard Batman swear under his breath as a new, loud voice shouted: "Remember: kill them and keep their heads!" The crates exploded. Demons, not vampires, burst out of the crates. Demonology was hardly Tara's specialty but they looked like the biker demons that attacked Sunnydale on the night of Buffy's resurrection.

One of them charged at her brandishing a bowie knife. Batman grabbed her and shoved her to the side, engaging it. Moving with a grace that Tara still could not believe a 'normal' human was capable of, he grabbed the demon's arm and jerked it. Tara could hear its arm break. It howled in pain and dropped the knife. Batman dropped it with an uppercut to the jaw. He drew a batarang from his utility belt, pivoted sharply, and threw it at another demon. It hit the demon in the head, dropping it, and it ricocheted to another demon. It connected with a thunk, the demon went down, and the batarang returned to Batman's hand.

Buffy quickly drew her sword and charged. Behind her, Robin grabbed a small stick from his belt. The stick extended into a full Bo staff. "I've got your back," he called, hearing the sound of charging demons behind him. He turned, and neatly brought the staff down on the side of the lead demon's neck, dropping it, and then swinging the other end to hit with the next comer. It collapsed. He gave his Bo a little twirl and motioned for the rest of the demons to come. The gesture was designed to piss them off, and it worked. His Bo became very busy.

"Thanks!" Buffy called back as she attacked the demons charging her. One of them had a sword and she met that one full on. He lunged and she parried. He swung left and she neatly sidestepped. He got angry and swung at her neck. Buffy smirked. The demon left himself wide open for a shot to the heart. Since he was clearly asking for it, she gave it to him. He dropped his sword and went down. Buffy pulled the sword out of his chest and quickly used it to decapitate a demon that tried to get behind her. Buffy knelt down and picked up the demon sword. She could fight with two weapons. She couldn't quite fight as well as with just one, but her attackers didn't know that.

While Robin and Buffy had each others back, Batgirl was busy on her own. As far as both she and the demons she faced were concerned, it was an unfair fight, but for different reasons.

"You're all alone, girly," one leered.

She sprang forward, flashing a wicked grin underneath her cowl. She took him down with a spinning kick to the forehead. She followed up with an uppercut to the next demon. A brief noise was all the notice she got before a third demon sprang down on her from above a crate. It was all the notice she needed it, because the demon was doing it all wrong. A quick pivot on her foot and she was able to give him a high kick to the face, knocking it out before it hit the ground. She clenched her fist into a ball and raised it, hitting a demon trying to sneak behind her. She tsked. (Clumsy, clumsy, clumsy.)

As two demons tried to attack Batman, Tara heard a soft voice chanting. Batman started reeling, even though he hadn't been hit yet. He threw a batarang in the general direction of the voice, but the spell had clearly taken him by surprise. Tara rattled off a dispelling spell. Batman straightened and she could feel his anger. It didn't take a rocket scientist to guess that he hated being the victim of a spell.

"Get the sorcerer!" he snapped. One demon charged him and tried to swing its arm. Batman smiled. He recognized what the move was supposed to be, and knew that it could be devastating when used by someone properly trained. (Fortunately, this one isn't.) He grabbed the demon's arm, and used its momentum against it. He swung it into its partner, and both demons went down. Batman made sure that they stayed down. He got up just in time to take down a third attacker with a kick. More demons came his way.

Tara turned in the direction she heard the voice coming from. Another demon emerged from the shadows, clearly pissed. It chanted another spell. The ground around Batman and the demons grew slick with oil. All slipped, though out of the corner of her eye she could see Batman making good progress at getting back up.

The sorcerer pointed a finger at her and a jet of fire streaked towards her. She smiled, recalling a simple fire-turning charm. Speaking it quickly, she lifted a hand as the fire sputtered out a foot in front of her face. It was her turn. She spoke a few words and the crates nearest the sorcerer exploded. She sent the shrapnel all towards him. The sorcerer's next spell managed to block most of the shrapnel, but a few pieces still got through. He looked pissed.

He raised his hand, and a bolt of black energy streaked from his hand. Tara and Batman dodged it but it hit one of the demons as it just managed to rise. The demon fell again, decaying while it was still alive. Tara gasped. She had to end this now.

She remembered the first time that she and Willow had done magic together. They moved a Coke machine. She had since learned a spell for moving objects. She chanted it, and pointed at the sorcerer. She felt resistance, which meant that the sorcerer had warded himself against direct spells. She began pushing against the shield with all her power. After what seemed like an eternity, the shield broke. The force of her spell sent the sorcerer crashing against the wall. The force created an impact crater in the wall. Tara lifted her spell, and the sorcerer collapsed to the ground. The trail of blood and gore told her that he was dead.

Tara closed her eyes and shuddered. She had only intended to lift him up the air and shake him until he became disoriented. She didn't mean to kill him! She was too wrapped up in what she had just done to notice the demon moving her way, until it was too late. The smirking demon raised a spiked mace.

Batman, who had escaped from the oil slick by this time, sprung into action. He tackled the demon. He wrestled with it and when he was in a good position he put it down with a punch to the back of the head.

"Th-thanks," she stammered as she helped him up.

"Never let your guard drop," was the reply.

Batman listened. Apart from some moaning, the warehouse was silent. He grabbed Tara by the shoulders, and steered her with him. Looking across the warehouse he saw Buffy and Robin standing triumphant, and he saw Batgirl joining them.

"Well, that was about as much fun as you can have without actually having any fun," Buffy told the two Gotham Knights.

"I'm sure the demons agree," Batman said as he and Tara joined them.

"AH-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH!"

The laughter echoed through the warehouse. Batman instantly got Tara behind him as he formed a circle with Robin and Batgirl, which Buffy joined a split-second later.

"Hello, Batman!" the Joker cackled. "My, but you and your new friends certainly made a mess of things, and after all the trouble that I went to find just the right playmates. Oh well," he sighed. "Them's the breaks." Looking up, Batman noticed a video camera and speakers attached to the roof.

"Speaking of breaks," the Joker continued. "We're a few hours ahead of you, on our way back to sun-drenched, vampire-infested Sunnydale. Oh don't worry, we'll have a message waiting for you once you get there- if you survive that long, that is." The sound went dead.

"Run!" Batman yelled and led the charge to the doors. They almost made it when the first explosion rocked the building.

Tara quickly cast a shield spell, but she knew it was too weak. (I must have used too much energy fighting the sorcerer!) Her shield managed to deflect some relatively small debris, but crumpled as larger pieces came down.

(Willow, I'm sorry) Tara thought as the roof fell down on top of her.

Nightwing couldn't help smiling as he pulled up to the warehouse. He had broke a few speed limits to get there that quickly. He made decent time from Blüdhaven, but Batman and the others still got there before him. He hoped they saved him some action, seeing as how they had demon hunters helping them.

Any further thoughts were blown out of his mind as the explosions knocked him back several feet. By the time he managed to get to his feet, the warehouse was a flaming wreck. "No!"