Karen looked out at the roof tops and skyscrapers of Metropolis, the sun glittering off the buildings.
"this city is way too clean" she muttered and Justin laughed
"it's better than Gotham" he said with a grin.
"Depends on your point of view" Karen stubbornly and she turned to him and crossed her arms "so how exactly are you going to get me close enough to Torment without him sensing me. Batman said you could dampen my powers, I didn't ask at the time because what I really wanted to do was get off that damn station, but I'm asking now"
"it's a long story" he said
"I've got time" Karen said "talk and walk though"
And with that she ran across the roof and summoned a staff of pure magic. Using that she launched herself to the other roof. Justin appeared next to her in a blend of shadow.
"my power come from nanite technology. It was an invention of my fathers, it started as a sort of cure all, cellular repair, cancer, fatal wounds. But the CIA found my dad out and wanted to take it a step further, they wanted to use it for espionage, to make their spies untraceable, invincible, self healing. My father didn't have much choice, because they made it perfectly that if he didn't he would probably find life difficult. So he started working on it, taking a potential cure for cancer and stripping it down to healing. Then programming the nanites for long range transmission and wireless communication with any kind of satellite camera and scope on the planet and to integrate into the hosts DNA"
"that explains nothing" Karen said as she looked over the edge of the roof, checking the street name
"I'm getting there" Justin said "Patience is a virtue"
"well I never claimed to be a saint" Karen said
"Anyway" Justin said "I am basically living nanite technology. When I was given the nanites the injection also had a master nanite, it embedded itself in my brain, and it reads certain things and stores them while some thoughts it reads as a command. That's why I can teleport from place to place, because I think of that place and poof there I am"
"poof" Karen asked dubiously "no that's not how it really works, mister, as hard as you are to pin point, you go somewhere, or everywhere"
"Catch that did you?" Justin asked in surprise as he followed her to a neighboring building. She pulled off her shoes and tied the laces together and hung them around her neck, and digging her fingers into the mortar grooves Karen began to climb up the building "Damn how in the hell are you doing that"
"Practice" Karen said shortly swinging over to a window ledge and gripping the drain pipe she swung up to the pent house balcony and used the lattice to get to the roof. Looking over the ledge she saw Justin staring at her with his mouth open. "Come on hot shot; don't tell me you can't climb up a wall?"
"Nope" he said and suddenly he was next to her his face inches from her ear "Don't need to" he whispered, Karen pushed him away quickly
"keep doing that and you'll end up with a broken nose" she warned and she jumped over the short gap from one roof to the next. "now you were saying"
"oh . . . right" Justin said and he jumped over to the roof next to her. "When I transport it's not simply appearing or disappearing, I don't even disappear."
"then what do you do and what does this have to do with my powers" Karen said
"I spread thin" Justin said "there is at least one nanite in every atom in my body and when I want to go somewhere my cells split apart and particle by particle I am transported to where I want to go"
"so you are torn apart bit by bit and then put back together on the other side" Karen asked "that sounds painful"
"not really" Justin said "it's more like a pins and needles. Anyway, you've seen how before I completely solidify I'm more of a shadow than a man"
"Man is stretching it a little" Karen said and Justin glanced at her.
"God your abrasive"
"you don't like it you can go" Karen said
"Okay . . .anyway, when I stay like that, I can read all of the information the master nanite is intercepting from the other nanites" Justin said "everything from neurological activity to ene3rgy readings. Most people when I see then like that are in a gray area, but homio mages, people like Zatanna, you, Dr. Fate, you guys are like New York Christmas trees."
"and we have reached to point of the story after" Karen pretended to count on her hands "ten blocks"
"it was three" Justin corrected serenely and suddenly he was next her, though not completely there, his features were blurred, shadowy. He held out his hand "here I'll show you"
Karen looked at his hand then looked at him. should she trust him? should she trust that he was the hero he seemed, not the child he acted like?
Tentatively she took his hand and he pulled her close to his side. He felt solid enough, and warm. Or maybe that was just her.
"homio mages have this anomaly" he explained his eyes smiling down at her "they can integrate their energy with objects, sometimes people if they are powerful enough. Your energy reaches out to my nanites and you are able to share the shadow technology. A normal person would have passed right through me, like a ghost. I can transport a normal person but only if I'm touching them while I'm still solid."
"So this will keep me from being sensed by Torment" Karen asked trying hard to ignore how close his face was to hers.
"it should, Dr. Fate and Zatanna both tried it with me when they found out that I could do it, neither of them could tell that the other was a homio mage if they hadn't known before the test" he said Karen's brow furrowed as she thought. Hmm maybe Batman really does know what he's doing. "you know you are very easy to get along with when you're not biting my head off"
"get some new material" Karen said, stepping away from him. he solidified again and shook his head.
"sorry it's all I got" Justin said with a grin "can't help it"
"use your imagination" Karen said and she hooked her feet on the railing of the roof top and let herself fall backward. She unhooked her feet quickly before her head hit the wall and tucked her legs in tight and cannonballed for a few feet then in a power kick she launched off the side of the wall and flew over the busy main street below, landing on the other side in a loose somersault and bounced to her feet.
"you know" Justin said munching on an apple as he leaned up against the roof top door "the file Batman showed me said you could fly why don't you"
"because, flying takes a lot of magical energy" Karen said "I only do it if I'm angry or if I have enough adrenalin, or if the situation calls for it. Besides, this is better than any gym work out or sparring match"
"Fair enough" Justin said "one more question" Karen snorted a laugh
"one?" Karen said "yeah right"
"what's with the foot fetish" he asked "I have seen you wear shoes for only about a half hour and then you take them off as soon as you can"
"not sure" Karen grunted as she jumped over to another fire escape. "I think it has something to do with the way I do magic"
"oh?"
"I'm a more hands on type of magician" Karen explained "I can feel, see, and in a way taste magic. I don't really need symbols or talismans, unless I have something that blocks me. I think the reason I can't stand shoes is because it is another barrier for me to go through to feel the magic in my surroundings"
"hmm" Justin said as he appeared next to her. He looked around "So when are we going to be where ever you are leading me"
"Soon" Karen said "I have a contact here, he can help us get a temporary place where no one is going to ask questions. We need a base of operations and he knows how to work the underground here"
"good plan" Justin said
"I thought so too" she said and she looked around then she pointed to jack's apartment building "See that building over there, that's where we need to be"
"Hold on then" Justin said and suddenly he scooped her up and there was a tingling feeling in her nose.
And the world was awash in gray and black and the world was whooshing along in an impossible speed. Gray humanoid shapes rushed through her, buildings were only mist; nothing was substantial except Justin's arms that held her to his chest. He features were blurred but she could tell he was laughing, smiling enjoying the rushing feeling. His brown eyes danced with the mischief and delight of a child.
And then it was over
Karen was hit from all sides with the auras and emotions of every living thing for blocks, sending her to her knees with a cry as the feelings beat at her mind, the colors blinded her and the magic engulfed her.
"Karen?" Justin's voice sounded far off and his aura fluttered with a blue worry before it settled to its chameleon like state. She felt his hand on her shoulder and then, alarmingly, his thoughts pushed at her mind along with his emotions and she pushed him away quickly
"Don't touch me" she snarled as she tried to get her shields up again. The shadow ride had been a balm a relief and she had unconsciously let down shields that she maintained to keep from being overwhelmed by her magical senses.
But his thoughts, how was it possible that she could read Justin's thoughts when he touched her.
Karen inhaled deeply as her last shield fell into place and the auras were filtered to what she wanted to feel and not what was in her range. The feelings dimmed to those in the building under her. She covered her face with a shaking hand and took another deep breath to get her bearings and stood up.
"Karen" Justin asked "are you alright?"
"Now I am" she said and she fixed him with a glare "I said stop surprising me."
"I'm sorry" Justin started but she waved his apology away.
"you didn't know, and I should have known better" Karen muttered "let's get to my contact so I can send for Luna"
Justin nodded but he said nothing. And Karen led the way down the roof top stairs.
She felt Jack now and she wanted to run the rest of the way, but she didn't quite feel up to it yet and besides, she had no intention of answering Justin's unending questions.
Three floors and ten doors later Karen was knocking on Jacks apartment door. There was a lot of rummaging and bumps inside before the door was opened and a blue eyed, dark haired little girl poked her head out.
"Boo" Karen said to her goddaughter
"Karen" Jane squealed and the little six year old threw the door open and barreled into her, her arms wrapped tightly around the woman. Karen laughed and picked her up and spun her around.
"Look at you" Karen exclaimed "good grief Janey, every time I come over here you grow another foot before my eyes"
"I missed you so much" Jane said "Nicks been a stupid head, he ate my best crayons"
"well he's a boy, love" Karen said and Jane looked over at Justin
"who's he?" she asked, her eyes narrowed
"another stupidhead" Justin said with a grin "a stupid head with a sucker for a pretty girl"
Jane squealed with delight as Justin produced a sucker from behind his back and Karen glared at him.
"What's going on out here" Jacks voice made Karen look up and smiled at her old partner.
The former Gotham cop held his son on his shoulders and was staring at her with his mouth open.
"Careful Jack a fly might go down your throat" Karen said and he snapped his mouth shut and smiled.
"Didn't expect you till thanksgiving" he said and he motioned her to come inside. He looked Justin up and down with a narrowed eye. "Who's this?"
"Karen's stupid head" Jane answered for her and Karen burst out laughing and kissed Janey on the cheek.
"Justin Carter" Justin said holding out his hand with a grin
"Jack" jack shook his hand and he looked at Karen "boyfriend?" he asked skeptically
Karen made a puking noise and Jane wrinkled her nose while nick laughed and pulled at his father's hair, while Justin only grinned and gave Karen a sly wink
"Jack what's all the fuss about" Helen came around the corner then and saw Karen. she gasped and rushed forward and hugged her tightly
"Mama, your squeezing to hard" Jane complained
"oops" Helen said, and she let go of Karen and ruffled her daughter's hair "sorry dear"
"that's okay, I squeezed her hard too" Jane said serenely
Helen laughed and took Jane from Karen and set her on her feet while Jack did the same with Nick
"go and teach Nick how to play with the new legos, alright love" Helen said "and make sure he doesn't eat any"
"alright mama, but only if Karen does the magic" Jane said looking imploringly up at Karen with her huge blue eyes. "Please, with chocolate covered cherries on top"
Karen smiled and knelt next to the little girl.
"now what kind of fairy godmother would I be if you didn't see a bit of magic" Karen asked, she knew she would never be able to say no to those big blue eyes when they asked something of her. The glowing smile that lit Jane's face had her heart melting and she turned her around and pushed her toward Nick "but you have to take care of Nicky first, and what kind of boy would he be if he didn't learn to play with legos?"
"a really stupid one" Jane said with a sigh "okay, Nicky, let's go build a skyscraper" and the little six year old picked up her little brother with a grunt and waddled off with him to their room. Karen stood and with a flick of her wrist closed the door behind her.
"you're too good to them Karen" Helen said and Karen laughed
"would you rather I be horrible?" she asked "besides those big blue eyes she got from you are unfair"
Jack laughed and put an arm around his wife's waist
"I told you" Jack said to her "No one can say no to eyes like those" Helen rolled her eyes at her husband
"you only say that because you want me to cook you some dinner tonight" Helen said
"hmm yea and some desert after" Jack said with a grin and Helen hit his chest.
"there are children in the other room" Helen said "honestly you can take the man out of Gotham but you can't take Gotham out of the man"
"Too true" Karen agreed "Now if you don't mind, may I bring Luna in?"
"where did you leave her this time?" Jack asked with a grin and Karen blushed
"hey I didn't know that kid was going to run down the alley" she muttered and she held out her hand and gestured to where she wanted Luna to be transported.
There was a shimmer and suddenly Luna stood in the living room and shook herself.
Justin made a grunting noise behind her and Karen glanced at him, his face wore a surprised expression and an incredulous one as well. but she paid him no thought as Luna trotted over to Jack and Helen and nudged them in greeting them putting her nose to the ground she sniffed out the children.
"Go on you big softie" Karen said "your pups are waiting" Luna gave her a look that said she didn't care what Karen thought about her maternal instincts, she was going to keep mothering them until they could take care of themselves.
There were squeals of delight and the sound of many legos being scattered before Karen closed the door for a second time.
"We weren't expecting you until holidays" Helen said
"I know things have . . . changed" Karen muttered, sitting at the dining room table.
"so I'm guessing you don't come to chat?" Jack said
"no, Jack" Karen said "I need your help. Do you still keep your hand in the underground?"
Helen looked at her husband sharply but Jack only sighed and nodded
"yeah, what do you need" Jack asked
"a place to stay that won't ask questions" Karen said "I can get money but a new identity will take time we don't have"
"Something's come up hasn't it" Jack narrowed his eyes and glared at her as if he was trying to read he3r soul "something bigger than your letting on, or you would take the time to make a new identity, it's not some warlord or smuggler, or arms dealer this time is it?"
Karen's hands tightened and she ran her thumb over the scars again. Jack wouldn't like it, he had seen the after math of Torment's work on her body, he had seen her risk life and limb to take him down and how it drove her crazy that he still wandered and Jack only wished for her to put it to bed, to move on.
But she couldn't, it was now a more personal case than just hunting down a psychopath with a thirst for magic. It was becoming this never ending game of cat and mouse. She would hunt him until she could hunt no more, he would hide then resurface then hide again.
Only this time he wasn't hiding anymore, he wasn't even running, he was planning, plotting and scheming to do . . . something, what it was Karen had to find out. It wasn't about just magic now.
"It's him Jack" Karen said quietly "it Torment" and there was a shattering sound as Jack's mug broke in his hand.
"Jack" Helen exclaimed jumping up to clean up the mess.
"Are you insane Karen?" he snarled
"I don't think so" Karen said, pretending to think about it.
"Don't joke" Jack growled "I moved from Gotham to get away from jokes. Karen why can't you let this case go? He's going to kill you someday, for real this time."
"You know exactly why I can't let it go" Karen said darkly
"Yeah because you are an obsessive dumbass who pokes her nose into the wrong places" Jack shouted
"He's planning something big Jack, I need to stop him" Karen didn't know they were both on their feet until she heard the chair behind her clatter to the floor. "he murdered hundreds, Jack, of women and children and men, just for power, and they had no idea why."
"Don't do this to yourself Karen" Jack said "I saw what he did the first time, if he captures you again"
"he won't I'm better prepared this time" Karen said "I can control my magic now"
"and what's going to happen if he senses you?" jack asked
"That's what this idiot is for" Karen said gesturing to Justin "he can cloak me, if it's done right, Torment won't even know I'm there"
"Karen" Jack was starting again. But Helen came to Karen's rescue.
"jack enough" she said "Karen can take care of herself"
"But"
"Leave it" Helen said but she fixed Karen with a steely glare "besides, she wouldn't dare leave our children without a godmother"
"you have my word" Karen said "now about that place"