Chapter 6

Smooth Criminal

And here is the sixth chapter! I hope you'll enjoy it, it was a bit more difficult to write, so don't hesitate to tell me what you think.

The title is from th

As a reminder, Selina is kept hostage and Bruce is in another location with the twins and just got chained.

Chained…He was chained for Hell's sake!

The door was locked and it was only now that Bruce noticed he was in a bathroom. A bathroom? A mattress and a cover had been put in here, but otherwise, it was still a bathroom, with a tub, a toilet and a sink. Bruce sat and breathed in deeply. Of course, it made sense, they told him they would keep prisoners in here, and if for some reasons, they wanted to keep them for some times, a bathroom was perfect. Hygiene and water wouldn't be an issue at all that way. If there was a mattress, it meant those people were important for something too, otherwise, the twins wouldn't have bothered with that. Maybe it was the people they kept to allow Jeremiah to experiment on them.

Bruce soon noticed the dried blood: it was in the tub and around it. They told him it was no torture room, but he doubted it. And if it wasn't one, then it was an execution room. Was that a way to threaten him?

He had to free himself; he could easily pick up the lock on the shackles. He had little tools for that on him, just…Wait…Where were those? Where were his tools? Oh hell! He started to understand: the twins knew him well; they knew he could pick up locks easily. What if they took whatever he had in his pockets? Yes, he had nothing left; his light grenade was also missing, as well as his keys. It troubled him to think the twins had searched over his body and clothes while he was unconscious. But now, it wasn't worse than what happened between them. God, now that he thought about it, his parents would really be ashamed of him. Kissing two criminals and even finding enjoyment in it.

He didn't do that move out of lust, sure, he only wanted to manipulate them and keep some control in that situation. Maybe his parents would have understood, but how could he explain the pleasure he felt once he did it? Selina would be disgusted too, as well as Alfred.

Taking a deep breath, he straightened his will: he had to find another way to escape he couldn't brood and all when Selina was in danger. He started to search in the room for anything which could help him but he didn't find anything at all. He soon understood that his only solution was getting the twins to free him. Well, that was possible. He rubbed his eyes; he was starting to be cold because of the lack of sleep. He didn't want to sleep while one of his friends was in danger, it would be just…Wrong. Yet regaining some energy could only help, staying awake and getting exhausted wouldn't do any good to help Selina.

He didn't want to lie on the mattress though, not knowing how many people slept on it, dying people maybe. He laid on the ground and closed his eyes. He thought of the cultists who tried to kidnap him yesterday. "They want you." "You were a gift for them." A gift! Those words were really deranging because of everything it implied. Anyway, Jerome and Jeremiah had no problem getting what they wanted. But now, keeping was sometimes more difficult than obtaining.

They will not keep me long!

He eventually fell asleep, and had nightmares of people dying. It was a soft voice which awaked him.

"…something wrong with you?"

His eyes fluttered, he slightly shook his head and saw Jeremiah above him. He immediately propped himself up to sit, facing his captor who was crouching at his side. Jeremiah sat Indian style and looked at him with interest.

"Why are you sleeping on the ground? There is a mattress."

"Try to guess; you're a genius, aren't you?"

"I don't have time for that. You want to be released from those, don't you?" He murmured while touching the shackle around his ankle.

"Of course I want to. By the way, what did you do with my stuff? You know, what you stole from me while I was unconscious."

"Try to guess, you're clever, aren't you?"

Bruce huffed at this. Of course Jeremiah wasn't about to tell him. "So, what do I have to do to be released? You wouldn't talk about it if it wasn't a possibility."

"Well, I must admit the possibility of keeping you like that would be thrilling."

"You don't want me to be your pet, and you know it."

This made Jeremiah laugh: "You would make an awful pet surely. One that would bit…But now, Jerome doesn't hate that."

"Indeed, what will it be?"

"I want you to give me information about Wayne Enterprises, more exactly about the Wayne Tower."

Bruce gaped. "You seriously expect me to accept?"

"Well, considering your situation, it would be your best option."

This wasn't good, he couldn't do that. Not only it would be bad for the company, the one his parents gave him, but more importantly all the employees inside could be injured or killed. He didn't know what Jeremiah's plan was but he was absolutely sure there would be victims. He had to find a way to stop this as soon as possible. He shifted a bit.

"You surprise me, I didn't think you would ask something like that. What could you want in the Wayne Tower? Does it have something to do with your virus?"

"I'm always happy to surprise you," Jeremiah simply stated. He wouldn't answer those questions. But well, he had to go on.

"And why do you want me to help you? I would have think you would do that by yourself for the sake of the challenge."

"Oh, but I didn't choose the easy way! Getting the very stubborn CEO in my clutches and getting him to talk isn't exactly easy. And…" He got closer to Bruce: "This is important to me, and that's also why I want you to tell me. I want to hear it from your lips."

Titling his head a bit, he observed Jeremiah's face and saw his dilated pupils. He knew what it meant: he wanted him right now. Leaning forward, he bit his lip:

"You know as CEO, I had to learn something important: negotiations."

"It doesn't fit you to be a businessman, Bruce. It's petty, you're made for greater things." The slight tremor in his voice didn't go unnoticed.

"We'll see if I'm that bad at negotiating." The way he had murmured that was enough to make Jeremiah's lips twitch into the ghost of a grin. Bruce approached him closely and went on: "You don't like it when I bit your lips, but I know you enjoyed seeing me biting Jerome's neck. Maybe we can get a taste of that."

With that, he slid his head toward his captor's neck and started to bit gently. Although Jeremiah tensed he didn't stop him; instead, he sighed while his hand went on Bruce's back. The teen's left hand went under Jeremiah's shirt, caressing the skin before planting his nails into it. His other hand roamed gently, grazing merely. Jeremiah gasped but still made no move to stop him, shifting his position and embracing Bruce instead. The boy bit harder and Jeremiah held back a moan. It was so good; the biting itself wasn't that exciting, but it was so enjoyable because it was Bruce who was doing it, it was his teeth sinking into his flesh, sucking on it now, tasting him...Jeremiah's lips went to the teen's ear and he nipped at it. Something almost animalistic stirred, it was almost devouring, falling on him and enveloping him.

The teeth retreated and Jeremiah blinked, a strange sensation of cold passed through him as he started to get out of his daze. He forced himself to slowly but firmly push Bruce away. He felt even colder when their bodies parted.

"Almost. But I'll need more to change my mind. If you're such a good negotiator, show it."

Bruce sighed and suddenly put a hand on his own stomach while bending slightly.

"You're hungry, aren't you? Guess it's time for breakfast," Jeremiah stated. "At least for the two of us, don't know when Jerome will wake up."

"What time is it?"

"8 am."

With that, he left and Bruce opened his hand with hope. In his palms was a set of small keys. Negotiations were one thing, but sometimes pick-pocketing was much more efficient!

He tried a first key, then the second and the shackle opened. He smirked as he went to the door: it wasn't locked, Jeremiah probably didn't see the use for that. Yesterday, they were vigilant, but now he could fell they dropped their guard. He didn't want to fight the two of them at the same time, there was a risk one of them could call their goons and tell them to hurt Selina.

He heard sounds coming from the kitchen. It was a blessing he knew how to walk silently, he could even beat Selina when it came to stealth. As he was walking he spotted his chain. That would be useful. He got it without a sound. Jeremiah had his back to him, preparing breakfast. It was almost weird to see him like that.

Jeremiah was thinking about a lot of things, he tried to remember what Bruce liked to eat and what he could do with him today. There were many fun things he could try with him. As he was breaking a egg to prepare an omelet, he heard a slight move behind him. Instincts alarmed him, but too late. He felt something metallic being wrapped around his neck. His brain automatically registered the chest pressed against his back, and the pain in his neck. He kicked the kitchen's counter to try to take Bruce off balance.

He sent his elbow in the teen's side, trying to get him to release him. Bruce grunted almost released him but held on. Jeremiah kicked the counter again, but to make noises this time. He had to alert Jerome! His twin had to wake up and know he was in danger!

He struggled and elbowed Bruce again but his lungs became more and more painful, his vision started to blur and his head turned. The teen pulled him away from the counter, trying to stop him from kicking objects. Jeremiah's body felt weaker and weaker, his knees abandoned him and he felt himself falling. The metallic pressure around his neck disappeared but he fell on the ground. Pain and then darkness followed.

Bruce was panting, he looked at Jeremiah who was now lying on the ground, unconscious. He heard footsteps and just had the time to turn round to take a punch. He yelped and backed away to avoid the next one. Jerome looked furious, and hell, he knew how dangerous it could be.

"You're gonna pay for that! And your girlfriend too."

Bruce dodged the next blow and sent his chain in Jerome's face before kicking him. He made the chain roll around his fist again. The redhead grunted and punched him again, and seized Bruce's fist as the teen went to punch him as well. He punched him in the ribs and pushed him against the wall.

"That time, I'm gonna give you a lesson you won't forget Bruce!"

Bruce's forehead hit Jerome hard, making his head snap back. Bruce sent his knee up in Jerome's side before punching him in the plexus. The redhead blocked the next blow but hit the table behind him. Bruce threw himself at him and pushed his back against the table.

"Don't make promise you can't keep!"

Jerome suddenly kissed him, taking him by surprise and bit his lip. Bruce instinctively pulled away, allowing the redhead to get free. He pushed Bruce again before kicking his side hard and threw himself at him to make him fall. Jerome straddled him and tried to get hold of his wrists.

"Maybe I will take what I want by force, this time!"

Desperately, Bruce punched him the eye with the chain-fist. Jerome yelped in pain and Bruce sent his knee in his side as violently as he could while punching his eye again. He managed to make Jerome roll on the side but the redhead tried to get hold of him again. Bruce backed off and stood up, only to be mimicked by Jerome. The teen blocked the next punch, and hit him hard in the face before kicking the back of his shin. Jerome lost balance and Bruce kicked him strongly.

Another kick in the face followed, finally knocking him down.

Panting heavily, Bruce sighed in relief as both twins were now on the ground, completely K.O. He went to search for another pair of handcuff and for something which could keep the brothers asleep. Dragging Jerome away from his brother, he handcuffed him to the heater before handcuffing Jeremiah to the fridge's handle. Then, he dampened a cloth with what he found: diethyl ether. He made both of them breathe it, Jeremiah was actually starting to get conscious again. He wouldn't take any chance.

After taking his stuff back, his knife and his tools to pick up locks, he left the place quickly. On the way, he called the cops, he had to make sure they would come before they escaped; otherwise it would be dangerous to everyone. Although he didn't like that, he 'borrowed' a motorcycle to go to their other lair. Too bad for the one who would miss it but he wouldn't lose any time.

Parking in a deserted alley, he found the most discreet way to get into the building where Jeri's bar and the twins' other lair was. Bruce sneaked in easily. He found the door again, and prayed Selina was still here. He put his ear against it, and listened. No sounds.

Pushing the door as silently as he could, he first took a peak and saw her. She was handcuffed to a heater, her mouth had been tapped. He opened a bit more and checked out again. As she noticed his presence her eyes widened and she made a nod before giving a nudge in the direction of the other room. Got it, they weren't here. Bruce immediately went to her, moving silently and used his tools on the handcuffs. He noticed she had a bruise and her nose was bleeding. They would definitely pay for that!

Once the handcuff were done, she took off the tape and rushed to grab her whip again.

"You're okay?"

She opened her mouth but suddenly pushed Bruce away and sent her whip at one of the goons standing there. Bruce saw the whip getting around the man's neck and Selina pulled violently before rushing toward him to kick him in the chest.

"What the hell…"

This time, Bruce turned round to see two other goons. They went to rush toward the table where their guns were but Bruce put himself between them and hit one of the guys. The second was about to hit him when Selina's whip struck him. She didn't get his neck this time and Bruce slammed the guns away from the table, far from the guy's reach. The two guys backed away from Selina's reach.

"Came to save your girlfriend?"

"We're leaving now," he declared.

"You will have to get through us!"

"You got no guns this time," she pointed out.

"We got our fists."

The teens exchanged looks, both had little grins dancing on their lips. They both rushed for their opponents. After the Valeska twins, those were actually easier to beat. They didn't really have any technique, unlike Bruce and Selina. Bruce's one ended up slamming the wall violently while Selina's one got several whiplash and a good punch in the face. She hit him several times again, avenging herself from the blows she previously received when they ahd knocked her out.

"Selina, let's go!"

Reluctantly, she listened to him, knowing it was still risky to stay here.

"We got our fists, what a joke," she sneered while leaving.

"Come on, let's call the cops!"

The next hours were more than agitated. After all, it was a big day for the police: they found two lairs belonging to the Valeska twins as well as the prototype of a virus. And all of that thanks to an anonymous call!

From the rooftop, Selina and Bruce were discretely watching the police arresting cultists and inspecting everything. Checking his phone, he saw that both the twins had been found in their lair. Bruce sighed in relief: they were finally free and the twins got arrested! Selina looked relieved too, and satisfied for getting to beat those guys. She still smacked Bruce on the shoulder.

"What the…"

"Next time, just stay out of it!" She exclaimed

"You would rather have a deadly virus spreading over Gotham? You're not immune to diseases, you could have caught it."

She didn't reply anything and rolled her eyes: she hated it when he was right.

"I won't call you for help next time," he simply said.

"Oh, don't try that card with me, you know I'm willing to help."

"Then don't get mad at me."

"Seriously, Bruce, you're not the police, you don't have to do this."

"I'll do it anyway."

"Why?"

"Why don't you try to start an honest life?" Asked he

He surprised her with that question and he went on: "You gathered money now, you're not just a thief hardly surviving. You got a club and an associate; you could get a new start and stop stealing. But you still do. Why?"

"Because that's who I am, you…"

"Yeah, exactly." He interrupted her. "And you won't let anyone stop you. The same goes for me."

She couldn't reply anything at this. Sadly, it seemed to be true, Bruce might have been naïve when he was young, maybe he still was, but he had never been a normal kid.

"And it's in the twins' nature to be crazy and obsessed with you," she concluded. "Seems like none of that crap will be over soon."

That was right and he knew that. As he looked up at the sky, he remembered how Jerome had caught him and howled at the moon, saying it reminded him of Thriller.

"They will tell what happened, you'll have to explain to the cops why you went solo."

"No, they won't. They don't like having the police involved between the three of us. And they won't want them to know we managed to overcome them."

"Well…I guess you know them better than I do. Just be more careful next time."

They smiled to each other and kissed. It was weirdly soothing to kiss her after what happened between him and the twins.

O o O

Alfred had been mad at Bruce when he came back; thank God he had been able to put on a turtleneck before he could see the biting marks. He didn't want Alfred to know too much. Alfred forbad him to go out for the next days and though Bruce wasn't happy of it, he begrudgingly accepted (he could still sneak out if something happened anyway). He trained all morning, so much that his body was even sorer and some of his cuts reopened. Once Alfred noticed he was bleeding, he told him to study instead. After all, he still had much to learn.

It was while he was studying about mental illnesses that he received the visit of Jim Gordon.

"Bruce, how are you?"

"Detective? I'm fine."

"I have to tell you something: the Valeska twins got arrested yesterday. But I guess you know that already."

Bruce nodded: "It was all over the News."

It seemed like he didn't know it was he who called, but it was what he told Selina: the twins didn't tell. Maybe because they didn't want the cops to know Bruce had been able to play them out, but there was another reason. They wanted to keep the cops out of their business. They didn't want them to interfere in their confrontation; to them the cops were pests. And pests had nothing to do in their business.

"Indeed. But, what they don't know already is that they broke out."

"Seriously?!" He just gave them the twins on a plate and they couldn't even keep them?!

"I know, this is bad news. They spoke of you, they said they would go after you, which isn't really surprising. Bruce, you must be prepared to anything."

"I'll be, trust me."

That mess wasn't over indeed.

Now, I hesitate, I don't know if I should continue or stop here, leaving it as an open ending. Tell me what you think, if you want to read more or if you think it should stop here.