Martin held the back of his arm against his mouth as he coughed from the debris in the air. His hair, face, and clothes were covered in dust. He stumbled forward and almost lost his balance. Voltess' board hovered next to him.

"Voltess!" He shouted out. He looked around as he went into another series of coughing fits. No response and no other signs of life in the rubble.

"Voltess!" He yelled at the top of his lungs. Silence. That was the only thing Martin heard in response. No…Voltess can't be dead…she can't be.

Martin fell to his knees as a look of despair and grief spread across his face. Voltess had saved his life…but at the cost of her own.

4 Days Earlier…

I sat on the edge of the docks by the warehouse that I use to call home. I had my legs over the edge and I had my body leaned back with my arms holding me up. I had watched the sun rise into the sky bringing in the new day. I had gotten a text from Bruce saying he was back and headed my way. I'm happy he's keeping his word about telling me. I thought I was the only one in the relationship that kept a big secret, but he does too.

I heard the sound of a car engine approaching. I didn't bother to turn around or even look. I already knew who it was. I heard the engine cut out followed by a car door opening and closing.

My ears picked up the sound of all too familiar heavy footsteps. Bruce said nothing as he sat down next to me and looked out to the water himself. You could feel the tension in the air between us.

"How'd you sleep?" He broke the silence.

"I didn't. I was too busy looking into the Joker. I pulled up old newspapers and broadcasts. I was reading into them all night. The clown's a sociopath." I heard Bruce sigh.

"What else did you look up?" He asked. He seemed hesitant to know the answer.

"Batman vanished for three years after Joker was locked up in Arkham." I turned my head slightly to look at him from the corner of my eyes.

Bruce downcasted his eyes and hung his head, "I…I had a really hard time after Rachel's death. I refused to put the suit back on until part of my past showed up in Gotham." I frowned and fully turned my head to him.

"What part of your past?" Bruce looked at me.

"The start of Batman. I told you that I left Gotham for years. I traveled across Europe and Asia and learned everything I could. I was found by a man named Ra's al Ghul. He led an assassin organization called the League of Shadows. That's how I learned the things I know now as Batman." Bruce explained.

"The League of Shadows? That's what they called themselves? Sounds like a role playing group." A small smile broke out on Bruce's face.

"I thought we were being serious?" He mused.

I held my hand up, "Right, sorry. Force of habit. Continue." Bruce chuckled and kept the smile on his face. The air was lighter around us now.

"Ra's al Ghul trained me as his student until one day he said I was ready to become a full member. Only thing was that the graduation ceremony was for me to kill a man. You know my one rule, Mel." I nodded. He had told me about that long ago. Batman would absolutely beat the shit out of somebody but he doesn't kill.

"I refused and I managed to get away and set fire to their monastery. I, unknowingly at the time, saved Ra's al Ghul's life. He followed me to Gotham and we eventually fought. That time, I didn't save him and he died in a crash. Years later two other former members of the League of Shadows appeared. Bane and Ra's daughter Talia al Ghul." I noticed Bruce moved his hand behind his back. He did that either on purpose or subconsciously.

"A woman, a thief, named Selina Kyle set me up to go after Bane. I lost that fight and I ended up in a pit with a broken back." My eyes widened hearing those words.

"I'm sorry, what?! He broke your back? How are you alive? Hell, how can you even walk?!" I exclaimed in disbelief. The way Bruce moves as Batman, you'd never think that this man had his spine broken at one point.

"It was a grueling five months to get out of that pit, Mel. It wasn't easy but it made me stronger. I got out and went back to Gotham. Selina helped me take down Bane and Talia and I faked my death. I'm sure you can find plenty of papers on that." I groaned and rubbed my face with my hands.

"What is it with people and faking deaths? That's happened to me twice before with people I know. You make the third now." My voice was muffled by my hands. First with Coulson then with Fury.

"I did it because I planned on passing down the mantle of Batman to somebody else, Mel. I was done." I frowned and tilted my head in confusion.

"But you're Batman now…what happened?" Bruce shrugged.

"Old habits die hard. After I faked my death I chose Blake to be the next Batman. I turned my home into Gotham's new orphanage and Selina and I left for Europe. We lived together in Florence for a few months." I narrowed my eyes on him.

"Let me get this straight. Selina is the one that betrayed you in the first place and ended up with you in a pit with a broken back. Pardon me for being a bit confused that you suddenly got into a relationship with this woman and lived with her in Italy." Bruce chuckled and gave me an amused smile.

"It was…complicated to say the least. She wanted a fresh start and I thought I wanted one too at the time. I thought my days as Batman were over, but one night in Florence changed my mind. I stopped one robbery and like I said. Old habits die hard. I got back into vigilantism. I tried to keep it a secret from Selina but…" He trailed off.

"She found out and I'm guessing she wasn't happy." Bruce shook his head.

"She was most certainly not. We had a big fight that day. You remember when you told me you and Ryan weren't going to work out?" I nodded.

"How did you come up with that decision?" I gave a puzzled look at him. How did this relate to anything?

"Huh, we had two completely different plans for our lives. He wanted to settle down in one place and start a family. I, on the other hand, didn't want to be tied down. I still wanted to see the world and travel. That's why I had taken that job back then because it required me to go to different locations. Ryan didn't want that. That's when I knew we would have never worked out and he knew it too. We both called it quits after that."

Bruce gave me a fond smile, "The same thing happened to us. With this fresh start, Selina wanted to settle down and start a family. It was the first time she brought it up. That's when she told me she loved me…and that's when I realized that I didn't feel the same way towards her. We broke off on not so good terms. I moved back to Gotham and she stayed in Florence."

"What happened then?" I urged him to continue.

"I had the penthouse built, Alfred came back, and I reclaimed the mantle of Batman. Blake became Robin and we were partners up until four months ago. He wanted to protect more than just Gotham and I wasn't going to stop him. I thought I was done with having a partner then a month later…you showed up." Bruce's fond smile turned into a loving one as he looked at me.

"So, I have a question. What makes me different from Selina? It sounded like you were in a semi-serious relationship with her. At least serious to her that she was considering wanting to start a family with you." Bruce turned so one leg rested against the concrete and he could face me fully.

"I still wasn't over the feelings I had with Rachel when I met Selina. I did care deeply for Selina but not like how I did with Rachel. Rachel was my best friend growing up and she held a special place in my heart. I think at that time, I wasn't ready to let go of her just yet. Alfred believes I unknowingly used Selina to get over my grief of losing Rachel." Now it made sense. I mirrored Bruce's position as I turned to him.

"Selina was your rebound relationship." Bruce nodded with his lips pressed in a firm line. Bruce slowly reached out and gently placed his hand on top of mine. I could still feel that spark whenever he touched me. Even after two months.

"Then you came along. You were a complete mystery to me and one that I wanted to figure out. The more I discovered about you the more I began to realize how much you reminded me of myself. I found myself falling for you and falling fast. You came at the right time of my life when I was ready to open my heart to somebody else. I love you, Mel…and I'm sorry that I didn't tell you any of this sooner. I should have been honest with you the same day you were honest with me about your life." His hand gently squeezed mine.

"Well, I know now. That's what matters." He began to lean forward and I copied his actions. Our lips melding together in the middle.

We broke off the kiss but kept our heads together, "Believe me when I say that you do know me, Mel. You don't ever have to doubt that. I've been the real me the entirety of the past two months we've been together." Bruce whispered in assurance.

"I believe you." Bruce caught me in another chaste kiss before pulling back. He tucked my blonde hair behind my ear.

"Let's head home. We both need to get some rest." I nodded and he stood back up. He offered his hand to me and I took it. He pulled me up with ease and led me to the silver Lamborghini.

My eyes fluttered open as my body slowly woke up from sleep. I heard a familiar heartbeat in my ear and a heaviness on my waist. I currently had my head resting on Bruce's bare chest with my right arm lazily draped over his midsection. He had one arm relax on my waist while his other arm hung slightly off the bed.

I lifted my head to view the clock on the nightstand that read 2:34pm. I slept the whole morning and part of the afternoon. It's a good thing that I don't have to worry about work so much now. Mr. Fox had told me at some point to not worry about calling him anymore if I couldn't make it. He knew my alter ego took precedence over the normal mundane life of Melody Moser. He'd cover for me as needed just as he did for Bruce.

I looked over at Bruce who's eyes were closed and his head slightly turned to the right. I lifted my right arm off of him and gently grabbed hold of the wrist of his arm that was on me. I looked over at his face again to make sure I wasn't waking him. I carefully lifted up his arm with some difficulty and rested it on the bed. I pushed myself up with my left arm seeing as I was laying on it. Just as I was about to sit up I suddenly felt my arm get swept from under me.

I fell back into the bed and Bruce was no longer under me. He was now staring down at me while holding himself up with his arms. He had a mischievous smirk on his face.

"Where do you think you're going?" He asked playfully. I huffed at him, he did this kind of thing a lot. It was hard to tell if he was actually asleep or not anymore.

"Getting out of bed." I stated. Bruce hummed and wedged his left arm between me and the bed around my waist. He used that arm to pull me down slightly in the bed so our bodies lined up. He moved his right arm to be resting on his forearm instead of his palm.

"You were going to leave me alone in this bed again?" He leaned his head down and began to plant kisses along my jawline.

"What else would I do after waking up?" I countered. I tilted my head back as he trailed the kisses down my neck.

"I have an idea what we could do." He said with an emphasis on the word 'we'. He leaned back up and captured me in a heated kiss. I placed my hands flat on his bare chest. I lightly trailed my hands down with my fingers feeling the outlines of his muscles and scars.

I let small sparks come from my hands. I felt his muscles twitch from the sensation and a moan came from the man above me. He broke the kiss and he gave me a look full of desire and lust. I remember when I first discovered that. It was an accident but I like the reaction it would get from him. So I would do it from time to time.

Without warning I felt him press himself against my lower half. The action caused me to arch my back against him and a moan to come from me. Bruce smirked at the reaction and leaned down next to my ear.

"Did you still want to leave?" He whispered huskily in my ear.

"No." I whispered back.

"Good." He began to attack my neck with kisses and occasionally his teeth nipped at my skin. He removed his arm from underneath me and I felt his finger hook onto the hem of both my pajama shorts and underwear underneath.

He began to pull both items of clothing down while continuing his assault on my neck. I lifted my lower half slightly to aid him in removing the articles of clothing. I used my legs to bring the clothing further down and off.

Bruce ceased his attack on my neck and melded his lips back with mine. I trailed my hands down to the hem of his boxers. He took the hint and helped pull down and discard the clothing. He broke the kiss and sat up to quickly grab my light blue tank top and pull it over my head. He threw the top somewhere on the bedroom floor.

He bent down and continued where he left off. His hands began to roam around my body and mine did the same on him. I let sparks come to my hands again. I felt Bruce's body shudder under my palms. He let out a growl and grabbed my wrists with one hand and pinned them just above my head.

Bruce bucked his hips forward and I moaned at the feeling of him. He released my hands and I immediately wrapped them around his neck. He began to set the pace and I felt his hands rest on my hips to keep my lower half on the mattress. I crossed my legs around him to try and feel more of him.

Bruce placed his head at the crook of my neck and groaned at the feeling. He increased the rhythm and my back arched as he added power to each thrust. He moved to a slightly different angle thrusted forward and hit that spot he had discovered some time ago. His lips caught mine to muffle the moan that followed from me.

I was beginning to feel light headed as my body was begging for release. From Bruce's gradually increasing speed he was getting there as well.

Bruce pulled back just to thrust back at the same spot as before. Another muffled moan came from me and my body clamped up as I finally got the release I was wanting. Bruce separated from the kiss and groaned feeling my muscles clamp around him. He moved his hands from my hips and wrapped them around underneath me and pulled my body flush against his. He bucked his hips forward and I arched against him and dug my fingers into his back. He let out a grunt and held himself there. I could feel him twitch, signaling his body had given into his release as well.

Both of us were breathing heavily now. Bruce met back at my lips and placed a loving kiss.

"I love you." He whispered.

"I love you too." I said back.

He let go of his grip around my waist and pulled out as he rolled onto his back. I turned to my side and cuddled up against him. He put an arm around me and kissed the top of my head.

"You like zapping me a little too much, Mel." He brought up. His chest still heaved as he tried to catch his breath.

I chuckled and looked up at him, "Do you want me to stop?" He looked down at me with a raised brow.

"I never said that." He clarified. I grinned and leaned up and captured him in a kiss. I placed my left hand on his cheek and I could feel the stubble underneath my palm. We laid there just lazily kissing each other until a knock sounded on the bedroom door.

"Master Wayne?" I heard Alfred's muffled voice through the door.

Bruce broke the kiss and sighed, "Yes?" He called out.

"You and Miss Moser will want to see this. Joker has made his first move." Bruce and I looked at each other in alarm.

"Give us a minute, Alfred!" Bruce said as he got up. I followed suit and began to dress myself for the day. I finished up by zipping up my jeans and Bruce walked out from the walk-in closet buttoning up a shirt.

We both made our way out of the bedroom and walked into the living room where Alfred was standing. He gave us a solemn look before turning to the tv.

On the screen was a very shaky cell phone video. The video was showing a random woman tied to a chair and a gag in her mouth. Her mascara was smeared, her cheeks red, and her eyes bloodshot. My hands clenched into fists.

"Hello again, people of Gotham. It's been a while but it's great to be back!" The laughter that followed made a chill go down my spine. I glanced at Bruce and his whole body was now tense.

"A lot has happened in this city in just the span of a couple months. A little bird has come back to roost."

"He knows Robin's back." Bruce muttered.

"How?" I asked. Bruce glanced at me before back at the screen, "Because he was with me last night." Robin had joined Batman last night?

"But the most interesting one of them all…is Gotham's latest symbol of hope. Voltess." The phone was turned around and showed Joker's face.

I took a step forward and tilted my head slightly, "This is meant for me." I said in a hush tone. Joker's message right now is meant for Voltess to answer.

"If you're anything like your bat friend, Voltess, then I know you're watching this right now. I've heard plenty about you. You're a freak just like Cyclone and just like me." Another laugh rippled from the Joker.

"The public loves you so far but let's see how long that lasts, shall we? I have a track record with symbols of hope and ruining them. Let's see how you play, Voltess. This lovely woman here," He turned the camera back to the hostage before back to himself, "Will be dead within the next twenty-four hours." Muffled cries could be heard from the gagged woman.

"That is unless you agree to have a little chat with yours truly, Voltess. You have until this time tomorrow to respond. I'll call you and you will only have five seconds to pick up the call. If you don't…" The sound of a gun went off and the woman's muffled scream was heard again. Joker's laughter was heard again before the video stopped. The news anchor was back on the screen before Alfred turned it off.

"How on earth do we know where he'll be calling from?" Alfred asked.

"Knowing him, we won't know until the last minute." Bruce stated.

"No." Bruce and Alfred looked at me, "Somebody does know. Ryan." Bruce gave me a hard look.

"If you're meeting with him then you're going with comms. I can't physically be there but I'll be listening. This isn't negotiable, Mel." Bruce said with a strict tone.

"Fine, get me the comms then because I'm leaving now." I could see Bruce's jaw tense. He really didn't like this idea.

I pulled up my bike in front of the old abandoned mansion from yesterday. I put the kickstand up and turned off the ignition. I took off my helmet as Ryan appeared in the doorway of the front of the mansion.

I set my helmet down on the seat and made my way towards Ryan. The small earpiece was currently in my right year. It was small enough so Ryan couldn't see it. He'd be livid if he found out Bruce was listening.

"Are you ready to play with your new friend, Mel?" Ryan asked with a coy smirk.

"I don't have much of a choice. A woman's life is on the line." Ryan rolled his eyes.

"It must be exhausting being a hero. Constantly worrying about others' well beings. The only people I have to worry about are me, myself, and I." Ryan gestured to himself.

"Well the pay's not great but it's rewarding." I joked.

"Oh spare me the wisecracking humor. Why are you here, Mel?" Ryan demanded. My face turned serious.

"Same reason why I was here yesterday. What's Joker's plan? I know he told you. You know where I'm supposed to pick up that call tomorrow. Tell me where." I demanded.

Ryan's teeth clenched, "You've got a lot of nerve to be demanding things here, Mel. I don't have to tell you anything." He argued.

"I'm not leaving here until you do." I argued back.

Ryan took two threatening steps towards me, "Then you'll be here for a while because I am not saying anything. Let the bitch die, it's not like you know her." Without warning, I slammed my fist into Ryan's face. The hit sprawled him on the ground with blood now trailing from his nose.

"Atta girl." I heard Bruce's voice in my ear. I know he heard the punch and I would bet money he had a proud smirk on his face.

Ryan held his hand to his face and pulled it back to look at the blood. He glared daggers at me and I watched him as he slowly got back up.

"Don't…do that…again." He warned.

"Don't piss me off and I won't." I fired back at him.

The two of us exchanged heated glares, "You're really not going to leave until I tell you?" He asked.

"You should know how stubborn I can be." Ryan forced a chuckle.

"Does your billionaire boyfriend know where you are?" He asked.

"He does."

"And he doesn't like it." I heard Bruce's voice chime in. I know Bruce would rather be here in person with me but there's no way I'd be able to talk to Ryan otherwise.

Ryan looked at me before opening his mouth, "Tell you what, Mel. I'll make you a deal. You stay here for fifteen minutes and I'll tell you what you want to hear. The next time you want info on Joker I'll tell you what you want but the time will increase another fifteen minutes each time."

"No deal." Bruce's voice practically growled in my ear.

"Deal."

"Mel!" Bruce exasperated.

Ryan grinned, "Be sure you explain this deal to Wayne when you get back. Let me know how he reacts."

"Angry right now. Mel, I don't like this." I had to hold back an eye roll. I already knew Bruce was going to hate this.

"Fifteen minutes starts now, Ryan." I ignored both Bruce and Ryan's attempt at getting a rise out of me.

"You're not as fun to be around as you use to be. What ever happened to Melody Moser the Stormchaser? She did what she wanted when she wanted it. She didn't follow the rules and didn't give a damn about what people thought of her." Ryan shook his head, "Now all I see is Voltess and she's the exact opposite of all you once were."

"That was almost six years ago now. People change, Ryan. These powers that I got required that change. I can't be that person you described anymore. Being a hero changes you, not that you would understand that." Ryan glared at me.

"I don't understand? These powers changed me too, Mel! Do you think I enjoy having to constantly keep my body from disappearing into thin air?! My very being is so unstable that if I don't control it I will cease to exist!" I stared at him slightly wide eyed and mouth ajar.

"What?" I whispered.

"Never forget, Mel. You did this to me. You ruined my life." Ryan said lowly. I felt a twinge of pain and guilt in my chest.

"Don't listen to him, Mel. It wasn't your fault. He made those decisions…not you." Bruce's voice gently said into the earpiece. Bruce is right. I had been beating myself up for years because I blamed myself for what Ryan had become. I was the one that wanted to go out into that storm but Ryan never attempted to stop me. He could have refused to go back out to the storm but he didn't. What's happened to Ryan is ultimately his own fault. Not mine.

"No, Ryan. I didn't. You didn't stop me or disagree when I wanted to go out in that storm. You could have refused to go back out there when the boss wanted you to. Those were your choices and those choices led up to the event that "ruined" your life as you put it. Just like how you made the choice to use your powers to harm. The choice you made of taking away the lives of others. None of what happened to you is my fault. It's all yours." I argued.

Ryan stepped dangerously close to me. His eyes were glaring daggers at me, "Watch what you say or el-"

"What? You're going to kill me? Go ahead. Do it. Kill me." I challenged him.

"Mel what are you doing?!" Calling out his bluff.

Ryan's jaw tightened and his upper lip twitched. His fists shook from anger but he made no move towards me. I knew it.

"You always threaten me with those words but you never actually attempt to." I shook my head, "You don't want to kill me, Ryan. No matter how many times you say it. You don't mean it or want to."

Ryan said nothing and started to back away. He turned his back to me and headed for the doorway. He stopped and I could see his fists unclench and clench again.

"Joker was going to trick you. There was never going to be a call. That woman is going to die regardless. You and your boyfriend better get to it if you want to save the life of one stranger." Ryan left without a word.

"Head back to the cave, Mel." I turned around and walked back over to my bike. I picked up my helmet and swung my leg over. I turned on the engine and put on my helmet. I kicked back the kickstand and took one last look at the abandoned mansion. I released the throttle and the tires spun and moved as it tried to get traction on the loose gravel.

Batman and I waited on one of the many rooftops of Gotham City. Sunset had passed hours ago and the moon was now high in the sky. We had figured out a plan but we were currently waiting for part of the plan to come to us.

I heard a popping sound followed by a clang come from behind us. I turned around in time to see another figure land on the edge of the roof. The figure stood and I could almost barely make out what he was wearing.

A black mask worn across just his eyes, he had a cape that was a dark yellow on the inside and black on the outer portion, green long sleeves and gloves, red armor around his chest with a yellow 'R' on the left, a utility belt around his waist, black pants and boots. So that's how Robin dresses huh?

"You're late." Batman scolded. Robin pointed at Batman as I hopped down onto the roof.

"See what I mean now, Voltess?" I stifled a chuckle which earned a side glare from Batman himself.

"Do you have it?" Batman got straight to the point. Robin held up a flash drive.

"Took longer than expected to swipe it from the news station. That's why I'm late." He tossed the flash drive and Batman caught it with ease. Batman turned to me and took a couple steps forward. He held the flash drive to me.

"Can you pull the data from this without a computer?" I smirked and took the drive from him.

"What do you think?" I sent a jolt to the flash drive and the hologram on my left wrist popped up. The image was the recorded video that Joker had taken. Robin's eyes widened.

"Uh…how did you just do that?" He stared at the hologram in shock.

"It's hard to explain." I said and began to go through the video.

"Okay, then can you answer exactly what we're looking for?" Robin asked and looked between the two of us.

"Let's see how you play." I quoted Joker, "That's what Joker said in his message to me. I found out from Cyclone that Joker never intended on a call. He wants to see if I'll play his game by waiting on his call or will I play my own way and rescue the hostage."

"So you think he left clues in the video on how to find her." Robin deduced.

Batman nodded, "Joker may be crazy but he's clever and he likes to play sick games."

I furrowed my brows as I caught a glimpse of something. I paused the video and rewound it back. I paused the video at a point when Joker was turning the phone around. It was fuzzy but it looked to be blue spray paint on a brick wall.

"Athena, can you enhance that image?" I called out to my AI. The image on the hologram zoomed in and slowly the pixels began to clear up.

"That's the best quality I can get, Mel." Athena's voice sounded from my control panel.

"It kind of looks like a drawing or graffiti?" I said as I looked at the weird symbol. Batman tilted his head and a look of realization came to his eyes. He turned around and walked to the edge of the roof.

"What's going on in that head of yours, Batman?" Robin asked.

"I've seen that symbol before. It's not graffiti, it's building code." Batman stated.

"Building code that stands for what exactly?" I asked.

"Demolition." Batman walked back over and pointed to the hologram screen, "Those numbers are a date for when the building is to be demolished."

Robin's eyes narrowed through his mask, "According to that date, it's tomorrow."

"Athena, pull up any buildings in Gotham that are scheduled to be demolished tomorrow." The video disappeared and a map of Gotham pulled up. Three blinking red dots popped up on the map.

"There's three buildings scheduled for demolition tomorrow."

"Three buildings, three of us. That can't be a coincidence." Robin said warily.

"It never is. I'll take the building to the south, Robin you take the west building, and Voltess you have the northern building. We're possibly walking into traps. Keep your guard up." Batman ordered. The three of us took off to the directions assigned to us. Robin began to run over the rooftops to the west. Batman had jumped off to glide towards the south. I threw out my board and jumped onto it and flew off to the north.

I could see four heat signatures from my thermal vision in my lenses. I couldn't tell if any of them were the hostage or if I had the wrong location. If they were all Joker's guys then taking on four of them at once was a joke. The irony was not lost on me.

I quieted my footsteps as I neared the other side of the door where the heat signatures were. I canceled the thermal imaging and night vision was back up. I unclipped one of my magnetic disks from my belt and hovered my hand over the door knob.

In one quick motion, I opened the door and skidded the magnetic disk along the ground. I sent two rapid fire bolts. One at the disk and the other to the men's guns. The assault rifles were forcefully ripped from their hands. Their heads looked at me stunned. Their faces wore the same style of make up as Joker.

"Did I spoil the surprise party you guys had planned for me? My bad, though to be honest with you. I'm not a fan of surprises." I quipped and walked into the room. The four men tensed up and pulled out knives from their pockets.

"Oh, is it a knife party? That's too bad, I left mine in my other suit." Two of the guys charged at me. I grabbed one of the men's wrist and stepped to the side to dodge the other man's knife.

I elbowed the man's guts and immediately brought my fist up to hit him square in the nose. He lost his grip on his knife and I then threw him towards the guy behind me. The two of them collided and fell to the floor. I quickly arched my body back as a knife was thrusted in front of my face. I grabbed his wrist with both hands then jumped up with my ankles going around the man's neck. I turned my body and forced him to fall to the ground with me.

I rolled over to the side and got up to block a kick aimed for my head by the fourth guy. I gripped his show in my gloved hand and moved his leg up to make him lose his balance and fall down. I then shot electrical streams to all four of them with both hands.

I magnetized the metal on them and jumped backwards as the men suddenly got pulled together by the metal. I stood over them as they were clumped together and unable to use their strength against the strength of the magnetism.

"Hostage isn't in the northern building." I said into the comms.

"She's not in the southern one either." Batman's synthesized voice came through the earpiece.

"I got her. She was in the west." Robin's voice came through seconds later. I felt a wave of relief wash over me. We got her. She's safe.

"Get her to safety, Robin." Batman ordered.

"I'm calling Gordon now. He'll take it from here. You guys might want to split. GCPD will arrive any minute." Robin advised.

"Got it." I turned heel and headed for the door. "This is only the beginning, Voltess!" I stopped hearing one of the men.

I looked over my shoulder, "Bring it on then." I responded and walked out the door.

"I am not looking forward to whatever Joker has planned next." I said as I held a scotch glass in hand. I was currently sitting at the bar height counter of the penthouse. After today, I needed a drink and Alfred was more than happy to break out some whiskey.

"I have confidence that you, Master Wayne, and Mr. Blake will be able to handle whatever that clown throws at you. The Joker may be targeting Voltess specifically but she is not alone." I gave a small smile to Alfred.

"Thanks Alfred." He smiled and nodded. I heard the secret door to the Batcave open and Bruce walked out. He just finished changing out of the batsuit. He noticed the scotch glass in my hand. He let out a sigh and sat down in the barstool next to me.

"I'll take a glass, Alfred." Alfred and I looked at him in shock.

"Wow…that says a lot if the Joker can make you drink for the first time in almost a decade." Bruce gave me a look of exasperation.

"Seeing him again is bringing up bad memories." Alfred grabbed another scotch glass. He put some ice cubes in it before pouring the whiskey. He handed the glass to Bruce who immediately took a sip. I could see him wince slightly from the burn of the alcohol.

"I still want to know why he's targeting me. From what I've read he's obsessed with Batman so why change his focus?" I pondered and looked at my glass.

"Probably to get under my skin." Bruce guessed bitterly and took another sip of the whiskey.

"Mission accomplished there." I muttered under my breath. I took another sip of my own whiskey. I didn't miss the dirty look Bruce sent my way.

"What? It's true." Bruce rolled his eyes and leaned back in the barstool.

"She is right, sir. I think the Joker wants this reaction from you. He wants to get under Batman's skin." Bruce gave both of us an annoyed stare.

"I liked it better when it was just one Alfred." He muttered under his breath. He set down his glass and stood up from the barstool. I frowned and blinked several times. Was that supposed to be an insult…or a compliment?

"I prefer to be called the voice of reason, sir." Alfred commented back snidely. He looked at me with a grin and winked. I chuckled at Alfred's comment and looked over at Bruce. My grin dropped seeing his mood still sour.

"Can you give us a minute?" I whispered to Alfred. Alfred's eyes glanced at Bruce and he noticed his as well. Alfred nodded and walked out of the kitchen/living room area.

I set down my glass and got up. "Are you okay?" I asked gently. Bruce had his back turned towards me. He wouldn't turn around even as I got closer.

"I'll be fine." His voice had an edge to it. I grew a concerned look on my face.

"Bruce, talk to me." I reached my hand out and just as my hand made contact with his arm he immediately pulled away. A look of hurt replaced my concerned one.

"I said I'll be fine, Melody." My shoulders slumped hearing him say my full name. He only did that when he was angry. He was shutting me out and putting up those walls I had seen so long ago now. I had a feeling I knew what this was about. Joker brings back a lot of bad memories for Bruce. Including the worst one for him.

"This is about Rachel…isn't it?" Bruce's body stiffened hearing that name.

I let out a sigh, "I know whatever I say it won't make it better. You're hurting right now and that's okay. You might be Batman but you're still just as human as the rest of us, Bruce. I'll leave you alone." I whispered. I turned to leave but I felt a hand grip my wrist.

"Don't." I turned my head to Bruce, "Don't leave me alone." He pleaded quietly. I could see the hurt and pain in his eyes.

I turned my body back to him, "I won't. Is there anything I can do to help?" I didn't like to see him in this state. I wanted to take away that pain.

Bruce grabbed my other wrist and gently pulled me towards him, "Help me forget the hurting I'm feeling. I want to feel something other than that." I nodded and he leaned down and melded his mouth onto mine. His arms wrapped around my frame and my hands laid flat on his chest. The kiss was filled with urgency and want from Bruce.

I kissed back with the same force as him and I scraped my teeth on his bottom lip. A groan escaped from him and he effortlessly picked me up with one arm supporting under me. I wrapped my legs around him and I felt him start to walk.

He walked into the bedroom which was completely dark. I heard the sound of the door close behind us and I soon felt the soft sheets on my back. All the while neither of us breaking the urgent kiss. I was glad that I could at least help him forget the pain for a moment.