Sorry this took so long- I wasn't even going to finish but then I got so many great reviews I felt I owed it to all of you!

"Stalker," Claire said, as she landed lightly on the roof and faced her father. Batman landed beside her, ready to make a move if looked like either was about to strike the other. Not that he was sure he could be quick enough.

"You are here for your mother,"

"As are you,"

"I think we have different purposes in mind," Batman was sure Stalker almost smiled.

"She'll kill you, she won't kill me."

"A small price to pay for your safety,"

"She can't hurt me Stalker!" Claire said, "And she won't."

"She will one day grow tired of your 'games' and she will kill you," Stalker's voice was even.

Claire tossed her head proudly, "And by then I will be strong enough to take anything she can throw at me. She hasn't even managed to kill Batman yet!"

"Hey!" Batman said.

"She would have succeeded last night, he owes his life to me," Stalker's eyes narrowed.

Claire glared at her father, "Don't you think I know that? That's why I've been helping him!"

"He doesn't let you fight alongside him as Batman,"

"I'd never even seen Batman until he busted into my room!"

"That's impossible, Batman knows you. I smelled your scent on him. That's why I asked for his help. I knew he would lead me to you."

"We've never met," Batman growled.

"I saw you two fight together just a few nights ago!" Stalker said.

"I was with Terry! Terry isn't Batman! I had used an illusion, that's why you thought it was Batman."

"That's why I could never find you…" Batman said, pretending he had been searching for her, and not hunting alongside her.

"Of course, I like my mother possess psychic abilities. I made sure all security recordings of my hunt were blurred, and no one could see me hunt. I protected my companion as well."

"Batman?"

"No, Terry."

"Who is Terry?" Stalker asked, his long face suddenly seemed less severe, and more confused.

"Enough! Your mother has psychic abilities?" Batman decided to end this conversation before either of the others started making connections.

"Yes, she's the leader of the Brain Trust," Brain Trust- Batman remembered that name, but the thought did not make him happy. But at least it was the first thing that had made sense. He also realized now no one could have seen him hunting with Claire, and why she was always so exhausted and hungry after fights, she must have been using her powers. She was hunting the Jokerz to help Batman. But why?

"Why have you been helping me?"

"Like Stalker said, it's a game. She goes after someone, I protect them, eventually she wins, but I like annoying her."

"So you're saying she's going to defeat me?"

"Probably," Not what Batman had been hoping to hear.

"So will you help me?" He turned and looked at her, ignoring Stalker. He had upheld his end of the bargain and brought him his daughter.

"Like Stalker said, her patience only extends so far. I can help you on the side, but I would never face her in open combat. You're on your own if you want to do that."

"You need to forget this game Claire," Stalker warned.

"She's after Batman because of you! Because you failed to kill him!"

"Now she will be after all of us," Stalker said gravely. "I suggest we get moving, I'm sure she has already begun to hunt for us. She must know I am here by now, and she will be looking for me."

"She knows you would look for Claire,"

"Yes," Stalker looked ashamed for a moment, he knew he had accidentally drawn all of them into a trap.