Title: Batman: Again and Again
Summary: This takes place after War Games, so everyone left Batman and he was alone once again. Part of the Batfamily, Dick, Tim, and Cassandra, start to make their way back slowly and eventually things are as "normal" as can be.
AN: I don't want to give away one of the major plot points, so I cannot say what inspired this fanfic. However, I will give credit where credit is due, once the main concept has been revealed.
Disclaimer: the cat, the bat, and everyone else are property of DC Comics and are used without permission.
Dick woke up at the sound of the Batmobile's engine. He had fallen asleep at the computer waiting for Bruce to return from patrol.
Batman jumped out of the car.
"Bring up the map," Batman ordered.
Dick pulled up the holographic image of Gotham. Above certain sections of the miniature city were small asterisks. When Batman touched one of the asterisks a new screen appeared. It contained all the information he, Batgirl, and Robin had given Dick. It had the time the crime took place, the location, the number of people involved, thugs and innocent bystanders, and the weapons any thug carried. Batman was impressed.
"Looks accurate," was all Batman said looking at Dick.
"Robin and Batgirl's patrol was pretty uneventful, only two burglaries and an attempted rape, all before midnight. I was going to ask if you wanted me to send them to you, but you, uh, turned your communicator off." Then Dick remembered Batman had been injured by a pocket knife, "Should I call Alfred to take a look at your leg?"
"It's been taken care of."
"Really? How?" asked Dick wondering if maybe it had not been serious.
Batman ignored the question.
He thought back to when it was that Batman turned off his communicator. Dick realized it had been when he was on his way to the East End. "So, how's Selina?"
Batman grunted in response.
"Alright," Dick chuckled, "Unless you need anything else from me, I'm going to bed."
Bruce nodded once.
"See ya tomorrow, then."
ooo
"Good Morning, Master Bruce," Alfred began as he walked over to the window and pulled open the curtains.
Bruce jumped out of bed, "What day is it , Alfred?"
"Friday, sir. Your meeting with Mr. Fox and the board members..." Alfred stopped as he saw Bruce run out of the room. Alfred followed him down the stairs, into the study, and through the grandfather clock.
Bruce turned on the computer. He didn't find any of the work Dick had put together. He felt his thigh. He had neither of his two previous injuries. Not the one Selina stitched up yesterday, nor the one Alfred took care of the day before that.
"Is everything alright, sir?" Alfred asked becoming a bit concerned watching Bruce continually type something and then shake his head. Finally, Bruce pounded his fists into the keyboard.
"Alfred, I need to go to the Watchtower. Call Dick and tell him to come over."
"Yes, sir."
Bruce went into the vault to change. He walked over to the JLA teleporter.
ooo
Batman walked past the Flash, ignoring him.
Wally had asked, "What's up, Bats?" knowing he wouldn't get a reply, but trying to prove he wasn't terrified of Batman.
Batman went straight to J'onn's quarters, who didn't have monitor duty until tonight. He stood outside J'onn's door.
:J'onn.:
:Batman?:
:I need to talk to you:
The door opened.
"Come in."
Batman walked in and the door closed behind him. He took out a small box, put it down on the table, and pushed the button in the center. J'onn knew no one would be able to listen to their conversation, in the event they chose to speak.
:What is it?:
:I need you to scan my brain and verify if certain events over the past two days actually took place.:
J'onn knew better than to ask any specifics. He understood Batman pretty well. Asking for help was not something he did.
"Alright. Please have a seat and remove your mask."
Batman did so.
"Keep your mind open." J'onn placed his right hand on Bruce's head. He "saw" Bruce being woken up by Alfred, running into Selina on the street, then the Ball, going on patrol with Catwoman, Bruce holding Selina's hand as they walked into the manor.
Bruce pulled away quickly from J'onn's hand, remembering he slept with Selina that first Friday night.
"Sorry," J'onn apologized, sensing what Bruce didn't want him to see. "Would you like me to continue?"
Bruce nodded. J'onn placed his right hand on Bruce's head once again. He "saw" Alfred wake up Bruce in the same fashion as the day before, running into Selina again, the two of them kissing on the bench (J'onn cleared his throat and tried not to dwell on the image), Bruce beating up four men with cameras, talking to Superman, going on patrol, and stopping by Selina's apartment before returning to the cave and Dick.
"These are not dreams, Batman."
"How can you be sure?" questioned Bruce as he put on the cowl.
"First, these events are in chronological order. They follow a specific timeline, each event follows another in a natural progression. Dreams, even the most coherent, jump around from time and place. Second, the brain waves created by a dream and a memory are different."
"You can see the different brain waves?"
"I cannot, but having done this for so long, I can sense the difference between them. Dreams always come across as alpha waves because the body and mind were at their least conscious state. Memories, especially recent one, come across as beta waves because the body and mind were completely alert, at their most conscious state. And finally, something that has no scientific value, but I have come to understand to be true, is that dreams are always hazy, like they occurred in a cloud of smoke. Actual events that took place and people remember, are easy to see. They are clearly visible, even to another mind, like mine."
"Could these memories have been implanted?"
"It cannot be completely ruled out, but I came across no evidence that they were. When someone wants to leave false memories in your mind, there has to be a time period, even as small as a minute or two, where the implanting takes place. You would lose that time, which would be filled with the implanted memories. You have no such gap."
"Perhaps magic?"
Batman and J'onn just looked at each other. Both knew J'onn had no power against magic.
"If what I remember actually took place, why does no one else remember?" Batman asked.
"I wondered the same thing. Alfred and Selina seemed to be unaware of things they had partaken in the day before. I would have to see Alfred, or preferably Selina who you spent more time with, in order to try and find out why she doesn't remember something that clearly happened."
"Can you come to the cave," Batman asked.
"I am sorry, but I cannot. I do not like to leave the Watchtower when the Flash and Green Lantern are on duty together."
Batman nodded, "I'll bring Selina back here." Before Batman left the room, he turned back and looked at his friend.
:Thank you, J'onn.:
ooo
When Batman returned to the cave, he noticed it was only 9:30. He could still catch Selina before her meeting. Actually, if he reached Wayne Enterprises before she did, he could know if she had gone to look for him and why.
Bruce was in his office by 10:15. His phone rang.
"Yes, Natalie?"
:.You have a walk-in, Mr. Wayne.
"Concerning what?"
:.She says she needs to speak to you.
"Bring her in."
Natalie walked in, followed by Selina.
"Selina, it's nice to see you again." Bruce said as he walked around his desk towards her, "You look lovely." He turned to Natalie, "Thank you," then flashed his brilliant smile, "That'll be all."
"So what brings you here, Selina?"
Selina waited until the woman left, "Do you have to talk like that?"
Bruce pressed a button under the desk that would instantly sound-proof the room. His face lost its carefree expression and grew serious.
"That's much better." she said. He looked her over and she was wearing the same outfit as the previous two days.
"How was your day, yesterday?"
"Same old, same old," replied Selina looking over her shoulder to make sure his assistant had not stepped back into the office, "why do you ask?"
"What's the last thing you did yesterday?"
She looked at him with a curious expression, "I know there was a theft yesterday, but it wasn't me if that's what you were insinuating." She stood up to leave.
"That's not what I meant." Bruce said leaning forward, "Please have a seat."
"Actually, I do have to go. I have a meeting in ten minutes. I just wanted to stop by and say hello since I was nearby." Selina walked towards the door.
"Well, I'm glad you did. I need to talk to you."
"Really?" Selina let go of the door knob and turned to face him, "What about?"
He decided to to tell her enough without revealing everything they'd been through.
"I need you to go with me to the Watchtower." he said awaiting her reaction.
Selina thought back to the last time she was there. She went up to steal the Storm-Opals and ended up saving the JLA.
As if reading her mind, Bruce reassured her, "It has nothing to do with the last time you were there."
"What do you need me for, you have all of them up there."
"I want J'onn to take a look at your mind."
"Why?"
"He wants to compare some our memories."
"Yours and mine?"
Bruce nodded, everything was going just like he thought it would.
"Why?"
"I don't know." he replied quickly.
"What?" she raised an eyebrow. He knew then he played it wrong, "Since when do you not know about something that involves you directly?"
"He hasn't told me everything."
"Bruce, you're a terrible liar."
He stood up, "Let's discuss it on the way."
"We have to go now?"
Bruce nodded.
Selina looked at her watch, she thought about her meeting. She did need to talk to Jeffrey, but she could always reschedule, "I need to use your phone."
"Of course."
"Do you mind?" she asked lifting the receiver.
What did she need to say to Jeffrey that he couldn't know about? That man was really starting to bother him.
"Sure, I'll be outside."
ooo
Batman and Catwoman were in the cave.
"You still haven't told me anything, you know." Catwoman said in a playful tone, but she was quite serious.
Batman ignored her.
"I don't think I want to go anymo—"
"I'll owe you."
"Mmm," she licked her lips, "I like the sound of that..."
In a few minuted they were teleported to the Watchtower.
"Hey Bats, your baaaa..." the Flash's voice trailed off as he saw Batman step aside to reveal Catwoman standing behind him.
Wow! She looks good with the black leather. He preferred the purple spandex, but he supposed the leather did leave a little more to the imagination. A small grin formed on his face, " Hey! I didn't know we could bring dates up here!"
His smile grew wider until Batman glared at him, then it disappeared completely. When Catwoman walked by, she winked at him. "Awesome," his smile returned. He watched Catwoman walk away until she was out of view.
"Close your mouth, Wally. Don't you know it's not polite to stare," Green Lantern said approaching.
"Dude, you're just jealous 'cause you weren't here when Catwoman arrived. She winked at me, you know...totally dug me."
ooo
"Alright Catwoman, I just want you to relax." J'onn said as he was about to pace his hand on her head. Catwoman moved away.
"Wait. Can you see everything in there?" she asked.
"I can see everything you allow me to see." He paused, then added, "If I wanted to, I could force my way anywhere I wished. However, I will not push beyond any walls I perceive." Satisfied, Catwoman nodded and J'onn continued, "What really interests me is the previous two days."
She turned to look at Batman, who was standing motionless next to the entrance, and then back at J'onn, "I'm ready."
J'onn placed his hand on her head and began to "see" Selina's memories. She had gone to the Adams institute to visit her sister on Wednesday, but was unable to convince herself to go into her sister's room. J'onn could feel the sadness with which Selina left the institute and continued to feel as she walked past Leslie's clinic. Tears filled her eyes thinking about the doctor who was no longer there.
J'onn almost removed his hand, reliving emotions he felt often, but had told himself were of no use. He missed his family terribly again.
Batman noticed the change in J'onn.
:What is it?:
:I will tell you in a moment.:
J'onn saw Selina run into Slam, then they had lunch together. She spent part of her late afternoon with Holly, then went out as Catwoman. Thursday went on in a similar fashion, except Bruce had been very prevalent in her thoughts that day. She decided to pay him a visit Friday morning. He saw Bruce and Selina talking in his office. Arguing in the car and finally speaking to each other again in the cave. He removed his hand from Catwoman's head.
J'onn almost smiled when he sensed the longing in both of them for the other. Why couldn't they simply be open with each other. But then, he recalled the sadness he felt in Selina and a similar feeling in Bruce, though, Bruce had tried to hide it. J'onn realized that both Batman and Catwoman, or rather, Bruce and Selina had been hurt too much at an early age making it difficult for either of them to trust or form attachments as adults. Trust could always be betrayed and attachments could always be broken. And neither one wanted to experience loss again. Catwoman, however, was more willing to try. She had Slam and Holly as friends. Batman didn't have any friends, well, not any non-work related ones anyway, but maybe that was sort of a start.
"So, what's the verdict?" Catwoman asked. J'onn allowed himself to smile that time admiring how strong she truly was. From the outside you could never know what went on inside, and this was especially true of her. In that respect, she was similar to his other guest in the room, but where Batman was always cold and serious, Catwoman could be playful and very charming.
:Can I speak openly, Batman?:
:No.:
J'onn looked at Catwoman, "You two do not share the same memories of the past two days."
"What does that mean? We didn't spend any time together...why would we have the same memories?" she asked starting to get annoyed that no one explained anything.
:Actually, she never experienced the two Fridays you did.:
Batman addressed Catwoman, "Can you wait for me outside?"
Catwoman's eyes narrowed, he was really starting to irritate her. When he made no indication that he would include her in the conversation she didn't pull out her whip like she wanted to. She'd make him pay later. She turned to J'onn as she flashed a mischievous grin, "It was nice seeing you again." She left and the door closed behind her.
:It's not only that Catwoman doesn't remember the last two days, but that they never existed for her. You, on the other hand, remember because even though it appears to be the same day, Friday, you experienced each one separately.:
"I see," Batman looked thoughtful, "So...I've been reliving the same day over and over."
"It would appear so. I'm not sure how it is possible, or how long it will last, but I will see what I can find out about your situation."
"So will I." Batman looked at J'onn, "Do not tell anyone about this."
"Don't worry. No one will know."
Batman nodded and left the room.
"—but what's your secret, I mean, how do you do it? 'Cause he's different—" Flash asked Catwoman, but once he saw the Batman scowl, he ran off before she could say one word.
"Finished?"
"Yes."
"So what happened?"
Batman started walking away.
"Can you answer me?" Catwoman was willing to help him, she usually liked when he asked for her help, but he had brought her up here and hadn't given her any reason as to why.
He turned around and glared at her.
She tilted her head and smiled, "I can do this as long as you can."
He walked towards her, his jaw clenched so tightly, Catwoman could practically here his teeth grinding, which only made her smile grow.
Her behavior was never acceptable, but at night, on a rooftop, in Gotham, where nobody could see them was one thing, but up in a hallway in the Watchtower, where the world's heroes resided, with the Flash running around, was not to be tolerated.
Batman stopped a few inches from her, barely parting his lips to speak, "Let's discuss it in the cave."
Catwoman closed the gap between them and whispered, "You're going to have to give me something more."
"What are you gonna give her?" Batman and Catwoman turned to see the Flash eagerly awaiting his reply, "Cause I have some ideas..."
Batman gave his coldest stare and the Flash was gone. Catwoman knew that she wasn't going to get any answer now, "Fine, let's go." Together they walked towards the teleporters. They passed the Flash, who was fidgeting, and Green Lantern, who pretended to be working diligently and didn't look up at them. Before they disappeared, Catwoman blew them a kiss. Batman managed to catch a glimpse of Wally smiling and Kyle blushing, before leaving for the cave.
"Do you have to encourage him?" Bruce asked, removing his cowl.
"It's fun," Catwoman shrugged, "So, is it safe to talk now?"
Bruce didn't reply. He thought about contacting Jason Blood in order to completely rule out magic. He turned on the computer to recreate the work Dick had done the previous night. He wanted Robin and Batgirl to be prepared tonight when making rounds. There would be no surprises tonight.
Catwoman removed her goggles and mask. She ran her fingers through her hair and it pointed in every direction. She pulled a thin headband out of nowhere and slid it into place to hold her hair back. Bruce could see her out of the corner of his eye and he thought she looked so much younger with her hair like that. They were almost the same age, yet she looked much younger than he did.
Selina looked at Bruce, put he continued typing. Why do I always let myself end up here? In this same place...always...waiting for him...Not today. She walked towards the cave exit.
"Selina, wait." Bruce called.
"No." She stopped, her back to him, "I know you don't understand how communication works, it's a two-way street, but have you heard of the concept of compromise? It's similar. It involves give and take, but you...you only know the half of it. You take and take—" she stopped, tired and growing more frustrated. She started to leave again.
Bruce caught up to her, "What do you want to know?" She didn't turn to face him, she looked up at a few bats flying above.
Both Selina and Bruce turned to look at the figure who coughed lightly to get their attention. Cassandra stood at the base of the stairs. She came down to the cave for her daily training. She gave a slight nod to Batman and then to Catwoman. Bruce was still not used to her presence. When the Clocktower was destroyed, Cass left with Tim to Bludhaven, but when she returned to Gotham nearly a month ago, she stayed at the manor. She didn't seem to like the manor in spite of its grandeur and beauty, but there was the one thing that kept her there, she thoroughly enjoyed Alfred's cooking.
Cass was a little surprised to see Catwoman in the cave, despite what Robin had said about her. Tim had informed her how Catwoman had tried to help save Spoiler's life, but Stephanie had escaped the safe location Catwoman had left her in. If Stephanie had simply waited, she might still be hear today. Cass figured if someone was willing to help her friend, had never done anything to her, and Batman brought her to the cave, Catwoman couldn't be as bad as some made her out to be.
Cass looked at Selina. She had only fought against Catwoman once, and it was only briefly when they had been trying to capture her. It was a long time ago, when Catwoman was suspected of shooting Commissioner Gordon. Cass wondered how good Catwoman really was. She walked over to Batman and whispered something in a low voice.
"You have to ask her." Bruce replied.
Cass walked towards Catwoman and asked, "Spar?"
Selina looked into Cass's almond eyes. By her built and height, Selina figured this was the new Batgirl. She wondered why Cass would present herself without her mask. It was strange that she would have no qualms about revealing her face, although, they were in the cave, not on a rooftop. Selina mentally shrugged. "You want to fight me?"
Cass was about to nod, but Bruce interrupted, "She wants to spar, for practice. Hand to hand combat with a live opponent prepares you in a way that a simulator cannot."
"Sure," Selina smiled at Cass, then turned to look at Bruce, "But I would rather take it out on you." She turned back to Cass, "If we're going to fight, we should know who we're fighting," she extended her hand, "Selina."
Cass looked over to Batman who gave a slight nod, "Cassandra," she replied taking Selina's hand.
"Cassandra, like the prophet in Greek mythology, that's a beautiful name." Selina smiled. "Lead the way."
Cassdisappeared into a doorway. She came out and handed Selina a pair of sparring gloves as she led the way to the mats.
"Do you box?" Selina asked, putting on the gloves.
"No hurt us." Cass replied.
"Got it," Selina grinned, "We can fight without holding back and not cause too much damage."
Cass smiled and nodded. She was excited. She had practiced with Tim, and on rare occasions with Dick and Bruce, but not with a woman. Stephanie, Cass sighed, preferred to spend her time with Tim and Barbara had never wanted to train with her, at least not in a physical sense. Now, she would go up against Catwoman and she'd find out for herself if the former thief was really that good. She must be if Batman had never been able to bring her in after she had stolen something.
"Ready?" Selina asked.
Cass nodded.