Zatanna
Watchtower

She could feel the hatred emanating from him; he wanted to destroy her for what she'd done. Instinctively, she moved closer to Bruce's side, fighting the urge to cling to his arm.

"I still say no," Ollie said.

Zatanna looked to him and nodded. If she thought she could say no to the plan she would, too.

"How long will it take for you to prepare?" Bruce asked Shazam.

"Not long, if he cooperates."

"Will you cooperate?" He turned to Adam, who glanced at him before returning his glare to Zatanna.

"Yes."

Bruce moved to block her from his view. "If you so much as try to touch her, I will make sure you never see the light of day again."

"I will cooperate."

He turned to face her. "Are you sure about this?"

"I'm sure we don't have any other good options."

"We're all here to make certain nothing happens," J'onn said. Everyone else in the room nodded. They had gathered the full force of the League, so the chances of Adam doing anything were slim, to say the least.

"Let's get this over with," Zatanna said, walking around Bruce. "Don't force my hand again, Adam." As much as she wanted to sound threatening, she knew her voice was shaking. He moved closer, never taking his gaze off of her. She felt Bruce's hand on her back, helping to steady her nerves. Holding her hands out, she mustered her courage. "Odnu eht lleps. Nruter sih rewop."

Bruce immediately got between them again. The others moved in, surrounding him in a tight circle.

"This is your last chance," Shazam said. "If you don't stay in line, you'll be rendered powerless and mortal for good."

"Where do we start?" He asked, staying in his mortal form.

"We need to see if we can coordinate our power precisely. Then, Zee will channel it to the rip."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why have her channel it?"

"She knows where it is and can direct..."

"I know where it is. We don't need a middleman."

Bruce turned to face her. "True?"

"I...I guess so. I hadn't even thought about that, but yeah. He used the rip before, so he knows where it is."

"Good. You can oversee things from home." He turned to the rest of the group. "Shazam and Adam will let us know when it's time to move. J'onn will stay with them at all times."

"And I can be here in an instant, if I need to be," Zee said, casting a quick glance to Adam. He was still giving her a death glare. "I'm going home."

She zapped herself away before she had to spend another moment in his presence. He was going to come after her. Today, tomorrow, 50 years from now...he would try to kill her again. Rather than collect Thomas from Alfred, she spent the next two hours reinforcing her wards with more complex spells. Bruce found her near the front gate when he came home.

"What are you doing out here?"

"Securing things. My whole life is inside these wards. I'm not letting him near any of you."

"He won't have that chance," he said, pulling her over to him. "He has good security guards."

She buried her face against his chest and nodded. "I just want to be sure."

"I understand. How much more do you have left?"

"A few more passes and I'll be able to sleep."

He kissed her and rubbed a hand along her back. "I'll head in and make you some hot chocolate. Very hot. It's freezing out here."

She smiled and kissed him again. "Thanks. I'll be in soon."

Bruce
Wayne Manor

Thomas was happily tucked into bed and Zatanna had thawed out and was standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom, staring at her reflection. He walked up behind her and leaned forward, putting his hands on the sink.

"Trapping me?" She asked with a grin.

"Just wondering what you're doing standing here."

"Thinking about how creepy it would be to suddenly start seeing someone else's face in the mirror."

"Extra creepy if that face belonged to Tsaritsa," he said. He kissed the top of her head and grabbed his toothbrush. "Sure that's all?"

She nodded unconvincingly and brushed her hair, watching him brush his teeth. "Bored with that?"

"Nope," he mumbled around the toothbrush. "Feels great."

He moved her aside so he could rinse his mouth. Frowning, she shoved him back out of the way and grabbed her birth control pills.

"Only a confirmed bachelor would have one sink in his bathroom." He grabbed her hand and turned her around. "What?"

"Skip it."

"Skip what?"

"The pill. Skip it."

"Why would I do that?" She asked, turning back around and grabbing her water glass.

"So we can make another one."

The glass went flying out of her hand and crashing into the sink when she spun around to face him again. "What did you say to me?"

"Let's make another kid."

"You...what?"

"You...me...kid...another."

Her eyes were wide. "Who are you?"

"Huh?"

Her hands flew up to his head. "Who...well, shit it's not that."

"Not what?"

"Alien replacement."

"Your first thought was that I was an alien pretending to be your husband?"

"Yes! It makes the most sense! You want to have another kid?"

"Yeah. I like the first one and we weren't even trying to make him. Let's make another one...on purpose this time."

"I haven't even figured out how the first one works yet! You know, he spent forty minutes yesterday asking me to do something. Forty minutes! On and on and on and I had no clue at all what he wanted, because I couldn't understand even half of what he was saying. I was this close to reading his mind...this close...until he finally made me go upstairs and pulled a pair of pants out of the drawer and handed them to me. He wanted a different pair of pants. Why does he care what pants he's wearing? What impact does a pair of pants have on his day? And he pulled out red ones to go with a green shirt he already had on. He spent the rest of the day looking like an elf, because of course I put them on him. You know why I put them on him? So he would stop asking."

Okay, does she have a reset button?

"Zatanna," he said, putting his arms around her waist, "you are an incredible mother."

She whimpered and let her forehead fall against his shoulder. "We have at least half a dozen different people trying to kill and/or maim us right now. I need my magic."

"I know. It doesn't have to be now. It doesn't have to be ever, if that's what you decide. Just...think about it." He picked up her pills and put them in her hand. "That's all I ask."

He returned to the room and got into bed. Zatanna crawled in after him, laying her head on his chest.

"You're strange."

He pulled her tighter against him. "So...boy or girl?"

"Oh, my god."

"I think a girl would be perfect. Mom, Dad, Thomas, baby girl."

"Is that the batformula for the perfect family?"

"As long as it's ours, yes. I feel like it's a fatherly right of passage to have to scare off potential suitors for his daughter. She'll have entirely too many if she gets your looks. And Thomas needs a baby sister to protect."

"He can protect a baby brother."

"I guess that's true. So, baby boy then."

She laughed and looked up at him. "Life with you is never dull."

"I'll take that as a 'maybe'." He rolled them over and pulled her shirt off. "We should practice, just in case."

Laughing, she pushed his shoulders away. "Oh, so that's what this is. You just want more sex."

"Of course I want more sex. I always want more sex. I want another kid, too." He tried to kiss her, but she turned her head. "We'd have to do it a lot. Make sure we really get it right."

"We already do it a lot."

"More. Especially during the day."

"Desk sex, huh?"

He nodded. "And patrol sex."

She finally pulled his head to hers. "Fine. It's a maybe."

Zatanna
Shadowcrest

"Hold your hands out," she said, putting her palms outward and at shoulder-level, "like this."

Thomas studied her before raising his own hands. "Pa-cake?"

"No, not pattycake. Or, no you're not getting pancakes. Not sure which you meant. This is training hour." She grinned. "Now, picture a place you love. Anywhere at all."

He leaned forward and touched his palms to hers. "Pa-e-cake."

"Okay, well that clears up which you meant. If nothing else, we've made strides on three syllable words today, but let's try it again. What makes you happy?"

"Mama!"

"Oh, you little doll, that's quite possibly the best answer ever. You make me happy, too, but since I'm already here, keep going. What else makes you happy?"

"Dada!"

"Another great answer. He's the best. You're clearly a people person, but before you name everyone you know, think about a place you like. Somewhere you'd like to be."

"Elphants!"

"There we go! Picture the elephants and try to bring up an image of..."

Before she could finish, she felt her stomach dropping and a flash of blue light sent them directly into the elephant pavilion in San Francisco.

Holy freaking shit.

The zookeeper stared at them in shock where they sat on the floor. Thomas hopped up and walked over to greet Matilda, who ran to see her friend.

"I'm so, so sorry," Zee said, standing and brushing the dirt from her pants. "We were...I was trying to show him...see, the thing with little magi kids is..." She put her head in her hands. "Magic mishap. He wanted to come here, so he did."

"Hi, Tilda!" Thomas struck up a conversation with the elephant.

"I guess it's okay," the zookeeper said, still looking a little freaked out by their sudden appearance. "They certainly seem to like him."

The elephant family was lined up along the fence, all examining the giggling boy with their trunks. Thomas booped their noses and chatted away. How am I ever going to control this kid? He'd transported them there with such ease that it was almost as terrifying as it was impressive. She walked over and sat down next to him, letting him enjoy his time. It didn't seem right to get upset with him, considering he was just doing what he thought she wanted. When the animals headed off to eat, she transported them back to Shadowcrest and put him down for a nap. Pulling out her father's journals, she started reviewing the methods he used to train her; clearly she needed a bit more guidance on her next steps.

"Okay, Dad, I tried imagery and he took me across the country. What do you recommend now?"

She read through the notes of his first few training sessions. Maybe mimicry is a better idea, for now. Simple things that he could repeat might keep them out of trouble. Mostly. It wouldn't stop him from turning his breakfast into ice cream, if he wanted. Taking notes of her own, she wrote down what worked best for her father and what she felt like she could manage with their combined attention spans.

"We'll figure it out," she whispered to Thomas, brushing his hair back from his forehead while he dreamed. "You'll be a better magician than your mom. A better person. I'll help you to not make the same mistakes I did...promise."

Her phone buzzed on the couch and she cringed when she saw who it was. Speaking of mistakes.

"Hello, my dear!" Tsaritsa exclaimed. Apparently they were besties again. "Two weeks from today, are you available?"

"I'll have to check with my husband."

"Do that and get back with me as soon as possible. This is so exciting!" She hung up the phone, and Zatanna stood and started to pace.

"What if it's not enough time?" She mumbled. "What if they're not ready?"

Dialing Bruce's number, she paced her way into the kitchen so she wouldn't wake the sleeping mage.

"Hey, Batwife."

"Hi, I just got a...what did you call me?"

"Batwife. Working on aliases."

"Work harder. That's terrible."

"You have something against accuracy?"

"Look, I called for a reason. Tsaritsa wants me to be ready in two weeks."

"That's not much time, Batwife."

"I know, Bathusband. We need to plan."

He made a grunting noise. "Let's go to the Watchtower tonight and see where Shazam and Adam are with things."

"Okay. I hope they work fast."

"Anything else going on?"

"Well, we took an impromptu trip to San Francisco today to see the elephants."

"Without me?" He sounded very offended.

"Blame your son. He transported us." The line was quiet, so she looked at the phone. "You still there?"

"Life with you is never dull."

She chuckled. "I know. Believe me, I know. I'll try to be a better trainer in the future."

"Zatanna, you're doing fine. He went to see elephants and he took you with him. There are worse things I can think of."

"Like me trying to manage two at a time?"

"No, that's one of the best things I can think of."

"Mama, I'm up!"

"I believe I hear your boss summoning you," Bruce said. "I'll be home by 5:00 so we can run by the Tower before patrol."

"Okay, see you then."

"Bye, Batwife."

Watchtower

I see the death glare is still intact.

"We're doing pretty well," Shazam said. "I think timing will be the key. We generate the power and blast the rip closed."

"How are you practicing?" Bruce asked.

"Very carefully. Lower power levels. Like I said...timing is our main concern. If we're out of sync by even a fraction of a second, we'll just be throwing lightning at it and nothing will happen."

"How long?" Zatanna asked. "Our window is quickly closing."

"How quickly?"

"Two weeks."

Shazam looked to Adam, who nodded without looking away from her.

"Okay, we'll let you know."

Bruce grabbed her hand and pulled her to the other room.

"I feel the urge to check my wards again." She put her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly.

He lifted her head. "He won't get the chance to get to you again."

"And what about you? The others?"

"We'll handle him. We always have." His lips brushed hers lightly. "You don't need to stay here. Head home and I'll be there before long."

Stepping away, she blew him a kiss and transported herself home. Don't have to tell me twice.

Batman
Batcave

"Hey, come over here. I've found something," Barb said from the suit chamber.

"What is it?"

"I was doing repairs on Kate's suit. Take a look at these." She held the torso of the armor up to the light. There were small, circular gouges dotting the outside layers.

"A weapon?"

"A weak one, if so. It didn't get through, whatever it was." She tossed the armor down and walked to the computer. "That's not all. We found something even more interesting."

He leaned forward and looked at chart she pulled up. "Is that..."

"Traces of Scarecrow's toxin. Now, it's very small traces, not enough to even affect her, but that's what it is."

His mind processed the information. "She spent a lot of time downtown that night."

"That's one possibility."

"But you don't think it's the most likely."

"Do you?"

He shook his head. "I've been thinking about it. Injections and more tests when he knows the toxin is effective as a gas."

"Not effective enough, though. He wants to make people fearless, he told you as much."

"Right, and the gas isn't strong enough to do that on its own." He walked toward the case holding his suit. "So, he's decided that achieving his goal will take small-scale exposures."

"Bruce, if those gouges are from attempts to inject Kate..."

"Then he's creating an army. Recruiting others to do the dirty work while he keeps working on manufacturing more."

"You don't sound overly surprised," Barb said, crossing her arms and leaning back.

"There were signs of the possibility, but I really had no way of knowing if it was true."

"So you kept your theory a secret from the rest of us."

He smirked and latched his torso. "You're just jealous that you didn't figure it out first."

Rolling her eyes, she turned to the monitors. "Go patrol, Master Detective. And watch out for ambushes from fearless Scarecrow followers."

"I will," he mumbled, looking around the cave. "Left my phone upstairs."

"You're slipping, old man."

He rode up and opened the door to the bedroom. Zatanna was standing in front of the mirror, dressed in a short, tight red dress with her hair in loose curls flowing down her back. She leaned down and slipped her high heels on before turning around.

"Why is Batman in my bedroom?" She asked, smiling and reaching for her earrings.

"Why is Batwife dressed like that?"

"I told you: Sophie's birthday party is tonight." Walking over, she grabbed his cape and wrapped it around her. "You have the best memory in the world until it comes to remembering things I tell you. You're really taking the whole husband act to the next level."

"I remember. That's what you're wearing?"

She raised her eyebrow. "Is there a problem with that?"

Picking her up, he swung them around until she was sitting on the dresser, still wrapped in his cape.

"Where will you be in the morning?" He growled.

Her legs wrapped around his waist. "Your bed," she purred.

"Try again."

"Our bed," she whispered, kissing him and pulling him even closer.

"I don't care what you wear," he said, laughing against her mouth.

"You're a pain." She pushed him back and he returned her to the floor. "A theatrical one, at that."

"I need to go." He headed to the door before turning back and looking her over again. "Don't forget your gear. And feel free to still have that outfit on in the morning."

"Same to you."

Once on patrol, he returned to the alley where they had found Kate. "Did you scan for the toxin here?"

"Not yet. We weren't thinking Scarecrow until we found the traces on her suit."

He turned on his scanner and made slow passes. "More traces. Nothing significant." He moved a dumpster out of the way, and a small piece of metal caught his eye. Picking it up, he examined it closely. "I think I found part of one of the needles, if it can be called that. Large bore."

"I don't know of much that could get through our armor and still be easy enough to carry around."

"Neither does Scarecrow, apparently." He put the metal in his belt. "I'll bring it in so you can scan it for the toxin."

"Me? Is it always my job to scan? Do you ever scan anymore? Is that all I am to you now? A scanner of evidence?"

"Yes."

"Okay, bring it in. Dick said to say hello. He's available if you need help."

"You two...you know...okay?" That's how you ask about that stuff, right?

"Most of the time," Barb said. "He's a mess and way too busy, but we're working on it."

"Good. He needs someone like you."

"Brilliant and gorgeous?"

"And patient and understanding."

"We all know it takes that...for any of us. But I'm glad you approve."

"Mm hmm." That should be enough of that. "I'm heading to the docks. Let me know if you hear anything."

"You got it."

Zatanna
Some Night Club

"Oh, my god! How can you even keep your hands off of him?"

"I don't. We're married. That's kind of the whole point."

The drunken stranger who had recognized her as Bruce's wife had been peppering her with questions about him since she'd stepped to the bar to get a refill.

"He's so hot! I mean...have you seen him?" Zatanna rolled her eyes at her. "Of course you've seen him, he's your husband. Oh, my god! You're married to Bruce Wayne!"

"I thought we established that five minutes ago." The bartender was taking too long. Rather be home with the kid...holy shit, I'm an old lady.

When the bartender returned, she quickly downed the drink and asked for another. Get drunk...old ladies don't get drunk. Returning to the girls, she grabbed their hands and pulled them to the dance floor. Old ladies don't get drunk and dance. She looked around the room at the crowd, filled with women of all ages. Okay, so everyone gets drunk and dances.

"I'm so glad you came!" Sophie said, leading them back to the table when their feet were aching. "And you promised me..."

"That we'll have a private dinner on me...restaurant has the table ready for us."

"I love that he bought you a restaurant," Jenny said. "And that we can use it."

Zatanna laughed. "Anytime you want." She took another drink. "What ever happened between you and Wally?"

"We still hang out, but I can't keep up with that guy. He's..."

"Relentlessly energetic? Yeah, I know how he is. I'm glad you've stayed friends."

"For sure."

"And how about you, Sophie?"

"How about me? I haven't been on a date in 180 years...not a good one, anyway. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm jealous of what you have with Bruce."

Zatanna coughed and sputtered before pretending to clean her ears out. "Did I hear what I think I just heard? Sophie Marie Travers is jealous of me marrying a...let me remember...I think 'asshole playboy' was the phrase you used?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Sophie said with a laugh. "Okay, I admit that I may have misjudged him."

"And my taste in men."

"Come on, it's my birthday. Don't make me admit to that, too."

"Yeah, give her a break, Zee. She knows she's an idiot."

"Hey! I am the birthday girl! Be nice to me!"

They all laughed and stood to leave. "I'll be nice. And if it makes you feel any better, marriage is not easy."

"Oh, shut up. You are so happy."

"I am, but it takes work. It takes a lot of work when you have a smart mouth like I do. And motherhood, well, I'm lucky if I make it through the day without that little magician zapping us to the moon for fun."

Sophie blinked at her a few times. "Right. Oh, poor Zatanna. Jenny, where's my violin?"

Jenny laughed and started playing her fake violin. "My heart bleeds for you..."

"Okay, fine. Life is great. Now, can we go overeat and have some cake?"

"Yes, please!"

"Anything you two want, on me," she said, climbing in the car.

They spent the rest of the night and most of the early morning eating, laughing, and drinking. By the time Zatanna got home, she was too tired and drunk to do anything but collapse into bed. Bruce came in shortly after and sat down next to her.

"I was kidding about keeping the outfit on," he said, trying to untangle her hair.

"Mmph."

"Good night?"

"Mmph."

"Too much alcohol?"

"Mmph."

"Do you want..."

"If you don't stop asking me questions, I'll throw up on your feet."

"Sorry. I'll get Thomas when he wakes up."

"That's why you're the best Bruce of 'em all."

He stood, jostling the bed enough that she nearly threw up, anyway.

"You know a lot of other Bruces?"

"Dozens. Scores. Leeeeeegions. I feel like deep fried crap."

"Are you still drunk?"

"That was a question. Bring your feet over here."

He crawled into bed, putting his arm around her. "I'm glad you were able to get out and have a good time."

"I hate myself."

"Well, I still love you, if that helps."

"A bit. I'm going to sleep until the meeting Monday night."

"Uh huh. I'm sure Thomas will let that happen."

"If he loves me, he will."

"I think him loving you is why he won't."

She groaned and curled into a ball. "Never again. I'm never leaving the house again."

He laughed and snuggled her neck. "Finally...what I've always wanted."

"Hush."