A/N: 2022.05.12

So many delays. With a touch of writer's block. But we're back.

Chapter 9

Selina and Helena walked into the Manor, that night, with Helena leading the way to Bruce's room. They stopped a few feet from his door. Helena looked at Selina, both of them with uncertain expressions on their faces.

"Ready?" Helena asked.

"No," Selina answered. "But I'm gonna do it anyway."

Bruce's door opened and Diana stepped out. She stared at Selina then closed the door, fully. Helena had texted Diana earlier to let her and Bruce know that Selina was ready and on her to speak with Bruce. Despite all Selina said to Helena, Selina still regarded Diana with a certain level of apprehension.

"Problem?" Selina, irritably, asked Diana.

"Mom!" Helena chided.

"The only problem I have…" Diana said. "…is one we have in common. We're losing Bruce. You need your time with him, Selina. I don't plan on coming between that. This is no time for such trivial things. I love Bruce. I always have and will. You loved him, too, once. You gave him something I couldn't." She stared at Helena. "A wonderful person."

Helena smiled.

Diana regarded Selina, again. "You and Bruce… have a history that doesn't concern me. It was a love that was never any of my business. Me and Bruce were able to settle things. You and he must do the same now. And you need this. So does he. Selina… please, talk to him."

Selina did her best not to cry. "Dammit, woman, must you be perfect at everything?!"

Diana and Helena laughed a bit.

Selina took a second and gathered herself together. She took a deep breath and exhaled. "I'm really sorry, Diana. For me and Bruce. For… the tension between us. The you-and-me us and the me-and-Bruce us. But… thank you… for how much you care about Helena."

"She's easy to care about," Diana replied.

"Yeah, she is." Selina looked at Helena, an eyebrow raised. "Even when she's stubborn and doesn't listen."

Helena thought for a moment. "So, I'm… both my parents!" She smiled.

Selina glared at her while Helena just laughed.

Diana smiled. "Go ahead, Selina. I'll go get some tea."

"I'll join you," Helena volunteered.

"Kitten…" Selina started.

"No, Mom. Not now. I don't need to hear this conversation. This is between you and Dad. This was before me, too." Helena smiled at Diana. "C'mon, Diana! We'll get the good tea."

"Oh, yes, indeed!" Diana and Helena started down the hallway.

"Hey, Diana?" Selina said, causing them to stop and look at her. "Thanks… for all you've done for him. I mean it. Everything."

Diana smiled and nodded.

Selina exhaled. She opened the door and stepped inside, closing the door behind her.

Once they were far enough away from the door, Helena glanced back down the hallway then let out a worried breath. "I never thought it would affect her like this."

"It was impossible to predict how this would affect everyone," Diana replied. "It's a pain… none of us could prepare for."

"Got that right."

Selina closed the door behind her and stared at Bruce, who was lying in bed and staring at the ceiling. He turned toward her, and they stared at each other in silence. In a few seconds, their entire lives flashed in their memories. All the good and the bad, triumphs and tragedies.

The pain came to their minds for a moment, but, at this point, it didn't matter anymore.

Selina walked toward the bed and stopped at Bruce's bedside. She huffed, "You… are…" she suddenly felt the threat of tears, "a stubborn old man!"

Bruce smirked. "And you… are a stubborn old woman."

Selina scoffed, smiling a bit. "You know? There was a day that I would hate hearing 'old'. Now I know… it's a blessing to do what we do and make it to hear 'old'."

"Amen."

Selina stared at Bruce, silently. The longer she stared, the more real all of this became. Her tears formed again, "I'm so sorry, Bruce. Sorry about everything. About us. About me." She shook her head, "I hurt you. I hurt you in the worst way possible. A way you didn't deserve, at all. I kept our daughter away from you." She paused, doing her best not to cry. "Oh, Jesus! I kept our daughter away from you! If… i-if I had told you about her… both of you would've had more time. But… time's running out. I did that to both of you. Now, I have to live with that along with everything else."

"I didn't make it easy," Bruce admitted.

"But I should've told you about Helena the second I knew I was carrying her! I can't believe she ever forgave me for that. She was so angry. And she had every right to be. And so do you."

"I got to know her. I couldn't ask for any more."

Selina stared at Bruce, worriedly. "Can you forgive me?"

"Yes," Bruce answered, assuredly. "Yes, I can. I already did. I understand better than you think, Selina, why you did what you did. So, yes, I forgive you."

Selina exhaled a lot of worry, tears following along with it. "Thank you."

Bruce smiled a bit. "And I do need to say thank you. For naming her after my mother. And Huntress."

Selina scoffed and smiled. "You're welcome. How did you find out about Huntress?"

"I asked her," Bruce finished. "Terry contacted her, then me and Terry went to meet her in person. She explained why she took care of Helena. Plus, I did the math. Huntress dropped off the map for a couple of years, right around the time Helena would've been born."

"Of course, you did the math."

"I always wanted to ask… why trust her so much?"

"It was because she promised to keep Helena safe," Selina answered. "When I found out I was carrying her, I panicked. Back in the day, me and Huntress had run into each other on a couple of jobs. She… was always… a professional. Even… nice. In her way. When I found out about the pregnancy, I didn't know to trust. Me and Dick were on good terms, by then, but we… weren't close yet. Like I said, I panicked and went to Huntress and… even though she had no reason to listen to me… she didn't want Helena to pay for my mistakes. She hung up the cape for a while and took Helena out of everyone's notice."

"I owe her," Bruce mused.

"No, I owe her. Because… I shouldn't have kept Helena from you in the first place. Huntress never agreed with that decision, I want you to know that. She couldn't stand that I was keeping Helena from you, but she kept her word. Even if she was constantly pissed with me." Selina smiled a bit, "She took such good care of Helena. She was always a happy baby. A happy kid. Even when she was a teenager and angry at me for… always dodging who you were… she never… went on a rebellious streak. I mean, she joined the Navy, for God's sake!" She scoffed. "Huntress raised her right. Better than I could have."

"I'm glad Huntress raised her," Bruce smiled. "But I know you did an amazing job, too."

"For what little I did do."

"Selina…"

"Don't blame her. Huntress, I mean. I made her keep the secret. All of it was me. I committed the crime. I'm answering for it." Selina shook her head. "I am so sorry, Bruce."

"Me, too."

She studied him a second longer. "I just… want to ask you something and it's not about us. But I need an honest answer."

"Alright," he said.

"Diana. Does… she make you happy?"

Bruce stared at Selina for a while. Then nodded, "Yes. She does."

"Hold on to that. You earned it. You deserve it. And I'm happy you found it."

"Don't think I was unhappy with you."

"I know you weren't. I'm sorry we both couldn't make that work. But I'm glad you're happy now."

Bruce nodded, "Thank you, Selina. Back at you."

Selina exhaled, relievedly, and smiled. "So!" She smirked. "Terry!"

"Here we go…"

"I just have a few questions."

"Selina…!"

"Are you sure it was all Waller's genetic tampering?" Selina, jokingly, asked.

"Selina!" Bruce grunted, agitatedly.

"I mean, I've seen photos of Mary McGinnis. That woman is beautiful! A gorgeous redhead? Isn't that right up your alley? You sure Terry isn't yours the old-fashioned, fun way?"

"Oh, God…" Bruce groaned. "Can the cancer kill me now?"

Selina laughed.

Two Nights Later.

Batman was on patrol when he received a call from Runner. "Go ahead, brother."

"Just heard from Oracle that Ghost-Wing, Jaguar, and Switchblade were seen near the West End," Runner explained. "Near the Ace Chemical building."

"They're building that new high-rise not far from there, right?"

"Yeah."

"So, we're letting them get stomped out then helping, right?" Ember asked.

"No," Batman answered. "Everyone, head over there. Let's catch Switchblade. He can lead us to Bane."

"Roger that," Runner responded.

"Meet you there," Koutetsu added.

"Headed that way," Ember confirmed.

The team arrived at Ace Chemicals to see Ghost-Wing and Jaguar taking cover from gunfire as they were assaulted by a troop of soldiers, with Switchblade seemingly leading them. As soon as Batman saw the soldiers, he couldn't help but think that this was Bane beginning to show his hand at last.

Switchblade looked up at the Batmobile as flew overhead. "Oh, man! Good times are finally here!"

After landing, Batman and Runner charged toward Switchblade while Ember and Koutetsu focused on the soldiers. Batman and Runner, quickly, subdued the soldiers protecting Switchblade, who drew two knives.

"And I get to meet Nightrunner, at last!" Switchblade smiled. "Man, this job is worth it all around!"

Runner scoffed. "I really thought Batman was kidding when he mentioned your attitude."

"No way! I love this shit!" Switchblade twirled the knives. "Let's dance, gentlemen!"

Koutetsu and Ember started to defeat the other soldiers, but the resuming laser fire sent both ducking behind the cover with Ghost-Wing and Jaguar.

"Found yourselves in a quandary, my friends?" Koutetsu asked.

"You could've warned us!" Jaguar shouted.

"We tried."

"Switchblade's run with soldiers before," Ghost-Wing noted. "But not like this! Not this well-trained!"

"Yeah, believe us now?!" Ember jumped and threw a wave of fire, sending the soldiers scattering for cover. "C'mon! Let's take these guys!"

Koutetsu smiled and followed after Ember, with Ghost-Wing and Jaguar following right behind.

Switchblade saw his soldiers being taken down and smiled. He kicked Batman and tossed Runner against him.

"Nice night for a run, eh, gents?!" Switchblade turned on his heels and raced away from the area.

"You're letting him get away?!" Ghost-Wing shouted, angrily, as they approached.

"Oh, right!" Runner yelled back. "Because you were doing so much better than us until we got here!"

"Not now!" Batman grunted as he ran after Switchblade with the others following suit.

They raced across the streets, dodging the heavy traffic along the way. It was clear his destination was the construction site. Batman considered telling the others to circle around but he couldn't help but think Switchblade was leading them there on purpose, with the exact route in mind. He was using every bit of his speed to stay ahead of them but in their line of sight.

'Something's going on,' Batman thought, 'and I wanna know what!'

A few minutes later, Switchblade crashed through the barricades of the construction site and hurried inside. The team ran to the opening Switchblade just made and stopped.

"He wants us in there," Runner noted.

"Yeah," Batman grunted.

"Plan of action?" Koutetsu asked.

"We're going in," Ghost-Wing declared. "You guys can do whatever you want."

"Wait!" Batman held his arm out, blocking Ghost-Wing's path.

Seething quietly, Ghost-Wing glared at Batman. "I'm not part of your cult!"

"Will you just listen for a minute? You said, yourself, Switchblade runs a lot. So, why would a guy who runs a lot … run where we can see where he's going?"

Ghost-Wing paused then sighed.

"We do this together," Batman ordered.

"Ugh!" Ember grunted. "With them? Seriously?!"

"Em…"

"Yeah, yeah! Fine!"

"Should we split up?" Runner asked.

"Oh, hell, no!" Batman replied, immediately. "We are not giving them a chance to pick us off one at a time. Let's not split up, gang!"

"Heh!" Ember chuckled, softly.

"How did I not know you were gonna make a Scooby reference?" Runner asked.

"How long have you known me? That was your own damn fault." Batman looked back at the site. "Let's go."

The heroes carefully entered the construction site, keep their heads on a constant swivel.

"You haven't talk to your grandfather yet, have you?" Runner whispered to Ghost-Wing.

"He's been calling but I've been busy," Ghost-Wing whispered back.

Runner just shook his head, disappointedly.

"So, I guess…" Jaguar said, quietly, "you guys were right about Switchblade."

"Duh," Ember mumbled.

Ghost-Wing exhaled, ruefully. "His real name is…"

"Conner Childs," Batman interrupted. "We know."

"He's been working as a mercenary for four years," Koutetsu added. "Thought to have died just over a year ago."

Ghost-Wing looked at them all. "How fast did you put that together?"

"Somewhere around the time he said, 'Hi! I'm Switchblade,'" Batman answered.

"He never actually said those words, specifically," Runner joked.

"I am this close to punching you in the teeth!"

"Oddly specific, Batman," Koutetsu noted.

"It might be the only way to get him to shut up!" Batman grunted, causing Runner to softly chuckle.

The group came to an open area in the construction site that opened up all the way to the top of the structure, which was domed off with steel beams.

"Well, look at this!" Switchblade shouted.

The heroes looked to see Switchblade sitting on the edge of a jutted-out steel beam.

"We got the whole group here!"

"Childs!" Ghost-Wing shouted. "What the hell is going on?!"

"Just thought you'd like to get ready for the next stage of this game!" Switchblade smiled.

Batman's mask sensors beeped. His eyes widened. "Oh, shit."

"I see them, too," Runner whispered.

"I hear them!" Koutetsu declared, quietly.

The heroes looked around to see four people standing on the beams above them.

"Slaaaaaaaag…" Batman groaned, drolly.

"Oh, I don't like this…" Ember grumbled.

"Childs?!" Ghost-Wing, angrily and confusedly, asked Switchblade.

Switchblade smiled and stood up on the beam. "Let me introduce my associates." He motioned to a woman dressed in blue leotard and leather jacket, "This is Killer Frost."

Killer Frost sneered at them.

"That's Tremor."

Tremor dropped down from the beam, causing the ground to shake a bit. He was a well-toned man, dressed in black pants, boots, and a tank top.

Switchblade pointed to the next person, "My good buddy, Bulletstorm."

Bulletstorm, a large, muscular man wearing combat gear and a bandanna, drew two magnum-styled, laser handguns.

"And last but most certainly not least… She-Bat!"

She-Bat reminded Batman of the files Bruce showed him of Man-Bat. Except she was dressed in a tight singlet, covering her torso and legs. She spread her wings and let out a painful screech.

Jaguar slammed her hands over her ears, dropping to the ground and screaming in pain.

"JAG!" Ghost-wing yelled.

"EMBER!" Batman shouted.

"RIGHT!" Ember wasted no time in unleashing two torrents of fire. Tremor dodged one while Frost negated another with a blast of ice.

"Oh, bitch!" Ember grunted.

"MOVE!" Batman ordered.

Koutetsu rushed at Bulletstorm, who opened fire immediately, causing Koutetsu to use his bokuto to deflect the shots. Runner turned his attention to Tremor, Batman went after She-Bat, and Ghost-Wing hurried to the other beam and faced down Switchblade.

"What the hell is this shit, Childs?" Ghost-Wing asked. "Since when do you have a team?"

Switchblade smiled. "Since the check cleared! And trust me… it was a nice check!"

The battle went on and Switchblade and the others noticed, while Ghost-Wing and Jaguar, who was still a bit disoriented by She-Bat's scream, were sticking to their standard fighting styles, Batman and his team were adapting any way they could. Soon, Ember and Koutetsu switched opponents to change things up; Batman and Runner did the same not long afterward. After a few minutes, Batman and Runner managed to stun She-Bat and Tremor enough to rush for Switchblade.

"Nope!" Switchblade declared. "Not doin' this today!" He pulled out his phone and hit a button.

The top of the site exploded, and an armored truck flew in, lowering down toward the group. Half a dozen armed soldiers rushed out of the truck and opened fire on the heroes. Jaguar was grazed on the arm by laser fire, but Ember grabbed Jaguar and pulled her behind cover. Runner kept trying to fight but Bulletstorm and the other soldiers held him back. Ghost-Wing kept trying to fight Switchblade but was getting overwhelmed. Batman rushed over and tackled Ghost-Wing out of the way of the laser fire. Koutetsu charged his ki and swung his bokuto, surging a gust of wind. It blew some of the soldiers back, but Killer Frost summoned an icy mist, that covered the area. Switchblade and the other elite soldiers, hurriedly, boarded the armored truck and it lifted up to the top of the site. Batman and Runner chased after it, but, once the truck was clear of the site, the afterburners activated and raced off.

Batman and Runner watched the airship, with Koutetsu, Ghost-Wing, and Ember who was carrying Jaguar joining them a few seconds later. They watched the armored truck activate a cloaking device, disappearing in the sky.

"That's really gettin' on my nerves!" Ember gritted as she laid Jaguar down.

"I second that," Runner concurred.

Koutetsu walked over and began checking on Jaguar. "She okay?" Ember asked.

"She should be fine in a few hours," Koutetsu answered. "I don't see any external damage, save for the laser hit. No evidence of internal damage that I can see."

"Jeez," Jaguar growled. "I can't believe I got hit!"

"She-Bat's scream left you disoriented. It happens. Even to the best of us."

"Since when are you a doctor, Koutetsu?" Ghost-Wing asked Koutetsu.

"I actually received my nurse's license two years ago." Koutetsu looked at Batman, "What's next?"

Batman exhaled. "We're done for the night." He turned toward Jaguar. "Get her to Site Black. It's close, and it's as close as they're getting to any of our bases."

"Good call, boss," Ember agreed.

"You agree with anything he says," Ghost-Wing groaned.

"Hmm. You're right! I do. Now, why would I do that? Maybe it's because he knows what he's talking about and you dumbasses don't!"

Ghost-Wing groaned.

"But, I don't agree with everything. I said I should set you both on fire 'cause you're jackasses, but he said 'no'." Ember looked at Batman. "You did say 'no', right?"

Growling, Batman threw his head back. "Yes, I said 'no'!"

"Dammit…" Ember griped. "I'll go with Koutetsu to take 'em to the Site."

"I'm going back out," Runner informed. "I wanna see if I can pick up any kind of trail."

"I'll go with you," Batman volunteered.

"No. You're good for the night, Bats. Go home. Rest up. Get ready for the next round."

"Why are you giving him the night off?" Ghost-Wing asked. "It's his city. His fight."

"You don't get it, do you?" Runner asked. "It's my city, too." He pointed at Koutetsu and Ember, "And his and hers. It's our city." He looked at Batman then back at Ghost-Wing. "And he's dealing with more than he should right now."

"The arrogance of Batman has always been he could handle Gotham on his own. That's his problem."

"I came here to help that."

"You came here to get your mind right after White Rose died," Ghost-Wing countered. "You should've gone back to Paris and leave this city to him."

Runner glared, stoically, at Ghost-Wing. "Well, I didn't." He motioned to Koutetsu, "Neither did he." He pointed at Batman, "Because we have his back. Always."

"Agreed," Koutetsu added.

Batman smiled.

Ghost-Wing shook his head. "Can we just go to this Site Black or whatever it's called?"

Batman held his fist up. Runner smiled and bumped fists with Batman.

"Go home, Batman," Runner advised. "We'll handle the rest of the night."

"Thanks," Batman nodded. "All of you, be careful, no matter where you go. If tonight proved anything… it's that this is just getting started."

A/N: So! Bane has employed a few supervillains. An Elite, if you will, and, yes, that is another wrestling reference.

Hopefully, the next chapter will be out a lot sooner than this one. See you all soon!