Batman
Gotham City
"Batman, I need your help near campus," Kate said over the communicator. He glided toward the car, jumping in and gunning it toward her location.
"The killer?"
"No, a riot."
"On campus? Are you serious?"
"Game didn't go so well and the Metropolis students decided to rub it in. It's a damn free-for-all."
He gritted his teeth and kept driving. "We don't need these kinds of distractions right now."
"I agree, but crime is crime, Batman," Kate said. He could hear the commotion in the background as she spoke.
"Any problem with me being heavy handed?"
"None at all."
He parked the car on the side of the road he pulled up the remote computer. "I'm going to land the Batwing right in the middle of the idiots."
Kate laughed over the line. "I like it. They'll be shitting themselves."
"Better stay upwind. It'll be there in five minutes." He steered low across the city, making sure everyone would know he was coming. When he found his way over the crowd on campus, he turned the jets to blast downward before switching on all of the running lights and quickly descending. From the camera, he could see the terrified faces of the rioters as they panicked and dispersed. He took off again and started to fly circuits around the campus. After half an hour, the area had cleared of both sides of the argument and the streets were empty again.
"Okay, that should do it," Kate said. "Thanks, boss. I didn't really want to spend the evening spanking a bunch of spoiled college kids."
"Really? Sounds like just your kind of thing."
"Jokes, Batman? Shouldn't you be working?"
"Too busy bailing you out. Get back on patrol. Let me know if some kindergartners try steal your candy or anything."
She grumbled something over the line as he disconnected and headed back toward the outskirts of town. Again, it had been several weeks with no new activity from the killer. It wasn't reassuring this time. He knew it didn't mean the deaths would stop...just that he was becoming more cautious and deliberate in choosing his victims. Only a matter of time. We have to find him first.
Dawn was starting to break over the city on a gloomy day. The rainy season was starting to set in, which meant evidence would be even harder to find at outdoor crime scenes. On the other hand, there was a chance to get softer ground and better prints...unless they washed away.
Back in the Batcave, he read Kate's write up and the Watchtower report for the last 24 hours. He wasn't pulling his weight with the League lately, but they had been understanding...especially after he told them he and Zatanna were expecting a child. Once the shocked faces had faded, they patted him on the back and congratulated him. For the time being, he had decided not to tell them of her permanent decision to leave the team, still hoping they could find a way for her to be a part. She loved it too much to just give it up completely, he was convinced. Thus far, she had kept her end of their compromise...staying at Shadowcrest until dawn before coming back home to sleep with him in the mornings. He'd even talked her into reinstalling her Zeta Tube to make getting back and forth easier and safer.
Making his way upstairs, he showered and crawled into bed next to her. As was his habit, he pulled her close and ran his hand over her belly until he fell asleep. The baby was growing bigger every day and she was growing happier. He'd never seen her as happy was she was now. After a week of having her back, he had noticed that she didn't seem to be hearing voices anymore. He had asked her about it and she simply smiled and said she "had it taken care of". Reluctantly, he decided not to press the issue; as long as she was healthy and happy, he would be satisfied with her enigmatic response. All he really cared about was that she was back and staying...for good this time.
The Killer
Gotham City
"Please. I have a family...kids."
"I know that. And you're beautiful and rich," The Killer said as he stroked the woman's hair. "You're fucking perfect."
"Why? You don't need to do this." The begging just made him want her more. The power he had over her was intoxicating.
"No, I don't. I don't need to. I want to," he said, stripping his clothes. "Don't you feel flattered? I don't just choose anyone."
"Please," she sobbed. "Please."
No need to beg for it.
Zatanna
Wayne Manor
Waking up was her favorite part of the day now. Bruce's hand was in its usual place, under her shirt and on her belly. His watch was tickling her skin as it vibrated to wake him.
"Mmm..." He nuzzled into her hair and held her tighter. "Love you."
"Love you, too. How was patrol?"
"Fine. Still no killer," he said quietly, running his hand over her stomach. "You okay?"
"Yes." She turned in his arms and kissed his chest. "How long until work?"
"Not going in today. I'm going to patrol early. Have a bad feeling."
The tone he spoke with made the hair on her arms stand up, but she tried to not show her fear. "Turn over. Let me work on the muscles."
After a quick peck on her lips, he flopped over onto his stomach. She kissed her way across his shoulders and back before starting a slow kneading. It was still like running her hands across steel, but the low moan he let out assured her that it still felt good to him. Just another part of the daily routine...the perfect daily routine. She'd never been so happy in her life. All she needed now was to meet their son.
"What are you smiling about?" He asked, turning over when her hands got tired and went still.
"You," she said. "Him."
His hand was on her stomach again as she sat on top of him, touch soft despite the roughness of his skin. She threw her shirt off and he moved his hands up to gently massage her breasts. With a moan, she let her head roll back and gently ground her hips against his. A complaining sound from the door, followed by scratching, made her pause.
"Go. Away. Asshole. It's not breakfast time yet." She leaned down and kissed Bruce, letting her tongue run along his bottom lip. "Never should have brought him here."
"Thought you weren't going to cuss anymore," he said, sliding his tongue against hers.
"I didn't. It's his name."
"You really want your son running around yelling 'hey, Asshole' all day?"
"I can't change his name, he won't know I'm talking to him." She sat up again and looked down at his grinning face. "Shoot. I really didn't think about it until now." It probably wasn't the best idea for a toddler to run around yelling cuss words, even if they were proper nouns, but she had no idea what else to call the cursed little creature.
"I'm sure the kid can come up with something to call him on his own," Bruce finally said, pulling her mouth back down to his.
His watch buzzed again, signaling an early end to their perfect routine, so he rolled her to lay on her side and grabbed his phone.
"Yes?" He listened for a moment. "Have him send me the address. I'll get ready."
He kissed her quickly and got out of the bed.
"Everything okay?"
"Missing person. Sounds like the killer," he said, pulling his pants on and heading to the door. "It might be a long night."
"Okay. Be safe," she said as he disappeared. She got up, showered, and fed the complaining, now-nameless cat. Alfred was milling about the house, as usual, so she settled down in the library and lost herself in another one of Bruce's old novels: The Sun Also Rises. It was after 3:00pm when her phone rang.
"It's me," Batman said. "I need your help."
Batman
GCPD
Gordon led him down the hallway to the interview room where they found a worried, terrified man in his late 20s. He nervously looked at him as he entered and stood in the corner.
"Brandon Morris, Batman's here to help us out. He's been working on finding a man who's been kidnapping women," Gordon said, sitting down across the table.
"You mean the serial killer," the man said with a weak voice. "I've seen the headlines. I know what the women have all looked like. Please, you have to find her."
"That's what I plan on doing," Batman said. "Tell us everything you can."
"I told her not to go anywhere alone," he said with his head in his hands. "I told her this guy was out there and she said I was being paranoid."
Sounds familiar.
"When did she leave?"
"Around 7. I was working late and she wanted to run a few errands, so she had the neighbor come over the watch the kids."
Kids.
"And when did you realize she was missing?"
"When I got home at 10. She didn't answer her phone, so I started calling everybody and driving around."
"He called us a little after midnight," Gordon interjected. "We traced her movements for a while, but lost the trail. We started putting out alerts after a few hours of nothing."
"Please. I can't lose her. Please."
"Picture?"
Gordon handed him a photo of the family. She was young, slender, with black hair and blue eyes.
It's him.
He started pacing along the wall, trying to think of where to start. He'd already searched the area where she had last been seen. They needed something...anything to point them in the right direction. Looking at the husband as he cried, he knew there was only one good option if they were going to find her alive.
"Would you be okay with us using your house? Her things?"
Gordon looked at him with confusion.
"Anything. Anything to find her," Brandon said.
"We'll be there within an hour." He walked out of the room with the Commissioner following behind.
"Wanna clue me in?"
"Zatanna. She couldn't get anything last time because we didn't have something concrete. If this woman's still alive..."
"She can track her," Gordon finished. "Goddamn, we might have him. Call her," he said, hurrying down the hall. "I'll meet you there."
I don't want to do this.
Getting in the car, he pulled out his phone and dialed her number.
"Hey," she said when the line connected.
"It's me. I need your help."
"What is it?"
"Another kidnapping. We think she might still be alive."
There was only a short pause before she spoke again. "Where am I meeting you?"
"I'll come by and pick you up. Be there in 20 minutes."
He knew she would help. No matter what her position on the League now, there would never be hesitation in her if she knew she could save someone's life. He just didn't want to expose her to it...not now, when she was so happy. He never wanted her to join him in the darkest part of his life.
When he arrived at the cave, he found her pacing in the garage, dressed in black pants, a white t-shirt, and a black jacket. There was no hiding her pregnancy now with bulky clothes; her petite frame was no match for their growing son. He jumped from the car and helped her into the passenger seat before quickly heading toward the family's address.
"Where are we going?"
"The woman's house. You think you can track her with your powers weakened?"
"Yes. Haven't used any magic today." She sounded nervous and was bouncing her leg.
"I'll be there the whole time. Thanks for doing this."
"No need to thank me, Batman. It's still my job."
"Thought you were retired, old lady." He grinned, hoping she would relax.
She forced a grin back at him, but didn't stop bouncing or wringing her hands. Gordon was already there when they arrived, along with several other detectives who were milling around outside. They all stopped and stared at them as they got out of the Batmobile and walked to the house, murmuring quietly as they passed.
"Good to see you again, Miss Zatara," Gordon said as they entered. Zee reached out to shake his hand. "And congratulations on the engagement and baby. I bet Bruce is over the moon."
"Oh, he's run the emotional gamut," she said with a smirk.
"Ah, yes. The five stages of holy-crap-I'm-having-a-kid. All fathers go through them, believe me. Think I went through them twice. Don't worry, though, we all turn to mush as soon as the little one arrives."
"Well, I think I picked the right man for the job."
"Agreed. Don't mind the papers, they love writing about him, but most of it is a bunch of garbage. He's done more good for this city in his young life than most could do in several lifetimes. Not counting Batman here, of course."
"You ready?" He asked, tired of being talked about as if he wasn't there. Zee nodded and followed him down the hall. "Where do you want to be?"
"I need to be around things that are most meaningful to her," she said. He hesitated for a moment, but knew what the most meaningful room in the house would be. Go big or go home.
"Where's the family?" He asked Gordon. Zee's eyes darted nervously to his, but she gave him a stiff nod as they turned toward a kitchen. The husband was there, sitting at a table and texting while the kids played in the dining room. "Mr. Morris, this is Zatanna Zatara."
"Yeah, I recognize her," he said shaking her hand. "Saw one of your shows a couple of years ago; it was great."
"Mommy!" A small girl cried out as she ran up behind Zee. Her father grabbed her quickly and hugged her close.
"Sorry. You do look a bit like her from the back...the hair."
She swallowed hard and forced a smile. "It's okay. Would you mind if I sit with the three of you for a moment? It might help me find her."
"Anything. Please, have a seat," the man said, setting his daughter next to her before going to grab her twin sister. Zatanna stroked the girl's hair and smiled with teary eyes.
I hate this.
"You're not mommy."
"No, sweetheart, I'm just a friend."
"Batman!" the other little girl exclaimed as Brandon carried her into the room. "Daddy, Batman!"
"Yeah, honey, it's Batman." He set the girl down in the same chair as her sister and they both giggled and held hands. Their father sat in the next chair and looked to Zee, who was still fighting back tears.
"Okay, the girls are already holding hands, could you hold one of theirs? I need you all connected." He nodded and took the closest girl's hand. Zatanna grabbed the other girl's free hand and smiled again. "You might feel a little warm and fuzzy when I start, but that will be all you feel. And don't worry, Batman will make sure you're safe and sound."
"Always," he said. The girls giggled again and looked at him with awe. He gave them a small grin and looked to Zatanna, who closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"What's your wife's name?"
"Elisa," Brandon said, voice cracking.
A glow formed around the group as Zee concentrated and the girls grew calm and quiet. "Dnif Asile." Her breathing changed and became rapid; the glow intensified. It was several excruciating minutes before she opened her glowing eyes, but she wasn't seeing the kitchen; she was somewhere else.
"Zatanna? What are you seeing?" He asked, no longer able to tolerate the silence.
"Her. She's here," she whispered.
"Alive?"
"Yes. Hurt. Terrified."
"Where?" He asked, kneeling down next to her as she concentrated.
"It's dark. Same basement as before. Og edistuo." After several more minutes, she looked toward him. "It's not in the city."
"How far?"
"Too far. She hears him. He's there." She was trembling as she spoke. Her eyes refocused and went to the children, still calm with her light surrounding them. When her eyes darted to his briefly, he got a sinking feeling in his chest. "Ekat em ot reh."
"No! Zatanna!" He yelled at her empty chair as she vanished from in front of him.
Zatanna
Somewhere Outside of Gotham
She reappeared in a dark room, but could barely see her hand in front of her face.
"Tghin noisiv." The room slowly started to appear in front of her, along with a petite figure lying on a mattress. Moving as quietly as possible, she approached the woman and crouched down next to her, putting a hand on her cheek. She started to panic and scream against the tape on her mouth.
"Shhhh, it's okay. Mlac reh." Carefully, she removed the tape and brushed her sweaty hair back from her forehead.
"Who are you? I can't see you," Elisa whispered into the dark.
"My name is Zatanna. I'm here to get you out."
"The...the magician?"
"One and the same. Let's get these bindings off..."
"Cameras. Everywhere. He'll see. He's already seen."
Shit.
She put her hand to her ear, activating the communicator she had grabbed in the cave before Bruce had gotten there.
"Batman?"
"Zatanna? Are you okay?" His voice was low and gruff, and she guessed he probably wasn't too thrilled with her knee-jerk choice to teleport right into the serial killer's home. It wasn't the most prudent decision, all things considered, but she knew time was of the essence.
"Yes. I'm with her, but we need to bail. I still don't know where we are."
"Is there anything you can see? Anything at all that can put me on him?"
Elisa suddenly grabbed her arm, eyes wide. "Smoke."
Zatanna threw her arms around the woman and closed her eyes. "Ekat su kcab!" She felt a sudden rush of heat just as they started to move, but they landed back in the kitchen before the fireball could hit them.
"Elisa! Oh, my god!" Her husband rushed to her side and Zatanna let her go, straining from the quick succession of transports. "You're hurt, honey, just lie still."
"Call an ambulance," Gordon barked.
"No, it's okay," Zee said, leaning forward and trying to steady her trembling hands.
"Zatanna, don't. You've done too much already," Batman said, holding her shoulders back.
"I can do it, just let me finish this," she whispered. "Please."
He reluctantly released his hold and let her move toward Elisa. "It's okay. It's all over. Close your eyes and hold your husband's hand." As her eyes fluttered closed, Zatanna placed her hands on each side of her head. "Laeh reh."
She gritted her teeth and groaned as her body protested the further use of magic, but the spell worked. When the healing was complete, she collapsed back against Bruce. She could hear the kids and parents talking, but could only focus on his eyes; they were the only part of the room not spinning.
"Fire," she said as she started to pass out. "Look for a house fire."
Batman
Morris House
She vanished. A few jumbled words and she vanished...going straight into the lair of a serial killer. Batman jumped up and put his hand to his ear.
"Batgirl, come in!"
"Go ahead," she said immediately.
"Track Zatanna. I need her location."
"I can't. She doesn't have a tracker anymore. She's not in the Justice League."
"Damn it! Get me a drone."
"It's already up. Where am I going?"
I don't fucking know.
"Make rounds outside of the city. Look for anything suspicious," he said, trying to think of some way to find her.
"That's not very helpful, boss."
"I know. Just try. Stand by until I give you more." He started looking around the room and his heart dropped when he saw Zatanna's purse still lying on the table. The first day she returned, he had put the beacon back in so she could signal him, but it was of no use to her now. He paced the floor, feeling powerless, but as he was about to head toward the door to drive out and search, he heard her voice crackle over his communicator.
"Batman?"
Relief washed over him at the sound. "Zatanna? Are you okay?"
Please be okay.
"Yes. I'm with her, but we need to bail. I still don't know where we are." Her voice sounded nervous and there was a lot of static interfering with the connection.
"Is there anything you can see? Anything at all that can put me on him?"
There was a brief silence before a light flashed in the room and the two raven-haired women appeared on the floor of the kitchen. He quickly knelt down next to Zatanna while Brandon ran to his wife's side. Zee's eyes were wide with terror and she was trembling - hands covering her stomach protectively.
"Call an ambulance."
"No, it's okay," Zatanna said, trying to move back toward the wounded woman. She was too weak, but she wanted to heal her.
"Zatanna, don't. You've done too much already." He said, knowing he wouldn't be able to stop her. It looked like she was near passing out already and she was about to heal extensive wounds.
"I can do it. Just let me finish this...please," she said quietly. Reluctantly, he let her shoulders go so she could move closer. The light emitted from her hands as she whispered the words. Her body lurched forward and she was groaning loudly as her power waned, but despite the effort, the spell worked, as always, until she collapsed back into his arms. With tears in her eyes, she stared up at him and ran her hand over her stomach again. He hated that he couldn't say what he wanted to her with everyone in the room. "Fire. Look for a house fire," her weak voice said as her eyes rolled back in her head.
He started to panic, but quickly scanned her vitals and found that she was returning to normal. Someday I'll get used to that.
"I think she's passed out," Gordon said. "I'll get another ambulance. We should call Bruce Wayne and let him know."
"I'll take care of all that," Robin's voice said from the doorway. Bruce wasn't sure when he had arrived, but he was grateful that he had made it in time to run interference. Tim knelt down and picked Zatanna up. "Might need the car a minute."
"Take it. I'll get the Batwing here." He stood and shook his head clear before walking over to Gordon. "She said to look for a house fire."
"My guys are already on the scanners. Three house fires in the area, but this one to the south is the worst. Sounds more like an explosion."
"Address?"
"Working on it. I'll get it to you as soon as I can if you want to get airborne."
"I do. Thanks, Commissioner. Make sure Mrs. Morris is interviewed and the family is taken care of."
"Of course. And thank Zatanna for me the next time you see her. We're going to get the bastard now."
Running outside, he looked up to see the Batwing approaching. He grappled up, climbed inside, turned to the south, and flew as quickly as possible toward the address Gordon sent him. Smoke was rising from a small, abandoned group of houses. Hovering over the area, he turned his infrared camera on to scan for anyone nearby, but the fire was too intense to get a clear reading.
"Batgirl, I'm going to land near the site. Not much I can do about the house until the firefighters get here, but I'm going to search the neighborhood in case he's hanging around."
"Got it," Barb said, "Tim's dropping off Zee now and will head your way. She's fine, by the way. In and out of consciousness, but Alfred said she's already cracking jokes."
"Thanks, Barb. Good to hear. Check in on her for me in a bit, will you? I have work to do."
"Of course. I'll go by when Kate relieves me. The drone's already on the way and I'll set it to scan."
He landed the plane in a nearby field and made his way toward the killer's house. The flames were intense, emitting so much heat that he could only get within 100 yards.
Fueled.
The killer had planned on this possibility for a while, making sure he could get away without leaving evidence behind. The best bet was to find something in the surrounding area, so he made slow circuits through and around the abandoned neighborhood. There were fresh tire tracks that he took pictures of before he heard sirens approaching. Making his way back toward the fire, he kept his eyes to the shadows and saw a dark figure move behind one of the other abandoned houses.
I've got you.
Silently, he moved to the roof of the house and crouched, waiting to catch sight of him again. He closed his eyes to try to hear any movement, but the growing sound of the sirens drowned everything else out. Without warning, he was hit from behind and sent tumbling from the roof onto the driveway below.