Chapter Four

I'm in . . . I'm in space?

My head is pounding even as I blink my eyes open and register a black sky out a metal-framed window and pinpricks of what must be stars and the feel of cold steel under my hands and under my head.

And then I sit up too quickly and nearly pull my arms out of their sockets. I'm shackled to a metal slab, wrists pinned to the table - like a bad cliche from a horror movie.

"You are Annie Simon?"

I snap to attention as a voice rings out clear in the sterile environment - to my right is a beautiful dark-haired woman wearing the best Wonder Woman costume I've ever seen and - that is Wonder Woman, isn't it?

And she's waiting for my name.

"Who's asking?" I reply instead, because I sure as hell don't feel like telling her anything. She kidnapped me. She tied me down to a metal table.

I don't have time to fangirl about one of the most inspiring women in the universe. Her face is impassive and she seems to be frowning, and I'm totally not panicking.

"We have some questions for you."

"Who's we?"

"Where were you the night of the Gotham-Metropolis Earthquakes that -"

"Like seriously, does Batman know I'm here?"

Because seriously, I doubt he'd be okay with other supers in his territory.

"You're the one in trouble here and you had better start answering my questions."

"Look it won't happen again, can I just go home?"

"So you admit to-"

"Seriously, does Batman know I'm here?"

Wonder Woman is frowning at me like I've disappointed her.

"Do you know who Batman is?"

"Answering a question with another question isn't very nice, you know."

"I asked you if you were Annie Simon first and you answered with a question, so I thought it was fair game."

Damn. She's good. But I suppose that's why she's called Wonder Woman.

The room we're in is free of decorations - almost like a prison - and I don't like it. It feels cold. And there's only one door in and out, which means if I have any hope of getting out of here - and my head is really having trouble wrapping around the fact that I'm in Space - then I need to start cooperating. Wonder Woman also looks like she's losing her patience with me, and I don't want to find out what happens when Wonder Woman becomes impatient.

"Fine. Yes, I'm Annie Simon. I was at home in my apartment in Gotham on the night of the earthquake, now can I go home?"

She looks as if I've just confirmed information for her, and her shoulders seem to become more rigid.

"What did you hope to accomplish by causing such destruction?"

Oh hell no.

"Nothing. I didn't know that would happen and it won't happen again."

"How can you be certain though?"

"You act like I'm only discovering these powers now, which is bull crap."

"And yet, you could not control yourself enough -"

"It was a one-off thing. I know why it happened and I'll pay better attention next time."

If there even is a next time. Jason has spent the past few nights in my bed recently, but we've just been curled up to one another. I think he knows I caused the earthquake - and fuck. This is so awkward. I'm talking to Wonder Woman about my sex life and -

"You do not know that. You are dangerous and need to be... trained at the very least."

"And once again I ask: does Batman know I'm here."

I stiffen after I speak because another two heartbeats have registered just beyond those doors - and someone else enters wherever the fuck we are and - that's Superman. Clark Kent. And a green man I recognize from my history books as the Martian Manhunter, who can read minds, I think.

And fuck this - all of this - this is - ugh!

"Batman is none of your concern. You caused a lot of damage you know, and if you don't know how to control it -"

"I can control it enough!"

"Obviously not if you -"

I destroy the shackles in response because I'm not about to sit here and -

"Excuse me, what do you think you -"

Superman, who seems to have lost patience with Wonder Woman steps forward and goes as if to block me from getting up.

"You made an earthquake and -"

"Like I told Wonder Woman, it won't happen again."

"But how can you be so sure? Do you know how much structural damage you caused? Because you didn't just hit Gotham, you hit Metropolis, too. You're too dangerous to just -"

"If I'm too dangerous than why am I here? You realize if I slip up, it's not just a little bit of shaking. We're in space."

"You'd die too."

Oh my fucking - this guy is shitting me, right?

"I assure you, we are being very serious."

The green guy has finally stopped being a fly on the wall - and how dare he listen in on my thoughts. What if he knows -

"Wonder Woman literally just told me I had shit control, so your argument is invalid. I mean, I know I can control myself, but you guys obviously don't believe that, or I wouldn't be here."

Superman looks like he's had enough of my bullshit, as he interrupts the Martian who was about to talk and scowls. "If your control is so good, why did you attack Gotham and Metropolis?"

This is even more awkward than having this conversation with Wonder Woman, because of course the Martian knows where my thoughts have gone - to the bed and the -

The Martian looks purple.

"Ah."

I look at the Martian dead in the eyes. "I didn't attack anyone. I didn't know that would happen, but now I do and like I said, it won't happen again. Stay out of my head."

"I believe I understand. Make sure it does not."

Both Wonder Woman and Superman turn to the Manhunter with incredulous expressions but he simply turns around and stares out the window. Into fucking space.

Wonder Woman turns to me. "What did you just think to him? He was as adamant as us about how dangerous you are."

"I know what happened to cause the earthquake. I'd never . . . I know better now and it won't happen again. The green guy just understood. Look, this is pointless. Just ask Batman and -"

"Batman insisted the earthquake was nothing. He just shrugged it off. Are you telling me he knew about you?"

Superman scowls and he looks super annoyed.

"I mean," I'm pretty sure I'm going to be in serious trouble with Batman in the near future. "Sort of. We don't really interact too much. He knows I exist. I know the boy wonder better than I know him."

They both stare and I try not to fidget.

"You know the boy wonder?"

"Yeah, well, I mean, I went to school with the second and then he - he died."

Here the martian turns back to me - as if knowing I've always known exactly who Batman is and - and shit.

The Martian is staring at me like I've grown two heads - like I'm more alien than him or any of his teammates.

Another door opens and suddenly I see Batman and Robin and - I'm completely terrified.

Is the Martian going to tell? Is . . .

"I told you I knew what was going on." Batman waltzes in like he fucking owns the place, and a small voice in my head whispers he probably does, and he's -

Have you thought of what the possible repercussions from your actions with the Red Hood?

What the hell? Was that - the martian?

Because it is not simply your consciousness I am sensing. It is faint, however . . .

What? What is he -

Is he talking about the before-Annie?

And then it clicks and I - I think I've stopped breathing - or if I haven't then my breath is at the very least super shallow. It feels like a bucket of ice water has been poured on my head - like that one ice bucket challenge.

"You kept her a secret from us, Bruce."

And they're just going on having a conversation like the Martian didn't just tell me earth shattering information. Is the Annie from before still here? Have I been devastating a nine-year-old dead girl?

"She doesn't want any part of the life. What was it she once told me…? She's not a superhero. She's just a -"

"A kid who didn't ask for any of this," I finish, interrupting Batman. Because I remember. I remember saying those words and now - fuck. I think - am I a thief? Is Annie still here? Are we two souls in one body? Is that what the other heartbeat is? A manifestation of -

"Just . . ." Superman looks so frustrated, as he shakes his head. "Just stay away from Metropolis."

"I didn't go there in the first place." I scoff as I hop of the table and storm past Tim and Bruce - Bruce who stays behind to talk to them and Tim who follows me.

"Hey, do you even know where to go?"

"I need to get out of here." I'm breathing too quickly, and I really need to slow down before I hyperventilate.

"Um - are you -"

"Get me out of here!" I interrupt. I interrupt, because I need to get out of here before I break something and end up ejecting us into space.

He gives me the side-eye but leads me to a tube that looks terrifying.

"I'll just need to temporarily key you in and then we can go."

He taps the computer some and then - "All set."

It's a nauseating way to travel, and I swear - never again. We end up in a nondescript alley in Gotham - because of course Batman would not make it so easy for the rest of the League to find his base of operations - and as I try not to focus on the putrid smell wafting to me from the discolored corner just past Tim - is that vomit? I think it is. Urgh - my own bile rises in my throat.

"Let's get out of here," I insist, heading out towards the street, only for Tim - stupid, annoying Tim - to pull me back.

"You don't look so good."

And then I can't help it -the smell and the - fuck.

Tim grimaces as I add my own vomit to the corner.

"That - doesn't usually happen."

"What was that -"

"It was a boom tube - it's a point-to-point wormhole that -"

I can't breathe. A wormhole? With me in it?

"Hey, are you okay? It's a perfectly safe way to travel and -"

"What were you thinking?! Why would you -" I can't even right now. "How did you even know where I was?"

"Jason came storming into the cave three hours ago about you being in space and abducted by aliens."

I try not to laugh at that, but I'm not successful.

"How did he figure that out? Because I sure as hell didn't until I woke up like ten minutes ago."

"He put a tracker on you." He points to the hair tie I have in my hair, and as I pull it off I scowl. Because of course there's another bug.

"Of course he fucking did."

"I mean, isn't that a good thing? That he knew where you were and was able to get Bats and I to rescue you?"

"I didn't need rescuing."

He's smirking, the little shit. "Sure looked like it."

"Yeah, well, I didn't."

"What did they even want?"

Hell if I know.

"They wanted to know about the earthquake I caused last month."

My answer seems to have shocked Tim because he stops in his tracks for a full two seconds.

"You caused that earthquake? Why?"

I try not to get too annoyed at his words, because let's be honest, I kind of brought this on myself.

"It was an accident."

"How do you accidentally cause an earthquake, it's not as if they're new powers, I mean -" He stops to think for a second "They're not new, right?"

At this point, I've about had it with this kid and all the supers wanting to know how I caused an earthquake. Which is why the next words that come out of my mouth are so crude.

"Look, I didn't know an orgasm would do that. I wasn't prepared and it's really none of your fucking business."

He's all red now, it's almost funny. Almost - because even thinking about that night right now is making it a little difficult to breathe and -

"Orgasm?"

Well at least he didn't choke on the word, and even as I feel the heat rise in my cheeks, I keep my face mostly blank.

"Jason knows what he's doing, at least."

There - Tim just started coughing.

"Anyway, I've been meaning to ask you about how you wiped my computer."

The kid looks so funny right now - like he doesn't want to think about me having had an orgasm while sleeping with his 'brother', but also intrigued that I'm asking about one of his gadgets, and not sure how to handle the topic whiplash.

"Why do you want to know about it? You trying to hack into Wayne Enterprises again?"

He's staring at my face as we walk down the street to - surprise surprise - a motorcycle.

Why do all the bats love their motorcycles.

"I told you already - that was practice. I've got bigger fish to fry."

"Oh no you don't. This goes both ways, you want something you have to -"

"LexCorp." I regret saying it as soon as it's out of my mouth, but oh well. "Lex Luthor paid Falcone to kill my mom, after having already made my life difficult with whatever he did to me to make me this way. I need to get into his computer system. I was just wondering what kinds of gadgets you have that would make this easier."

Drake still looks annoyed and he stares at me for a good ten seconds before he sighs and clambers onto his bike, scooting forward on the seat.

"Well, are you coming or not?"

The ride to the cave is interesting. We take back roads, and at least this time I can see where we're headed.

I'm also given the opportunity to think a lot, which is not such a good thing, I think. Because I'm thinking about what the Martian Manhunter said and about that night and -

The ride to the cave is mostly quiet, but the second we enter the cave, I can hear yelling and -

"This is fucking ridiculous! I should be out there!"

"Calm down, Jason."

"Don't tell me to fucking calm down!"

"Look it sounds like someone is here, so -"

I suppose they heard the sound of the bike - and as soon as we get to the main room, Jason has pulled me off the bike and has his hands wrapped around me and -

"What are you doing?"

"I can't fucking let you go anywhere can I?"

I will admit, it's getting old all this fainting. I obviously need to eat more.

"It's been a crazy week, I'll give you that. Can you let go of me, now?"

Jason seems to realize he's squashing me to his chest and at my words seems to tense and pull away.

"Yeah. Sorry."

"So where is this device, Tim?"

While I've been smothered by Jason's hug, Tim has hopped off the bike, walked past Dick who is smirking - but still obviously disgruntled that Jason had yelled at him.

I briefly wonder how long Jason has been yelling at Dick, but get distracted by his arm still wrapped around my waist.

"Right over here!"

The clanging of metal reaches my ears, and I can only assume Tim is rummaging through some kind of bin, which is honestly unacceptable. Do they not have a system of organization? What if they need something right away?

"So aliens abducted you?" Jason mutters and I tilt my head up to stare into his face - he's really tall . . .

Looking away, I turn back to Dick who is staring at us and smirking. It's actually really annoying, I'm tempted to say anything to get him to stop.

"Nah, it wasn't aliens. Just the Justice League."

"What?"

Dick and Jason speak at the same time and I can't help the smile that pulls at my lips.

"Jinx. You both owe me a soda."

Dick laughs, but Jason just scowls.

"What? It'll help with the throwing up too. You know, Ginger Ale, I'm told, really helps settle the stomach."

Nope. He's still scowling.

"What do you mean it was the Justice League?"

Tim is back by now, holding what looks like a regular computer chip - and the bastard answers. "They were questioning her about the orgasm-induced earthquake."

I'm going to kill him.

I'm going to jail for it, but I'm killing that little -

"That's all?"

I turn to stare at Jason whose face isn't even fazed. It occurs to me that he must have known I caused the earthquake. Is that why he stayed away for a little over a month and hasn't tried to recreate that fantastic amazing night since? Because as nice as it's been, heavy petting doesn't cut it all the way.

Tim looks so annoyed, as if he'd been hoping Jason would get embarrassed and Dick looks much too pleased.

"They could have just asked, they didn't have to kidnap her. And why the hell wasn't Bruce involved? He -"

He is interrupted by the sound of another motorcycle. The Batman has arrived and everyone is quiet while he removes the cowl - that must be super uncomfortable - and stares at all four of us.

"They should be leaving you alone now. I explained some things."

Batman is staring at me now and saying nothing. It's unnerving how much he's staring - as if I'm about to go on a rampage or something.

It's unnerving as hell and only interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing - I really need to put this thing on silent.

"Sorry," I mutter as I try to find my phone - but find nothing.

"You left it in the apartment," I hear, looking up and seeing Jason holding my phone out for me.

"Thanks," I say, taking the phone and answering the unfamiliar number. "This is Annie."

"Annie, my dear! It's so good to hear from you!"

And of course it's fucking Lex Luthor. I mouth his name to Jason who seems to tense up and the others frown in confusion.

"This is twice in one week. This is well over your quota."

"I'm hurt you think I would requisition my care for you to a quota," he says, and the sickly sweet dialogue makes me want to hurl. "I was hoping you had considered our generous offer regarding this weekend."

I glance at Jason who shrugs and I stare at Tim who's writing on a notepad.

YOU NEED TO FIND A WAY IN - TO PLUG THE CHIP INTO THE MAINFRAME IF YOU WANT IT TO WORK.

And fuck.

I stare at them for a good thirty seconds and then ask Luthor, "Can I bring a Plus One?"

Luthor's voice is clearly surprised as he responds. "Of course! That's wonderful! I can have a car sent over -"

"That won't be necessary. I'll see you Saturday next."

I may need this invitation to get more information, but I sure as hell am not about to get in a car driven by one of Luthor's minions.

"If you're certain. I look forward to our-"

"Yeah, whatever, bye."

The bats are all staring at me.

"What?"

"Why was Luthor calling you?"

Batman asked that question and I don't want to explain, not really.

Jason starts massaging his nose - right between his eyes and the others stare at him.

"You want to tell them? Cause we can just head home."

And now the others are staring at him.

"Home?"

Dick has an infuriating smirk on his face. I'd rather talk about my powers than my somewhat-relationship with Jason.

"When I was nine years old, I was in a car accident with my dad. Luthor was a drunk driver. My dad died and I was a vegetable. My mom signed some forms and Luthor had to pay all my medical bills. But I was practically dead. So he gave my mom a choice - a 'chance' he called it. I don't know if he actually thought it would work. But it did. But I couldn't remember anything and - and I got powers out of it, I'm pretty sure. Luthor seems to think he should be allowed more access to me because of it, I suppose."

They all look as if that all makes sense, but I don't think they understand quite how dangerous Luthor is to me and mine.

"He paid Falcone to kill my mom."

Tim's eyes widen and Dick looks taken aback.

"So are you trying to kill him?"

That's Batman this time. And I want to say yes. I do want Luthor to die.

"I mean, if that happens I wouldn't be heartbroken." Batman frowns, and out of the corner of my eye, I can see Jason step forward as if to protect me. "But I'd rather just ruin his life and business."

Now Jason is staring at me.

"With people like the Joker and the crazies of Gotham, yeah - just taking everything from them won't make them any less dangerous - it would probably make them more dangerous. But Luthor is a product of his money - the whole reason he's so dangerous is because of his resources. He was a drunk driver and he killed my dad - but because he had money, he wasn't charged with vehicular manslaughter. And then he's made my life hell too - with money. Do you know what Falcone said it was? A business transaction. My mom's murder was a fucking business transaction. So if Luthor dies, I won't be heartbroken. But I want him to suffer first. And he loves his money after all."

Jason crosses his arms next to me, and I don't know if he's smirking or not and -

"Tea, Master Bruce?"

Of course. The butler. And there are cookies on that plate. I want some . . .

"We'll talk about this more later."

"Yeah, yeah," Jason says, taking my arm and taking me toward his bike, but Bruce stops him.

"No, take the Jaguar."

Jason frowns. "I don't need your charity."

"It's not for you." Bruce is staring at me again. "A car is safer than a motorcycle."

Jason frowns but takes one look at me and nods, taking the keys that are tossed to him and muttering under his breath the whole time.

Hey all! GlidingOne here. So the interlude for this part - you know, how Mary Simon had an Interlude in Part 1? - well it's at over 10,000 words and still not done just yet. Because it's very long. Spanning both parts. And will begin at chapter 7 if you want it in here.

So we have a couple options, and I would like your input.

Option 1 - all in one chapter, imbedded in the story. The original plan.

Option 2 - in multiple chapters, imbedded in the story. Still close to the original plan, but more reasonable in terms of chapter size

Option 3 - every interlude as its own separate story (because this is not the last interlude and at least two others have already been started and planned).

Option 4 - all the interludes bundled into a story of just interludes.

Let me know by either reviewing or shooting me a PM!

Best,

GlidingOne