Summary: Barbara is kidnapped and the only person that can help lead the Bat Clan to her is Thalia herself. Will she betray her father to help them, or is her faithfulness too strong? Will they ever be able to trust her? And even if they cannot trust her, how will they find Barbara if not with her help?
Chapter 6: Love and Duty Call
The Batcave
"What was THAT all about?" I asked Batman in a confused voice.
We had just arrived back at the Batcave after our mysterious encounter with that Thalia woman. Batman acted like if I had not spoken and was pacing back and forth in front of the computer. He was very concentrated on whatever it was he was thinking.
I watched him closely. This was starting to make me nervous. Who was that Thalia woman? How did she know Batman, or more importantly, how did she know BRUCE? This probably meant she knew Bruce was Batman. How did she KNOW that? What was it she wanted? She had been going on about a mission her father had sent her on . . . one she was reluctant to complete. Why?
Robin was sitting on the stairs of the Batcave, watching Batman intently. I looked at Robin, then at Batman, then at Robin again. Alfred suddenly appeared, carrying a tray with coffee and mugs. I glanced at Alfred before glaring at Batman again. I had had it.
"Can ANYBODY tell me what hell is going on here?" I roared.
Batman snapped out of his trance and stopped, staring at me. Tim's head snapped in my direction. Even Alfred was looking at me, surprised at my outburst.
I heard a chuckle come from behind me and I turned to see Dick coming down the steps of the Batcave. He passed by Tim and walked right up to Batman and I.
"So, what was so important that I had to get here 'right away'?" he asked.
I continued to stare at Batman, searching for an answer, but he just looked at Dick. Dick seemed to understand from that look that this was a serious Bat matter. He nodded for Batman to go on.
"We had a little run in Thalia tonight", Batman began.
Dick's eyebrows went up in surprise, "Thalia? What's SHE doing in Gotham?"
"She says she is on a mission for her father, but she did not go into any details. She simply said she wanted to inform me of her presence in Gotham. She gave me the impression that she was trying to warn me about something. She doesn't seem to be too happy about this mission, much more so than she showed"
Dick furrowed his brow, "She said Ra's sent her?"
Batman nodded.
Dick looked at Batman, "You're thinking the same thing I am, aren't you?"
"Anything involving Ra's cannot be good", Batman stated.
Dick nodded.
I was fed up already. They were going on like if no one else was in the room. I was standing right there and they were acting like if I were invisible!
"Could SOMEONE fill me in on what is happening here?" I hissed.
Dick's head snapped in my direction. He had totally forgotten I was there. Batman glanced at me, but he had been perfectly aware of my presence. He surveyed me for a long time, as if he was deciding how we would explain it all to me. But it was more likely that he was just deciding whether or not he would tell me at all. After a terribly long silence, he finally spoke.
"Ra's has been one of the greatest foes I have ever come upon. He is a very wise man, which make him both cunning and very resourceful. He is also very ambitious and determined, making him very dangerous as well".
"You forgot immortal and totally crazy", Dick cut in.
One of my brows shot up, "Immortal?"
Batman continued, "Ra's has remained youthful for hundreds of years now because he has discovered the secret of the Lazarus Pit. Anyone who bathes in the Lazarus Pit will become eternally youthful. Ra's discovered the location of the pit and used its powers to remain in his prime for over two hundred years".
"But I thought the Lazarus Pit was only a myth", I said.
"Ra's is the only person who knows the exact location and how to reach the pit. But, there are three living people who have seen it other than Ra's himself. Those people are his daughter, his henchman, and myself".
"You have actually BEEN to the Lazarus Pit?" I asked in shock.
"There was a time when Ra's wished for me to become his heir. He tried to force me into bathing in the pit by using his daughter against me. He thought that I was the only one worthy to be the next to rule the kingdom he was planning to build".
"Thalia is his daughter", I said.
"Yes she is. Ra's has a very strong hold over his daughter, one not easy for her to resist. He is a very powerful man, but she has been able to slip his grasp every now and then. She also does go back to him though . . .", Batman trailed off.
"Do you really believe she was trying to warn you? How do you know you can trust her?" I questioned.
Batman looked me in the eye, "Thalia warned me the best she could without betraying her father. You see, Thalia and I were very much in love at one time, but as many times as she has saved me, she has betrayed me just as many. No matter how great our love was; her love for her father was greater. But, she has never been able to forget about me and her love for me has never died".
I began to understand, "That's why she called you 'beloved' . . ."
Batman nodded, "I can trust her because she would never wish any harm to come to me. What does worry me is that she says this mission is not to her liking".
"Why does that worry you?" asked Dick, who had remained silent throughout the conversation.
Batman turned to him; "Because the only reason she would have to be wary of something her father has asked her to do would be if that something would affect me in any way. And since I know she would refuse to do anything to harm me directly, it worries me what Ra's could be planning . . ."
At this moment, Batman gave Dick a look and some sort of information was passed between them silently. I didn't like that they weren't telling me everything.
Robin, who hadn't left his spot on the stairs and had not uttered a single sound this whole time, finally stood up to speak.
"And what is it that we are going to do about it?" he demanded.
Batman looked at his young ward, "We are not going to DO anything. We will wait. Thalia will find us again".
"How can you be so sure?" I asked.
"Love makes people do a great many things. Thalia's love will cause her to try and save me from any pain", Batman said.
It made me nervous to speak of love in front of Dick, "So you're counting on that this girl loves you enough to betray her father?"
Batman shook his head, "You still don't understand. Thalia will never betray her father. But, she will tell me enough to be ready for him".
"Right . . .", I scoffed before turning to leave.
I walked over to my bike and mounted it. Batman turned to me as I put on my helmet.
"Keep a channel open and check in every hour until you get home. And keep your transmitter on Barbara".
I glared at him as I revved my bike's engine. How dare he give me orders while keeping me in the dark of the situation! Wait, how did he know I was going on patrol again? God, did he piss me off.
- - - - - -
The Clocktower
Nightwing approached me from behind as I sat on the Clocktower's rooftop as usual.
"Took you long enough", I said without even turning around.
Nightwing grinned, "I see you haven't lost your touch".
I turned to face him, "And I see you still can't sneak up on me, Short Pants".
A distasteful look appeared on his masked face, "I always hated those names".
I smirked, "That's why I love to use them so much, Boy Wonder".
"You know", he said folding his arms, "Technically, you can't use that name because I am no longer Robin".
An evil grin crept onto my lips, "True . . . former Boy Wonder".
Nightwing rolled his eyes.
I laughed.
"So . . .", he said, trying to change the subject.
"Why are you here?" I finished for him.
He nodded.
I leaned against the brick wall; "You are going to let me in on the deal with this Ra's guy. I think I deserve to know what's going on".
Nightwing looked at me for a moment, "I know we haven't told you much, but you have to trust us on this. We don't know much either. We know Ra's MO and we have had past experiences with him, but right now we can't predict his next move. The truth is that we are relying on Thalia for clues".
I gritted my teeth, "You're not telling me something, I can tell".
Nightwing sighed, "Please understand that it's for your own good. You know more than enough already".
I whipped around angrily and started to stalk off. I felt Nightwing's hand wrap around my wrist in an iron grip. I was stopped dead in my tracks. He pulled me close to him.
"Babs, please try to understand. You know I don't want anything to happen to you or anyone else. Be reasonable about this", he whispered in my ear.
"Reasonable?" I said in a high-pitched voice.
Nightwing released his hold on me. We were face to face now.
"Please tell me how I am supposed to be reasonable when I can clearly see how worried you and Batman are? I can see the looks you give each other. I KNOW those looks. They mean that bad things are going to happen. If you don't trust me, then just say it, but don't tell me to be reasonable!" I ranted.
Nightwing just stared at the ground at his feet. He really wasn't going to say anything. Fine then, just FINE!
I gave him a cold look before diving off the rooftop.
"Damnit", Nightwing muttered under his breath.
- - - - - -
2 Weeks Later
Batman leaned out over the gargoyle he was perched on to get a better look at the streets below him. The night had been quiet and uneventful. It worried him. Gotham was never quiet. It meant something was going to happen.
Robin struggled to keep his own perch on the gargoyle beside Batman's. Nightwing snickered as the boy tried every grip he knew to try and hold steady. Robin glared at him, and then went back to finding a grip.
"When do you think Batgirl will be joining us?" he asked Nightwing, still facing the city.
Nightwing's face fell, "I think she's still mad at us. There's no knowing when she'll talk to us again. She has been patrolling though. I've seen her, but she keeps her distance from us. She doesn't know I've been watching her back".
A small smile appeared on Batman's cold features. Good thing he had his back to Nightwing and Robin, they might die of shock. But it was gone in a flash and replaced by the ever-expressionless face of Batman.
"She still talks to ME", said Robin. He had given up on the gargoyle and was sitting on a ledge with his legs hanging over.
Nightwing gave him a questioning look.
"What?" asked Robin.
"When were you planning on telling us?" demanded Nightwing.
Robin gave him an innocent look, "I promised not to say anything!"
Nightwing was sending daggers at Robin.
Batman decided to step in before things got out of hand, "Has she mentioned anything about running into Thalia?"
Robin shook his head.
Nightwing looked at Batman, "We haven't heard from Thalia for two weeks now. Do you think she's left Gotham?"
"No, she's still here. She's just bidding her time", replied Batman.
"Indeed I am", said a voice from above.
In a flash and a whip of his cape, Batman was on the rooftop facing Thalia. Moments later, Nightwing and Robin were at his side.
"Hello Beloved", said Thalia warmly.
Batman's face remained stoic.
Thalia took the silence as his reply, "You must be wondering what I have been up to".
Again silence.
She cleared her throat, "A fortnight has passed and the time has come for me to take what I have been sent to retrieve".
"And that would be?" asked Nightwing.
Thalia glanced at Nightwing with distaste, "I do not understand why you take these children under your wing my love. They are so . . . so unbecoming".
Nightwing growled.
Batman stepped forward, "What is it that you want Thalia?"
Thalia smiled, "I need one of your fledglings my love. Father seems to have great interest in one of them".
Batman stepped closer, "And do you really think I am going to let you just take them?"
Thalia's smile widened, "I am counting on it my love".
Batman's eyes narrowed, "You thought wrong Thalia".
Thalia's face fell, "My love, you cannot expect me to believe that you shall fight to the death over one of those children?"
"Believe it", was the reply.
Thalia's face was etched with shock and disbelief. Apparently she did not know Bruce as well as she thought. She would have to do things the hard way then.
Her eyes turned icy, "You have made your choice then, Batman. Father seems to know you better than I do".
She turned to leave. Batman moved to grab her, but she vanished in a puff of smoke.
Batman stood staring at the spot where she had stood.
Nightwing moved to his side, "I'm telling you, that woman has some serious issues".
"She wants one of you", Batman said softly.
"I know", said Nightwing in a voice that suddenly sounded tired, "But which one?"
There was no reply from Batman.
- - - - - -
Barbara's Apartment
My footsteps echoed as I made my way up the stairs to my apartment on the sixth floor. Elevator was broken again. Surprise, surprise. I'm sure that if I didn't do it first, someone would kill the handyman soon.
By the time I made it to my floor I was already out of breathe. You'd think that so much training and crime fighting, a girl would be able to go up a few flights of stairs without loosing her breath? Apparently, no amount of training helps against a flight of stairs.
I opened the door of the stairwell and started down the hall to my apartment, number 614. I was rummaging through my purse for the keys, so I wasn't exactly looking where I was going. I ran into someone in front of my door.
I wasn't surprised to see Dick at my apartment. Actually, I had been expected a visit from him anytime now. Why? Well, for the last two weeks I had been avoiding all of them. That is except for Tim. I felt bad about Alfred, but it wasn't like I was going to go to the Manor after what they did. They couldn't trust me with this case and that had really pissed me off.
"What do YOU want?" I asked Dick harshly as I unlocked the door to my apartment.
He looked at me sideways from his position against the wall, "Can't I visit an old friend?"
I opened the door, "At four in the morning?"
He followed me into the apartment without asking and closed the door behind him.
"Look Babs, I know you're still mad at me, but I DO trust you. I just don't want anything to happen to you", he explained.
"Or anyone else", I added.
I was in the kitchen now, heating up leftovers from lunch. Chicken with veggies and white rice. So I was a health freak, sue me. I shoved the food into the microwave and slammed the door shut. I programmed it for two minutes.
Dick sighed, "No, not anyone else. YOU, Barbara".
I hit the on button, "So you don't care what happens to anyone else".
"I didn't say that! Jeeze Babs, stop twisting my words! I am TRYING to have a serious conversation with you!" Dick yelled as he hit his fist on the kitchen counter.
"Yeah, well we haven't been exactly having too many of those lately", I said sarcastically.
Dick rounded the counter and marched into the kitchen to face me, "That's because you're too scared to have a serious conversation with me!"
The microwave beeped, signaling that my dinner was ready. But I just stared at Dick.
"You want me to say that I'm scared? Is that what you want to hear? Fine, because I AM scared!" I yelled close to tears.
Dick remained silent, so I continued.
"Do you want to know WHY I'm scared Dick? I'm scared because the worse thing that has ever happened to me was loosing you. That was the most pain I have ever felt in my entire life! And that is something that I NEVER care to relive again, EVER!"
Okay, now the tears were flowing.
Dick practically lunged forward to place his hands on the sides of my face. He pressed his cheek against mine, "Babs, believe me, I never meant for that to happen. I would never want to cause you any pain again. Please believe that", he whispered into my ear.
That was when Dick's communicator began ringing. Batman was trying to contact him. Just like old times. He cursed under his breath and pulled it out of his pocket. He flipped it off and tossed it onto the counter. He turned back to me and gazed into my eyes. His eyes were so mesmerizing. I had always felt like I could get lost in those eyes.
Our noses were only inches apart now. But, we kept gazing at each other because we were both hesitant to make the first move. It was such a delicate situation that neither of us wanted to blow it. I suddenly felt my own communicator vibrating in my coat pocket. I decided to ignore it, I was much too occupied with more important matters at the moment.
It's now or never Babs, and never was not an option. So I made the first move.
My left hand went up to caress his right cheek. I saw his expression relax under my touch. I knew at that moment that everything was as it should be. I found myself moving closer and closer until my lips locked onto his.
Dick's kiss was sweet and tender. God, how I had missed his kiss, how I had missed him. His lips felt so soft on mine and I was enjoying every second of it. My hand slithered down his neck and my fingers ran over the neck of his coat. He wrapped his arms around me and slid his hands down until they stopped at the small of my back.
CRASH!
The glass from the window in the living room shattered. Someone had thrown himself or herself through it. Dick pulled me to the ground and shielded me with his body. As I looked past Dick, I saw that not only was my window destroyed, but also that there was a rather large gapping hole where the window should have been.
My attention was then directed to the figure standing in the middle of my living room among the dust and rubble. He wore a black cloak and hood that covered most of his body and face. But, he threw back the cloak, revealing none other than Ra's most faithful servant, Ubu. He looked at us and a smile appeared on his face. My trained eyes picked out a silver chain around his neck with a strange looking amulet hanging from it.
"Ah, the lady", he said.
He moved forward in my direction. He was barely two feet away when he was hit by a coffee table. Dick had flung it at him and had caused him to stumble. But, it was only because the attack had come unexpectedly and he recovered quickly. But in those few moments Dick had grabbed me by the hand and yanked me out the front door.
I finally snapped out of my shock and ran behind Dick. We ran down the hall and into the stairwell, where we began to make our way down the stairs. After flying down two flights of stairs, Dick stopped in his tracks. I ran into him.
"What is it?" I asked out of breath.
He pointed down the stairwell. I followed his hand and saw a group of men dresses in Arabic clothing another three flights down. They were all armed with sabers. My eyes widened. Dick yanked me back in the direction we had come.
"We have to get to the roof", he said.
I nodded and followed him up. Thankfully, there were only six floors to my building and we made it to the roof pretty fast. But, we were far from safe. We needed backup NOW. I remembered that my communicator was in my pocket. I took it out and held it to my mouth.
"Batman, come in".
"Barbara? I've been trying to contact you all night. You have to get out of your apartment, Thalia is after you"
"Me?" I asked in a small voice.
The look on Dick's face told me how worried he was. He looked terrible. He held my hand with one of his and took the communicator from me with the other.
"Batman? It's Dick. We need backup now. We have a serious problem. They just trashed Barbara's place. They're working for Ra's; I saw a bunch of his men downstairs. We're up on the roof now", Dick briefed Batman.
There was a silence before Batman answered.
"Get out of there now. I'm about ten minutes out. I've sent Robin to your location. He's about four minutes away"
There was shouting coming from the stairwell. And it was getting closer. I was starting to get nervous. I squeezed Dick's hand.
"They're coming," I whispered to him.
He looked over his shoulder at the roof's entrance, "We don't have four minutes".
I ran over to the entrance and slammed the door shut. It wouldn't hold for long, but at least it would give us some precious time.
BOOM!
They were trying to break down the door. I looked at Dick. He remained calm, but there was a hint of fear in his eyes.
"Get out of there NOW"
Batman's voice boomed over the speaker. It was a direct order. Dick dropped the communicator into his pocket and motioned me to follow him. He was soon at the roof's ledge. This was going to be difficult without grappling hooks.
I heard the sound of metal being broken. This is not good. I was starting to loose my control. Concentrate Barbara. Think about what you're doing.
Dick shouted at me to jump to the neighboring rooftop. It was about a two- story drop to the next rooftop and the alley between the two buildings was about four feet wide. I gulped and backed up for momentum.
Here goes nothing.
I raced forward, sprinting the few feet I had. I needed to get all the speed I could. It felt different without the costume on. I was scared. I jumped forward, not worried about getting height out of the jump. I felt myself dropping until I landed with a loud THUMP.
I turned around to see Dick running towards our attackers. He had gone to face them alone. Damnit Dick. I had to get back up there. I couldn't leave him there.
I looked around, searching for something, anything I could use. All I saw was the fire escape. Shit. I need to help Dick.
"Dick? Come in!"
I grabbed the communicator. Dick must have slipped it in my pocket before I had jumped.
"Barbara here"
"What's going on over there?"
"Dick decided to take them on himself", I said in a frantic voice.
"Where are YOU?"
"On the neighboring rooftop"
"Listen to me Barbara. I want you to get out of there NOW. Dick can handle himself"
How could he say that? Dick was by himself. He needed help. He needed MY help.
"Wise advice".
I whirled around.
"Thalia" I growled.
She smiled at me.
"What's going on?"
I dropped the communicator to the ground.
"You want me? Well here I am", I challenged.
Thalia raised an eyebrow.
"Barbara, she's after YOU! GET OUT OF THERE!"
Thalia's face softened, "You love him, don't you?"
"What's it to you?" I asked harshly.
"Collect the young lady Ubu, we must make haste", Thalia ordered.
Suddenly, Ubu appeared out of thin air and stood before me.
I fell back into a fighting stance. I wasn't going without a fight. A small snicker came from Ubu. He stepped forward and threw something at me feet. I looked down. They were . . . seeds? I looked up at Ubu and Thalia.
"Is that it . . . seeds?" I asked.
Thalia looked amused and the Ubu snickered again.
I looked back down at the seeds. I gasped when I saw that the seeds had come to life. There were vines springing from them, reaching for me. I sprung back, but the vines were alive like tentacles, growing and growing. They were coming closer. I began to run. But, where would I run to? The other end of the roof was only a few feet away. I would have to risk the jump to the next building.
The wind blew at my face as I ran across the rooftop. I started calculating my strides. I measured three more before I would need to jump. I strained with each stride, making the most out of each. I took my last step and used all the force left in me to make the huge leap from one building to the other. I flew through the air for a few moments before I began my downfall. But, it was cut short as I felt something wrap itself around my legs. I was picked out of the air by the now huge vines. They dangled me over the gap between the two buildings, and then slowly began retreating back towards Thalia, carrying me with them.
I may have been mistaken, I was dangling upside down, but the look on Thalia's face seemed . . . I don't know but it looked like if she were dealing with some sort of private agony. But then again, I was hanging upside down. The vines dropped me at Ubu's feet.
He bent down and grabbed me by one arm and pulled me up to my feet with ease. This guy was strong, much too strong. Something tried to click in my mind, but I couldn't quite place it. Thalia signaled Ubu to follow her. He obeyed, dragging me behind.
Thalia's back was to me, so I struggled against Ubu's iron clad grip, trying to get a good look at what was happening on the neighboring rooftop. I could still see Dick struggling against his attackers. There were so many of them. He was completely outnumbered. I struggled harder. Ubu continued to drag me on as if nothing. Please, don't hurt Dick. You already have me. I'M what you want.
Thalia seemed to have read my mind, "Does the lady have any last requests before we embark?" she asked quietly.
She stopped; her back still to me. She turned suddenly, the look on her face unable to be read. I was unsure whether or not to answer. Could it be some sort of trap?
"You have my word that your request shall be carried out", she assured me.
I had to try.
"Promise me that you won't hurt him. You have what you want. Leave him out of this" I said.
Thalia nodded, "You have my word that the young man shall not be harmed", she turned to Ubu; "You know what to do".
In a flash, Ubu had disappeared, taking Barbara along with him.
Thalia stared at where we had been standing and gave a long sigh. She walked over to where Barbara had dropped her communicator and picked it off of the cold cement.
- - - - - -
The Neighboring Rooftop
Dick was exhausted. These guys just don't give up. He needed help soon.
As if to answer his request, Robin appeared out of the night sky, heading head on into the fight. Soon, there were many more bodies lying on the ground. There were only a handful of men left, when they all suddenly stooped fighting. They all stood straight with their heads bowed. Dick and Robin looked at each other and shrugged.
"Leave them be" came Thalia's voice.
Dick and Robin both stared at her angrily.
"Where is she?" demanded Dick.
"She has been taken to father", said Thalia.
Robin clenched his fists.
Dick looked stricken, "What do you want with her?" he asked desperately.
Thalia looked at Dick sympathetically, "She is in good hands. No harm shall come to her".
"Is that what your father told you?", said a new voice.
Batman had joined the small group.
"I expected you earlier, beloved".
"What does your father want with her?" Batman growled.
Thalia looked at him, "His purpose is much greater than either you or me. The girl is only a pawn. My father won't let her out of his grasp easily. He has important plans for her".
"Why are you telling me this?" asked Batman.
Thalia sighed, "Because, my love, once you saved me from going down the wrong path, but I betrayed you to return to my father. I let my pride and trust in him blind me from the truth".
Batman stared at her, "Then why do you continue to help him in this madness?"
"I am already in far too deep to my liking, but I know that if I leave him now, there might not be anyone to stop him when the time comes. I had my opportunity and I let it pass. Now I must face the new path before me and try to save what little there is left of the father I knew", she looked at Batman in the eye, something few dared to do.
"So, you see, my position in all of this a difficult one. I want to do what is right, but I also want to save my father", she added.
Batman gave her a curt nod.
"What can you do to get Barbara back to us?" he asked.
Thalia looked at him sadly, "Alas, I have no power there. My father may be senile, but he is not stupid. He doesn't trust me as he used to. He does not trust me in matters where you are involved my love. My mission was only to coordinate her capture. I do now even know where they have taken her".
"So your father used you and left you behind?" asked Batman.
"You judge him too quickly. There was a time when there was still humanity and mercifulness left in him. But, whatever little was left has been shadowed completely by his greed and thirst for power. He is an evil man now. More then you could imagine him to be. There is nothing left of the father I knew and loved," she continued, he voice heavy with emotion.
"So we have no idea where he is or where he has taken Barbara", stated Batman.
"I am sorry my love, but he has his ways of . . . of controlling me. Methods that even the most strong-willed person cannot fight against", she said in a fearful voice.
"Aren't there any clues we can follow?" asked Batman.
Thalia shook her head, "I was never much of a detective my love, I leave that to you. I won't be of much use, for my father has kept me wisely in the dark. I can only promise you that I will help you as much as I can".
Batman nodded.
Dick has been soaking in the whole conversation. But, now he found it all too much.
"So, we have no idea where Barbara is or what that . . . that demon wants with her?" he asked incredulously.
Batman placed a hand on Dick's shoulder, "We'll find her. But now, all we can do is go to the cave and analyze the clue we have. There must be something that can point us to where Barbara is".
Dick hung his head and gave a short nod.
- - - - - -
TBC . . .
- Lady Artemis -