I had the pleasure of writing out this whole entire chapter while listening to old women gossip about their church's pastor. It was excruciating.
Listening to ninety's country always helps me write an outline, for some strange reason.
As always, enjoy!
"Batman to Wonder Woman." The communicator made an odd noise- resembling a person strangling a scarecrow- and then disconnected. His pulse quickened, trying to reach Superman to figure out what was going on- more strangling. He told Alfred to skip on dinner.
On board the Watchtower, Shayera took the words right out of Batman's mouth, "What in Sam Hell is up, Kent?"
"Flash, being his nimble self, spilled ice cubes down Zatanna's shirt, which caused her own drink to crash. All over the communications grid of the computer," Clark sighed, "As a result, the transportation board was also zapped." Bruce collapsed into the nearest chair. Hadn't this happened already? Yes, in a different way, but with the same results. The earrings instead of the pearls, the transporter instead of the topographical map. In the end, something was ruined. "I called up some mechanics. They should be working on it by n-" Bruce fled the room, dashing down the corridors. As he suspected, a man in a dull gray outfit stood outside of Diana's room, holding a bouquet of flowers.
"I told ya, man, she ain't here," Bruce slowed and ducked into a doorway, "I dunno! Boss, what should I do?"
"Try not to scream," Batman muttered and wrapped his fingers around the young man's neck, feeling the tendons and muscles spasm. The boy was out in seconds, slumped on the floor.
"Might as well give up now, Joker. I know where you have Diana."
"You see, that's the beauty of the situation, Bats, cause you don't," The clown giggled, twirling the heavy metal object in his hands.
"The jokes on you, because in fact, I do. I'm heading down there right now, to rid you of all your fun. And I will enjoy it."
Joker clucked his tongue, "You know, Bats, I wish you would stop lying so much. It's not good for your health. Besides, all you're doing is standing in am empty hallway, holding a vase of roses and talking to yourself."
"How do you-" His gaze darted to the security camera at the tip of the ceiling, the red infrared light blinking convincingly.
"Besides, I don't have her where the fun is." The statement jogged Bruce's memory. Joker knew the day had started over, but how? Surely, Luthor wasn't his accomplice on this, not anymore, unless there was money involved.
"Oh, and whenever you do show up, make sure to come alone. I don't want to hear good ol' Supes lecturing me on my manners."
"And if I tell him?"
"Then I'm throwing this case out. And my bullet into a certain Amazon's head." Bruce contemplated the situation and Joker's small hints. Throwing this case out would mean he was in a courthouse. Of course, Lois was covering a court investigation on whether or not the judge was smuggling money over to the defendant to plead guilty. Diana was surely there to help her out and give her support. Two beautiful heads are better than one. He glanced down at the flowers.
"Why twenty-three roses?" There was a pause. Taking it as confusion, Bruce smirked a tad inside, knowing that he could still dumb-found the clown. The Joker shrugged, his tone casual, "It was the same number as the one's on your mother's grave."
Zatanna rounded the corner, trying to dry her top off with magic. The wand in her hand clattered to the floor in unison with the crystal vase. Batman stood motionless in front of Wonder Woman's door, a crushed cell phone in one fist. A mechanic lay sprawled out beneath Batman's cape, drool seeping out of his mouth. The glass from the vase glittered against the harsh fluorescent lights, sparkling and cracking when she reached him. Placing a soft hand on his curled fist, she could feel his eyes flicker over to her, to which she offered him an apologetic smile.
"Bad day?"
As if his already terrible day couldn't have gotten any worse, Bruce arrived at the hangar to find the Batwing gone. Along with every other aircraft. Clark could hear the palpitations of his teammate's heart before he passed the med-lab.
"Where is my fucking jet?!" Batman slammed a fist into the metal wall. The dent that formed went unnoticed as Clark rolled his eyes.
"Bruce, calm down. I told Wally to take it because-"
"Flash? You let Flash take my jet out for a spin? Are you insane or have you sold your common sense for money?! Why did you let him steal the Batwing?"
"Shut up!" Clark shouted, practically ripping his chair out of the vase as he spun around and rushed at Bruce. "I've had enough of you screaming at me like I'm an eight year-old child. I know that the Batwing is yours- that's very apparent- but Flash needed it to assist in Jump City. With the transporters down, it was the only way for him to get down there. The other jets are either in the shop or taken by other Leaguers, so at least try to act like you have one freaking ounce of patience for once in your life, Bruce," Clark turned away, obviously satisfied with his rant.
"I just figured you would understand. That you, of all people, would realize how much it means to protect something you love, and how you would go to any lengths to help it, to save it." Bruce knew that Clark had no idea, but he still cast the Man of Steel a wary gaze before heading to his quarters. Once inside, he pushed back his cowl and buried his face into his palms, and took several deep breaths.
"You have no idea."
Insomnia is amazing.
And yes, I realize that Batman should give in and tell Supes what's happening, but Bruce Wayne is a stubborn man, so he's not going to.
It's always odd for me to write "Bruce Wayne", because that's my dad's name. Luckily, no one ever calls him Bruce and he goes by his nickname. Thank God for that.
You know the drill.