Disclaimers :: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N :: Definitely un-beta. This chapter leans a bit toward Crime gene. But I'm very sucky at it. So hopefully it didn't come out too weird! XD Also it contains some flashbacks and switching in multiple point of views, just read slowly don't rush and you won't get confused. XD

Don't forget to Review if you can!

Chapter 9 :: Beware of Beautiful Strangers.

On the midsummer fairground alive with the sound
And the lights of the Wurlitzer merry-go-round
The midway was crowded and I was the man
Who coughed up a quid in the dark caravan
To the gypsy who warned him of danger
"Beware of the beautiful stranger"

"You got that for nothing" I said with a sigh
As the queen's head went up to her critical eye
"The lady in question is known to me now
And I'd like to beware but the problem is how
Do you think I was born in a manger?
I'm in love with the beautiful stranger"
- Pete Atkin, Beware of the Beautiful Stranger.

Mark Handerson hated summer in Gotham City.

Summer Night in Gotham was better than day for a resident without air conditioning installed. Mark was glad he spent all his day time during the heat and humid of Gotham away inside university library. One of his summer job that was an easy money for him to get extra cash and stay in the city without going back home in Michigan for school break. Even though his mother wasn't too happy about it.

His phone buzzed from back pocket of his pants. Mark scrambled it out as he squeezed through the street. The night was still young and people were pouring out from only god knew where into the pathway. He clicked his tongue when someone bumped into him and slipped away without apologize.

The screen of his phone lit up showing one new message.

Out of mlik. Can you pick it up on the way home?
- Reagan

His girlfriend's message made him frowned. She always waited until they were out of stuffs before asked him to get it, sometimes in the middle of the night. It made him frustrated at her unreasonable demands.

They'd been going out for almost two years now. And he loved her. Reagan came from an old money family, and could be a total bitch when she was moody, she liked to be to be treated as if she was a princess. It made Mark, who came from a lower middle class family felt skeptical from time to time about dating her. Though it wasn't like Reagan ever care about his money Or ever ask him to treat her anything overly expensive and he also knew Reagan loved him too, if not she wouldn't stay with him for this long when he was just a college student who got in Gotham University by a scholarship and had to work two jobs just to earn some money to stay in this city. Reagan knew all these and even she complained about his tiny AC-less apartment. Reagan was still with him.

Ok, anything else, Your Highness? He replied. A few minutes later his phone buzzed again.

Nope. But I'm going out with Nikki. Friday Ladies' Night! :D

Ladies' Night meant he would have to wait for her to call him to pick her up at 3 am when the club closed. Reagan had been going out almost every Friday night since school break started. Sometimes he just couldn't keep up with her life style. He sighed as he made his way to a convenient store to pick up some milk. It was only 9 pm, so Mark could stop by his favorite convenient store that usually closed at 9.30. Instead of the one nearer his apartment complex which the stuffs were overpriced and the old lady who was the owner always looked at him, or anyone else for that matter as if they would robbed her store. Mark was sure she even kept a short gun under the register just in case something like that happened.

Which he wouldn't be surprise either. It was after all, Gotham City they were living in.

He knew since the day he applied for college that the chance of living in this city with high crime rate was the price he had to pay for the better education from one of the most prestige university in United States when he only could go here as a scholarship student. There was no way his parents could effort the tuitions. And the cheapest apartment he could effort and had ok environment for study was in located in East End. Three years of living here, Mark was still surprise he'd never got mugged yet.

His mood made him slammed the door of drink refrigerator harder than usual, startled the girl who stood nearby the next refrigerator. She almost dropped her groceries.

"Sorry…." He mumbled apology to the girl.

"That's alright" The girl replied. Usually he wouldn't pay any attention but there was something about that girl's voice that drawing him to look back at her.

She was very attractive with fiery red hair pass her shoulder. Probably in her early twenties. Her brown eyes shone vividly as if they were made of amber. And she smiled at him as if she knew all his secrets. Mark was usually not the type to just fall for anyone because of their looks, it took him almost 6 months to really get to know Reagan and started Dating her. And his girlfriend was one of the prettiest girl in sororities. But this girl,

"…..um…." He felt his throat shut itself tight and his brain was working in slower pace than usual when he realized she was still looking at him.

"You live nearby, right? I saw you in this store couple times" She said with a voice as if singing a song.

"err….yes…." Oh! She noticed him? But how come he never seen her around here, with pretty girl like this. The words from his mouth came out too stupid but the girl was still grinning at him. Is she flirting with him? His brain seemed to have malfunction at the moment "….I'm Mark…"

"I'm Chloe, I would extend a hand but as you can see…." She said, gestured all the stuffs she carried.

"Well, I guess I better go, My sisters won't be happy if I made them wait too long. Especially when they're hungry…" She sighed and scrambled all her groceries as she made her way to the cashier. But not before she turned around "See you, later, Mark!"

And she winked. Leaving Mark there holding a gallon on 2% Reduced Fat Milk in his hand, that milk his girlfriend always drink because she had to watch her weight. His girlfriend – Reagan….something in his mind slipped slowly….He had a girlfriend?

"Hey!...I don't mind helping you with your groceries…" Mark called out, after unconsciously put the milk back in the refrigerator. Chloe turned back him.

"Are you sure? Don't you have someone waiting for you?" Chloe tilted her head while asked.

"…No one….." He heard himself say, reasons seemed to float away as he walked out with half of Chloe's paid groceries in his arms.

He didn't question her when they walked straight to the dark ally. Her flowery smell was overwhelming his sense and mind. The longer he spent with this beautiful stranger the more Reagan's face became hazy. And when they stopped at the end of the ally. He didn't even remember his own name anymore.

"We're here…." Chloe said with her melodic voice. Mark didn't see any door that would lead them elsewhere. Only the pile of garbage at the end of with the dumpster. Rotten smells assaulted his nose. Then he realized she wasn't talking to him.

"…You took so long..." Another voice rang out from the darkness.

"We begin to think you can't get food on your own, little sister….oh!" Second voice came before two figures emerged from the shadow by the dumpsters into the light. First was a woman with dark hair, second was a blond. Both were as beautiful as Chloe. And they smiled brightly when they saw Mark.

"Can't help it, there're so many garbage in this neighborhood! But look what I found….." He could hear Chloe's voice from behind before felt a hand touched his arm. Suddenly Chloe was so closed to him, her bosoms practically rubbed against his back. He felt his brain overloaded. He couldn't move.

"Hmm….I see" The dark hair woman said with a smile. Mark gulped as he felt her dark eyes on him. She walked closer, lifted her slander finger to grab his chin. Before tilted his head back and forth as if to inspect his face. "What's your name, darling?"

"Mark….Mark Handerson" He stammered. The dark hair woman batted her long eyelashes at him and smiled.

"Hello, Mark. I'm Cordelia" She said before gestured to the blond woman beside her. "And this's Caroline….we're Chloe's sisters…"

He nodded but his brain didn't seem to be his own anymore. He just stood there frozen as he let the three girls stepped closer to him.

"I hope this one last longer than the one before…." Caroline purred in his ears, her hand touched his back. Mark dropped the groceries bags.

"Poor Colin, I kinda liked him…" He heard Chloe say.

"You always have a thing for blond"

"And you just have a thing for pretty boys"

"Shut up, both of you….you are going to scare our new friend here" Cordelia snapped at her sisters. Before turned to Mark again. "…..Please, excuse my sisters. They're just hungry…"

"No problem…." He replied. Smiling dreamily at three beautiful strangers in front of him.

She smiled sweetly back at him. And when she touched his hand, entwined her fingers to his. His brain stopped working altogether.

"So, Mark….would you like to come to our place?" Cordelia said, tugging his hand as if to encourage him so.

"We will have some fun after dinner…." Caroline circled her arm at his waist on the other side. "Or we could have fun during dinner…."

"Don't say no…" Chloe said from the back as she pushed him to start walking.

Mark blinked as he nodded. His body didn't felt like his to belong anymore. All he could hear was the three sisters' giggle. And the feel of their warm bodies pushing him out from that dark ally.

Mark didn't think of the forgotten groceries bags that left untouched on the dirty ground. He didn't think of his girlfriend. He forgot how much he came to love the way she laughed. Or the way she would coo under the blanket next to him in the dead of Gotham winter, or the way she complained about how he should go out more. Reagan's shinny blond hair and her bright blue eyes seemed to fade away in darkness.

And he also didn't notice the human remains under the pile of garbage at the end of that dark alley he just left. He definitely didn't think he would be discarded just like that seven days later.

It was three am when Oracle contacted the pair that another body was found in a dumpster somewhere in East End. It took them less than ten minutes to get there from Cape Carmine (where they just finished the drug bust) with a neck-broken speed of Bat Mobile.

Tim Drake, in his Robin suit got in the car as fast as he could when Oracle finished talking in their comlinks. He noticed that Batman was more agitated than usual. He had been, ever since he collected that blood sample from the Crime Ally almost 4 weeks ago. Robin saw him sat in front of the bat computer night after night, trying to find a match from the databases they ever had. So far, came up empty. It was like something about this was eating him inside. But Batman was Batman…..he never said a word to voice his insight to him.

They greeted Detective Bullock who reluctantly muttered back greetings "I don't know why these murders are one of your concerns, don't you have some crazy psychotic bastards in costumes to deal with?...oh wait, you guys are one of them…"

"Come on, Bullock….play nice. They just wanted to help" Commissioner Gordon appeared. He nodded his head acknowledging the pair "….This is the third one in the past three weeks….His name's Colin Blake, Nineteen"

"Same cause of death?" The batman asked as they approached the body in the body bag. He zipped it down revealing a very pale young man with dirty blond hair. His eyes were still opened showing a lifeless blue orbs staring into nothingness.

"From what I saw, probably Exsanguination. He was as pale as paper, there are cuts on both his wrists just like the last two…As well as the craving on the chest.…But we probably have to wait for autopsy to presume anything…."

Robin noted that he was probably a few years older than him. There was a craving on the skin in the middle of his chest, three lines from three different angle were cut into the flesh, dragged across the skin and met in the middle, looking someone who wanted to draw an asterisk but instead of five legs, was too lazy and end up with three instead. Robin was sure if he connected the tips, It would made a perfect triangle. Then his eyes under the lenses of his mark caught the gaping hole nearby the craving….

"Is the heart…..?"

"Yes, cut out just like the rest of them too I bet the autopsy will show it was done post-mortem. And no, we didn't found the heart anywhere….there's also no blood pool where the body was found"

A body dump again. Robin thought but decided not to say anything.

"How did you ID him so fast this time?" Batman asked. Robin remembered the last two didn't get identified for about few days later.

"Well, he was found naked but His mother reported him missing four days ago. He came home from college for the school break, This kid lived in Upper East Side…"

So he was from an upper middle class family. Robin thought to himself.

Batman took another long look at the young man who stared lifelessly back at him. Robin silently watched him.

About three weeks ago, the first body was found nearby Robinson Park. Frank Moretti, Twenty five. He was a small time drug dealer in The Bowery. At first everyone, even the Batman and the rest of the bat family thought it was some kind of gang retaliation. But when the second body showed up in one of the dumpster of Upper East Side, Second victim – Scott Rodgers, Twenty two. That made the news exploded in medias, for he was a star quarterback of Gotham University.

And no evident left for them to follow, only the cold pale bodies without the hearts abandoned in the pile of garbage. Even after autopsy, they couldn't even pinpoint what weapon was used to cut into the skin to drain the blood, the edge of the wounds were clean but it was too general to rule out anything. They were no defensive wounds either, as if they were willingly to be taken and killed. There was also no drug of any kind in their systems, only to rule out they were drug during the abductions. And the victimology was inconclusive, even now they got the third body. They still didn't know how the killer pick their victims.

Two young man from two different circles of people, two men who led very different lives. One grew up in the Narrow, and became criminal himself to survive, another was a star athlete. Both were dumped like a piece of garbage, discarded in dumpster like worn out shoes. Two lives who also left their families behind. Moretti had a year old son, who now would never know his father. And Rodgers who had left behind a heart broken mother, who just lost her husband a few years prior before she lost her son.

And now, Colin Blake. This young man would never have a chance to say good bye to his mother again.

Robin remembered when he lost both his parents from the kidnapping gone wrong. He remembered how broken he was inside when he put on a happy face and tried to move on, one of the reason he became Robin today, to help Batman make a different. Batman who also lost his parents to crime. So he knew this case, had become something personal to him in many ways.

He watched his mentor zipped the bag up, covering lifeless face of Colin Blake as quickly as he could.

"What do you think we are dealing with?" He heard Commissioner Gordon asked.

"….Serial…" Batman said in his low baritone voice. "….this case just became serial killing…."

The Boy wonder gulped as he watched the Commissioner rubbed his forehead. As if they didn't have enough crimes to deal with already.

"Do you think it was a cult-killing?" He finally asked after they both got into Bat mobile. Robin felt the atmosphere around Batman just became even grimmer than before. He really didn't expected his mentor to reply.

"Possible, but I've never seen any mark like that…." To his surprise, Batman did. "If this had magic involved, I need to make a call to an old friend….."

Robin raised one of his eyebrow, Usually Batman kept Gotham's business in Gotham. He rarely asked anyone outside for help. Heck, he even rarely asked for their helps, his, Nightwing's or Even Oracle's. As if he could juggle everything on his own. But Robin had made sure to put his nose in to help, that was why he became Robin in the first place. To help Batman.

But it was still vague, to think that they would reach out for outside help. Batman still funded The Justice League. He knew Superman consulted with Batman from time to time. And Batman still went to the league's monthly meeting. But that was it. He never let anyone in Gotham to help. And never let them joining the league. That was why when Dick became Nightwing, And officially joined the justice league without Batman's consent. They had been in a falling out ever since. Dick'd moved out to his own place. Even though he was still helping, Batman decided that Nightwing was not one of the family anymore.

That was until Barbara was shot by the Joker. They were devastating. Both blamed themselves, even the only one to blame was the Joker. After Barbara recovered, she decided to continue to help with her other skills. Also told both to shake hand and made up. It never happened but Dick came home from time to time. And Tim was glad because living with Bruce and Batman can make one lose insanity from his personalities. He never knew how Alfred had kept up with both Bruce and Batman.

So when Batman said they needed to call an old friend, it made Robin wonder, this case must have devastated him enough to make him ask for outsider's help. But he held his tongue and didn't say anything when the back of his head slammed to the passenger seat as the Bat mobile soared out into the street.

Lysandra recalled the conversation she had with Steve, he explained how he got there in the first place while they were still in East End Clinic. The blond man shifted in his chair as Lysandra stood her ground. Her brain was still processing the surroundings, this man and the situation. Her bracelets were still on her wrist. They probably didn't know how to take them off. Well, only the owner was one who able to take them off anyway. She would have them as defensive resource. As for offensive, Her grip on the needle never loosened. If this story from this man didn't add up, and he attacked her, She would be ready to strike back. Lysandra shifted her weight on her legs. And wait for the man to tell her his story.

"So, All I remember was that I was at this place, like an endless garden of Asphodel….There was no one there, and I didn't even know how long I was there. All I knew was that I never hunger, there was no pain…" Steve started his story "I didn't even remember who I was then…."

"…..Asphodel Meadows…." Lysandra said and bit her lips. When Steve raised his eyebrow She explained "You were at Asphodel Meadows, meaning you were dead…."

"Ah, that's all made sense now" Steve hit his fist on his palm. When he saw Lysandra's glare he continued his story. "Ok, so I was dead. Then one day, this pretty lady who look very familiar came to me, she asked me if I want a second chance. But I didn't remember then who she was, while I felt like I met her before and why would I need a second chance….

"But something in her eyes, her sky blue eyes was prettier than any sky I remembered….and her voice, sound like a lullaby….." Steve pulsed when he caught another glare from the young girl. "Fine!...man, I was just trying to be poetic"

"I don't want poetry, I want truth. So you better start now or I will jab this needle in your eyes…"

"Ok, ok!….geez, young kid these days….." Steve shook his head and stretched out in his chair by the bed. "So, this pretty lady asked me If I want a second chance, I didn't even remember why I said yes, you know….I was sure it had something to do with her face or her voice. So after I agreed, she gave me a small flask, told me to drink it and when I woke up she will explained….I drank. Then I got knock out…I woke up again in the apartment I was staying now….

"And I remembered. Everything, My family, how my mom died during War, how I came to work for the Agency, The War, Berlin, and your mother…. My beautiful Angel…" Steve pulsed, his eyes averted from her. "….then the woman came again, she looked almost like your mother but I knew it wasn't her…."

"Aphrodite" Lysandra mumbled "She had this magical griddle, it made a man saw what his heart desired most, and her face, body, hair, eyes morphed into it…." Then Lysandra realized the relationship Steve had with her mother. "….you…..You loved her?..."

"You mother? Yes, I do" Steve still didn't look at her. "….When we met, she told me she was from the future, and I thought she was only joking. Then I saw her flew off in the sky and never return. I knew I had lost her forever. Not until I was an old man then, in a retirement home. Your mother came to me. I was so happy, but I knew, I love her still. Even she loved someone else. I love her until the last of my day….I still do"

Even she loved someone else. Yeah, her stupid mortal father. Lysandra thought. Waite for Steve to continue.

"So, the pretty lady told me, That your mother was in a situation that prevent her from doing her jobs….And she was with a child….man that shocked me! I mean, I know she loves someone but married and has kid?..."

"They aren't married…." Lysandra cut in.

"Oh?"

"She was cursed for some stupid reasons the gods don't want to tell me, but she left him to protect me…so…Technically he didn't know I exist…." Lysandra was one who looked away this time.

"Oh…." He said, his eyes became softer as he looked at her, pity "Oh kid…."

He opened his mouth but Lysandra held her hand up for him to stop. "Could you please just finish your story…?"

Steve cleared his throat. "Well, she said I was to help you when you arrive. She didn't tell me when just where you would be before dawn breaks. So for the last three months, I was there waiting, every day. Wondering I what would I say to you when we met, or if you would look like you mother….how I would feel about all of it, helping a child of the woman I've loved but she wasn't mine…." He pulsed again looking straight at Lysandra "…then you showed up, flew out of the sky and landed on that ground, broken, bleeding, laying there in your own blood….And I knew, all that doesn't matter now, you are just a girl and no girl should be hurt like that….."

Well, then you haven't been on Themyscira. People needs to get in line to get a piece of me. She wanted to say but instead she asked. "When did you die? The first time I mean…"

"You talked like I'd died twice…" He sighed a little but he answered "Well, I passed away when I was 78"

"But how come you look like you are about thirties now?" She frowned at him.

"I don't know, I guess the pretty lady didn't want an old man running and shaking his bones, trying to help you?" He shrugged again. Well, it made sense.

Then they were looking at each other, Lysandra studied the man who told her that he loved her mother still, even after many years of his life, after his death. He still loved her even then. Then she remembered how other Amazons saying Men were shallow, and always took what they can get. How they were selfish and evil. That they could not be trusted. But Lysandra also remembered her mother, how she also loved a man, her father. How she had friends who were male and how they treated her nicely and how they fought alongside as comrades in arms.

It made her wonder, if her father still loved her too? After so many years, after she left him behind. If he had moved on to someone else?

When there's nothing left for you to count on ….you can trust yourself. Her mother's word resonated in her head. But did she trust herself enough to trust in him?

That would have to be a game to gamble then. She thought and then loosed up the grip of needle in her hand but still enough if she want to flex her wrist and let it fly to the target.

Her years of training told her not to let her guard down and to always be vigilant. But what did her heart say?

Lysandra held her chin high, her shoulder squared and even though she was in this simple medical gown with her black hair uncombed and her face unwashed. She never felt this regal before "Well, then….Let's start this again…..I am Lysandra, Princess of the Amazons, Daughter of Diana of Themyscira…."

She saw the blond man smiled, he got up from his chair and bow his head a little. "My name's Steve Trevor, Former Government Intelligence. Recently came back from the dead…"

She smiled at him a little. Maybe she would give this man a chance. If Aphrodite brought him back from the dead to help her, then….she was going to make it work.

They moved into the place where Steve had been staying since he first woke up from his death two days after Dr. Thomkins cleared Lysandra. The doctor was surprised how much her body healed in such short time but again, she didn't say anything for seeing fair shares of stranger things in this city. Steve brought her new set of clothes, saying they were already in the closet, he just grabbed whatever in there. As well as Lysandra's old Amazonian attires.

"I cannot accept this….." Dr. Thomkins reluctantly said when Lysandra gave her jewel fibulae as the payment for healing her. The old woman handed them back to her. But Lysandra shook her head, held the hand of the doctor.

"Please, I do not like being in debt…." The young princess said "….Think of it as a token of gratitude. If you don't want to keep them, you can always sell them, they would worth some money, Steve told me you needed it for medical supplies…."

The doctor gave the blond man a look. Steve only shrugged and said. "Hey, it's true Doc. You need the money, and she wants you to have it. Why not? It's for the greater good…"

"…We'll talk about this tomorrow, Mr. Trevor. Now take her home. So she can rest…"Dr. Thomkins sighed but finally she accepted the brooches. Lysandra was glad that she did. She wouldn't be needing them anymore. She was no longer wearing chiton. And anything that reminding her too much of Paradise Island she wanted to get rid of them.

So on the way to Steve's place. They stopped at jewelry store to sell her other stuffs, The owner looked at them as if they'd stolen them. Lysandra just gave him a bright smile as Steve told them it was family's heirlooms. After all of them(Her golden griddle, hair ornaments and necklace) checked out and were cleared from being stolen, the owner finally paid them in cash as Steve asked.

"Never let them pay you with check, it will be a problem when you don't even have an ID on you…. Cash always the best way" Steve explained as they were on their way to the subway entrance. Lysandra almost couldn't hide her excitement as she bought subway pass from the machine with Steve, or when they went through the automatic gate and wait on the platform. She looked around seeing people waiting for their trains, Some business men(as Steve called them) in suits stood, some reading papers, some just stared blankly to nothing or some just talk quietly on the phones. Lysandra spotted a group of teenage girls, probably her age. They giggles as they leaned their heads in together. It reminded her of Epione, she had to look away.

Their subway ride was quiet. They didn't speak much. Lysandra's eyes dart around her, catching the flickering lights from underground tunnel as the train moved. Her ears picked up a faint music came from a man who sat across them, his feet tapped the same pace as the rhythms went.

"how did the music came out of that man?" Lysandra whispered to Steve who sat next to her.

"Probably those things young kids these days called iPod"

"Music came out from a pot? but I don't see him carrying one…" Lysandra frowned. But her words made Steve laughed, he shook his whole body trying to hold it in.

"Man…you are worse than an old man like me" He wiped a tear that came out from laughter. Lysandra felt her face flushed. She elbowed him in the arm. "OW! No hitting!"

"Well, sorry I was raised on the island full of angry women who like to beat the crap out of each other in their free times" She replied and crossed her arms.

"Sorry, kid. I forgot.…."

"Don't call me kid, I'm already 17"

"Yeah, compare to me? You are a toddler" Steve rubbed his probably bruised arm and cleared his throat. "Anyway, well….It's a music playing device, called iPod not a real…you know…Pot"

She rolled her eyes and ignored his attempt for conversation for the rest of the ride after that.

Lysandra still scowled when they got off the subway. She scrunched her nose from rotten smell she picked up as she strode along the side walk. Suddenly realized how much better hygiene Paradise Island produced even without modern technology. But then again all environments were controlled by mystical force. No one ever care about if they forgot to clean the sewer. Steve told her they were in China Town. About five minutes walk from the station, they stopped in front of an old dinky looking building. She followed Steve inside without asking question.

There was no one in the hall way on the first floor but she could hear noises from the residents from all around. The sun was about to set, its orange hue blasted in from those dirty glass windows. Steve led her to the old looking elevator. After he pulled double brass doors shut tight, he jabbed the button "5" on the panel. It was the top floor.

Apparently The Goddess prepared almost everything. Lysandra blinked when Steve opened the double brass door again after the elevator reached its destination. Lysandra stepped out and observed the place. She saw a big white couch in the middle of the loft sat opposite a big black screen, several bookshelves stood against the wall. And the kitchen in the farthest corner, there was another door leading out to the roof top area. She made a mental note to check it out later.

"Your bedroom is over here…" Steve said, led her to the door on her left. He opened it and Lysandra followed. It wasn't as big as her quarter in the palace. There was a bed with pink covers and pillows already made. Lysandra gave it a mocking look. And she saw a desk next to bed. An old looking computer sat there as well as a desk lamp and several books. Steve left the thick envelope of the money they got from selling Lysandra's Amazonian's jewelries on the table.

"There's something in here for you from Pretty lady and also, your precious dagger…." She heard the blond man said as he moved to the closet nearby. He grabbed the door open, Lysandra could see it was fully stocked with clothes and shoes, as if someone had been living here for many years. But her attention turned back to the older man when he reached for the brown box on the top shelf inside the closet, next to some colorful looking hats. And hand it to her. Artemis's dagger was on top of it, the blade shone in the last light of evening.

"….I will let you settle in, we'll talk in a bit….maybe after you rest?" Steve said.

"I've been sleeping for 10 days, I don't think I need anymore rest…." Lysandra frowned as she hugged the box to her chest. "I have a job to do here…I need to track down some artifact…."

"Well….I do" He yawned and stretched his arms. Lysandra gave him a glare "…..Excuse me, I have a job you know, how do you think I feed myself after I woke up from the dead?"

"I don't know…I never woke from the dead…..I thought Aphrodite gifted you with like no hunger, no pain, and some money"

"Well, kid. She didn't" He shrugged "She might got us this nice apartment. But the man still need to eat, alright?...and no I don't want your money…"

"What is your job?"

"Well, I work at the clinic…" His answer made Lysandra raised her eyebrow.

"You know how to heal people?"

"Not really, I just help out this and that….Anyway, no more talking….I insist you rest and we will talk tomorrow"

"But…"

"No but. My room is next to yours, if you need anything just bang on the wall…but…err…don't hit too hard…"

"Don't worry, my mother's abilities aren't genetic" Though she wished they were.

Steve waved his hand slightly and when the door clicked shut, Lysandra dropped herself on the bed which bounced back a little. She sighed and looked down at the box and dagger in her arms. Lysandra grabbed its handle that decorated with red jewels. A surge of security flood back into her now that she was holding her dagger. It greeted her with a shining reflection of herself, her blue eyes stared back. Her favorite leather sheath was gone, so she would need to get a new one. She smiled at the thought a little and let it rest on the bed next to her.

Then she examined the box. It was just a brown paper box with nothing out of ordinary. The tape seal was still shut tight, so the blond man probably didn't open it.

Good, at least he's not nosy. Lysandra thought as she put it next to her on the bed before start ripping it open. She peeked inside.

She first saw a plain white envelope. Lysandra took it out, see a neat handwriting with red ink. For Lysandra. It said. There was a wax seal closing the letter. On the seal Lysandra saw a picture of a dove. She frowned. Dove, so this was from Aphrodite.

Dear, my sweet.

Lysandra rolled her eyes at the first sentence. Aphrodite talked to her as if she was her daughter. She didn't want to offend the Goddess, but honestly, she only had one mother and it wasn't her. But if the goddess left this for her, then it must be important. Lysandra sighed and started again.

Dear, my sweet.

First, If you are reading this, means you have decided to stay and help us patching the seals. It also means you chose to become our champion, or what you called it "an errand girl" You will soon be put on difficult trials, Many monsters shall come and hunt for your blood for that you are now their obvious enemy. But Fear not my child, even though the gods are not allowed to directly intervene but our guidances from maybe come in time of need, If you seek and pray for it.

Second, about my other blessings, I am not sure they will come right away, but just to be safe, DO NOT take off your amazon bracelets, especially when there are men around. Those bracelets you wear since you were a child was forged just for you to retain some of your abundant allure….

Lysandra pulsed. Her eyes grew wide at the latter "MY WHAT?"

….You see, I always gave something like these to my children. You, on the other hand were conceived with my divine blessing, would hold some abilities my children have as well as their omnipotent charms, beauties, charismas to attract opposite gender (or sometimes even the same) or influence their minds with your words. Until they learned how to control their own allurements (which could come in handy I tell you!), they must never take it off. It will be bad if you got chase by a huge crowds of boys or girls when you fought a giant, isn't it? So, there, you must not take your bracelets off until you learn how to control your own power. They said Practice makes Perfect! (Our dear Mr. Trevor won't be effected by it, just so you know if you are worried. I took care of it) I give you another pair of the bracelets just in case, you happened to lose the ones you wear right now.

Also my dearest husband present you with his gift, you know he was a fan of your mother. He said you will know how to use it with your expand knowledge. And you might need a new sheath for your weapon, I took care of that….actually it's a present from Athena. Not very fashionable, kind of boring like her! And Oh! I hope you like your wardrobe, I hand-picked those clothes just for you as your coming of age present. Have fun mix and match!

Last but not least, Beware of the birdboy, he'll bring you trouble! But by all means, don't forget to have fun!

Your friendly, most beautiful, most favorite deity of the universe.

"….And The Vainest of them all…" Lysandra muttered as soon as she finished. The letter did no help her in anyway beside telling her things she already knew, her future hardship and some dumb blessings that will be useless in battle. How Lysandra wished she was conceived by Athena's blessing instead….sure the grey eyes goddess was kind of cold. But in many ways she remind her of Artemis, they didn't look anything alike but the air around them were very similar. Strict, discipline, wise and independent. She would rather be born with blessed wisdom than blessed beauty. But The fates seemed to hate her still, so she was stuck with Aphrodite as her primary Patroness instead.

Lysandra peeked into the box again, saw the brown leather sheath lay inside, squeezed next to it was a lump of something that was wrapped by red cloth – Lysandra concluded it would have been her second pair of the retaining bracelets. Under it was another smaller box, she was sure it was a gift from Hephaestus. She didn't know her mother was a good friend with the god of smiths. But she didn't want to find out what was in the box yet.

She sighed deeply, pushed the box aside and slammed herself on to the bed. The mattress bounced her body back a bit. Lysandra stared at the ceiling.

She was really out of Themyscira and she was going to save her mother.

Suddenly her eyelids got heavier and heavier, her hand dragged across the comforter and it touched the dagger, she curled her fingers around the handle and gripped it tight. And sleep slowly washed over her. Lysandra did not dream of anything or anyone.

Living with Steve was probably what people called normal for an outside world. For Lysandra, it seemed so surreal. She didn't have to get up early in the morning for training. She didn't have constantly avoided hateful eyes from the Amazons. Even though she missed Artemis and Epione but living with Steve was so much more...typical. It was almost boring.

He woke up in the morning, most of the time when Lysandra still slept in. He always knocked on her bedroom door around 9 to let she knew he was leaving for work and won't be back until around 8 or 9 pm. They usually eat dinner together, most of the times they order take out or Steve cooked. Lysandra felt her face flushed everytime he commented about how she didn't know how to cook, which she argued back that she can if they were stuck in the forest, she knew how to hunt and cook the game she caught. Only reply from Steve was a chuckle.

So her day times were pretty much free. She spent wandering around first to get acquainted around the neighborhood. China town wasn't too big so she only spent full day checking things out. Then she moved on to explore the rest of Gotham.

After Lysandra checked the details of Ancient Greek Exhibition. Not to her liking it won't start until a week after. And it only last for the next two weeks. So whatever artifact she needed to find, there was only two weeks to be found and acquire it. She wondered how she was going plan a break into a museum and get it without getting caught in less than two weeks. Lysandra never knew, she'd never steal anything before in her life.

She didn't tell Steve about her mission either. Lysandra didn't want anyone to be involved in already complicated matters. She knew Steve knew she was up to something. Her staying was pretty obvious that she didn't just land in Gotham city just for fun. And she knew Steve noticed she sneaked out every night, but again he never said anything.

"So….I was thinking….We should build a legend for you" Steve said one night while they were eating dinner, they had order Japanese food and Steve worked his way easily with his chopstick on his Unadon or eel bowl, while Lysandra struggled using her chopsticks and end up stabbing her meat with it in frustration. She could use any weapon, sword, knife, dagger, bow, axe, club…whatever anyone can name it but she couldn't maneuver a piece of Tonkatsu into her mouth with a pair of chopsticks. Lysandra wanted to laugh at her own lameness.

"A what?" She almost snapped when a piece of deep-fried pork cutlet escaped her open mouth yet again.

"I told you to hold it like you are holding a pen, keep the bottom one still and move with the upper one…" Steve showed her again quickly before he continued "…and it's called a legend, it's like a cover story for an operative…."

"I don't need your trickster stuffs…" Lysandra said as she tried again with her chopsticks. She often called him Trickster, after learning he was a spy during the war. Which he argued that Trickster and spy were two different things, but for Lysandra, a person who obtained secret information without permission was always be a trickster to her. Or maybe it was her amazon upbringing speaking, she didn't like waiting in the dark corner and steal secrets, she would rather fight face to face.

Even Artemis had told her, sometimes Espionage was a necessary act to acquire value information to win a war. Still, it wasn't her style.

Lysandra started to think of the reason Aphrodite picked to wake Steve, of all people up to help her. She could easily ask one of her mother's special friends. She knew, or she thought that handsome guy in blue and red would be more than willing to help. But why a dead guy? Why Steve? Was it because his experiences before his death would come in handy for Lysandra? Or it was just a whim that Aphrodite picking his name up from a hat and nothing more? It gave Lysandra a split headache just to figure out what the goddess was thinking.

"Come on, Kid….what are you going to tell anyone when they asked you question? I am sure you won't say 'I AM WONDER WOMAN'S DAUGHTER'…."

"And why not?"

"Well, first…. They will think you are crazy. Second, they will think you are deluded. Well that probably the same thing…." Steve stopped and chewed on his grilled eel. "…..these days from what I've heard, people think of Wonder Woman as a myth. It was so long ago anyone had seen her. So out of the blue some girl came out and claimed she is her daughter, of course they will tell you, you are not right in the head…..beside, you wouldn't want your enemies to know what you are, it's safer to go undetected when no one paying you attention…."

"I'm not afraid to fight" she muttered before successfully putting the food in her mouth.

"Believe me, I know….." Steve shook his head "But for your own sake, let just do this. In case something happened and you need to tell people stuffs…we need to come up with a believable story…."

"I'm not good at lying" She admitted. Even the Goddess said it herself.

"Sometimes, you don't have to lie about everything, kid. You just don't have to tell them the whole truth….Keep it simple"

"But lie was never simple, even if it was half a lie" Lysandra said, successfully put another piece of her fried pork in her mouth. Ignoring a look Steve gave her.

"I've never seen any cult with a symbol like this…." Zatanna muttered softly in the large screen of Bat Computer as she looked at the pictured Batman had sent her via email. "….But I will check my Mystical network, see if anything came up, I will let you know…."

"Thanks again, Zatanna…" Bruce said in his low baritone as usual. Even though he didn't wear his cowl at the moment since Zatanna knew of his secret identity. But he was already in his bat suit, getting ready for Justice League founder meeting. He was about to cut off the communication when Zatanna called him out.

"Wait, Bruce!..." She said. And he stopped midway. He could feel her bright blue eyes studied his face. "….How are you? We haven't talked for a while…"

"I'm fine….."

"No, you are not fine, Bruce. You used to lie better now I can see it that you are lying when you only starting to open your mouth…Bruce….What happened to you?" Zatanna's voice was gentle but it didn't make him feel any better.

"Nothing, Zatanna. I'm fine…contact me as soon as you get any lead, Batman out." Before Zatanna can say anymore Bruce said a short goodbye and cut off the communication.

The screen faded back into the bat symbol. Supercomputer hummed in the dark of his Bat cave. The light of the screen illuminated but Bruce rubbed between his forehead, he was tired. Days after days, he searched for clues of these unusual murder cases. Nothing useful came up. And his search for the donor of that blood still came up empty. He just wished his rouges gallery at Arkham wouldn't break out any time before he could put this serial killer away. But again, he didn't believe much in luck.

"You know, the lady was right….your lies getting worse and worse every day. There was a time, when I believe everything you said. Now?…not so much. Must be old age" A familiar voice called out, Bruce didn't have to look back to know who was it.

Dick was already in his Nightwing suit. The black texture gleamed from the illuminating light of the computer screen. He could see his former protégé's smirk in the reflection.

"Where's Tim?" Bruce ignored the remark from the younger man. He pulled his cowl back on.

"Coming!" Younger voice shout as Tim in his Robin suit descended from the stairs, his cape flew as he rushed down. Behind him Alfred followed with few containers of food.

The food was obviously for his former and current protégé. Bruce wanted to scold and told them this was not a picnic. But he was almost late for JL meeting.

"Becareful, both of you. There's a serial killer, running around the city killing young man your age…" He said as he stalked off to the teleport platform. Keyed in the location on the panel.

"Come on, Bruce. We've got this…. We do this every month, remember?" Dick said and pat Tim who came stood next to him on the shoulder. "…beside, Babs is monitoring Arkham, if anything went wrong we will contact you….now off you go!"

Dick shooed him with a dismissing wave. He glared through the lenses of his cowl but Dick who technically immune his traditional batglare for knowing his mentor for many years, just returned it with a smirk.

"You'd better…" He muttered under his breath before dematerialized away with a hum of the teleporter.

"Alright, Timmy…let's rock and roll…..Gotham awaits!" Dick pulled Tim by his shoulder, the younger boy swayed and stumbled as he tried to followed his predecessor to the garage.

Lysandra waited until she was sure Steve retied for the night before tip-toeing across the living room straight to the kitchen door that would lead her outside to the rooftop. After carefully shut the door, she felt the lighter breeze hit her skin.

She preferred night time in Gotham than day. It was less humid and she didn't feel sticky whenever she moved her body. Lysandra walked over the edge and watch the scenery. Dark cloud floated cross black night sky. Smoke came out from far distant factories. In the opposite direction toward the bay, Stood Lady Gotham in the middle of dark color sea. Her hands held out to each sides, one held the sword, another held the scale, blindfolded. It resembled The statue of Themis in her temple on Paradise Island. Which was funny feelings for Lysandra, she never paid much attention to that temple while she lived there. But now that she was in Gotham, This statue became one of her favorite landscape of the city.

Lysandra turned her back to the statue. She didn't sneak out to watch it lit up at night. The young princess checked her belt strap to make sure her dagger was secured in its sheath. Her silver bracelets gleamed from under her jacket sleeves. She then, tied her hair up to a pony tail so it won't get in the way. Lysandra swung it to check if it was tight enough, after feeling satisfied, she zipped up her jacket, tied double knots on her sneakers' laces. She was debating to wear a pair of pants but the rising temperature of Gotham wasn't much help, so she decided to just wear her short instead. It wasn't like a regular pants would protect her from any injuries, even she got injured, it was the only matter of hours that it healed.

She could hear the noise of traffic from down below. The summer breeze touched her skin again as if to invite her to join it on the journey through the city, it was always this nostalgic feelings she got every time she stood on higher place. Even she couldn't smell the fresh scent of ocean like Themyscira, Or couldn't see the blueness of ocean. But it she still felt this feeling, like it was where she truly belonged. Where she felt like home. Maybe that was why the cliff on Paradise Island was her favorite place.

Lysandra stepped closer to the ledge, looking down to the street below. The high made adrenaline rushed inside her from head to toes. Lysandra slipped on the fingerless gloves. She pulled a gift from Hephaestus that attached to the back of her belt out, It was a grapping hook gun.

She didn't know what it was until she stumbled upon pictures from the news of Batman and his sidekick. Realization hit her like an arrow hit the bullseye. The first few times she tried was pretty hard. But she had all night, for several nights to swing around, and she was sure as Hades she was a pretty fast learner. And she combined that with her flying rings training she had when she was around fourteen. She never got why Artemis would wanted her to swing around and maneuver in midair like a monkey. But now, she did. It was as if Artemis knew these days would come.

"This is what I was trained to do…." Lysandra told herself out loud. "And I will not be afraid….."

She stepped up on to the ledge, aimed and fired the gun to the next building, Cars honking sound from below faded to the background as she took off from the rooftop. Lysandra cried in excitement as she gripped on to her gun, swinging above the traffic of china town in midair.

This was where she belonged, soaring in the air as if she was flying. She felt like home.

Ps :: Another long chapter finished! :D I actually like this one, though as I said before at the beginning, Crime gene is not my forte, even though I love watching crime drama, police procedural shows. But hey, I tried. Hopefully it wasn't too bad.

I know the last chapter and this one was pretty slow pace, more of explaining and dreaming sequences(as from the last one, almost the whole chapter was inside Lysandra's head) But I promise more actions in the next chapter :D Don't forget to review if you don't mind letting me know how you like it. And thank you everyone who follow and favorite my story!

So, what those three murderous sisters really are? Who's gonna catch the killer first?, the bat clan or Lysandra? Will she find the artifact she's looking for? Or the monster will catch up with her first? Until the next chapter!