Avenging Justice:

Two Worlds Collide

Part VII

Earth, New Jersey, Gotham City

Selina Kyle had a problem, a big one. Under an alias, she ran a girl's shelter for runaways and the homeless. They took in any girl, no questions asked and tried to get them off the streets. There were definitive dangers to be found there, with the added chance of becoming drugged pleasure slaves. Her place was a safe haven for those who might be preyed upon. How she paid for it, well the wealthy helped in their own ways.

As Catwoman, she liked shiny things. These shiny things tended to generate a lot of money when sold, though not as much as she would like. Having to sell them to the people she knew, meant sometimes she got the street price. However, that smaller price was still substantially more than most of Gotham's citizens would see in a year, maybe even five.

It also meant she had connections to Gotham's seedier elements. To her though, they were the way she kept the people safe. Batman may fight against all crime in Gotham, but she had her own crusade. Nobody would experience her life, her pain, nor the fear she felt when she was younger. Which brought her back to the problem at hand, someone was trying to control her. Nobody controlled Catwoman.

Selina knew she needed help, because these people were good. They had their hostages moved, and were watching most of her haunts. On her, she had a cell phone they provided. Found when she had come home, back to her modest apartment. It had been on top of her bed, laying on a discarded teddy bear. She only knew it belonged to one of her girls, because the bear was special, bought at Build-A-Bear, and given to a young girl. One that reminded Selina a little too much of herself.

The note attached the bear explained what they wanted and that she had till sunrise to complete the task. If she didn't, they'd start with the girl. The threat of what they'd start with was left blank, so that Catwoman would let her imagination run wild. Run wild it did, but that was part of the mistake as well. She had been around Gotham enough to know, once someone had something over you, they never let it go.

Because she needed help, there was only one person she could truly trust. He may have a nobility that bordered on suicidal, but he always kept his word. It was what scared criminals the most, and provided them with unmitigated nightmares. See, when Batman promised to find you and bring you to justice, he did. Civilian groups that monitor police violence might decry his methods, yet people understood the promise that was Batman. If you harm an innocent, spend your days waiting for the Bat.

Unlike the GCPD, she didn't have a signal to fire into the sky, but she could borrow it. Flipping her whip around an outcropping, she swung down to GCPD headquarters. The signal was always covered between uses, but never locked down. If Commissioner Gordon wanted the Batman called, they wanted to have it done without delay. That would make her job easier.

Pulling the cover off, she then went over to the switch that would turn the signal on. She hesitated for a moment, not liking needing or wanting to call for help. She was who she was, because she only relied on herself. As much as she hated it, she needed his help. Well hated was a strong word, she severely disliked how it made her feel. He could say no, and then she'd be in worse straits than before.

She moved the switch, and the night was lit with light surrounding the shape of a bat. She leapt up to a perch, waiting patiently, her whip swinging below her like a cat's tail. Minutes later a door to the roof burst open and Commissioner Gordon, along with three officers, came out with guns drawn. She wondered if they were expecting an ambush, but since this was Gotham City, nothing was off the table.

"Turn off that signal!" Yelled Gordon. "Spread out and search. Do not fire unless you are in danger."

"I'm sorry boys, but I need that on for a bit longer," Catwoman purred. "If you would be so kind as to stand aside, please."

James Gordon, commissioner of the Gotham police, was not finding this funny, "What are you up to Catwoman? What are you trying to pull?"

"I just need to talk," she explained. "It would be so much better if you and your men would just leave the roof."

Gordon shook his head, "I don't think I need to explain that you are trespassing, but this signal is not meant to be your personal beeper for him."

"She knows, Gordon," came the gravelly, and to certain criminals, nightmarish voice of the Batman. "Care to explain?"

"Not in front of them Bats," she said as she flipped down to the roof. "The police can't be involved with this, or people will get hurt."

Batman looked on expressionless, "Gordon, send your men away, please. Now you said someone was going to get hurt?" Catwoman looked at Commissioner Gordon, like she expected him to leave as well. "He can be trusted, and it is his roof after all."

"No cops. I can't take the chance," Catwoman explained. "You and I, that might work though."

Batman moved forward, like a dark mass, "You want my help. What's going on?"

Catwoman sighed, let her head drop slightly. He wasn't making her beg, but she hadn't counted on how much this was going to hurt her pride. She liked their relationship, her stealing from the rich and powerful, with him chasing her. She had grown fond of him, because he truly cared. One time he had stopped chasing her, to catch a man about to leap to his death. She also saw him comfort a young circus performer, after the kid saw his parent's fall to their deaths.

No, it was more than her pride. This would change things with them. She liked being his equal, and now she was having to come to him, needing his help. Sure, she had come to help him from time to time, mostly when they both got caught up in whatever plan his latest enemy had made up. That was different, as they had to mutually work together, to save their own skins. Well, he technically tried to save everyone, even his enemies.

"Some very bad people found my girls," Selina explained. "They call themselves the Ten Rings, and they want me to steal the Heart of Gotham."

Batman frowned, which looked even more stern than his usual appearance, "These are the girls from Bast Youth home?"

Catwoman felt a chill run up her spine, "How did you.."

Batman smiled, which really freaked her out, "Do you know where they are being held?"

"They want me to bring the gemstone to Gotham Harbor by sunrise, and that I'll know them when I see them," She explained, all the while wondering how much Batman knew.

"We can start there," he said. "Jim, who owns the Heart of Gotham?"

Gordon shook his head, "It won't work this time, Batman. Unlike with Bruce Wayne, who usually works with us, this one is owned by Penelope Falcone. Since I sent her uncle down river for the rest of his life, and you destroyed the crime family, I don't think she'll be willing to work with us."

Batman nodded, "I might have an idea. Catwoman, if you'll come with me. Jim, I'll be in touch."

"Why do I have a feeling it's going to be a long night?" Commissioner Gordon asked to no one. He turned around to find both Catwoman and Batman gone, something he was very used to. Had Batman ever finished a conversation without disappearing into the darkness? No, it had always been like this; which was okay.

Batman led Catwoman to where the Batmobile was parked. The hatch opened up as they came within six feet of the vehicle. Selina should had felt in awe, or scared. She didn't, she felt comfortable. Now that she wasn't talking, now that he seemed to be on her side, things were a bit better.

He hadn't pressed her for more information, which she was glad of. It was already bad enough that he knew about the home she ran. That was enough for the exposed feeling she had running through her. She had to remember that she came to him, so she would have to deal with it.

"You do good work with that home," Batman said.

The rest of the ride was in silence. Where they went, Selina wasn't sure because she couldn't see out the windshield or windows. Apparently, they weren't at the level of trust, where they exchanged secret lairs yet. Then again, she didn't have long to wait. She felt the car stop, and then descend down.

The hatch opened up and Selina found herself in a dugout underground area. Vast amount of equipment and computes lined every nook and crevice. The lighting was subdued, except around several tables where forensic equipment took up residence. The whole area looked like modern met the gothic, with digital screens and cool rock.

"Summer home, I take it?" Catwoman joked. "What is this place?"

"It is a home away from home," Batman said. "Take a look at this."

Catwoman walked over to the table he pointed at. Inside was a blood red gem, about the size of two fists, with dark, almost black center. It was cut in a similar vein as the hope diamond. She looked it over, studying it, and looking for any details that would mark it as a fake.

"Well either you switched sides while I wasn't looking, or you wanted to see if this would fool me," Catwoman turned to the Dark Knight. "Knowing your code of honor, you are testing me."

Batman said, "Testing it actually. A few days ago I stopped an out of town thief from making off with the Heart of Gotham. You'd like her, Gordon says she goes by the name, Black Cat."

"I'd have to request her not infringe, if she is caught that easily," Catwoman shot back. "There is only one cat in Gotham."

"After that, some of the Joker's people were trying to break into the Gotham Museum of History," Batman continued explaining. "They wrecked a number of displays, but left the one with the Heart of Gotham mostly intact. They had glass cutters, allowing them to open the display without destroying the glass."

"With the Joker's people, I'm surprised they just didn't break the glass anyway," Catwoman said. "He's not exactly subtle."

"The case, if broken, would bring down a metal cage around the display," Batman went on. "Ms. Falcone had it installed just for the exhibit. I took the opportunity to scan it, before it was retrieved. Figured that if such a thing warranted that much attention, it might be good to have a duplicate on hand, just in case."

"Just in case you needed someone like me to take it?" Catwoman asked

Batman shook his head, "More like have the gem remain safe, and allow the thief to take off with this one. Inside is a tracking element, that would allow me to safely track them."

Catwoman had to admit it was a good plan. Not the best, but it was simple, effective and only someone who knew their stuff could tell the difference. She could, because there were minute imperfections in the real gem, that didn't carry over to the duplicate. It would fool ninety-nine percent of people, but the one percent was what she was worried about.

"I can't base the safety of those girls on a gamble," Catwoman said. "I have to think they may notice the difference as well."

"Exactly," Batman said. "This will do good to keep their guard down, but we'll have to make it look good."

"So, break into the museum and steal the real deal?" Catwoman couldn't help but show her surprise.

"Make it seem like the gem was stolen, yes," Batman corrected. "The real gem will stay behind, but only someone like you could make the switch without being noticed."

"Girl likes to be appreciated, I think," Catwoman was pretty sure he had just complimented her.

"Now, I need to get Gordon on board," Batman said.