Thoughts

"Speech"

Disclaimer: DC and DBZ belong to their respective owners; I own nothing.

Chapter 4: Ivgene Clan II

Inside Club Vesuvius, Gotham

Following their conversation Selina had vanished into the crowded club. The Saiyan's eyes had darted around hoping to spot her, but locating no trace of the jewel thief. She was good...very good. Being a former commander of a battalion Bardock had been required to learn tracking skills. Evading his detection meant Catwoman had, minimally, years of experience doing this sort of thing. Being left to his own devices the Saiyan decided to take Selina's suggestion to heart. Shuffling his way over to the edge of the dance floor, Goku's father got a closer view of the music that had so greatly intrigued him.

Observing the dancing couples with great spectacle Bardock couldn't help but feel a tad envious. Merriment such as this was a rare and fleeting occasion on Vegetasei. Celebrations were reserved almost exclusively for victorious battles. Even then Saiyans did not celebrate like this. Intoxicating themselves with nearly poisonous amounts of alcohol was the typical way a Saiyan chose to celebrate. Dancing such as this was a scoffed at idea in the average Saiyans mind. It was beneath them. The occupants of this club were more festive than Bardock had been during the days of his children's birth.

But as the music grew louder Bardock couldn't help but ponder joining in. The rhythm and melody of the music was begging, pleading, tugging at the Saiyan to join in. But Bardock had no experience in situations such as this, dancing was not his forte. He was a warrior, a proud one at that. What use did a soldier have for dalliances such as this? If Toma could see him now he would...

"Are you going to stand there all night or are you going to dance?" Bardock's reverie was broken as an inquisitive voice called out to him from behind. Even with the club's speakers blaring, Bardock was still able to distinguish the distinctly feminine voice. Pivoting on his heels the Saiyan came face to face with a fiery haired woman.

She was tall, for a woman at least, standing just an inch below the Saiyan's nose. Her outfit and physique was eerily similar to Selina's, though the aforementioned woman's body was more well defined than her own. Her curves accented every angle of her glittering dress. Her most noticeable trait, her auburn hair, swayed as she spoke once more. Sapphire eyes sparkling as they peered into Bardock's.

"You've been standing their gawking for the past ten minutes are you going to dance or not?" The question was sincerely asked, but with a twinge of dare sparkled into it.

"Is that a challenge?" Bardock's once wide-eyed expression shifted into a sly smirk.

Lifting her shoulders the woman responded with a shrug. "Maybe, maybe not. The only thing that matters though is whether you will or won't." Though the woman tried to suppress it Bardock could see the beginnings of a smile forming behind her expressionless face. "I'm hoping so though...you seem to be the only guy in here who isn't a creep." The redhead finished, muttering, mentally recounting how many sexual assaults she'd seen nearly witnessed tonight.

For a brief moment the Saiyan deliberated the woman's words. He wasn't one to back down from a challenge, even one as mundane as this. Fasha would've been howling to the moon if she was here now. Reaching a decision the Saiyan spoke once more.

"Of course I will."

"Great." With a buoyant smile the woman latched herself to Bardock's arm. The Saiyan was once again taken by surprise at the boldness of the redhead.

"I'm Vicki Vale by the way."

"Bardock."

With pleasantries and formalities now out of the way the duo proceeded to the dance floor.

The Bar, Club Vesuvius

Quickly filling another glass of liquor Selina slid the martini over to the customer. The man smiled, slipping Catwoman a rather large tip as he departed from his bar stool. The smile was reciprocated as Selina deposited the cash into her pocket. It was a hundred dollars at least. She knew the reason why, and it wasn't just because of her excellent service. The outfit she was wearing now was particularly revealing, even more so than the one she had worn to gain entrance into the club. It stuck out, but in this environment it also blended her in with the scenery.

Following her conversation with Bardock the cat burglar had slipped off into the woman's restroom. Catching a bartender as she'd gone to relieve herself, Selina had ambushed the poor, unsuspecting, woman. In hindsight it was probably wrong. The innocent woman was just trying to earn a living until she had crossed path's with a black cat. But hey, Selina wasn't a superhero, she was a thief who thought about herself first. She was still alive, just stashed in a storage closet, intoxicated with enough drugs to knock an elephant cold on it's feet. If the poor woman ever did wake up though, Selina would be sure to thank her for the outfit. Luckily the woman had been wearing an extra set of clothes underneath so Selina hadn't left her completely naked when she'd tied her up.

A few, minor, alterations here and there and the outfit had been fixed to her liking. A little cleavage never hurt anyone, especially at a club like this. The red wig she'd stashed in her purse also came in handy. The purpose of all this was to spy on the inner workings of the Ivgene clan. The bar was located directly next to the VIP section of the club. And even as loud as the music was, Selina could still distinguish what was being spoken. The mobsters made sure to speak in Russian to cloak their discussions. That was why the bouncer had questioned her before letting her in. Unfortunately for them Selina was highly fluent in that tongue.

Initially the ease dropping had gone horribly. The mobsters hadn't been privy to discussing anything. But as the night went on and more drinks were poured the Russian's lips got lose. There was a reason she called alcohol the truth serum. Their discussions had spanned several topic, most of them being boring drivel to Selina. Soccer, plans about a potential DVD scam, an Asian lieutenant from a rival crime family turning up dead...all useless gossip to her. But finally, as the latest bottle of Ciroc had been poured, the mobsters had spill some juicy info. The Egorov crime family had stolen a priceless painting from from the Ivgene clan. On the market it wasn't worth much but it was the sentimental value that counted.

Selina had to pause at that, chuckling to herself. Mobsters keeping onto things for sentimental value? How ridiculous. It's possession had been fought over for centuries. It was seen as a good luck charm and whichever crime family possessed it usually ended up being the strongest one. It was ludicrous to her but criminals were a superstitious bunch, Batman's very existence was evidence of this. It was of such great value that head of the Ivgene clan was willing to go to war over it. If someone were to steal it the ransom for it would be mighty hefty. It could possibly even cover the value of the of the now broken artifact she'd stolen. With that in mind Selina prepared to go. Just one more drink and she would be on her way.

As she poured her final cup for her latest customer Selina's eyes fell upon a person she hadn't seen in years. A gray haired man, in his fifties, was having the time of his life with prostitutes on a nearby couch. Renald. Catwoman'smood soured instantly, her lips twisting into a dour frown as she nearly shattered the glass in her hands. The patron waiting for his drink quickly decided to cut his losses. The atmosphere around bartender had done a complete 180. Sliding out of his stool, unnoticed by Selina, the man slipped back into the scenery of the club.

Tossing the glass in her hand aside Catwoman focused her full attention on the cackling mobster. He was supposed to be in jail. He was supposed to be locked up for the crimes he had committed against her and several other young girls. During her adolescence as child on the cold streets of Gotham, Selina had witnessed the mobster assault many a prostitute. But one night he had gone too far finally crossing over the edge and killing a sex worker. Selina, only ten years old, had been there, witnessing the man shoot a prostitute in cold blood with no remorse.

Selina could still remember the screeching cries of that sixteen year old girl. The bang of the barrel. The violent jerk of her skull as she spasmed backwards, the bullet forcefully ripping through her brain. The blood that haphazardly splattered against the porcelain white walls of the tiny apartment. The red liquid that had trickled down to her face. The tears that drenched her tattered, Goodwill clothes. Unconsciously Selina's nails had been grating the wooden pub table as she recounted that night. Blinking, returning to the present, Catwoman found several of the bar patron's eyes on her as they gawked at the claw marks. Paying them no mind Selina's eyes continued to follow Renald, watching as the elderly man headed for the restroom.

This wasn't part of this evenings plans, but that bastard more than deserved what was coming to him.

Hastily scanning her surroundings, making sure no one was following her or headed to the restroom as well, Selina slipped inside the men's room. Pushing past the restroom sign Selina locked the door as she entered. It was a lavatory barely big enough him, let alone the both of them. His jaw tightened as he heard the sound of the door locking, wondering just who would interrupt him at such a sensitive movement. Whoever it was, he would make sure to have their heads taxidermied and strung on his Siberian office's wall. But how quickly his tone changed once he looked up and saw just who the cause of the disturbance.

The anger in his heart melted, giving way to lust as Renald saw Selina at the door. The white blouse she wore had been stripped off, her ample bra covered bust now freely exposed to the world. Her tight, black spandex pants barely covering her v-line. Her magenta panties peaking out beneath them. Not even bothering to zip up the mobster turned his full attention over to her.

"You are bartender?" Even after all these years his bad English remained. He was definitely that son of a bitch Selina remembered.

Nodding as she ushered the man to come closer Selina replied with a "Yes."

The mobster didn't even bother to wash his hands as he approached Catwoman, his hands latching onto her waist as he tightly embraced her. Selina was of course disgusted. Not only was he a treacherous creep...he was an unhygienic cretin as well. The jewel thief had to suppress the urge to vomit as the space between the two narrowed, the hot, rank, smell of his breath ever apparent as he whispered closely to her.

"Have any other skills besides that?" Selina knew what he was insinuating as his crusty fingers slid down to her supple bottom. The revulsion she felt was indescribable, but it was worth it for what she was about to do.

"Of course I do." Wiggling her hands up to his face Selina caressed it, watching a lecherous smile gleam as she massaged his wrinkly face. "Let me show you." The man relaxed, closing his eyes as he succumbed to the beautiful woman's will.

It was then that Catwoman pounced.

Firmly securing her grip around his head, Selina brought it forward as she slammed it into the nearby sink. Hard metal met forehead as Catwoman repeatedly banged into the man's face. High pitched screaming reverberated in her ears as the man cried for mercy. Ironically he sounded like the prostitutes he used to abuse. Ignoring his pleas Selina continued onward showing not even an iota of mercy towards the man, now grating his face against the edge of the sink. His blood was dripping, pouring – seeping everywhere. But Selina was still not satisfied. He had to feel first hand the actions of what he had done.

Turning his battered face towards her, Selina's jagged nails swiped at the man's eyes. Another high decibel scream, this one, straight out of a horror movie, elicited from his lungs. Selina was not a sadistic person but took immense, gratifying, pleasure in this. He was one of the bastards who had stripped her of her childhood innocence. He was one of the monsters who stalked the Gotham streets and made it unsafe for women. He was one of the bastards who evaded justice due to a corrupt political system. And he was going to pay for it all!

Slashing with fury that would've made the coldest hearted Saiyan wince, Selina continued to shred the man's skin. There was a reason she kept her nails razor sharp, they came in handy during times like this. Consumed by pure, unmitigated blood lust, Selina's jade eyes grew feral, foam nearly threatening to drip from her mouth as she lacerated his flesh. Each cut, each slice, each gash deeper than the last. Everything had become meaningless to her. If not for the hard knock at the door, and the sound of loud yelling in Russian Selina would not have awoken from her violent trance.

Shit!

The Dance Floor, Club Vesuvius

Bardock was having the time of his life. It had taken a while, and a lot of pestering from his dance partner, but the Saiyan had finally gotten into the groove of things. His dancing had been shaky, awkward at first. Bardock was not used to moving in such a rhythm. Vicki had teased him to no end about his lack of coordination. That joking was what had resuscitated his determination. Moving with renewed fervor he had proved the red head wrong. What had started off as a challenge and a dare to prove her wrong had turned into wholesome, rare fun. His dance partner was enjoying herself as well, becoming engulfed in the melodic synths of the blaring beats. Things couldn't possibly get better, or so the Saiyan thought, until Selina came flying in from across the dance floor. Landing in a handstand the cat burglar quickly dashed over to Bardock, the dance floor clearing in her wake.

"Gotta go...now!" She was frantic as she spoke, the grip on his clothes growing tighter.

Glancing over to his equally confused dance partner Bardock had a multitude of questions. Why was she dressed like this? What happened to her clothes? What did she do to her hair? Why was it red now? Before the Saiyan could pose any of these questions Selina interrupted him.

"Those guys." The brunette said, pointing over to the group of angry mobsters now rushing towards them. "Equal big trouble."

Smirking, Bardock cracked his knuckles...this night could get better.

A big thank you to everyone who reviewed chapter 3!

Author's Note: The Multiversity guide came out so I can finally give this Universe a designation. Earth-14 has no information on it so I've decided this story will take place there. I get a lot of reviews from my readers stating they wished the lengths of my chapters were different, well you can finally vote on it. I have a poll up now on my profile. I'll be taking it into consideration when deliberating on how long my chapters should be.

Q/A:

Lightning Havoc: As I stated at the bottom of the previous chapters Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock is canon for this story so yes he can turn SSJ. As the story progresses and Bardock encounters more powerful foes; his power will grow.

Thanos: Thanks for the kind words and the review, but I'm still unsure of the pairing.

Ultraman Prime: Thanks for the review and the kind words! I'm completely unfamiliar with the Anime-Comi Universe. I've read one comic from that collection, but beyond that – my knowledge is lacking. I don't write or particularly like harems. Often times harems devalue the female characters and turn them into nothing more than trophies for the male character. On top of that most times writing a harem would entail making a character act OOC. Someone like Wonder Woman, who is a part of the Anime-Comi Universe, would never be a part of one due to her Themysciran heritage. So in short I will not be writing the story as you've requested. Maybe you can convince another author to write it though?

ManOnMoon: The explanation behind his original injuries will be given in future chapters. No one's used Bardock in a JL crossover fic and he's not as powerful as the other, often used Saiyans, so I figured why not use him.? Oozaru became pretty useless after SSJ was discovered, but since this Earth still has it's moon it'll probably come into play sometime during this story. I have no intention of pairing Bardock with a character who's personality is diametrically opposed to his.

Kratos89: The ocean dub erroneously said that Bardock was a brilliant scientist but never once in the series was he ever shown displaying that supposed intellect. I think Bardock is a tactical scientist and is brilliant on the battlefield, but in other areas- not so much. Energy sensing? You mean like the ability to detect Ki? That could possibly happen. Some Saiyans have displayed limited telepathy and telekinesis so those two abilities are definitely possible.

Itheone: Thanks for the kind words but I don't think I'm deserving of all that praise. Personally I think you're a better writer than me. Honestly, I think my writing is decent, I see room for lots of improvement though.

Guest: At the end of chapter one I stated that this story completely ignores Dragonball Minus. Only Bardock- The Father of Goku and Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock are canon for this story.

DirtyShoes: Thanks for the kind words, and yes, I am indeed my own Beta. I am unsure of the romantic angle this story will take. I've never dabbled in romance before, but I can always attempt it.

Mdhunter111: Maxima has been significantly de-aged in the New 52. Prior to Flashpoint Maxima was roughly around Superman's age, who was in his thirties. Now Maxima is roughly around Supergirl's age which is sixteen or seventeen. The age difference makes it a bit iffy. I intend to keep the Wonder Woman/Superman pairing so that's not going to happen. I'm not sure who Bardock will be paired up with, but it won't be a typical character that's been frequently used in this section.

ArkonWinfel: I'm not sure whether Joker or Bane will be appearing in this story. Bardock's stay in Gotham won't be that long.

Neobahamut86: I have nothing personally against Gine, I just preferred the old, established, origin of Goku and Bardock.