The batcave was a very dark place. There were special platforms for the batmobile and the batwing, which were separated in diverse spaces. Batgirl had known this place for a lot of time, but every time she entered the batcave, she felt as if it was the first. The couples of ladders were not big enough to frighten her. What always surprised her were the black colours that Bruce had chosen for this place; the many corners in which he trained, worked on his armour and equipment (even though Lucius Fox took care of most of it now) and investigated on his computer.

"Haven't you thought about upgrading the place?" Barbara asked, hiding a smile.

"I don't think the term upgrade is what you mean. If a nuclear bomb exploded, the batcave would be the safest place in the United States."

"You're right. How about remodelling, then?"

"I don't have time to lose with that. The batcave is literally a cave. Alfred and I just needed a place where to hide all this stuff. We were lucky to find one under my mansion."

Barbara sighed and nodded. They approached the batcomputer, in front of which Bruce sat down. She stood next to him, crossing her arms and looking at the immense screen. She had always been good with technology. Maybe not as much as Lucius Fox, but she had been helpful to Batman for a couple of times already.

"Where is…?"

"Bruce." Nigthwing walked to them and smiled at Barbara. "The Joker was right. Scarecrow designed this toxin. It looks as many others he had created before. Thankfully, we have always been able to stop him."

"This time should be no different, then," Barbara said as she tightened her right fist.

"Don't take Scarecrow too lightly, nor the Joker. They are both dangerous men, if they can still be considered as such."

"If they couldn't, you would have already killed them," Dick observed.

"You're right," Batman said as he tapped on the batcomputer. "Hand me the toxin. I want to check something."

Dick obeyed and gave him the sample. Barbara raised her eyes to the screen right when Grayson placed himself at her side. She did not enjoy closeness with him. They were mates and partners, but Barbara knew that Dick felt something for her. She had noticed it since the first glance they had shared. Of course, she had to admit that he was quite handsome, but that did not mean that she wanted any kind of romantic relationship with him. Her eyes were placed on another person.

"Are you listening to me, Barb?"

"Huh?" She had been too lost in her own thoughts. Bruce was looking at her, waiting for a reply. Then she digested his words. "I mean, no! If my father had found a clue about the toxin or where it is fabricated, he would have told me or shared it with you. I know my father, Bruce. He's loyal to you."

"I know him well, too. That is why I thought he could be hiding it to protect his family." Bruce put his hand on his jaw. "If he doesn't know where Scarecrow got this medical supplies from…"

"Logically, he should have got them from the Gotham Hospital, right?"

"Yes," Barbara said. "We even know Harley Quinn could have handed him them because they work now together. But that would mean that…"

"If Harley was the one to supply Scarecrow with the ingredients of his toxin, that means they have been preparing this for a long time. That means also that this must be something big. Very big."

"We have to find Scarecrow." Nightwing frowned and looked at Bruce. "I can do it. I can take him down if I have to, too."

"Are you asking me for permission?"

"Of course not." Dick laughed. "I'm just trying to relieve you."

"Very well. Go on, then. Contact me as soon as you find out anything."

"What about us?" Barbara asked as Nightwing departed.

"You and I are going to visit the Joker. I don't like leaving him alone with your father at the GCPD."

"Master Bruce." Alfred's voice came from the elevator, which was now open. "Won't you stay for a coffee?"

"No, Alfred. We must leave at…"

"Then I suppose you will ask me to have Miss Kyle dismissed?"

"No need to rush me out, Alfred. I can take care of myself alone."

The voice came from the ceiling, if the rocks on their heads could be called as such. The three of them raised their eyes and met a beautiful silhouette dressed in black leather. Her face was not hidden under a mask. Kyle wore a sort of helmet which did not seem as hard as Batman's.

"Wait, isn't that Catwoman?"

Barbara opened her mouth, shocked. Kyle laughed and jumped in front of them. She looked at Batgirl and studied her. Barbara felt naked and vulnerable. What was really freaking her out was seeing that Bruce wasn't even surprised to have a stranger in the cave. Was she a stranger, actually?

"Selina," he said.

So he knows her! Barbara thought to herself.

"Who is your friend, Bruce? A new girlfriend, perhaps?"

"I'm Barb…"

"She's no one." Bruce passed across the two women as Alfred smiled and started rearranging the place. "What are you doing here?"

"I need you to return me the favour."

"What favour, Bruce?" Barbara asked.

"None of your business. We're leaving at once."

"No, you're not!" Selina blocked the path.

"Selina, not now. Gotham depends on us."

"I don't care about the city. I care about my reward."

"OK, will the two of you tell me what happened?"

Selina looked at Batgirl and then back at Batman. She started laughing, as if someone had said something funny. Batman sighed, clearly frustrated. He always was worried and in a hurry. Barbara had asked him a few times to calm down and take things less seriously, but it had always upset Bruce. He only thought about his job, his "holy crusade".

"Your friend apprehended me a few days ago. After having some dirty talk," Selina smiled as she noticed how Batgirl's expression hardened, "he asked me to hand him to the Joker. The clown has been paying me for a while. I came to Gotham City because I expected to find something, but for that I needed money."

"I thought the Joker caught you willingly," Barbara said as she looked at Bruce.

"He did," Bruce replied.

"You could have told us."

"I didn't want you to know because that would put the operation at risk. I hoped the Joker would not find out that he was going to fall into a trap, but he must have understood it or…" He looked inquisitively at Selina.

"Hey, I didn't sell you out. I'm always on the winner's side, Bats."

"That's exactly what worries me."

"Anyway, what about my reward?"

"What did you promise her?" Barbara asked.

"He told me he'd help me find what I was looking for."

"I know what I told you, Selina, but I can't fulfil my promise now. You will have to wait."

"I've waited many years for this, Bruce. I can't…"

"Help us and we will give what you want tonight," Barbara stated.

"Batgirl…"

"I have already helped the both of you, little girl."

"I'm not a…"

"I think Batgirl is right," Alfred said as he suddenly appeared. "If you help them, you might get what you want sooner."

"Are you kidding me?"

"I'm just sharing my opinion with you, Miss Kyle."

"Alfred is right." Bruce nodded. "If you come with us, you could get what you seek in the way. I believe we will visit the place soon enough."

"What place?" Barbara asked.

Selina sighed and thought about it. She was not convinced about the idea. She would prefer stealing rather than helping a vigilante protecting the city he was born to. She had nothing to do with that conflict. Nevertheless, Batman could truly help her get what she wanted, what she had always craved for. She supposed that it was reason enough to risk her life. She needed that sample…

"Well, lead the way, then."

"Really? That's it? You complain a lot and then…?"

"I didn't ask you to question my reasons, little girl. This is your last chance to keep your promise. Otherwise you will have a tough woman to fight."

"Deal."

For Bruce, that was enough.

[…]

The Gotham City Police Department was far away from Wayne Manor. Bruce drove the batmovile while Batgirl and Catwoman sat in its back. They could see absolutely everything outside the car, and their belts avoided them from crushing themselves on the windows.

They entered the police's building by the garage, where Bruce stationed. The site was well armoured and protected. There were a few policemen sharing words and drinking coffee. When they saw the two vigilantes and the criminal walking at their side, they straightened and moved their hands at their temple. Batman, Batgirl and Catwoman ignored them.

Gordon received them soon enough. He looked at Selina and raised an eyebrow, but he did not say a single thing in front of her. Batgirl had to walk behind her father and her master, far enough not to listen to what they were talking about. Selina took advantage of that moment to laugh and mock her.

"I would like to see you fight. I bet I could beat you."

"I'm not so sure about that," Batgirl replied.

"You aren't intimidating. Many may think that you couldn't hurt a fly."

You don't know how wrong you are, Selina Kyle, Barbara thought as she smiled this time. She was the one holding an advantage. If Catwoman wanted to underestimate her, she would face an ugly surprise.

"Right, what now?" Gordon asked. He was upset.

"Now, we will interrogate the Joker. We need to locate Scarecrow and his toxin."

"I don't like this, Batman. I will let you and your new friend take care of the matter."

"Send your men to the hospital. I want it surrounded at any means."

"The hospital? Why…?"

"Just do it."

Gordon sighed, but he eventually resigned and headed back to the headquarters.

"The hospital? That's where I need you to get my…"

"Don't worry, Selina. I won't betray your trust as long as you don't betray ours."

I don't like her at all, Barbara thought.

"Well, let's get this over with."

Batman opened the interrogation room where the police held the Joker.

"What in…?"

Two dead policemen.

The Joker was gone.