Central City, Missouri - Windsor Heights Hotel – 4:00 AM
"I understand, Miss Wayne, but we weren't expecting you this early for check in. You have to wait for us to finish preparing your room."
Ugh! This is a nightmare, all I want to do is go into my room and set my luggage down so that I can read my father's file. I couldn't blame the girl behind the desk for my frustration, I was just too anxious. As soon as I left the Batcave I ran up the never ending stairs and found myself back inside the library. I called Mr. Fox, Bryn and Viola and told them that I would fly ahead of schedule to get adjusted to the new time zone. If only they knew what I was really up to…I might finally find my father and I'm more nervous than I've ever been in my entire life.
"Okay, Miss Wayne, we'll have our bus boy take your bags for you. Will you need help with your duffle?"
"No, I'm fine with carrying this. I just need to get to my room, I'm really exhausted." I said.
There was no way that I let someone carry my bag that held the most important information in the world to me.
Penthouse Suite – 5:00 AM
After throwing some luggage down and changing into a robe, I finally could find out the missing piece to my life. All I have are flashbacks of memories or coma dreams from months ago. I have to know, no, I need to know.
Propped on top of my lap was my WayneTech laptop. I leaned over to shuffle through my bag for the USB, I made sure that it wouldn't fall out of my bag and that I wouldn't forget where I placed it. After finding it I inserted it into the side of my laptop and waited for it to load on screen. My heart pounds so loudly that I could hear it through my eardrums and then the folder pops up on my screen. I click on the name C-1 and take a deep, slow breath.
The file opens and several articles immediately pop up. My father was a chemical engineer; he was highly intelligent and was on par to discovering something that would lead him to winning a Nobel Peace Prize. I must have spent hours reading through all his achievements and his works until I got to the end of the articles. It was like he just disappeared out of thin air…did he give up his career to try to raise me? Now I feel crap, reading all of this has caused tears to fall slowly from my eyes. At least I know which side of the family I got my intelligence from. But wait…there's a sub folder on the USB.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I clicked on the folder and more articles popped up, but this time it was of Red Hood.
Draped over our living room sofa was a long red cape. It felt soft and reminded me of the kind magician's wore on TV. Next, there was a large red domed helmet on top of our coffee table. I knocked on it several times to hear a loud banging sound coming from it. Why would Daddy have this out here?
Oh my god! My father really was Red Hood? He went around robbing people just so he could take care of me. Dear God, I didn't think it was possible to fall in love with someone all over again…but I have. But why did he disappear and leave me?
I soon found the answer and I was horrified.
The next article that appeared was that of the first sighting of the Joker. The Gotham Globe has done several long pieces on the fights between The Joker and Batman over the years and it makes sense that Batman would keep these as reference…and there's a video on here too. I exhaled and clicked on it hoping that it would prove me wrong and that maybe Jack Morrison wasn't…
The video showed two people running around a balcony of a chemical factory. The building looked familiar…it looked exactly like the factory I was taken to months ago by The Joker and his goons. I had to calm down long enough to really watch the video. I clicked on zoom and saw that one of the figures was a tall man with blonde hair and a cape running away from Batman. He was chasing my father; if he had anything to do with making him disappear…I'll kill him. Batman had cornered my father and as he advanced to try to arrest him, Jack Morrison fell off the same balcony that I had and cringed as the audio track enhanced his screams.
I was full on sobbing by the end of the video. What the Hell was this video supposed to prove? All it did was make me feel horrible, Batman took my father away from me and I was living with him this whole time not knowing. He knew that he practically threw my father off that balcony. I wanted to yell or throw something but quickly put myself in check before I set anything on fire. But my devastation wouldn't end there.
An audio file appeared next and I was in too deep. I had to know.
February 10th 1994
It appears that I have created a monster. "The Joker" blew up a major portion of downtown Gotham City and held several innocent lives hostage for the benefit of my undivided attention. Before his arrest he wanted to thank me for "freeing him" from his old life. His crimes have escalated far beyond any regular prison system. The Gotham City Police Department has reached an agreement with Jeremiah Arkham to place The Joker as a permanent resident of Arkham Asylum.
Holy shit, I had proof that Batman turned my father into the Joker. Oh my God. What! What am I supposed to do with this? How the Hell do I even try to wrap my head around all of this? The same person who tried to kill me months ago is the same man that I loved when I was five years old.
I removed the USB, placed it in my bag and shut off my laptop. I tried to get off of the bed but I tripped and landed on the floor. This simple act caused me to start crying like a baby all over again. I pounded my fists against the floor in a tantrum and tried to pull out my hair. I shouldn't have pushed so hard to find the truth, because now I wish I hadn't. I wanted to take my anger out on someone and I knew just the perfect person. I don't care if I get my ass kicked, I will get revenge on Batman for ruining my life.
Before I could start plotting I felt the temperature drop in the building. I started to convulse, it was too cold. What the Hell was happening? Then suddenly a gust of wind whipped by, grabbed me and whirled me all the way out of the building and outside to a warmer temperature. I was back to normal almost instantly and looked up to see my rescuer. Bryn is going to lose her shit when she finds out about this. None other than the Flash stood heroically in front of me.
"Don't worry ma'am, paramedics will be here shortly." He said before dashing off into the hotel to rescue more civilians.
I thought I would be alone with my thoughts until I felt another gust of wind pass by. It was the Flash's sidekick, Kid Flash. He was all smiles and apparently worked his way through all the other civilians outside and finally got the chance to check up on me.
"Well, hello there pretty lady. Would you allow me to escort you to some medical attention?" He said.
Ah, someone is trying to be smooth.
"Sure, but can we walk? I don't think travelling at the speed of light is good for me right now."
"Yeah, okay. Are you alright? You seemed really sad when Flash brought you out here. I hate to see a pretty girl in distress-"
I shook my head, "Let me stop you right there, sweetie. You're really sweet for asking but I'd rather not talk about it."
"Hey! Don't I know you from somewhere?"
I smirked. "Probably, but I doubt-"
He gasped. "You're Nicole Wayne! Dude, I saw your YouTube videos like a hundred times. You're awesome!"
"Thanks, Kid Flash, but I bet it doesn't compare to being the Flash's sidekick though."
He cringed. "Partner, don't use the term sidekick, it's supposedly demeaning."
"To whom?"
He sighed. "My buddy Red Arrow did when he was Green Arrow's partner."
I scoffed. "You mean the guy who basically took up the same name as his former mentor based on the same skill set? Yeah, he's one to talk."
"Thank God! Bryn, she's over here!"
"Oh no! Three, two, one-" I sighed.
Viola had shouted at Bryn from around the street that I was standing outside the hotel. The Flash always gets TV coverage so they must have heard about whatever happened inside the hotel. I just wish someone would fill me in.
"Hey, Kid Flash? What happened here exactly?"
He shrugged. "Captain Cold tried to steal a priceless Diamond from inside the hotel's safe. He tried to lower the building temperature as to not set off the safe's alarms."
"Extreme cold…how original."
He laughed.
Outside Windsor Heights Hotel – 9:00 AM
"I can't believe we met the Flash!" Bryn squealed.
Viola rubbed at my back reassuringly.
"Yeah, I don't think I can stay for this meeting you guys. I'm not feeling good and I don't want to go home either."
"Why?" Viola asked.
Should I tell them? They are my best friends; they'll know something isn't right about me.
"Wayne Tech has been developing this contract for a building in Lawrence Hills for months. I thought you'd be all over it." Viola said.
Bryn frowned. "Okay, what's wrong?"
"Not until we're allowed back into the hotel."
Penthouse Suite – 10:00 AM
"What the fuck?" Bryn yelled.
"Damn." Viola said.
"Keep it down, will you?" I shouted.
Viola shook her head, "I don't know how you can be so calm about this. How did you find out?"
"I hacked in the some files-"
"Oh crap! The same bastard that tried to kill you is your father, dude…you have an excuse for life! No one can ever try to trump you in anything. All you have to say is "at least your father isn't a psychopathic, murderous, ass clown who tried to kill you" and you'd win every single time." Bryn said.
"Bryn, this is neither the time nor place to talk about benefits. We need to be here for Nicky, okay? Look, I'll talk to Mr. Fox, I'm sure he'll understand." Viola said.
"No, I'll call him and tell him what's up. I haven't slacked off once during this internship and something tells me he will give me some time off."
"Are you sure there isn't anything else you want to tell us?" Bryn asked.
I sighed. "No."
There was no way in Hell I would tell them that Bruce is Batman. At least not until I figure out how to screw him over.
I walked into the bathroom for privacy and pulled out my phone. I pressed number two on speed dial. While the phone rang I sat on the edge of the claw foot tub and twirled a loose strand of my hair.
"Lucius Fox speaking."
"Hello, Mr. Fox, it's Nicole. I hate to do this over the phone but I know."
"I'm sorry, Nicole, but, what do you know?" He asked.
I sighed. "I know that Bruce is Batman and before you deny it. I'm not stupid; I know that he gets his ultra cool toys from you. Just like I know, that you know about what happened to the original Red Hood."
"I see."
"Yeah, and I just found out so there is no way that I'm not compromised. I can't be there for this contract to go down, Mr. Fox."
"I understand, Nicole. I'm assuming that you don't want Bruce to know about this."
"I don't. I'll see you next week, Mr. Fox" I said.
He sighed. "Next week, Nicole."
Star City – Westchester Neighborhood – 7:00 PM
I set my luggage down and rang the door bell. The door opened to a tall, lean red head.
"I knew you couldn't resist me." Roy laughed.
"Shut up, can I come in?"
"Of course, what kind of boyfriend would I be if I let you stand out here all night long?" He smirked.
"The kind that doesn't get layed…ever."
"Yeah, we can't have that. Come in, you look like Hell, I'll put some hot cocoa on the stove."
"You are the best." I sighed, while watching him grab my luggage and move it inside.
"Are you alright, really?" Roy asked.
I shook my head. "No, but being here definitely helps, I hope you don't mind if I crash with you for a little. I need to be away from home, just…yeah."
He smiled. "Stay as long as you need to."
"Thanks, babe, you can hold the cocoa. I think I need to lie down…"
"Follow me."
Roy's apartment was fancy, if I hadn't lived in the manor this would have been the best place I've ever stayed in. Roy gave me privacy as I walked into his bathroom and changed into some pajamas and put my hair in a braid. As I walked out of the bathroom I was stunned to see Roy shirtless and climbing into the bed. But really it is his bed, I shouldn't be so surprised.
"What are you waiting for? Get in."
I didn't need to be told twice. I hopped in alongside Roy and curled my body around him, it's so strange that I use to be able to curl up easily but since I've grown in height our cuddling mostly has me laying my head on his shoulder and him propping a knee between my legs. But, hey, I'm not complaining.
"Comfortable, Nicky?" He asked.
"Yes, Red, Good night."
"Good night, baby." He whispered into my hair before dozing off.
One Week Later –Tinder-Smith Garden Arena- 12:30 PM
I think I won't mind being Mrs. Roy Harper. Nicole Harper. It has a nice ring to it; it's dignified and goes well with my middle name which was originally my first name but…whatever. This past week has been amazing; Roy gave me a tour of Star City and all of its beautiful areas. He took me to his favorite restaurants, to several plays and parks and even showed me where he works at Queen Industries.
It's very safe to say that I have my future planned out with a nice big, red bow on top of it. I haven't even thought of going back to Gotham City once since I've been here the whole entire week. But once again all good things must come to an end.
I heard a loud crash that shook the Garden with a huge force. I managed not to get involved in any costumed superhero business for this week… until now. After the dust settled and the smoke cleared I saw a lanky figure dressed in a green suit and green bowler hat skipping merrily through the Gardens without a care.
Damn it! Even when I try to leave Gotham, somehow it seems to follow me everywhere. Can't I get a break? Is that so much to ask for? I looked up and saw that the hedges were shaped in question marks. Why wasn't I paying attention? I thought they were a part of the gardens. Now, I'm caught in one of the Riddler's traps and I might not make it out alive.
The good news is that I seem to get out of these types of situations okay. The bad news was that this place could be rigged for explosives and without knowing where and how many there could be. Fun. Eff my life!
Another explosion goes off and screams fill the air and I literally got tossed from one side of the Garden to the other and landed face first in the grass. The ground stopped shaking and I heard the metallic clang of cuffs. I'm sure the police must have finally caught the Riddler, which was fine by me.
"Now, what are you doing here in Star City, Miss Wayne?" said a sultry voice.
I slowly looked up to see who the voice belonged to and I couldn't help but notice the fishnet clad long legs, delicious thighs, black leotard, navy jacket and flowing blonde hair. I couldn't believe it.
"Holy shit!" I squealed.