STEEL THY HEART CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A/N: Superman is engaged in a life-or-death struggle; Batman has words with Selina, and Sylvia's death is brought to light in this chapter. Please read and review.
Disclaimer: I don't own Supergirl, the Guardians, or any other characters which are publically recognizable in this chapter, or in any other chapter.
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Charlie let himself into the apartment that he and Sylvia sometimes shared; his plane tickets to Madrid in hand. He was so glad that Syl had called him earlier that night. Charlie was only too eager to help her, and he had assisted her by knocking out the security guard who would have restrained her with his cuffs and putting him in her closet. At least, the guard would be out for a couple of hours: plenty of time to get out of dodge.
Unfortunately, Charles had forgotten the plane tickets he'd purchased, and he had to go home to get them. But now, they could celebrate! He could hardly wait to start his new life abroad. The broad shouldered aerobics instructor and exercise guru smiled slyly as he pictured her creamy thighs beneath him, her legs bringing her quivering body closer to his in a cornucopia of sexual bliss. Charles could also see the money they had agreed to split lining his pockets. He already had some key investments, as did she, lined up abroad. If all worked out, and his optimistic nature told him it would, they would live on Lex Luthor's "donation" for the rest of their lives.
"Syl, honey!" he shouted out. There was no answer.
Probably soaking in the tub, he thought. He trained his ears on the bathroom, but when he didn't hear any water running, Charles mentally mused, that's odd.
For as long as he had known Sylvia, Charlie knew that she had certain rituals. She luxuriated in a bath around this time every night. Most nights she had been in the tub for so long that he would carry her to the King sized bed they shared and he would make love to her, her dripping wet body spurring him on as he licked her glistening skin.
Tonight, however, there was an eerie silence, like the stillness of death. Charlie called out once more as he walked toward the bathroom. He was about to check in when he saw Sylvia nestled amongst the white, fluffy cotton sheets she preferred.
"Ready for me, huh, baby?" he asked, his tone light and teasing despite the growing feeling he was getting that all was not right. Charles' long, brown fingers peeled back the covers as he nestled close to her.
A second later, he turned on the light in a panic when he felt her cold stiffness. Then, he gasped and cursed. Next to him, the body of his lover lay with her eyes open and staring up at the ceiling. Charles didn't disturb her as he took out his cell phone and, rising from the bed, called 9-1-1, his tearing eyes never leaving her.
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Inside the Watchtower's medical area, the Guardian spoke, his voice sounding like crunchy leaves. "Tell me how I can aid the one who has saved our lives a thousand times over," he told the heroes. Behind him, Supergirl was being briefed quietly by the Flash.
"Just getting a fellow Kryptonian here has helped tremendously," the Martian Manhunter said. "Kal El needs a blood transfusion if he is to live."
"Then, I will aid in that for now," the blue skinned alien said. He materialized a machine with two long, metal needles on it. They were attached to tubes which, everyone surmised, would be used for the blood transfusion. The Flash went next door to get some more Kryptonite liquid for the Martian to use on Supergirl and on Superman.
There was a bed next to where the Man of Steel lay. Kara got on it, ready to save her cousin. Without preamble, J'onn dipped the end of the metal tubes in the substance and placed one needle into Supergirl. Kara was surprised at how gentle the Martian was on her skin. J'onn injected the other needle into Superman's free arm.
"Atom," he said, "we are ready to begin the transfusion here. I presume you however must start your trip back?"
"As soon as I can," the Atom's voice ventured. "I'll stay here for now to make sure this works."
The Guardian materialized a mask over Supergirl's face. "Breathe, child," he instructed. "You shall need to be asleep for this critical operation."
Supergirl nodded, praying that she was not too late. Beyond everyone, the Batman stared at the Man of Tomorrow. There had been times when the Dark Knight had wanted to strangle his fellow Leaguer; so naïve and innocent was he, so opposite. But at times like this, all he could think about was how he couldn't stand to lose another person that he cared very deeply about. Batman quietly left the room, going outside to see what he could do.
He reasoned that the first thing he needed to do was to find out how Superman had gotten into this predicament in the first place. Batman wanted to question J'onn, since his analytical mind told the Caped Crusader that the Martian would have connected with Superman's mind to find out what had happened. But, the Manhunter was needed for his medical training. The Flash, who seemed to be assisting, was also needed to be on hand in case something was required that the Guardian could not provide. Besides, Batman preferred being alone.
He was about to teleport down to Gotham city to see what crimes he could stop there when he saw the Catwoman materialize in the hallway.
"Well," he said sardonically, "this is a first. In my wildest dreams, I never would have pictured you here." Selina faced the man who had broken her heart and let her bravado fall into place.
"I came to return Superman's teleportation device," she explained.
"He's unable to respond right now," Batman said gravelly, holding out his hand. Selina promptly deposited the instrument in it; then, she turned toward the room, taking in what she could. Turning back to the Dark Night, the Catwoman tried showing no emotions. From the way her jaw twitched beneath her mask, however, he could see her distress.
"Is he…?" she asked. "How is he doing?" The Batman caught the catch in her voice.
"Not well," he responded.
"On a scale of one to ten?" she wanted to know.
"Minus six," Batman told her. He decided to press her for information.
"Why did you take Superman's teleportation device?" he asked, sounding suspicious.
Selina caught the rebuke. But then, Bruce had always made her feel inadequate in comparison to him; or, her mind supplied, at least he was making her feel that way now. She didn't try to analyze when things had changed. Selina wasn't certain she'd like the answer.
"I had some work to do," she said simply. "There was a blonde assassin who did this to him. She had it coming to her." Batman crossed his arms and smirked.
"And so you gave it to her," he finished. "Why do I think there's more to this story?"
"Because there is," Catwoman agreed, feeling suddenly like a mouse in a trap. "The blonde is dead. She collapsed while we were fighting."
"You didn't finally kill someone out of anger, did you?" he asked.
"She was breathing for awhile; then, she asked for help, but before I could do something, she started turning blue," Selina reported. Batman considered that.
"As though she was fighting for air?" he wondered. At the Catwoman's nod, Batman realized this was the break he had been looking for. He needed some action so that he didn't have to stand around waiting to see if Superman would recover.
"After that," Catwoman went on, "she died." Batman whipped out his teleportation device.
"Where was she when she collapsed?" the Detective asked. Catwoman gave him the location.
"Grab onto my cape," he ordered. "We'll see what we can discover about how she died."
Catwoman clutched it. Batman keyed in the woman's address, stating, "I know where Metro Towers is."
"There's something else," Selina added. "She was dating Luthor when she bought it."
The Batman said, "Why am I not surprised?" He activated the device, and together, the duo teleported to Sylvia's apartment building. Batman pulled the Catwoman to the side to see what was going on. Together they craned their heads to look at the front where cops were trotting in and out, and Charles was telling them what he knew.
"I don't know why anyone would want to kill her," he said, the shock of seeing his deceased inamorato finally wearing on him. "She was fly, you know? And she had no enemies that I can think of."
One of the cops commented wryly, "obviously, she had one."
Charlie didn't register what the policeman had said. He was thinking how he could leave town. Sylvia's lover just knew this deal could go sour, and he had a pretty good idea who was behind it. At least, he conjectured, he was small potatoes to a man like Luthor. Charles Mason could disappear without too many fingers pointing at him, especially when they established that the time of Sylvia's death was way before he had arrived.
"If you don't need me…" Charles began. A policewoman fished out a card and handed it to him.
"Call us if you remember anything else," she told him. Charlie nodded, thinking about his sister's place in Boca Raton. When he got into his car and drove off, Batman swung high above him. Selina stayed behind to see what she could find out.
"We've got something," one detective said. Another reported that the ambulance was pulling up. Still another carried a box filled with some of Sylvia's things, including the briefcase, her lipstick, the knife, and the perfume bottle she had used. The items inside had the remnants of fingerprint dust on them.
"What've we got?" a policewoman asked.
One of the cops went inside to assist the ambulance driver who was wheeling in a stretcher. Another policeman reported, "this." He held up a single, navy colored fiber. Although Selina could not see it clearly from her hiding place, she could guess what the cops might have found.
Out of the frying pan…she thought. She left the scene of the crime and when she was far enough away, the Catwoman disappeared into the night.
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Very late that evening, Selina received a visit from the World's Greatest Detective.
"So, what did you find out from lover boy or the police?" she asked.
"Enough," Batman reported.
Selina bounded from her bed, her costume still in place. "Don't give me that!" She snapped. "It's my ass on the line, here! I just know they found something that can be traced back to me."
"Perhaps," the Caped Crusader said. He held up a slide.
"What's that?" Selina wondered. In a rare turn, Batman smiled.
"Proof of your possible innocence," he said. "Follow me." Together, the Bat and the Cat walked to where the Batmobile was idling.