Act IV

Zatanna

The flames were rising. Growing ever higher, they tried to obscure her vision. She squinted, focusing on Bruce's eyes on the other side of the wall of fire. When she couldn't see them anymore, she knew the moment had come. Taking a breath, she threw her arms out to the side, making the fire rise and swirl into a whirlwind of flames. It danced across the stage and transformed into a flaming dragon that flew over the crowd, before bursting into balloons that rained down. She reappeared center stage and took a bow, applause and cheering warming her heart. It was the final show of the tour and she was exhausted, but still did three encores before the final display.

"Thank you so much, Atlanta! Thank you!" She took another bow and looked to Bruce, who was smiling and holding Thomas. His tiny hands did their best to clap for his mommy. With a laugh, she put her finger up and motioned to him. "Emoc ereh."

He was instantly in her arms, still trying to clap. "Mama mamamama mama ma." His mantra was picked up by the microphone she was wearing and the audience ate it up. Bruce was laughing and clapping along with the others, clearly proud of his boy's antics. Snapping her fingers, Zatanna produced a ball and tossed it in front of Thomas's face. It floated, as it always did, and the crowd cheered even louder.

"Ba."

"Chip off the old block," she said. "Wanna send that to Daddy?"

"Dada ba." The ball zipped toward Bruce, who caught it, perhaps tipping his hand a bit about his above-average reflexes. He gave her a crooked smile and winked before tossing it back to her. It was the first show he had made it to and she hadn't seen him in several days. As much as she was enjoying the applause, she was ready to be alone with him and Thomas. "He's ready for the big leagues, honey. Well, everyone, I'm afraid it's past this little man's bedtime. Thank you for an amazing tour and have a wonderful year!"

She spun on her heel and transported them to the dressing room. "Ecurb ot em."

"You do know that makes me dizzy, right?" He asked, coming over to wrap his arms around her.

"Don't care. I missed you too much to wait." She kissed him and handed Thomas back. "Just give me a minute and we can get out of here."

"You're not staying for the after party?"

"No, I'm ready to be home. No one will miss me."

"It's your show, I think they'll notice if you're not at the celebration party."

She came back out in jeans in a tank top. "Too late. I'm not dressed for a party. Let's go."

Laughing, he handed Thomas back to her. They made a quick exit to the waiting car he had come in and settled in for the ride to the airport. She had gotten used to the private jet during the trip to Italy and was glad to be able to relax for a while on the ride home. Once they were aboard, Thomas quickly dozed off, so Bruce pulled her to the couch and laid down behind her, kissing her neck.

"Quite the finale."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. And I'm glad you were able to come."

"Wish I could have made it to more, but it's been busy. Speaking of which, are you okay with going to San Francisco soon? They want me to see the construction effort."

"Of course I am. It's been too long since I checked on my place there. Couple of days?"

"Yeah, nothing too long. I need to keep up my patrols."

She nodded, knowing any time away from Gotham was asking a lot of him. They had somehow managed to get through the honeymoon with no interruptions, and she was grateful that things had stayed relatively calm since then. She turned to face him and run her hands through his hair. "Anything new in the city?"

"Still trying to trace the origins of that compound I was exposed to. The components are common, so we're trying to determine who would have the expertise to turn them into something weaponized."

"You'll tell me if I can help?"

"Nope," he said, moving to lay on top of her. Before she could fuss, he kissed her, hands working their way under her shirt.

"Bruce...our son is here."

"And asleep. Very, very asleep." He pulled a blanket over them with a wicked grin. "I'll behave." His hands returned to her skin. "Just want to make out with my wife."

There's virtue in taking things slowly; Bruce was teaching her that. Long plane trips always seemed like a hassle to her in the past, considering she could be where she wanted in the blink of an eye. Now, they were rare opportunities to have quiet moments. Life was already too short...no need to rush through the good parts. They spent the rest of the flight cuddling and kissing, talking about everything they had missed in each other's lives while she was on tour. It was nearly 1:00am when they made it home, but Alfred was awake and greeted them at the door with a worried look on his face.

"Sir, ma'am, you have a visitor."

"In the middle of the night?" Bruce handed Thomas to her and took her suitcase.

"It's Commissioner Gordon."

He froze and cast a glance to her. "To see me?"

"To see you both."

Zee nodded and passed Thomas on to Alfred. "Belly's full and diaper's clean."

She turned back to face Bruce, who had his eyes closed and jaw clinched. "This can't be good."

"Elliott?"

He set the suitcase down and took her hand. "He's been conscious for weeks, but hadn't talked. I'm guessing that changed." Looking in her eyes, he sighed. "Let's go see what he had to say."

Bruce
Wayne Manor

They walked hand-in-hand to the sitting room, where they found Gordon wandering around and looking at pictures.

"Ah, the happy couple," he said, smiling and reaching out to shake their hands. Bruce breathed a slight sigh of relief at his seemingly-relaxed demeanor. "Congrats on the wedding. My daughter said it was quite the event. Sorry to call on you so late, but I have a favor to ask."

"Have a seat, Jim," Bruce said, gesturing to a chair and leading Zatanna over to the sofa. He kept a tight grip on her hand, unable to relax. "What can we do for you?"

"I'm not sure if you heard news reports a few months ago about your old friend Thomas Elliott." He paused long enough for Bruce to give him a stiff nod. "Yeah, well, for some reason he's finally decided to talk, but he doesn't want to talk to me or my men. Or anyone, really...aside from the two of you."

Zatanna looked at him briefly, but he kept his composure. "Did he say why?"

"No. He just keeps saying he'll talk to you both, but no one else. Over and over. It's all he's said."

He finally loosened his grip a bit. It was clear their cover hadn't been blown yet.

"I can't imagine what he could possible have to say to me, much less Zatanna. He and I lost touch long before I met her." He was being careful not to lie or let on what he knew. It seemed as though Elliott had gone right back to asking for the same things he had before. Brain damage? Does he even remember?

"Yeah, that's one of the reasons I came by. I was hoping you might be able to tell me why he's so intent on seeing you."

"I don't know. But I have no interest in talking to a serial killer, no matter what our history." His hand was starting to tighten again. Gordon looked to Zee, but she kept her face neutral, also. If he wanted her to try and talk him into something, he was barking up the wrong tree. They both knew that the less Elliott talked to anybody, the better.

"I can't make you go and see him, but it would be a huge help. We need information and he's our best option."

"You know I'm usually happy to help the department out, but I have to draw the line here, Jim. I'm not a police officer and Zatanna is retired from the Justice League. We're just private citizens..."

"I know. I know it's a crazy thing to ask," Gordon said, standing and pacing around the room. "But, we're desperate. We need to know what else might happen."

"If the killer is in custody, it sounds like you've made sure nothing else will happen."

"There's more. Look, this isn't common knowledge but Harvey Dent is involved somehow, but he's an even worse source of information than Elliott, at this point."

"Why's that?"

"He's had some kind of psychotic break. Just sits in a corner screaming all day. Doctors can't explain it."

Bruce's mind started to churn. Can't be a coincidence.

He must have stayed quiet for too long, because Zatanna leaned forward slightly. "Commissioner, I appreciate that you want to close this case, but I don't see how we could possibly help by talking to him. Giving him what he wants doesn't sound like a good idea."

"Then talk to Batman," Gordon said, turning to face her.

She leaned back and cleared her throat. "About what?"

"He knows more than any of us, but he's not talking. He went rogue on this damn thing."

"And you think I can somehow talk him into sharing what he knows? You give me too much credit there," she said. "I have no influence over Batman."

She's getting better at lying. Shit.

"You helped us before on this, maybe if you talk to him..."

Bruce had heard enough and stood, pulling Zatanna to her feet along with him. "My wife...is retired," he said through clinched teeth. "The last time she helped you, she damn near got herself killed."

"I did not. I was fine," she mumbled under her breath.

He sighed and glanced at her, but she just shrugged. "She's also exhausted from her tour. I hope you understand, Commissioner. We're trying to lead quieter lives now...for our son's sake."

It wasn't a fair way to try to end the conversation, but it it seemed to work. Gordon looked to the floor and nodded.

"Alright. I understand. I hope you understand I had to ask." He headed toward the door, but turned before stepping out. "You know, it's interesting...back during the abductions, there was some scuttlebutt around that you were seen in the area of the first few, Bruce."

"That's absurd," Zatanna said sharply.

"That's what I said. I had to contain it so the press wouldn't get wind and jump all over it."

"No one came knocking on my door," Bruce said.

"I knew it wasn't you. You were home every night of every murder. Or at the office. You live a pretty boring life for a billionaire."

He was investigating me. I didn't know he was investigating me.

"You could have just asked," Zatanna snapped.

"Who? You? Wives lie for their husbands. I cleared him easily enough on my own. Still, it seems pretty coincidental, doesn't it? That he's asking for you now..."

"I think it's time we say goodnight, Commissioner." Bruce walked closer to him and stared him down.

Jim took a step back. "Just one more thing...Batman said he was protecting others who were mixed up in this. Said they might be in danger. Don't suppose you'd know anything about that either, huh?"

"No. I have no idea what you're talking about."

Casting a last glance to each of them, he turned toward the door. "Right. Okay."

Alfred showed him out and they walked upstairs. Zatanna checked on Thomas before following him into the bedroom. Neither spoke while they got ready for bed. Once they laid down, Zatanna pulled herself up against him and ran her hand over his chest. "Now what?"

"I'm not sure. I figured he would either never talk or spill the whole story when he did. I don't know what to do with this."

"Sounds like Batman might need to pay him a visit."

"Are you trying to have influence over Batman? Thought that wasn't your thing."

She gave him a tired smile. "What he said before he left...about people being in danger."

"He's a good detective. And he's turned a blind eye to a lot over the years. Seems like his vision is improving." He ran his hand along her arm and stared at the ceiling. "Let's rest. Elliott won't talk to anyone tonight."

She nodded and put her head on his shoulder. "Goodnight."

Dr. Jonathon Crane
Arkham Asylum

"Who's my next patient?" He asked, walking into the small exam room at the end of the hall.

"Change of plans. You have someone who wants to interview you for a change, doc." The guard held the door open for him.

He entered and looked around at the empty room. "And…?"

The guard closed the door and left him alone.

"Dr. Jonathan Crane." The voice came from behind him and he turned to face Batman, who seemed to have appeared out of thin air.

"Well, if it isn't the most desired patient in all of Gotham City. I'm honored." He smiled and held his hand out, but Batman didn't move.

"Why did you transfer Harvey Dent out of Arkham?"

"I didn't. He's down the hall."

"Before. Why did you transfer him out?"

"Am I under arrest or something? I'm not really used to being interrogated." He finally dropped his hand back to his side.

"Do I look like the police?"

Crane smiled and gestured toward the chair. "How about we start over? I feel like it's strange we haven't met before...considering how much business you send me." Batman didn't move, standing still as a statue with his arms stiff at his side. He'd never wanted to interview someone more in his life. The crazed vigilante who refuses to kill. The protector of millions in a flawed city who accepts no awards or payment or gratitude. "Please, I really would like to help. Tell me what you need, Batman."

"Why did you transfer Harvey Dent from maximum security Arkham Asylum to minimum security Sayerville Community Psychiatric Hospital?"

"He wasn't safe here. He hasn't filled as many of our cells as you have, but enough that his life was in danger. I know he's a criminal, but he's a patient and it's our job to protect him. We couldn't do that with enemies making threats."

"Then why not send him to another maximum security facility?"

"It was an urgent situation and we needed to move him. They had an opening. It was supposed to be temporary until we found an opening at a maximum security facility. We took precautions..."

"You took advanced chemistry in college as an elective."

It was an interesting turn in the line of questioning.

"With some friends, yes. We thought it would be fun. It was."

"Most people don't take classes like that as electives, nor would they consider them fun."

"Are you about to call me a nerd? It wouldn't be the first time I heard it. Wouldn't even be the first time today. Inmates aren't too creative." He smiled and sat, crossing his legs. "And I am one. I still study to this day. Chemistry, psychology, humanities, history. I'm just that kind of person."

"Advanced chemistry. That's a lot to take on."

"Not to sound too arrogant, but it really wasn't, for me."

"Why is Dent spending his days screaming?"

He was trying to keep him uneasy by changing subjects rapidly. It was a good tactic...most of the time. "That's what we're trying to figure out. A lot of things can go wrong with an unstable patient to make them hit a breaking point."

"Seems a bit odd that he would have the break just after he returns here."

Crane nodded. "It likely played a part. The stress and fear of being caught again and winding up back in here could have been a big factor. If he ever stops screaming, I'll be able to try to find the full reason, but for now, I'm afraid I can't give you any answers."

"Not about that."

"Was there something else?"

A knock on the door interrupted them, so he stood and walked over to open it.

"Dr. Crane, you're needed in ward seven. Martinez says he's ready to talk."

"Of course. If you'll excuse me..." He turned back to where Batman had been standing, but he had vanished. "I guess I'm excused."

Batman
Gotham City

There wasn't a lot in Crane's history to pick apart. He was squeaky clean from birth until now...a studious child who excelled at everything academic. Nothing about his past stood out aside from his interactions with the inmates at Arkham, and all of those had been above board. The only outlying event was his relocation of Dent. It didn't make sense, but it had to be him. He hadn't told the rest of the team. Or the League. Not even Zatanna. They would all want to get involved, but he needed to be careful with this one. Crane was intelligent...a genius. He was also a respected psychiatrist. He'd written dozens of papers on his patients at Arkham and spoken across the country about the links between crime and mental health. Finding out what his plans were would have to come first. At least he knew he was being watched now. It might slow him down or make him nervous enough to alter his approach; it might even make him nervous enough to make a mistake.

It was well after sunrise when he pulled into the cave. Once he had cleaned up, he went upstairs to hunt down the family. He found Zatanna in the den, lying on the floor with Thomas sitting on her chest.

"Boop," she said when he reached out and touched her nose.

His hand reached to his own nose. "Boo"

Zee laughed and touched his. "Boop."

Thomas caught sight of him and waved before holding out his finger. "Hi, Dada. Boo?" Zatanna was biting her lip, trying not to laugh when he slowly knelt down to where Thomas could reach his nose. The tiny finger tapped it and Thomas giggled. "Boo."

"Long night?" Zatanna asked as he stretched out next to them.

"Not too bad, but I had to make a run to Arkham after it opened. Did you two have a good night?"

"Yep. Had dinner with Alfred and read some stories before playing until we passed out. It's a rough life, let me tell you."

Alfred walked in with his breakfast. "Good morning, sir."

"Morning, Alfred. Thanks. I might be late to the office today."

"I'll call and let them know."

"Alfa boo?" The hand reached out again.

"Of course, Master Thomas," Alfred said, leaning down to let his nose get tapped.

"Boo."

"Let me know if there's anything else I can do."

Bruce shook his head and laughed when he left the room. "Kid's going to need more fingers." Zee looked at him with an eyebrow raised. "To wrap people around."

"Your fault. He got your charm." Thomas tumbled over and climbed onto his chest, so she turned to lay her head on his shoulder.

"Mm...pretty sure that's all you." He kissed her forehead and sighed.

"Nothing out of Gordon?"

"No. He hasn't reach out to Batman or Bruce."

"Did you go to the hospital yet?"

He shook his head. "If it's just more of the same, he won't talk to Batman. He's nothing if not determined. And Batman promised Gordon he wouldn't take him."

"Then don't take him. Just talk. He's your best bet at finding out where Dent got the toxin, now that he's awake."

He ran a hand through her hair. "I'll think about it."

He ate his breakfast and watched them play until his exhaustion caught up with him. When he started to doze off, she rousted him and sent him up to sleep. He would be lucky to get a couple of hours before he had to relent and go into the office. Things were too busy to blow off an entire day.

Zatanna
Wayne Manor

There was something he wasn't telling her about what was going on. She didn't want to push it, but it gave her a sinking feeling in her stomach. Gordon was sniffing around too close to the truth and Elliott was a ticking time bomb of information.

She watched Thomas play with a his Batmobile push toy and considered ways to try to get Bruce to let her help. Considering it took him months to take her to the killer the first time, it wouldn't be easy. Stubbornness was an art form for him.

"Mama?"

"Yeah, sweetie?"

"Ba...ba...bana, peese?"

"Banana, huh? Strawberries, too?"

"Peese." He waddled over to her so she could scoop him up.

"Well, since you asked so nicely, let's go get some banana and strawberries." She carried him to the kitchen, where she cut up the fruit and put it in a bowl for him to make a mess of. "Your daddy and I need to have a talk about him keeping things from me."

"Dada."

"Yep. He knows better, but you know how he is."

He took another bite of fruit. "Fuffy."

"We're talking about Daddy, not the cat." He'd named the cat Fluffy. Of all names that didn't fit him, Fluffy was high on the list. He wasn't particularly fluffy and he was still an asshole, so she refused to use the name in his presence. "Maybe you could talk some sense into him. He worries too much about protecting me."

"Bana?" He held a bite out to her.

"That's very sweet of you to offer, but I'll pass. You've slobbered on 100% of that." She took a sip of coffee and watched him finish his snack. They were upstairs having a post-fruit-mess bath when she heard Bruce wake up and start getting ready for work. She wished he would take a day off, but he was determined not to let anything fall through the cracks at the office or on the streets. He came into the bathroom and sat down on the edge of the tub.

"Did you get any sleep?" She asked while he played with the boat Thomas handed him.

"Yeah, passed out for a little while. I feel okay."

"You look exhausted. It's okay to take a day off now and then." He nodded, but didn't answer. "Like today...you could just hop into the bath with him and I'll wash you, too."

He chuckled and grabbed her free hand. "I wish I could. Maybe I can get out of there early. Spend some time with you before the meeting."

"I'd like that. He would, too."

"You two have any big plans for today?"

"Play date with some of his new friends at the park and then Shadowcrest for a few hours. He's getting too mobile for me to want to spend much time there, but the house loves it when he comes over. Cat's already there."

"Fluffy, you mean?" He smirked at her when she rolled her eyes. She had the sneaking suspicion that Bruce had promoted the name behind her back while they hung out. It certainly wasn't a word Thomas learned from her. Regular comedian.

"Worst name choice ever."

"Fuffy!"

"Yeah, we'll see the little devil later. He jumped in the Zeta tube this morning and just stared at me until I sent him. Guess they had plans."

He smiled and leaned over to kiss her temple. "Have a fun time today. I need to head out. Have a meeting in an hour. I'll let you know when I'm on my way home."

"Okay. Have a good day. And don't fall asleep at the table."

"No promises," he said with a yawn as he walked out.

When they arrived at the park, Thomas quickly joined in with the other children. She'd managed to meet some mothers at the pediatrician's office who weren't intimidated by who she was or to whom she was married. Not that they weren't curious, but they usually didn't get weird about it. They were chatting about their lives when Thomas hopped up and looked excitedly at an electronic billboard. He stuck his hand out and pointed, waddling in the direction of a news story running about none other than Batman.

"Mama! Mama! Ook! It..."

"It's Batman!" She cried out over him, making everyone else jump. "Yep, it's Batman. He just loves Batman. Don't all little kids, though? Talks about him all the time. They met, you know. A few months ago. The League threw us a party and he came. It was very sweet of them, considering I resigned." She rambled on until the image changed and Thomas went back to playing. The other two mothers gave her strange looks, but finally relaxed. She breathed a sigh of relief.

"I can't believe you used to fight that way," one said. Her name was Amanda Washington and her husband was a professor at Gotham University. She had quit her job as a librarian when she became pregnant.

"Well, I enjoyed it...save for a few interesting incidents. I wanted to do what I could to help people. Bruce and I decided it would be best if I retired once we got pregnant, though." That wasn't quite the truth, since she had decided with zero input from him, but it sounded good.

"I can understand that. Hell, my husband didn't even want me driving to work alone. They can be so overprotective."

"Speak for yourselves. My husband barely knows what I do during the day." Kristen Lovelace, this time. Married to a very busy CEO of a local software development company. "Not that I'm complaining. Makes my life easier."

"I could use a little of that freedom," Amanda said. "But I guess we can't all have magical powers to protect ourselves."

Zatanna smiled and nodded. "As far as being a mother, it comes in pretty handy." She very much hoped it would come in handy when Thomas started talking even more. It wouldn't do to have him blow his daddy's cover.

"Yeah, and I can't imagine anyone would be crazy enough to mess with you or him, considering your circle of friends," Kristen laughed.

"Ah, yes. Super humans on speed dial. Let me know if you need them. I'll call in some favors."

Thomas came over to her and reached to be picked up, looking sleepy and rubbing his eyes. "You about ready for a nap?" He shook his head, but leaned onto her shoulder and blinked his eyes shut. "Well, ladies, I think that does it for us today. Big shot here needs his rest."

"Glad you could join, Zatanna. We'll text you and see when we can all get together again."

"Thanks, you two. I'd like that. So would he." She waved goodbye and started the walk back to Shadowcrest with Thomas dozing off. "What am I going to do with you?" She whispered. "Can't give away the family secrets in the middle of the park."

She wanted him to be able to feel like a normal kid and have normal friends. He wasn't normal, however...and neither were his parents. Another day, another parental minefield to navigate. Give me strength.

*Work is busy and I'm traveling a lot, so I'll do my best to post at a decent clip. Forgive me if there are some pauses/delays.