Bent
Metropolis – Hours Later
The two naked bodies did a slow, sensual dance that was timeless. Each movement, slow and controlled to add to the pleasure and arousal. It was such a delicious balancing act, as her hips ground down against his, his shaft piercing up into her depths and flooding both of them with pleasure. Hands and lips joined in the symphony, caressing and teasing each other's flesh until they both felt like they were going to come apart at the seams.
He knew she had more experience than he did, but it was the way she used that experience that shattered every preconceived notion he had. He like so many others believed he was a man of steel and most women were, well, you know the comparison. While she did have the Meta gene, she was mostly human and all woman. The longer they went through he was beginning to think she was more than what he'd first thought.
While their conversation was brief and erratic during this long session, she managed to make him see things in a different way. Power had no place in this. Strength was in control. Speed was overrated unless it was used to vary the tempo, but never as a sheer force. Slow could be so maddeningly erotic. Inches, centimeters of movement could be as breathtaking as anything he'd imagined. Instead of the bull in a china shop approach, he could use his senses in different ways. Had he ever touched softer skin than hers just above her hip on her lower back? Could his tongue dance and explore just the very tips of her nipples, yet be rewarded with such a gratifying purr? So many sensations to experience that his senses were on overload most of the time.
She showed him also that while his body might be hard as steel, the adjective super extended in ways he'd never imagined. The feel of her hot breathe as those little hair on his neck. Her tongue toying and teasing against the curves of his ear sent shudders through his body. Her lips and hands caressing every inch of him until every nerve in his body was on fire.
The final worry had been overcome in the first hour. Completion. The analogy most thought of was the speeding bullet or a fire hose, but once again that was fantasy not reality. Yes there was more force behind it then most men, but most men over estimate just how powerful it is. It was different to be sure and a little jarring for her, but if anything it help trigger an even larger climax for her.
She showed him it wasn't about power, but control. As the night progressed he learned that control took many forms and he willingly followed her lead. They were making love, not engaged in a death match. Worries about him holding her too tight and crushing her bones disappeared just as they did in any other situation. This was about touch and feel and sensation not power, speed and force. This was about being a man making love to a woman, not some super being dominating another. This was equals giving and receiving pleasure. Yes he had to be careful, but how was that any different than anyone else?
As the night progressed he understood what it was to be a man making love to a woman. It might have been slow, but he was also learning just how good slow could be.
Gotham
The Scarecrow, Dr. Jonathan Crane stood in the shadows listening to the offer his business associates were making. The two lower ranking Yakuza men were nervous, but he could see it had nothing to do with him. It was a feeling he didn't like. As they rambled on, he grew tired of their words and cut them off.
"Gentlemen, I'm a business man,' he said, moving over to the large shipping container and patting its side. "I have the merchandize you wanted and am only here for payment."
"You have them all? ' One of the Yakuza men asked.
"Yes, a little worse for wear, but the number is what we agreed on,' he replied. "Pay me for this shipment and then we can discuss this new problem you're having."
The two men looked at each other and nodded in silent agreement. Kijuro had said use any means necessary to eliminate this new threat. Gotham was notorious for its criminal element and the Scarecrow was a prime example. By taking this step they hoped they were showing initiative that would be rewarded their results. They moved over to the computer and made the bank transfer, stepping back so he could see it completed. Crane watched the numbers grow in his off shore account and then turned to the men. He was smiling under his hood, but they didn't know this.
"Now tell me about this problem you're having?"
The lead man licked his lips nervously and then related what they knew about the assassin stalking their organization.
"Just one?' Crane asked. "I'm sure we can work out a deal; we just need for you to make a deposit. Now!"
There was an edge to his voice and the two men gulped. Moving back to the computer, the lead man tapped with nervous fingers and made the transfer. Crane watched off of without making a sound. When it registered in his account, he closed the computer and tossed it in the backseat of his SUV.
"A wise investment, gentlemen,' Crane said to them. "This is Gotham and everything has a price. Your adversary will be dealt with and very soon."
"Thank you, thank." The man started to say and then grabbed his throat as blood started to pouring out. His eyes went wide in shock and horror, before he slumped to the ground.
Crane and the remaining Yakuza man were startled by his death and when they looked up Masami was standing there.
"Well, well, well, this is the easiest money I've made in a long time,' Crane said. "The problem comes right to me. Hello, little girl, want to play do you?"
"You work for them?' She asked.
"Yes."
"Then you share their fate,' she replied.
"How quaint, but we'll see who shares whose fate,' Crane said. He slowly moved to his right, as he watched her carefully. He could see her tense and then realized the remaining Yakuza man was pulling his gun. Crane dove for cover. The man never got his gun out from his coat, as her fan sliced threw his neck and took off his ear. He screamed in pain, but had no chance to recover, as she continued her attack. The man fired uselessly into the air and then she struck with full force. Masami ended his life with one prefect blow, driving her sword through his chest and heart. He quivered and jerked, but death was already the foregone conclusion. She let him slip down the blade and dropped to the ground.
"Excellent, excellent, I doubt the Dark Knight himself could have done it better,' Crane's voice echoed through the warehouse. "Of course, he would have let them live, but still it was very effective."
Masami was ready for Crane to attack, just not ready for the cloud of powder that engulfed her. She tried not to breath, but it was too late and some of it was already in her system.
"Have you ever been afraid, little girl?' Crane's voice called to her. The room seemed to vibrate and flicker in and out. Sounds were amplified and her perspective was all wrong. She stumbled, clutching at some of the crates as she lost her balance. The room seemed to telescope out and away from her. She could hear him whispering to her, yet she couldn't focus enough to find him.
"So sad, really. 'He whispered, staying in the shadows. "You came all this way for nothing. You failed, little girl, for that's just what you are, a scared little girl, aren't you?"
This was Crane's favorite part; the first signs of confusion, then panic and fear. He licked his smiling lips under his hood, his eyes intensely watching her. She hadn't taken in as much gas as he'd like, but someone as small as she was it should be enough. He would enjoy watching her suffer for a very long time.
"All your skills stripped away by fear,' he continued. "You're helpless, aren't you, little girl?"
Masami's breathing was coming in gasps as she tried to understand and control what was happening to her. Her heart was beating too fast and seemed to cause the whole warehouse to pulse with each beat. Her eyes went wide as she swung her sword wildly at anything and everything. His laugh echoed through her, like some haunted demon from hell. She was undisciplined with panic, as the effects got stronger by the moment. Masami stumbled into some steel bars, knocking them down and when they hit the floor they transformed into snakes. Asps and vipers slithered at her feet and she backpedaled and fell.
"Helpless and hopeless,' he whispered. "The harder they are, the easier they fall. You're nothing, little girl, just a frightened child in way too deep. I'm going to enjoy hearing your screams."
Masami scrambled on the floor, desperately to get away from the snakes, but as she glanced up, shadows darted across the dim lit roof. The whole warehouse seemed alive, the images of demons out of storybooks flashing in and out of her field of vision.
Crane played with her for several minutes, taunting and tormenting her. He relished the wild-eyed panic and fear in her eyes and wanted more of it. The only thing that would make it perfect was to hear her scream. Crane wanted her to scream, to beg, to cry, and to fall deeper into her own fear and hopelessness. He craved it like a drug. Why hadn't she screamed, he wondered?
She was pressed against the cargo container, willing herself to stay upright, but every instinct within her wanted to curl up into a ball until the nightmares went away.
"You won't be joining them, little girl,' Crane said to her. "They are already spoken for, but you're just like them, afraid. Can you hear them, whimpering and sobbing, their worst nightmares have become real just like yours are right now.
She shuddered as she looked at the cargo crate, her mind bombarded with terrifying visions and ideas of what might be inside. Masami could hear the voices inside, desperate and hopeless in the dark. Still she didn't scream.
"Mommy and Daddy should see you now, little girl, they would be so disappointed,' Crane said with a laugh.
This was the wrong thing to say, but he had no way of knowing it at the time. Masami had been fighting the gas as hard as she could for several minutes, but the mention of her parents seemed to bring her mind into some sort of focus. She opened the latch on the container and looked inside, facing her fears. Her eyes finally saw what was in the container and she felt bile surge up in her throat.
Crane was overconfident and stepped out of the shadows for the kill. Masami saw him, blurred and out of focus, but her countless hours of training unconsciously took over. Her arm flicked out, sending her deadly fan at him. Crane screamed and dodged out of the way, but it still managed to cut through his jacket and blood started to gush from the wound.
"You little bitch,' he shouted. She was still leaning heavily on the container, so he reached down and picked up a thin, hard pipe. "You've been a bad little girl and everyone knows bad little girls need to be punished!"
Her vision was off, but she sensed him moving towards her. Pushing off from the container, she tried to fight but he was already on her. She gasped in pain and crumbled to the ground as he viciously hit her across the back of the legs with the pipe. He smiled as he watched her fall.
"Don't worry, sweetie, I'm make it quick and painful,' he gleefully said, striking her again on the shoulder. Pain lanced through her and tears came to her eyes as she tried to crawl away from him. Her coat had fallen off and he could see the dragon tattoo on her back. It made a perfect target, Crane thought.
"Just stay still and give up, little girl, it will all be over in just a moment' he said. Raising the pipe over his head, he slammed it down across her back, driving her into the cement floor. He watched her body shudder and writhe in pain, loving every minute of it. "Scream, damn it! I want to hear you scream!
He started to laugh as he stood over her, wanting her to know fear right up to the end. His laugh died on his lips as he saw the dragon tattoo begin to move.
"What the hell?' He shouted, jumping away from her. This wasn't how it was suppose to go, he desperately thought. He continued backpedaling as she slowly rose to her feet and the dragon tattoo slithered over her skin. She turned and looked at him, her black eyes full of hate.
"Fear,' she whispered and then the dragon tattoo leaped over her body at Crane. He screamed, dropping the pipe and diving to the ground in a panic. He felt the hot rush of wind against his skin and closed in eyes out of terror. When he opened them again, she was standing over him with the pipe in her hands. Crane slowly raised his hands in surrender.
"Okay, you win,' he said. "Call the cops and lock me up. I'll be out in now time."
"No."
"What,' he said, confused by her lack of emotion. "Come on, that's the way the game is played little girl!"
"I don't play games. Now I want to hear you scream, just once,' she whispered. Crane's eyes opened wild in shock and horror as she raised the pipe above her head. He started to scream, but it was cut off by a wet, sickening thud.
Themyscira
Diana was been pouring over the records all day and now it was night. The lights had been turned on for her, but she hardly noticed. The information was astonishing. Her mother had been diverting money from the general fund and funneling it to charities around the globe. Themyscira was a small, but rich country so no services had been hurt, but the extent of her donations was staggering. All this time, Diana had never known any of it. She had always thought her mother cared nothing for the outside world, but now she was seeing a whole different side to Hippolyta.
Doctors without Borders, Oxfam, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Africare, HealthRight International, Global Fund for Women and the list went on and on. The level of generosity was amazing. Diana realized the charities weren't even exclusively charities for women. All the donations were made privately, without any fanfare.
As angry as Diana was at her mother, she was impressed and overwhelmed by all of it. Why hadn't she ever told her, Diana wondered? Here she thought she knew her mother so well, yet this was all new. Her respect and love for Hippolyta seemed to out weight her anger as she looked at the good works she had done. If she knew so little about her mother, perhaps there was a good reason she had done what she did recently. For the life of her though, Diana couldn't figure out what it was.
The Watchtower
Hippolyta was making her first appearance on the station as the new Champion of Themyscira. She had been here before, but that was as Queen. There was meeting schedule for later, so she'd arrived early hoping things would feel different than they did at the Embassy. She was disappointed to find they didn't. Awkward conversations and uncomfortable silences seemed to follow her wherever she went. She had thought these heroes would take it in stride better than the rest, but apparently not. She found the cafeteria and heard the hush fall over it as she entered. She went over and got herself a cup of tea and sat down at an empty table. No one had offered or invited her to seat with them. Hippolyta tried to act as if she didn't notice, pretending to read the summary of the last meeting, but she did notice.
Wally, Shayera and Zatanna were sitting together at one of the back tables and had been watching all of this.
"Someone should go over and at least talk to her,' Zee said.
"Yes," Shayera agreed. "How come you haven't gone racing over there, Wally? Usually any new attractive female walks in and you're all over her. You seemed to enjoy staring at her in a magazine, why not up close and personal?'
"Well, she is hot,' Wally started. "It's just she's Diana's mother and Queen."
"Ex-Queen,' Zee corrected him.
"She still seems like the Queen to me," Wally replied. "Besides, you might not believe this, but what happens if I say the wrong thing? I know it's not likely, but she's like the original Amazon. She must really hate men. She's carrying a sword, for crying out loud! You know if somehow I say the wrong thing, even by accident, she'll want to kill me and if she doesn't than Diana will. I think I'll just pass on the howdy-doos this time."
"Wow, that was almost a mature, well thought out paragraph, Wally,' Shayera teased.
"Ha-Ha, why don't you go over, you're a warrior woman like her,' Wally replied. "Or at least that's what you're always going on and on about."
"What the hell is that supposed to me?' Shayera gasped.
"See, what if something like this happened,' Wally said to Zatanna. 'Hippolyta's probably even more touchy than Shayera is."
"I asked you a question, Wally,' Shayera demanded. 'I don't go on and on about being a warrior, even though I am! We Thanagarian are know throughout the galaxy for our fighting prowess!"
"Yeah, yeah, we've heard it before, many times,' Zee interrupted. "So why don't you warrior up and go over there and say hello to her?"
Shayera seemed flustered, not sure, which of her friends she was angrier at. In the end she went with the easiest and stupidest reply.
"Why don't you?"
"What are we in the third grade?' Zee countered. "I'm rubber and you're glue?"
'I noticed you didn't answer the question,' Wally chimed in. Zee gave him a dirty look, but he just smiled in return.
"Well?' Shayera demanded.
"Okay, the truth is, I don't think she likes me,' Zee finally admitted. "I know she's supposed to be all sisters united and everything, but I never got a warm vibe off her. Maybe she doesn't like my outfit or something, I don't know."
"I like your outfit,' Wally instantly said with a leering smile. He received a smack on the back of the head for it. "Ow!"
"Don't be a perv,' Zee told him. "So what's your excuse, warrior woman?"
Shayera's nostrils flared as anger rose up inside of her.
"Would you stop making fun of me? I really am a warrior you know!"
"Than answer the question,' Zee replied.
"Yeah,' Wally added with a grin. He received another shot for that from Shayera.
"Ow! Why are you hitting me,' he groaned. "She said it!"
"Answer the question, Shayera,' Zee teased.
"I didn't like the way you were grinning, Wally."
"Not that question,' Zee groaned. "Why don't you go over to Hippolyta?"
"I don't want to,' Shayera reluctantly admitted. "She intimidates me a little. I'm not good around royalty, never have been."
"Some warrior,' Zee said with a smirk. Shayera smacked Wally again.
"Ow! She said it, I didn't,' he complained and the turned and smacked Zee.
"Ow, what the hell was that for,' she grumbled.
"I was just passing that on from Shayera,' he replied.
"Well, pass this back to her,' Zee said and smacked him.
"Ow, stop hitting me,' he gasped and hit Zee again.
Clark had arrived for the meeting and could hear the conversations all over the station. Hippolyta seemed to be the focus of most of them. As he walked along the hallways, he could tell her being here was making many of the members, especially the younger ones a bit nervous. Quietly using his X-ray vision he located Hippolyta. He saw her sitting alone in the crowded cafeteria. He also saw that Shayera, Wally and Zatanna were apparently having a slap fight, so some things were normal.
As he looked at Hippolyta again, he got the sense of how alone she seemed, surrounded by people, yet none of them interacting with her. He hadn't really thought much about it, but suddenly realized what a huge change this all must be for her. He knew her reasons for doing it, but he imagined she hadn't really understood what it would mean to give up the island and come out to the world. It must have been so unfamiliar and isolated for her. He knew a little of what that felt like, but there had always been a friend to offer a hand. Maybe it was time for him to repay all that generosity.
Turning around, he headed for the cafeteria and quietly entered. The tension was palpable in the room, as he got a cup of coffee. He thought he saw Hippolyta furtively glance around, almost as if she was wondering if anyone would talk to her. Sighing, he headed for her table.
Hippolyta was an immortal and had lived a long, long time, but she was still a human being. She still experienced the same emotions everyone else did. At the moment she was feeling a little awkward, uncomfortable and rattled. For whatever time she was to be in this world, she had hoped it wouldn't be too difficult. The reactions she'd received from the staff at the Embassy and now here on the Watchtower made her rethink this. She felt very alone.
"Mind if I sit down?"
She had been so tied up in her own thoughts she hadn't heard him come over. She looked up to see Clark smiling at her. Again, a sense of relief washed over her at seeing one friendly face.
"Please, Kal-El, sit down, thank you.'
He slid into the seat across from her and took a sip of is coffee.
"First day in school, huh,' he joked. "Always tough to figured out how you fit in."
"I think most of them see me as someone's mother instead of a fellow student,' she countered.
"Give them a little time, it's just all so new,' he offered.
"I'm trying,' she admitted. "But it's all so new to me too."
"So how are you doing with everything?"
Across the cafeteria Shayera, Wally and Zee were watching this interaction with interested.
"Well, I guess we should have seen that coming,' Shayera said with a smile.
"Yeah, he always has a thing for that uniform,' Wally added.
"More like what's in that uniform,' Zee replied.
Wally's mouth hung open in surprised. He looked from Zee to Shayera. "Now who's the pervert, huh?"
Gotham
Batman and Catwoman were still on the rooftop, when he received a call from Alfred. There were reports coming in of an attack near the waterfront and they sounded like the same sort as before.
"What? What's going on?' Selina asked.
"Misdirection,' Bruce grumbled. "If I hadn't been distracted I would have seen something like this coming."
He gave her the famous Batman glare and then fired his line. Selina watched this and realized he was just going to leave her there. She put her hands on her hips and glared at him.
"I suppose you're blaming this on me,' she said. "It's my fault you're distracted?"
"Yes,' he replied, starting to launch himself off the building.
"And now you're dumping me? I'll bet Aquaman never dumped his partner like this, you bastard!"
"Damn it,' he grumbled. Bruce stopped reached out and pulled her into his arms. "We're not partners, not hold on."
Before she could reply they were off the rooftop and swinging through the night air.
Ten minutes later, they cautiously made their way into the warehouse. The police were on their way, but they still had time to examine the crime scene. Two Yakuza men dead on the floor greeted them. Bruce moved over to examine the bodies. Selina walked in behind him, taking in the two dead men, but when she looked up she stopped in her tracks.
"Batman," she barely managed to whisper. He turned and looked at her, but she just pointed above them. His eyes followed her finger and then he saw it. Scarecrow, Jonathan Crane was hanging from the beam overhead. There was a metal pipe sticking out of his chest and no need to check if he was dead. Anger and sadness welled up inside of Bruce. This had happened in his city, under his watch. Someone had taken the law into his or her own hands and played executioner. They had crossed the line and now they were killing people of Gotham. Crane was scum, but this was too much.
The sadness was that it had come to this. As deeply committed to his mission as Bruce was, he never crossed the line. He still believed in the law. Crane would never get his day in court now.
"Damn it! This shouldn't happen in my city,' he grumbled.
"Batman,' Selina said to him. He turned and saw her standing in front of the cargo container. "Don't shed any tears for him."
She opened the door slowly and the light entered it to reveal its contents. Young girls, between the ages of 12 and 16, huddled terrified in the darkness of the container. Crane was shipping them out as slaves. It seemed he'd moved up or down in the world of crime, depending on how you looked at it.
Themyscira
It was very late, but Diana was still going over the records. There was a knock at her door and then Phillipus, Donna and Artemis came in.
"It's really late, Diana,' Donna said. "You need to knock off and get some rest."
Diana sat back and looked at the three of them. She held up the records and shook her head.
"I don't know her at all,' she finally said.
"What are you talking about, my Queen?' Artemis asked.
"Hippolyta, my mother, going through these records it's like I didn't know her at all. Phillipus, did you know about all this charity work,' Diana asked.
"I knew she as actively engaged with organizations, but to what extent, no,' Phillipus replied.
"What are you two talking about?' Donna asked.
"Mother has been quietly funding charities and relief organizations all over the world,' Diana explained. "All anonymously, but the figures are all here."
"That's a good thing, right?' Artemis asked.
"Yes, it's a wonderful thing, but she didn't tell anyone she was doing it."
"Perhaps she was worried it would draw attention to those causes for the wrong reasons,' Phillipus offered. The three women had come over to the desk and were looking at the records in front of Diana. Their expressions showed clearly they were just as surprised as Diana was.
"It's remarkable,' Diana mused, shaking her head as she sat back. "I find myself questioning so many things about her now. I've even started to wonder if maybe she had a good reason for calling the tournament."
"You mean besides having an affair with Superman?' Donna absently said before she realized it.
"Wh-Wh-What?' Diana gasped, her eyes opened wide in surprised and shock.
"Oops,' Donna said with a cringe.
"I thought we agreed to wait?' Artemis grumbled.
"Well, I did wait,' Donna said, trying to justify herself. "Okay, not long enough, clearly."
"Mother and Kal,' Diana muttered, still in shock at the very thought. The three women looked at each other and then the stunned Diana. Artemis was the first to take action.
"My Queen, as your adviser, I think it's time for you to start drinking, heavily."