Batman's Fan
It's been: three weeks after Flash had put Batman's singing on display to the entire county; two weeks after it expanded like a virus over the internet; one week after the late night television finally stopped airing constantly. Currently, the singing star is at Arkham Asylum with the doctors as they lock up the Joker… again. It took him two weeks to finally surface from his after the initial airing of his embarrassing performance. The only reason he had finally left the cave was the mention of Joker's plans to blow up the police station.
Everyone was glad to have Batman back, not that they didn't appreciate Nightwing, Batgirl and Robin, they just felt safer with the clever Bat being in charge. Even the police were pleased to have their ally back. As the Joker was pulled out of view, Batman turned and walked down the halls of criminals. All of them were either singing or humming "Am I Blue?" loudly and with maniacal grins plastering their faces. Did they know how much the crusader wanted to break their jaws right now? Maybe it would have stopped them.
Finally, he exited the twisted building and hopped into the Batmobile. The air is cold outside, there is snow on the ground, but the streets are ploughed. It's March and Batman knew this is going to be a very long year. He starts his vehicle and drives off the Arkham lot. There's no crime on the streets with the other three running around the rooftops. So, the leader decides to head back to his safe haven. As he pulls into the cave, there are several people standing near his computer.
"What are you doing here?"
"Jeez, Bats, nice to see you, too." Flash is leaning against the console with a pouting face.
"You need to get out of this cave, Bruce." Batman looks over at Superman and scowls.
"I need you all to leave." He pushes his way through everyone and seats himself in the computer chair.
"We're worried about you." Wonder Woman steps up and places a hand on the bat's shoulder.
"That and this whole hiding business is getting old." Green Lantern huffs slightly and crosses his arms. "We need you back out at the towers."
"You have plenty of people to help. I'm just a part-timer, remember?"
"You keep reminding us." Superman grins wryly.
"Come on, Bats. We miss your sparkly personality!" Batman looks over at Flash then at the console that the speedster is on. Flash takes the hint and moves off of the computer.
"I've got work to do here."
"Nightwing, Batgirl and Robin seem to have it all covered." Batman looks over at Green Arrow. "I think you're just worried everyone on the tower's going to make fun of you."
"We've already placed threats in the proper circles. Booster Gold's not even supposed to be on the same floor level as you." Lantern interjects.
"So, you really have no reason not to come back." Wonder Woman smiles at him.
"And you can come of your own will or we knock you out and Superman carries you." Flash states happily, almost as if he's daring Batman to refuse them.
"Fine."
The group smiled as Batman stood and they all went out to the Javelin that they parked behind the mansion. It was a silent ride up to the Watchtower. Once they arrived, Batman stalked off the Javelin and headed straight towards the monitor bay. Flash and Superman step off the plane after the rest of the team members exit. Flash sighs and kicks the front wheel of the Javelin. Superman stops and looks at Flash sympathetically.
"You know… you could just show him, rather than tell him."
Flash looks over as Superman flies over to help some workers with some metal work. He pondered this a moment and an idea hits him. A devilish grin spreads across his lips and he runs off. The speedster zips into his room and starts rummaging through all of his things. Clothes, costumes, magazines, comics and trash are tosses about as he searches for what he wants. Normally, he keeps his living space clean, but when you're on the Watchtower it's hard to take time on anything.
At last, he finds what he was looking for. A good friend of his was also a seamstress and once, she made him a set of Justice League plush dolls. He was going to give everyone their doll for Christmas, but he only had the original seven. Flash pulls the Batman doll from the pile and grins. He zips out of his room and stops in front of the foreboding door of the Bat. The speedster glances around to see if anyone is watching; no one's there. He stands there and runs through his memory, trying to remember that number that he always used.
"Got it!" He keys in the number and is thrilled when it works.
Flash sets the little Batdoll on the bed and backs out careful not to be seen leaving the room. A brief thought occurs to him. Should he have left a note? No, it's better to just leave the trinket and let Batman obsess over its origin. That's exactly what Batman did. He was tired of all the stares and refusals to let him leave. So, instead of dealing with everyone, he had escaped to his room. Once there, he spotted the small doll that looked eerily like him. The dark knight steps out of the room and glances at the keypad next to his door. It is still intact; no burns, no dents, no scratches.
How'd this person get into his room? Batman goes back in and searches the whole space for anything else out of place. Nothing. Just the doll. Suspicious, he edges forward and picks it up gingerly. It isn't ticking and doesn't seem to have toxin drenched fabrics. Still, he isn't sure and leaves the room for the lab. Batman is careful to hide the doll under his cape as he storms through the halls. Only now that he's in the lab does the doll come out from under the cape.
After several hours of testing, Batman comes to the conclusion that there is nothing sinister about the doll. Now, he's just staring at it idly and wondering who would leave him this? Could it be due to his "fame" and some girl in the League thought it was "cute"? He is concentrating so hard on his inner monologue that he doesn't notice when Shayera enters the lab. Shayera expects a growl or threat, but Batman doesn't seem to be paying attention. So, she ventures forward curiously.
"What's with the mini-Bat?"
"It was in my room."
"Didn't take you for a doll person." Batman glances back at her when she says that. "Sorry. Who left it for you?"
"Don't know."
The two sat and talked about who could possibly leave him a doll that was his spitting image. Several days later, Batman walks up to Shayera in the cafeteria with: a book about relationships, a shirt with the Bat emblem printed on it, a stuffed bat, and a CD of Beethoven's symphonies. Shayera picks through the items and finds it very difficult to keep a serious expression. Batman sits down in a chair and frowns deeply.
"I think you have a secret admirer."
"I guess so."
"So, why are you coming to me? Why not Lantern? You two are always talking about these things."
"Who says he hasn't told me about it?" Lantern walks up and joins the two.
"This is getting out of hand." Batman ground out in frustration.
"It's just a few gifts." Lantern took a sip of the drink he'd brought. "It's when she starts leaving locks of hair, underwear or photos of you sleeping that it's out of hand."
"That's rather disturbing." Shayera laughed. "But John's right. This is just… a cute crush."
"Who's got a crush?" Flash appears suddenly in the chair next to Green Lantern with his ever present grin.
"Someone's leaving Batman gifts." Shayera holds up the bat.
"Hahahaha! That's so cool, Bat's got a fan!" Flash laughs and plays with the stuffed bat.
Batman snatches the bat away from the speedster and puts it back on the table. It wasn't that he minded Flash playing with it, but whoever was leaving these gifts might. Flash feels a little put off as the bat he'd worked so hard to find is taken from his hands. He looks at it then over to the stoic black statue. Flash can practically see the wheels turning in the magnificent brain of the Bat. Finally, Batman's masked eyes focus on Flash and as he prepares to say something, the speedster's gone.
"What was that all about?" Shayera looks from the empty chair to Batman.
"Not sure, but I think my suspicion's right. I think Flash knows who's giving me these."
"Flash? I guess he might. He hangs out with Supergirl a lot." Lantern watches as Batman stands and leaves the cafeteria.
"You know who's leaving the gifts, too, don't you?" Shayera whispers, leaning across the table.
"Let's just say I need to stop going to Flash's apartment without calling first."