Bruce
Wayne Manor
Thomas started to wake at dawn, fussing and squirming in his arm, which had fallen asleep halfway through the night. Zatanna, ever the well-trained mother, jerked her head up when she heard him, grabbing a blanket and shedding her shirt.
"Did you stay awake all night?" She asked him groggily, taking Thomas from him.
"Yeah. Wasn't sleepy." Despite a wakeful night, he felt better as the hours wore on and the memories of the night before faded further from his mind. He watched while Zee started to breastfeed, both of them still half asleep. "Marry me?"
She chuckled and looked over at him with sleepy eyes. "That's the third time you've asked. Afraid I've changed my mind or something?"
"Marry me sooner. February...first week."
Her eyes popped open wider. "That's in two months, Bruce. There's no way..."
"I'll pay whatever it costs."
"Bruce, it isn't about the money. We won't be able to get the venue then and all of the preparations and invitations and..." She continued to ramble on about all of the ways it wasn't possible, so he finally pressed his lips to hers to stop her.
"February. Please," he whispered between kisses. "I'll rent a massive tent and we'll have it here. Please."
"You have to stop using this as a tactic to get your way. I have no comeback for this kind of manipulation." She kissed him again and he knew he was winning the war.
"Manipulation, huh?" He moved his lips down to his favorite spot behind her ear.
"Low, dirty, underhanded manipulation," she sighed. "Alfred will kill you if you try to do this."
"Let me worry about that. Let me worry about all of it. Just be ready to walk down the aisle."
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Why? You can't just ask me to do this without a reason."
He didn't have a good reason and he was well aware of how crazy he sounded, but he knew he could convince her.
"I'm tired of being your fiance...I want to be your husband...I want you to be my wife. Look at me."
Her blue eyes looked into his. "I won't have to lift a finger?"
"Just the one I put the ring on."
She rested her forehead against his. "If I have to lift any other finger, I will make you suffer, Bruce."
"That sounded like a surrender."
"February," she said, shifting Thomas to the other side. "Going to be freaking freezing."
"Warm up with a spell."
Alfred knocked on the door and brought in a breakfast tray.
"Alfred, Bruce has decided to have the wedding the first week in February," she said, throwing him directly under the bus. He narrowed his eyes at her while Alfred tried to figure out if she was joking.
"This February? In two months?"
"That's the one," Zee said. Alfred started to grumble about the impossibility of the request. "I know...I told him...he's determined."
"...and the guests! You want to invite half of Gotham in two months. Master Bruce, do you have any idea..."
"I'll hire all the help you need to make it happen," he tried to interrupt.
"...and the caterer...the musicians...I haven't even started thinking about the florist..."
"Alfred! I will have it taken care of. Relax. Both of you just relax."
Alfred shot him another exasperated look before turning on his heel and muttering as he left. "...lost his mind. That's the only explanation. Two months..."
"Well, that's everyone on board."
Zatanna shook her head and reached over to grab a biscuit from the tray. When Thomas started to babble from under the blanket, Bruce lifted it and took him from her again.
"Morning, son. Have a full belly now?" He put him on his shoulder and gently patted his back. Zee pulled the covers up and continued eating in silence. "Are you upset with me?"
"No," she said, taking a sip of coffee and staring across the room. "I just don't really understand."
"I know. I just..."
"The nightmares," she said in a quiet voice.
"You saw them?"
"No, I didn't look. I could feel your terror, though. I took it from you."
"Took it?"
She was still staring forward. "Felt it so you didn't have to."
"Why would you do that?"
Finally turning to look at him, she frowned and shook her head. "Why do you think? You're the strongest person I know. What I felt in you...you didn't deserve it. It isn't part of who you are."
"That doesn't mean..."
"Stop," she said sharply. "I did what I needed to. I'd appreciate it if you didn't get pissed off about it." She got out of bed and went to turn on the shower.
I was pissed? I didn't feel pissed. Did I sound pissed?
He got up and took Thomas down to Alfred, who was still grumbling and searching online for florists and caterers. Now, Alfred...he's pissed. When he got back upstairs, he quickly stripped and got into the shower with Zee, who was standing still and letting the hot water run over her head.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. If you don't want to get married until May, I understand."
"It's not that," she said, still facing into the water. "I'd marry you tomorrow, if you wanted."
"Then what's wrong?" He asked, turning her to face him.
"You're only wanting to change things because you're scared. And I don't like feeling you scared."
He sighed and pushed her wet hair away from her face. "I'm not scared now...thanks to you. I appreciate what you did for me."
"You mean that?"
"I do." She pulled him close and rested her cheek on his chest. "Do you want to wait until May?"
"No. Sorry I snapped at you. I'm still feeling a little stressed from last night."
He smiled and lifted her chin. "Forgiven. Now I just have to win Alfred over."
"You're completely on your own with that one."
Zatanna
Shadowcrest
"Please work," she mumbled, sitting in the den and focusing her thoughts. Despite her limited interactions with Tsaritsa, she felt like she should be able to get a mental link to peek in on her. The silence had gone on too long and it was making her nervous. She needed to know where they stood, without actually dialing the phone to ask her. "Wohs em Astirast."
Her mind drifted forward slightly, hesitated, and reverted back to the den. Come on...it's just a quick look. The anxiety of the task was interfering with her ability to hone in on her. Deep breaths. She repeated the spell and waited. Eventually, the images in front of her shifted until she was in a large dining hall, surrounded by hundreds of candles. Tsaritsa was standing in the dim room and looking in a mirror. There was no reflection, but she was talking to someone Zatanna couldn't see.
"Don't worry, I will get you here. I know it's been a long wait, but the time is close." She paused, listening to the invisible person in front of her. Diana had been wrong – she wasn't trying to get home...she was trying to bring someone to her. "Yes, I have help. All the help I need." Tsaritsa turned her head with the words and looked directly into Zatanna's eyes. Oh, shit.
Cutting off the link, she let her mind retreat back to Shadowcrest. Oh, shit shit shit. Eavesdropping had clearly been a mistake. She stood and began to pace, casting nervous glances at her phone and expecting it to ring at any moment. Ten minutes of pacing and nothing, so she picked it up and dialed Diana.
"Hello?"
"I may have done something really stupid," she said, still pacing the room.
"And what's that?"
"I took a little peek in at Tsaritsa and she saw me. I don't know how, but she knew I was there."
"Hera," Diana sighed. "Okay, just stay calm and let's think. Surely she already knew you gave birth...it's been all over the papers."
"Yeah, I think most of the free world knows Bruce Wayne has a kid now."
"And that he's about to marry Zatanna Zatara. Have you never considered keeping a low profile? I mean, most League members are careful and..."
Zee groaned and sat down. "Look, I love you, Di, but is now really the best time for a lecture about me being high profile? Any other time, fine...invite Bruce and you can make it a party and lock me in a lead-lined room somewhere and make me wear armor that can deflect bullets and laser beams and nuclear missiles, but right now, this really isn't helpful!" She was out of breath by the time she finished talking and she could hear Diana laughing on the other end of the line.
"How long have you been holding that little rant in?"
"You know what? I don't love you at all."
"Yes, you do. Now, back to the matter at hand. Did you get anything useful from your little pop in?"
"Yeah, actually. I think she was communicating with someone from the other dimension. She said something about bringing them here and that she had help...that's when she looked at me. I couldn't see or hear who she was talking to."
"Hmm. So, it seems she's not trying to get back there, but not a lot has changed other than she knows that you're nosy." Diana paused, and Zee bounced her knee nervously. "Let me do some checking with my source in LA. If Tsaritsa calls, you alert me. Let's get the League in the loop and assume that contact is coming soon. Zatanna? Do not panic and do not try anything until we speak again."
"Okay. I won't. Hey, Di? How did you defeat her before?"
"My lasso, ultimately. Her mind operates outside the confines of reality, so when she's presented with truth, she loses her grip on things. Unfortunately, that gives her an advantage over those of us bound by reason, especially when it comes to something like inter-dimensional meddling. If she believes something to be true, she can make it true."
"The power of belief. Great. Thanks. I'll be in touch."
She hung up the phone and put her head in her hands. What a fool. She didn't think there would have been any harm in checking up on things, but she was wrong. Just one day, Zatanna...just go one freaking day without life being a stressful nightmare. Clearly, that was too much to ask of herself. Scooping Thomas up, she headed upstairs and drew a warm bath. She got in and laid him down on her chest. The Nameless Cat watched from the counter.
"How do I get myself into these messes?" Thomas ignored her question, splashing at the water with his tiny hands. She blew some bubbles that made him giggle while she washed him. "I should probably give your daddy a heads up. Could stand to run some errands, too. Wanna spend some time with one of your babysitters? Let's see..."
She summoned her phone to float next to her and started a new group text. The responses started coming in almost instantly when she sent the request to Kate, Barb, Sophie, and Jenny.
BG - "Yes! Me! Don't you dare let Kate!"
Sophie – "I'll do it!"
KK - "Shut it, Barb. You're just jealous because you know I'm his favorite aunt."
Jenny - "Damn! I'm late! I was in the bathroom."
"Good grief, kid. If I find out you put some sort of spell on them, you are so grounded." Thomas looked up at her with his blue eyes and blinked innocently. Little charmer. Laughing, she sent another text: Shadowcrest. One hour. First come, first serve. There was a strong possibility that he would have four babysitters before the afternoon was over, but that was fine with her. "Can't say you aren't loved, kiddo. Let's finish our bath and get a clean diaper so you'll be ready for your fan club."
Bruce
Wayne Tower
"Thanks, Dwight. The numbers look good. Just send the final approval and I'll sign."
"Of course, Mr. Wayne. Thank you."
He tugged on his tie and headed back toward the office. The day had been long and he still had three hours to go.
"Your messages, sir," his secretary handed him a small stack of papers. "And your 2:00 is here."
"I have a 2:00?"
"You do." she said with a strange smirk. He glanced back at her and headed into the office. When he turned, he saw a familiar pair of boots propped up on his desk. Finally.
"Hold my calls." Using his foot, he flung the door closed and turned the lock. Zatanna smiled and waved from his chair.
"Hey. Sorry to drop in, but I needed to talk to you about Tsaritsa." She was dressed in a knee-length skirt and tight sweater, with her hair flowing around her face. Sight for sore eyes.
Clearing his throat and further loosening his tie, he walked toward the desk and sat down next to her feet. "I don't want to talk about Tsaritsa."
"I thought you wanted me to keep you updated?"
He took his hand and ran it from her calf up to her thigh. "I don't want to talk at all."
She laughed and uncrossed her legs, letting him work his hand under her skirt and dropping her head back with a sigh. "I'm very glad to see you, too, but this is important, Bruce."
"Uh huh." He slipped his fingers into her panties and stroked into her. "Very."
"You're not focusing...oh, god...you've really been wanting to do this, huh?"
"Every fucking day since Vegas," he growled, taking her hand and pulling her to feet. He turned her around and lifted her to sit on the desk. Reaching down to unbutton his pants, she looked in his eyes and smiled. "Where's the kid?"
"Being fawned over by four beautiful women."
"Atta boy," he said, lowering his mouth to hers and running his hands over her body. "Mmm, you feel good."
He pulled her panties off and moved her to the edge of the desk so he could enter her. She moaned and dug her fingers into his biceps as he set a frantic pace. He didn't know how long they would have before someone tried to interrupt them and he wanted to take full advantage of every moment. Her head turned and she buried her mouth against his neck to muffle her cries, though it was likely they were being heard, anyway. He didn't care. Ripping her shirt open, he let his hands trail over her smooth skin.
"Tore my cashmere sweater, you complete ass." She bit into his shoulder, so he thrust harder.
"You can fix it." He grabbed her hair and pulled her head back so he could look in her eyes. She bit her lip and arched her body into his, trying not to scream – he wanted her to scream. Pushing her back to lay on the desk, he pulled her hips forward further and buried himself into her, stroking her clit with each thrust. She tried to cover her mouth with her arm, but he pulled it away and grinned; he loved listening to her. Her body started to shake and he felt her muscles tighten around him as she cried out loud enough for everyone on the floor to hear. Matching with a cry of his own, he climaxed with her pulsing around him, body shaking on the desk. It wasn't the full fantasy he had in mind about her visiting, but it would sure as hell work, for the time being. When her body finally went still, he picked her up and carried her to lie down on the couch against the back wall.
"Why do you have a couch back here?"
He snuggled into her neck and smelled her hair. "So I can nap between meetings."
Her shoulders shook with her laugh. "I thought you only napped during them."
"Then, too. Batman needs naps."
"What is it with you and this fantasy of us doing it here?"
"Makes me feel normal. I'm always acting like Bruce Wayne when I'm here, but I get to drop the act around you. I'd rather look at that desk and think about being with you than the next stack of papers coming my way." He felt her nod and pulled her closer. "I'm ready to listen to what you needed now," he said, pulling the throw down from the back of the couch to cover them.
"I snooped on my good friend in LA and she caught me. Even if she hadn't, it sounded like she was close to moving on her plans."
"What exactly are her plans?"
"From what I can tell, she's wanting to use the tear between dimensions to get someone here."
"Who?"
"No idea. I couldn't see or hear anything other than her. She was looking in a mirror that didn't have a reflection. I called Diana...sounds like I'll be at the Watchtower again on Monday."
He kissed the back of her head. "We'll figure it out. Don't worry," he whispered. He knew he was fully capable of worrying enough for the both of them.
"I'll try."
"Gordon wants to see Batman tonight. I'm guessing it's not for a friendly chat and a beer."
"Have you thought about what you're going to say?"
"Not really, but I know I can't tell him the truth." It wasn't the only issue. Elliott was still clinging to life and he didn't know what he might say if he ever regained consciousness.
"You'll do the right thing, Bruce. You always do," she said quietly. "I should probably go soon."
"Mmm...I'll walk you out."
She turned her head slightly to look at him. "If you think I'm doing the walk of shame out of here after I screamed at the top of my lungs, you're crazy."
"No shame in pleasure," he grinned. "You're walking out with me...it's part of the deal."
"There was no deal. I showed up, we fucked, I'm teleporting home."
"Nope. You have to go out with me...helps with the whole playboy image thing that you messed up."
"How, exactly?"
"Bruce Wayne the ladies man," he nipped at her ear and ran his hand down her stomach and back between her legs. "One lady's man, but still."
"I'm going to stick with no," she sighed. "Teleporting."
"Fine, but you have to stay longer now. I wanna make you scream again."
GCPD Rooftop
Gordon lit the spotlight shortly after 9:00pm to signal he was ready for a conversation. Batman landed next to him, looking out over the city lights.
"I thought we'd gotten past this kind of thing," Gordon said. "Years ago."
"There were extenuating circumstances. I couldn't hand him over, Jim."
"Why? So you could torture him? That man's been beaten to the point that he's unrecognizable and now he's in a coma from being stabbed by Dent in some sort of trade that I also wasn't told about!"
"There were other lives at risk if I released him. I couldn't take that chance."
"What lives? Who else is mixed up in all of this?"
He stood silently, still looking over the city. Gordon paced to the other side of the roof, running his hand through his hair.
"Dent wanted the killer. They were never going to get away, I promise you that."
"Like you promised me that you were out there hunting for the killer. Instead, you were holding him illegally while my men beat the pavement trying to find him." He stopped pacing and shook his head. "How does someone like Thomas Elliott wind up like that? A rich surgeon with everything to lose."
"A lot of trauma."
"What did he tell you?"
"Surprisingly little."
"Just like you're telling me. Goddammit, Batman, we can't work together if you hide something like this from me! How am I supposed to trust you?"
He finally turned to face the angry commissioner. "I would never do something like this if there was another option. Trust that. You know me, Jim...that I'd never do this unless it was for the best."
"Do I know you? Frankly, I'm not too sure anymore," he sighed and walked to switch the bat signal off. "At least Dent is back in custody. I guess you're okay with handing some people over."
"I need to get back out there."
"Go. And keep your hands off of Elliott. If he disappears from that hospital..."
"He won't," he said as he shot his grappling hook to the building across the road. Damn it. Disappearing into the night, he thought about how difficult it would be to regain Gordon's trust. He wasn't looking forward to going through those growing pains again, but he also didn't want Elliott to wake up and talk about what had happened. Perched atop the lighthouse just outside of Gotham Bay, he closed his eyes and tried to focus on the tasks at hand. It used to be easier to focus. All that mattered then was Gotham. Divided attention, divided loyalties...it was a difficult tightrope to walk.
"Back at work already?" Selina's voice came from behind him. "Figured you would take a few days off after that last mess."
"Gave the others some time off...I owed them." He opened his eyes and turned to look at her perched next to him. "Glad to be home?"
"Very. That bed in your guest room is a bit soft for my liking. Mine's pretty firm, if you remember."
With a sigh, he turned to look away from her again. "Selina..."
"I know, I know. I'm grateful for you getting me out and making sure I stayed safe. Really."
"I didn't get you out."
"Right." She was quiet for long enough that he looked back over to make sure that she hadn't vanished. "I appreciate that she helped."
Bet that hurt. "I'll tell her," he said.
"Okay. Anything new on that gas you were exposed to?"
"Nothing yet. Why?"
"Just curious. We both know Harvey, Batman. Does he strike you as one who could learn advanced chemistry on the fly?"
"No. That's been bothering me, too," he said. "Pre-injury, maybe, but not now."
She nodded and started toward the door. "I'll keep my ears open."
"Thanks, Selina."
"And Bruce? You always know where to find me." With that, she faded into the darkness. In the distance, he could hear gunshots. Glad to have something to think about other than her loaded departing words, he jumped into a dive from the lighthouse. Back to work.
Harvey
Arkham Asylum
I fucking hate this place.
Right back in with the crazies. There were noises in an insane asylum that you just don't hear out in the real world. His next door neighbor had been cycling between crying and screaming for the last three hours. Down the hall, someone was singing "It's a Small World, After All", but getting half of the words wrong. Somewhere, a woman was simply pleading to see her children.
I don't belong here.
Arkham was a place for the unhinged...people like The Joker.
Fucking lunatic.
"Two Face, get up!" One of the idiot guards yelled as he pounded on the door to the cell. "Time for some therapy."
"That's not my name. Use my name, you disrespectful piece of shit."
"Oh, well excuse me, sweetheart," he said, pulling him out of the cell and slapping a set of cuffs on. "Let's go, District Attorney Two Face."
The guard led him down the long hall to the treatment rooms and shoved him into the chair.
"Thanks so much, Officer Dickhead."
"Now, that's no way to talk to your caretakers, Harvey," the doctor said when he entered, preventing the guard from taking a cheap shot while he chained him to the table. "You can leave us, officer."
The guard left the room, closing the door and leaving them alone. "Been a while, doc."
"Not long enough. I was hoping you wouldn't wind up back here. I thought I gave you everything you needed to survive outside of Arkham."
"You gave me one vial, Dr. Crane. You really think that's enough to take over Gotham?"
Crane smiled and pushed his glasses up on his nose. "In the right hands. No matter, though. There are more pressing issues to address right now. Tell me, Mr. Dent...what do you fear?"
End Act III