Hello again to everyone. This Chapter again is a short chapter but I feel it has a lot to offer. Please enjoy.
Oh and as always I do not own anything to do with DC and anything that may be real is by accident and I don't own whatever that may be.
"That's it men, fill those tanks. I don't want a single drop left behind. "The gruff angry voice is heard yelling commands to his workers that take each order without question. "We have to have it ready to mix and on the shelf's in less than one week." Two Face patrolled the grounds of the warehouse coordinating the efforts to load many Mac truck with steel drums. Everyone on the ground floor wore gas masks over their faces, everyone but Two-Face. He enjoyed the putrid smell of sulfur mixed with various other chemicals. "That's right keep em moving. Gotham is in for a treat." Two Face made his way over to a corner away from all the commotion. No one was around him but himself. "What if we fail?"
"That's impossible, we have everything planned. Stop your whining. I tired of hearing myself complain."
"But we're dealing with an unstable mad man."
Two face continued to stand there and argue with himself. "Don't worry I have the Joker under control."
Overlooking the grounds to the warehouse was an office with walls made of glass. Inside paced a man who never looked worried. Even if the Joker was, it was difficult to tell by the constant smile forged to his face. Strangles of his chemically altered hair waved free in all directions. He was a walking whirlwind in a purple suit. "Just look at him Bob. I mean just look at him. I would if I could enjoy a conversation with myself like those men do. Then again, just one of me is plenty." The Joker roared one of his infamous evil laughs. "But one does have to appreciate how his foul minds work. Oh and Bob the first shipment worked beau-tif-lee is I said so, which I do." The Joker turned from the window and threw himself into his office chair. "Those kids never knew what him them. WHAM! A little poison in their cereal and wa-la they drop dead. They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and for them it was their last. Pretty soon we will expand and it will be all of Gotham who drops dead. I'll have the city at my mercy. And do you know what the best part is Bob?" Bob stood by the desk and shook his head no. "No Bat and the birdboy? Well he's probably at home popping his zits. And then who will all the city officials come running to when they want a cure for the sudden illness that spreads through the streets of Gotham." Again Bob shook his head indicating he didn't know. "ME BOB! ME! And of course it will cost them. Oh it will cost them, AHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
X X X X
The wait up the elevator wasn't so nerve racking this time. The sun was vividly shining through the tall windows in the hallway. Dick couldn't fully explain his change in attitude toward Barbara. He just knew she needed him right now. Not as a lover but a friend. That was it. He planned on being the friend he knew she deserved. There he stood again, in front of room 1457. Only this time he wasn't scared. His hand was steady. Infact he was looking forward to seeing her. He pushed the handle down and all slowly opened the door, trying not be loud incase she was sleeping. He soon realized she was not. "Richard! Hey what are you doing here?" Her tone made him even more sure this was the right thing to do, she seemed very please to see him.
"Hey Babs, you're looking better." He made his way to the side of her bed and took a glance around the room, which was filled with an assortment of balloons and flowers. "Whoa, look at little miss popular."
"Yea, isn't that something? Everyone has been so nice." She paused for moment and looked up at Dick. "Well, just don't stand there, pull up a chair." She surprised herself at the lack of anger towards him. "So what's up?"
He pulled up a chair and wiggled around for a moment. He wasn't sure on how to answer her. He didn't want to bring up Bruce or Selina. He ran his hand through his hair. "Oh you know nothing really. Oh wait I did get my scores back for final exams." He knew this was safe subject to discuss. Nothing like good healthy education talk to start things out.
"Oh cool. I got mine the other day. Daddy brought them in. Can you believe Jacob's gave me a C? I worked my ass off in that class. I would ask you what you got, but I think I all ready know. "Dick nodded and couldn't help but chuckle. "You punk, you did get an A. I hate you so much. How you do it is beyond me. You'll have to show me your tricks one of these days. Oh well I guess I could have done better. That wasn't one of my best days." Out went the smirk on his face and in came a blank expression. How quickly he remembered what he said to her after that exam. "Yep, little did I know just how bad things would get." Dick silently agreed with her.
Dick looked closer now at Barbara. It was truly amazing just how great a job the doctor did on cleaning her up. Only her bruises remained and they too seemed a shade lighter. He was now looking at a different Barbara. Someone different from who he remembered. He couldn't believe how she was handling everything. How did she manage to smile after all that occurred? She was noticing him staring. "What is it Richard?" He shook his head and brought himself back into focus.
"I'm sorry." At that moment he felt ashamed. Ashamed at the way he previously thought of her.
"Don't be silly, you didn't do this too me. I thought we already settled this?"
"No...No...I mean I'm sorry about everything. It just seems like one long rollarcoaster ride. Me with Selina and you with Cole ---"
Barbara burst out in laughter.
"Stop, I'm being serious. Why are you laughing?" Dick looked confused. Barbara straightened herself up on the bed, so she was leaning more upright. She couldn't help but let a few more giggles out.
"First of all Mr. Grayson, I am never going to be or never waswith Cole Hammonds. Did I make a mistake? Yes, a horrible mistake that I still wish I could take back." Dick leaned forward ready to put his two sense in but Barbara quickly spoke up again. "And further more I don't want to hear any more about it. You made yourself perfectly clear that day in biology." He sat back in his chair. Even though she sounded playful, he wouldn't dare question her. "Look I would be lying to you if I said I was happy for you. It hurt to see you and Selina together. But that's something I have to deal with. Take away recent events and you have always been there for me as a friend. You have always had my best interests in mind."
He knew he didn't deserve a friend like her but he felt thankful to have her as a friend. He stood up from his chair. "Hey just know that I would do anything for you. You truly are an amazing person Barbara Gordon. A lot more brave than me. I know we'll get through this." He took one last look into her shimmering green eyes. Again he saw hope. But he knew her better than most. Those eyes were made of many levels. Underneath that hope he could see the pain she was holding in. He could see where innocent was lost. He too was also familiar with hidden pain. With an inner struggle.
He leaned down and pressed his lips gently on her forehead. It was a friendly kiss. "I'll be back tomorrow, we'll do lunch?"
She looked back at the young man that stood by her bed. "That would be nice, bring my favorite?"
He could not help but smile. To be glad that they were friends again. "Of course. Sushi right?"
"You know me too well." She watched him leave the room, her arm waving good-bye. No sooner did the door shut did Barbara let it all out. She could not hold back the tears any longer. She loved him very much.
X X X X
Robin stood next to the now fully healed and fully visible Batman. Black clouds stalked the city of Gotham on this dreary night. The moon sat prisoner behind the black of the clouds. The only light that shined on Gotham this night was man-made light. They both stood atop the multi story police station. The Bat signal disappeared from the black night sky.
"Ah Batman, nice to have you back." Commissioner Gordon stepped out from the rooftop door and stood next to the super hero's. "And Robin thank you again for all your efforts during Batman's absence. Gotham city is truly blessed to have the two of you." Batman and Robin both gave a courteous nod. "But I didn't flash the Bat signal for simple thank you's. We have a serious problem. Two Face is showing his faces around town. Our current leads have linked him to eleven robberies this month and we got a reliable tip that he's about to make it twelve."
"What has been stealing Commissioner?" Batman asked.
"He has been hitting the local chemical labs and factories. Unfortunately we don't know what he is using them for. He hasn't shown his faces around for anything else. And we have no buzz on the underground about this. It's as if no one knows it's happening."
Batman slowly edged to the edge of the roof. "Or maybe they are too scared to talk."
Commissioner Gordon took a few steps closer to him. "Well, like I said we have it on reliable sources that his next hit is tonight, at Foshito Tech Labs. I would like you to catch Two Face in the act and help us find out why he is doing this."
"Thanks Commissioner." The Dark Knight nodded to his sidekick and without any hesitation they both leapt from the roof top and into the blackness of the night.
X X X X
Two massive Mac trucks raced down the narrow streets of downtown Gotham, barely missing other vehicles who couldn't get out of their way fast enough.
"Take a right at the next light."
Two Face's voice was gruff and hard. The driver obeyed the command and turned the steering wheel at the next right. The second truck followed closely behind.
"That's the place. Take this large pile of scrap through the front door."
The driver didn't hesitate. He again obeyed the order without question. The massive truck rolled up over the curb and straight towards the front doors. The full glass window panel that made up the front of the building was no match for the twelve ton truck. Shards of glass shattered as the truck exploded through. The front security desk was also no match for the trucks.
"That's it, through that wall." Two Face pointed at a solid cement wall that was less than twelve feet away. Without a word the driver took the truck through the wall and barreled into what looked like a warehouse. The driver received another order to stop and seconds later the truck came to a screeching halt with the second truck right behind. Two Face jumped out of the truck. "You all know what to do. Now do it." Twelve men jumped out of each truck and began to load steel drums onto the back of the Mac trucks. This went on for the next twelve minutes or so. Two Face pulled the trigger on his machine gun and fired many rounds into the ceiling. It was obvious he was getting excited. "This is it men. Once we get this last shipment, then the real fun will begin." He waved his gun around as let out a hearty laugh.
A Batarang wrapped around the gun and it was yanked from his grasp. Batman stood at the entrance of the crumbled wall. Robin was all ready on the move, engaging Two Face's men. "Looks like your little escapade is over Harvey." The Dark Knight leapt into action. A bat grappled fire into the air. Batman was zipping to the ceiling. Another bat grapple fired, this one hitting the ceiling at a point much farther away. His feet were now on a collision course with Two Face's Chest. Two face managed to grab hold of Batman's ankle and twist it as they both went tumbling down.
Robin was managing his part quite well. Not all of the goons stopped to engage in the battle. They were still loading the Mac trucks. Robin could not help but notice how droid like they were in their devotion to get those trucks loaded.
Batman rose to his feet, barely showing any sign of harm. "It's over Harvey. What ever it is you are planning, its over." Anger seeped through the gritted teeth of the Dark Knight.
"Oh my job here my be over but the real fun is just starting." Two Face wiped the dirt from his arms. "Number seventeen. Number Twelve and number Eight. Attack to the death." His voice was pure evil. He pulled a pistol from the inside of his jacket and fired three shots at Batman. The Dark Knight didn't flinch. He just kept walking towards the evil monster.
"I said it's over Harvey." Batman had Two face hoisted in the air above, holding him by the collar.
"I told you Batman, it's only just began!" Two Face scrambled around until he managed to pull a small metal device out of his pocket. He gave a salute with one hand and pressed the bright red button on the device he pulled out.
The trucks, the men and even Two Face were all gone. Batman was holding nothing but air. He took a look around the warehouse. Aside from the destruction there was no evidence that they were ever there.
"There gone! All of them just gone." Robin yelled from across the room. "I don't get it. What just happened?"
Batman motioned to Robin. "Come on, nothing else we can do here. I think tomorrow we will being paying a visit to the president of Goth-Tech. Something tells me he'll have an answer for this."