Disclaimer: the lyrics to the song Two Hearts belong to Phil Collins and I'm using them without his permission so please ignore my use of them.
Eternal Flame, Part 3 Two Hearts,
Two months prior to the Hen Night
"Here she is folks the Mistress of the mic, the star of Gotham Nights, Gertie!"
"Hey everybody Gertie's the name and Gossip is the game. Tonight we have a special treat for you as well as a world exclusive! Tonight we have no other than Christina Williams singing her come back song for us as well as telling us how she managed to steal the heat of Gotham's own second most eligible bachelor, Richard Grayson, heir apparent and adopted son of Bruce Wayne. So Gothamites lets hear it for our own adopted daughter Christina!"
Taking my cue from the thankfully thunderous applause I slowly wheel my way down to the stage floor trying not to be blinded by the lights. I stop next to the corpulent hostess and paste a fake smile on my face as she kisses my cheek.
Before she became a TV personality Gertie was a gossip columnist who through her unscrupulous rumor mongering almost lost Bruce custody of Dick. While this is old news, knowing what sort of person she is puts me slightly on edge, in fact if it wasn't for the fact that my agent booked this appearance before checking with me I would never have appeared on her show.
"So Chris, may I call you Chris, We all know about when you met our Richard but tell us about the night he proposed, was it romantic? Drifting off into a daydream I recount that special night the look in his eyes the feelings in my heart.
"We're in the garden at Wayne Manor "I love you SO much, I have something important to ask you before I leave for the airport," Dick said. "Not long ago Bruce passed on his Grandmother's engagement and wedding ring to me. He told me he'd wanted to do it for so long. He felt like it was something a father should give to his son when he thought he'd found the right woman. We both think YOU are the right woman for me. Will you marry me?" At this point both of our eyes are filled with tears. I said yes, and with that, Dick jumps down from the giant oak tree he'd been perched in and plants a lingering, tender kiss on my lips, and places the ring on my finger. It may seem strange for a guy to propose from a tree, but this tree on the grounds of Wayne Manor is special. It was from there; Dick jumped down and surprised me with our first kiss when we were both 9."
"What a wonderful story, so have you set the date yet?"
Still thinking back to that wonderful moment her question catches me off guard and before thinking I answer with the date that is dancing in my heart,
"Valentines day!"
"Wow, well folks you heard it heard first Valentines Day, So Chris tell us about your upcoming tour, is it true you've had to cancel some of your tour dates?"
"Yeah that's true, I had some dates set up in the Middle East but with the conflict going on over there at the moment it wouldn't be safe to play them."
"The Middle East! That's unusual why did you decide to tour over there? Most people stick to the United States, Europe and possibly Asia."
"I don't know I have always felt a sort of connection to the Middle East, I can't explain it I'm just drawn to it, the culture the history all of it."
"Wow, Ladies and gentlemen this is Christina Williams with the signature song from her upcoming tour, Two Hearts!"
As the audience claps and cheers I take my place centre stage and begin to sing.
Well, there was no reason to believe he'd always be there But if you don't put faith in what you believe in It's getting you nowhere Cos it hurts, you never let go Don't look down, just look up Cos he's always there to behind you, just to remind you
Two hearts, believing in just one mind You know we're two hearts believing in just one mind
Cos there's no easy way to, to understand it There's so much of my life in her, and it's like I'm blinded And it teaches you to never let go There's so much love you'll never know he can reach you no matter how far Wherever you are
Two hearts, believing in just one mind Beating together till the end of time You know we're two hearts believing in just one mind Together forever till the end of time
he knows (he knows) There'll always be a special place in my heart for him he knows, he knows, he knows Yeah, he knows (he knows) No matter how far apart we are he knows, I'm always right there beside him
We're two hearts..
v "That damned insufferable Whelp! How dare HE! I found out today from one of my sources that the wedding date released to the press was false and the actual wedding will be weeks earlier on the day of St. Valentines, the fool, can't he tell that she doesn't love him? Is he so blind that he cannot see that she is only tolerating him until I can rescue her! This complicates things, I am now working to a tight time schedule, I have less than two months to implement my scheme and liberate my love.
Since my discovery my mind had gone into over drive, how could I reclaim my love? How could I prove to her that we belong together? How could I release her from the clutches and infatuation of that upstart? I produced plan after plan, each one more complex than the last until finally I had the perfect solution. I had planned to liberate her on her tour when she toured the Middle East and blame her capture on terrorists but now I need something new, something more devious.
I had to be circumspect so as not to reveal my master plan, each section to be completed by different agents over a two-month time span. After all this was the Knights city and so my plans had to be meticulous so as to avoid detection.
I started with the easiest and less obvious things first, a break in at Gotham University, A double ploy the first to take some past papers of one of its many students, this was done covertly so as to avoid notice, the second crime who's sole purpose was to lay a false trail and cover the first, was the theft of a first edition copy of 'A tale of Two Cities' which was on loan to the university from the British museum. I never did like Dickens he was a self absorbed no talent hack that stole most of his better ideas or stories from, well I wouldn't like to say. Scrutinizing the students handwriting almost caused me to despair. How could I write to my love proclaiming my feelings in such ...scribble? Like the man who wrote these abysmal documents his handwriting has no soul, no personality, and no flair.
My next few steps had to be carried out carefully as they involved certain members of the Bat's rouge gallery. Dealing with these lowlifes was risky and demeaning but necessary. Besides if I was careful then I might be able to lay more than one false trail just in case her suitor is cleverer than I give him credit for.
Ms. Isely was surprisingly easy to deal with but then anything that increases the plant population, even if it's just by one or two is readily accepted by her. Unfortunately she chose the body of my servant to grow the new breed of plant in but other slaves are always available.
Mr. Tetch was a more problematic partner, after all his device would not be contained in a hat but eventually he complied. It always amazes me how much people are willing to compromise their principals for money. I now have a copy of his device and the frequency at which it transmits, it seems fate has taken a hand to ensure my love and I are reunited.
I start by sending the letters to where she is staying, having them posted in Gotham to avoid suspicion. I pour out my heart in these letters, written in his soulless script, it almost breaks my heart until I realise she will know who the letters are from in her heart of hearts and besides sacrifices must be made to achieve the greater good."
v
Do you know that the Knight has almost his entire house covered by hidden surveillance cameras? Well he does. He probably justifies it to himself as a good way of gathering information when he hosts parties but I know that it's his incessant need to control his environment that causes this. However inconvenient this has been in the past it becomes a blessing now as I tap into his systems once more and watch my love.
The first thing that I notice is that My love doesn't throw my letters away, she keeps them and hides them from her captor. My Plans are now justified she knows they are from me and that our love is true and meant to be.
v
Time seems to be playing with me; the weeks have passed like moments yet these few final hours have lasted millennia. I watch as the first guests arrive for her party, not realising that it is a farewell party as it will be the last time they will see her. I watch and my heart leaps and soars as she smiles and laughs, I realise that soon that smile and laugh will be mine."
CRASH!!!
Where is she going? How dare they change the venue away from where I can keep vigil over her, I change from camera to camera and observe their giggling procession through the Knights abode. With a feeling of dread I realise that they are heading towards the Whelps bacchanal. Taking control of the camera I watch their insipid interaction.
No matter my plans are to near to fruition to be impeded now. I watch as they drink and lower their defences as if inviting my action with open arms.
As she enters her bedroom I am startled once more at her beauty and my impatience rises. She stops to inhale the fragrance of my present and reads the card from her 'fan club'. My smile widens as I watch her head droop as her body relaxes with great anticipation I turn on the device.
V
After my party I head back to my room, as I open the door to my bedroom a strange yet soothing aroma caresses my nose. I get ready for bed and lie there thinking about being Mrs. Grayson but my thoughts are disturbed by the sweet smell emanating from my side board, sliding back into my chair I decide to investigate the source of the perfume. Turning towards my sideboard I notice a strange plant along with a note, wheeling over to the plant I open the note,
To Christina, Tomorrow you begin a new life sure to be filled with joy.
From the head of your two hearts fan club
The smell finally overwhelms my senses and I start to snooze.
I watch, a passenger in my own subconscious as my vision blurs and then clears again. I don't recognize where I am but I can see a small green child in front of me, Its voice is like a high pitched whine in my ears as it cry's. My hand reaches out and removes the child from its terracotta crib. I can hear it calling to be begging me to free it. It seems so young yet it communicates so well yet its voice rings in my head not in my ears. Is the child an alien, should I free it? Looking at it I quickly reach a decision, alien or not it is still a child and I could never leave any child alone and afraid or in possible danger.
I place my friend carefully in my lap and reach for the crib and place it next to my friend. Removed from its confinement I can hear it much clearer now, It is imperative I get my friend to safety. Stealthily I open the door and search the corridor for jailors, seeing the way is clear I roll towards a near by elevator. Once in the elevator I start to press the button for the ground floor when my friend stops me,
'What not the main entrance but the secret underground entrance! How do I get there?'
'Put my hand where?'
'OK'
I start a little as the elevator starts to descend silently. The doors open with a swish and I roll out into what can only be called a cave.
It is dark and gloomy yet I can hear the excitement in my friends voice, we are almost free almost outside, above me I can hear the evidence that this place is evil as hundreds of Bats squeak and call overhead. Ahead of me I can hear footsteps obviously a guard, I check around for weapons but all I can see is the crib on my lap. With one hand propelling me forward and the other clutching my only weapon I inch forward until I could see the horned head of a demon wavering in front of me. Something does not seem right the noise didn't seem to be coming from that height yet I can see the guard with my own two eyes with all the power I could muster I launch my missile. I watch as the guard crumbles to the floor and I race my way to freedom for my friend and myself. Freewheeling down the ramp I embrace my friend as the cool night air hits us. My undercover mission is almost complete. I will meet Batman and Nightwing at the prearranged area they must, have rescued the other children by now. Dick said he'd rescue Lian, Robbie and Cerwin Bruce would lead out Austin, Autumn Andrew and Cody. The last thing I feel before darkness embraces me is a friend's tooth piercing the flesh of my arms and drinking my blood. v
I use Tetch's device to control my love and guide her out of the hidden entrance of the cave to where my trusted agent will pick her up and carry out the rest of my plan.
I must have a word with Tetch about his device when my mission has been completed, Even with Isely's plant lowering her resistance my strong willed love was not as easy to control as he said she would be, I had to spin an elaborate fantasy for her to get here to accept the commands, still I suppose it did work.
I sit and quietly ponder the success of this part of the scheme the voice of my most trusted wakes me from my musings.
"Mission complete, the package is on its way"
My anticipation builds as does my excitement and joy, soon we will be reunited, soon, oh so very soon!
Eternal Flame, Part 3 Two Hearts,
Two months prior to the Hen Night
"Here she is folks the Mistress of the mic, the star of Gotham Nights, Gertie!"
"Hey everybody Gertie's the name and Gossip is the game. Tonight we have a special treat for you as well as a world exclusive! Tonight we have no other than Christina Williams singing her come back song for us as well as telling us how she managed to steal the heat of Gotham's own second most eligible bachelor, Richard Grayson, heir apparent and adopted son of Bruce Wayne. So Gothamites lets hear it for our own adopted daughter Christina!"
Taking my cue from the thankfully thunderous applause I slowly wheel my way down to the stage floor trying not to be blinded by the lights. I stop next to the corpulent hostess and paste a fake smile on my face as she kisses my cheek.
Before she became a TV personality Gertie was a gossip columnist who through her unscrupulous rumor mongering almost lost Bruce custody of Dick. While this is old news, knowing what sort of person she is puts me slightly on edge, in fact if it wasn't for the fact that my agent booked this appearance before checking with me I would never have appeared on her show.
"So Chris, may I call you Chris, We all know about when you met our Richard but tell us about the night he proposed, was it romantic? Drifting off into a daydream I recount that special night the look in his eyes the feelings in my heart.
"We're in the garden at Wayne Manor "I love you SO much, I have something important to ask you before I leave for the airport," Dick said. "Not long ago Bruce passed on his Grandmother's engagement and wedding ring to me. He told me he'd wanted to do it for so long. He felt like it was something a father should give to his son when he thought he'd found the right woman. We both think YOU are the right woman for me. Will you marry me?" At this point both of our eyes are filled with tears. I said yes, and with that, Dick jumps down from the giant oak tree he'd been perched in and plants a lingering, tender kiss on my lips, and places the ring on my finger. It may seem strange for a guy to propose from a tree, but this tree on the grounds of Wayne Manor is special. It was from there; Dick jumped down and surprised me with our first kiss when we were both 9."
"What a wonderful story, so have you set the date yet?"
Still thinking back to that wonderful moment her question catches me off guard and before thinking I answer with the date that is dancing in my heart,
"Valentines day!"
"Wow, well folks you heard it heard first Valentines Day, So Chris tell us about your upcoming tour, is it true you've had to cancel some of your tour dates?"
"Yeah that's true, I had some dates set up in the Middle East but with the conflict going on over there at the moment it wouldn't be safe to play them."
"The Middle East! That's unusual why did you decide to tour over there? Most people stick to the United States, Europe and possibly Asia."
"I don't know I have always felt a sort of connection to the Middle East, I can't explain it I'm just drawn to it, the culture the history all of it."
"Wow, Ladies and gentlemen this is Christina Williams with the signature song from her upcoming tour, Two Hearts!"
As the audience claps and cheers I take my place centre stage and begin to sing.
Well, there was no reason to believe he'd always be there But if you don't put faith in what you believe in It's getting you nowhere Cos it hurts, you never let go Don't look down, just look up Cos he's always there to behind you, just to remind you
Two hearts, believing in just one mind You know we're two hearts believing in just one mind
Cos there's no easy way to, to understand it There's so much of my life in her, and it's like I'm blinded And it teaches you to never let go There's so much love you'll never know he can reach you no matter how far Wherever you are
Two hearts, believing in just one mind Beating together till the end of time You know we're two hearts believing in just one mind Together forever till the end of time
he knows (he knows) There'll always be a special place in my heart for him he knows, he knows, he knows Yeah, he knows (he knows) No matter how far apart we are he knows, I'm always right there beside him
We're two hearts..
v "That damned insufferable Whelp! How dare HE! I found out today from one of my sources that the wedding date released to the press was false and the actual wedding will be weeks earlier on the day of St. Valentines, the fool, can't he tell that she doesn't love him? Is he so blind that he cannot see that she is only tolerating him until I can rescue her! This complicates things, I am now working to a tight time schedule, I have less than two months to implement my scheme and liberate my love.
Since my discovery my mind had gone into over drive, how could I reclaim my love? How could I prove to her that we belong together? How could I release her from the clutches and infatuation of that upstart? I produced plan after plan, each one more complex than the last until finally I had the perfect solution. I had planned to liberate her on her tour when she toured the Middle East and blame her capture on terrorists but now I need something new, something more devious.
I had to be circumspect so as not to reveal my master plan, each section to be completed by different agents over a two-month time span. After all this was the Knights city and so my plans had to be meticulous so as to avoid detection.
I started with the easiest and less obvious things first, a break in at Gotham University, A double ploy the first to take some past papers of one of its many students, this was done covertly so as to avoid notice, the second crime who's sole purpose was to lay a false trail and cover the first, was the theft of a first edition copy of 'A tale of Two Cities' which was on loan to the university from the British museum. I never did like Dickens he was a self absorbed no talent hack that stole most of his better ideas or stories from, well I wouldn't like to say. Scrutinizing the students handwriting almost caused me to despair. How could I write to my love proclaiming my feelings in such ...scribble? Like the man who wrote these abysmal documents his handwriting has no soul, no personality, and no flair.
My next few steps had to be carried out carefully as they involved certain members of the Bat's rouge gallery. Dealing with these lowlifes was risky and demeaning but necessary. Besides if I was careful then I might be able to lay more than one false trail just in case her suitor is cleverer than I give him credit for.
Ms. Isely was surprisingly easy to deal with but then anything that increases the plant population, even if it's just by one or two is readily accepted by her. Unfortunately she chose the body of my servant to grow the new breed of plant in but other slaves are always available.
Mr. Tetch was a more problematic partner, after all his device would not be contained in a hat but eventually he complied. It always amazes me how much people are willing to compromise their principals for money. I now have a copy of his device and the frequency at which it transmits, it seems fate has taken a hand to ensure my love and I are reunited.
I start by sending the letters to where she is staying, having them posted in Gotham to avoid suspicion. I pour out my heart in these letters, written in his soulless script, it almost breaks my heart until I realise she will know who the letters are from in her heart of hearts and besides sacrifices must be made to achieve the greater good."
v
Do you know that the Knight has almost his entire house covered by hidden surveillance cameras? Well he does. He probably justifies it to himself as a good way of gathering information when he hosts parties but I know that it's his incessant need to control his environment that causes this. However inconvenient this has been in the past it becomes a blessing now as I tap into his systems once more and watch my love.
The first thing that I notice is that My love doesn't throw my letters away, she keeps them and hides them from her captor. My Plans are now justified she knows they are from me and that our love is true and meant to be.
v
Time seems to be playing with me; the weeks have passed like moments yet these few final hours have lasted millennia. I watch as the first guests arrive for her party, not realising that it is a farewell party as it will be the last time they will see her. I watch and my heart leaps and soars as she smiles and laughs, I realise that soon that smile and laugh will be mine."
CRASH!!!
Where is she going? How dare they change the venue away from where I can keep vigil over her, I change from camera to camera and observe their giggling procession through the Knights abode. With a feeling of dread I realise that they are heading towards the Whelps bacchanal. Taking control of the camera I watch their insipid interaction.
No matter my plans are to near to fruition to be impeded now. I watch as they drink and lower their defences as if inviting my action with open arms.
As she enters her bedroom I am startled once more at her beauty and my impatience rises. She stops to inhale the fragrance of my present and reads the card from her 'fan club'. My smile widens as I watch her head droop as her body relaxes with great anticipation I turn on the device.
V
After my party I head back to my room, as I open the door to my bedroom a strange yet soothing aroma caresses my nose. I get ready for bed and lie there thinking about being Mrs. Grayson but my thoughts are disturbed by the sweet smell emanating from my side board, sliding back into my chair I decide to investigate the source of the perfume. Turning towards my sideboard I notice a strange plant along with a note, wheeling over to the plant I open the note,
To Christina, Tomorrow you begin a new life sure to be filled with joy.
From the head of your two hearts fan club
The smell finally overwhelms my senses and I start to snooze.
I watch, a passenger in my own subconscious as my vision blurs and then clears again. I don't recognize where I am but I can see a small green child in front of me, Its voice is like a high pitched whine in my ears as it cry's. My hand reaches out and removes the child from its terracotta crib. I can hear it calling to be begging me to free it. It seems so young yet it communicates so well yet its voice rings in my head not in my ears. Is the child an alien, should I free it? Looking at it I quickly reach a decision, alien or not it is still a child and I could never leave any child alone and afraid or in possible danger.
I place my friend carefully in my lap and reach for the crib and place it next to my friend. Removed from its confinement I can hear it much clearer now, It is imperative I get my friend to safety. Stealthily I open the door and search the corridor for jailors, seeing the way is clear I roll towards a near by elevator. Once in the elevator I start to press the button for the ground floor when my friend stops me,
'What not the main entrance but the secret underground entrance! How do I get there?'
'Put my hand where?'
'OK'
I start a little as the elevator starts to descend silently. The doors open with a swish and I roll out into what can only be called a cave.
It is dark and gloomy yet I can hear the excitement in my friends voice, we are almost free almost outside, above me I can hear the evidence that this place is evil as hundreds of Bats squeak and call overhead. Ahead of me I can hear footsteps obviously a guard, I check around for weapons but all I can see is the crib on my lap. With one hand propelling me forward and the other clutching my only weapon I inch forward until I could see the horned head of a demon wavering in front of me. Something does not seem right the noise didn't seem to be coming from that height yet I can see the guard with my own two eyes with all the power I could muster I launch my missile. I watch as the guard crumbles to the floor and I race my way to freedom for my friend and myself. Freewheeling down the ramp I embrace my friend as the cool night air hits us. My undercover mission is almost complete. I will meet Batman and Nightwing at the prearranged area they must, have rescued the other children by now. Dick said he'd rescue Lian, Robbie and Cerwin Bruce would lead out Austin, Autumn Andrew and Cody. The last thing I feel before darkness embraces me is a friend's tooth piercing the flesh of my arms and drinking my blood. v
I use Tetch's device to control my love and guide her out of the hidden entrance of the cave to where my trusted agent will pick her up and carry out the rest of my plan.
I must have a word with Tetch about his device when my mission has been completed, Even with Isely's plant lowering her resistance my strong willed love was not as easy to control as he said she would be, I had to spin an elaborate fantasy for her to get here to accept the commands, still I suppose it did work.
I sit and quietly ponder the success of this part of the scheme the voice of my most trusted wakes me from my musings.
"Mission complete, the package is on its way"
My anticipation builds as does my excitement and joy, soon we will be reunited, soon, oh so very soon!
