Chapter Nine

The street by the elementary school was busy by the time Bruce Wayne got there. Alfred was standing by his side, looking the part of the dutiful butler, but Bruce could see the worry in his eyes. Gordon had said he'd keep an eye on Kaitlyn, but that didn't mean Gordon hadn't gotten in over his head. He could be in danger as well, and the thought of both his daughter and his friend at the mercy of some unknown criminal made Bruce's blood boil. Gordon was a basically trusting guy. He would have to be to even think about teaming up with a crazy man dressed as a bat. He could only imagine what went through the poor cop's mind the first time he got a good look at the Batman. With a sigh, he pushed the thoughts away. There wasn't even any hint at all that this had anything to do with the Joker, Gordon's traitor, or Gordon himself. He was jumping to conclusions, his nerves shot by the month of waiting with nothing to go on. He wanted something to happen, simply so he could finally say it's over. Kaitlyn was safe.

Maybe if he kept saying that often enough, he could convince himself to believe it.

He found Mrs. Bones quickly enough. "What happened?"

"There was a shooting by the school." the older woman said, her tone dark and matter-of-fact. This was nothing new in Gotham. "Someone thought they'd get their kicks by shooting at a bunch of kids. Lucky a cop was patrolling the area and caught him before he could hurt any of the kids. It still scared them." She laughed bitterly. "It won't after a few times. That's the part that scares me." Bruce nodded in agreement. He glanced at Alfred, but the butler simply shook his head. He hadn't seen her yet.

"Where's Kaitlyn?"

"She's around here somewhere." Mrs. Bones assured him. "She was on the swings when it happened, so she may have decided to move toward the buildings. It's safer there."

"Alfred, check the buildings." Bruce instructed quietly. "I'll take a look at the swings." Alfred nodded.

"You don't think she's still here, Master Wayne?"

Bruce shook his head mutely. "I think it happened, and I think Gordon got caught in it." he admitted. "I need to confirm something before we get moving." Alfred nodded and headed to the buildings, giving Bruce the privacy he needed to investigate the swings. He found the one she was sitting on at the time - it was the one she always sat on, a good distance away from everyone else. She wasn't comfortable socializing with anyone, much less the other kids. Sometimes Bruce swore the only ones she was really comfortable with was him, Alfred, and Fox. He stood at the swing for a moment, took a deep breath, and looked down.

Sure enough, right where he thought it would be. A playing card, the Joker, with a message scrawled in black Sharpie across the back.

Look quickly.

Bruce's eyes darkened and he slid the card into his pocket. He didn't have much time. He would have to move tonight. He pulled his cell phone from its holder and dialed a number by memory. "Fox, this is Wayne. I need you to contact Gordon. You don't have to talk to him, just find out where he is. Call me back when you know." He listened for a moment. "I know. Tonight." More silence. A frown marred his face, but his eyes were glowing with curiousity. "I'll be in time."

/--/

Gordon woke with a pounding headache. He could barely move. The last thing he remembered was patrolling by the elementary school, the gunshots -

Kaitlyn!

His eyes snapped open, quickly adjusting to the blinding light. The setting sun was right in his face, so he couldn't see much of anything. Still, there was enough information for him to determine three things - his hands were tied behind his back, there were two other people standing in the light, and in between them was Kaitlyn Wayne, the one he promised Batman he'd protect. Which lead to a fourth realization.

If he didn't do something, they were all in trouble. These men wouldn't wait for Batman to arrive. They would kill the girl before he could even get there. He looked around, trying to find something he could use to free himself. Lying on the ground with his wrists behind him was not the best way to protect another person. Heck, he couldn't even protect himself like this. Anger shot through him, and he welcomed it. Gordon would rather be pissed off and willing to do whatever he had to than get depressed and miss an opportunity.

"We need to do it soon." Gordon recognized the voice. Rono, just like they suspected. Well, this really sucked. "He'll be here any minute."

"I know." another voice said darkly, and Gordon nearly had a heart attack. Even though he knew it was a possibility, he had never truly entertained it. Now he had to face the harsh reality. Dent was alive, and just as damaged mentally as he had been. "I want him here. I want him to watch as she dies, and not be able to do a thing about it."

From her vulnerable position between the two, Kaitlyn screeched denial. Gordon flinched at the ear-splitting sound. Apparently the girl was feeling a bit more confident at expressing herself. Dent reached down and slapped her across the face. Kaitlyn just screamed louder, all her fear and frustration pouring out in the sound.

"I say we kill her before the cops hear her." Rono hissed.

"Oh, I wouldn't do that yet." Yet another familiar voice, and Gordon wasn't sure which scared him more - the fact that this particular man had shown up at all or the fact that he was standing between Rono and Gordon, almost like he was sheilding him. The newcomer crossed his arms behind his back and stretched, dropping something in the process that landed right beside Gordon's fingers. His hands closed over it, and it was all he could do not to gasp in shock.

Joker smiled at the others, his eyes glittering with malice. "Don't you want to know the whole story before you act?"