Chapter 2
Six months later
The Batfam became increasingly more worried for Batman over the past six months. He's become hyper focused in his search for Hannah Quinzel. And it wasn't his normal intense focus on stopping crime. No. This was like a bullet train that had gone out of control, jumped the tracks, and was going to crash into the world's largest nuclear power plant. And Superman was nowhere to be found. And the train had the unfortunate circumstance of carrying a nuke.
"Master Bruce," Alfred approached slowly, carrying a plate of food. "I made some dinner."
The large figure at the even bigger computer grunted.
"You need to eat something." Alfred tried again.
"I'm not hungry." came the grumbled response.
"You need to sleep." Nightwing said.
"We know that you haven't been sleeping," said Red Robin. "Well, even less than usual."
"When you're not out on the streets, you're in here. Sitting at that computer. Even more than usual." commented Robin.
"We're worried about you." Batgirl pleaded. "Please, the computer will still be there, after you've had something to eat and gotten some sleep."
The clicking of the keys slowed to a stop, and Batman sighed. He turned and looked over his shoulder at his family standing behind him.
"I have to find her." He said.
"And you will, Master Bruce." Alfred said, stepping forward. "But if what you've told us is true, then I'm sure that she'll be able to look out for herself for one more night. While you look out for yourself. You won't do her, or anyone, any good if you keel over."
Looking at the computer one more time, and setting it to continue to search for her, and alert him if it found anything, he reluctantly stood up and trudged back up to the house with his family.
( #$#...)
Hannah wrapped her parka tightly around herself, as she stepped out of the small clinic in the even smaller town in Alaska.
Unlocking her old Chevy truck, and swinging the big blue door open, she was just about to climb into the cab, when a large hand came down on her shoulder.
Going on the defensive, Hannah grabbed the hand and twisted. She spun around the person twisting their arm behind their back at the same time. She had them slammed up against her truck before the other person could fight back.
"Wow! Wow! Taylor! It's me! Jacob!"
It took a moment for the 'Fight or Flight' haze to dissipate, and for Hannah (now Taylor) to respond.
"Jacob?" Taylor said, getting a good look at his face. And once she was sure it was him, she loosened her hold on him, and let him go.
Stepping away from him, she gave him room to turn around. He looked at her as he rubbed his wrist and shoulder.
"Are you okay?" Jacob asked. "What was that about?"
"I'm sorry. Are you okay? I didn't hurt you did I?" Taylor deflected.
"Yeah I'm fine. Only thing really hurt is my ego." Jacob chuckled.
"Well, put some ice on that when you get home, just in case." said Taylor.
"Yes doctor." Jacob quipped.
"I really am sorry."
"Nah, it's okay."
"You're sure?"
"Yeah. I've had worse wrestling with my dad and brothers."
"Well, if you're sure." Taylor said, "I really should be going. I've got a bed that's calling my name."
"Yeah, I hear you. Goodnight Taylor."
"'Night."
Jacob walked away, kicking himself for what felt like the hundredth time, for not managing to ask out the pretty city doctor.
(#*$&%&$!)
Hannah watched Jacob walk away for a moment before getting into her truck. She drove as fast as she dared on the snowy roads. Her heart, hammering in her chest.
Locking the front door, Hannah leaned against it, and took a few deep breaths to calm the thumping in her ears. Once she had gotten control of the muscle in her chest that seemed determined to choke her, she dropped her bag by the door and made her way into the kitchen.
Opening the fridge, she pulled out the leftover tuna salad, and made herself a couple sandwiches with it. Washing the dishes after she finished. It was a very boring dinner. So the usual.
So it was very unusual when she was finished, Hannah grabbed the knife and threw it at the shadows across the room. Only there was no sound of the knife lodging itself in the wall, nor in a person. There was no noise at all. And that is what worried Hannah the most.
Hannah was like a taut string, waiting for whoever was in her house to show themselves as she discreetly reached for another knife.
"I suppose you were expecting someone else?"
Out of the shadows, stepped a large man, dressed all in black. He looked like he was part of the shadows. He put the butter knife on the table, as far away from Hannah as he could. Didn't want to risk that she'd use it on him again.
"I would ask how you found me, or how you got into my house," Hannah sighed, half turning away. "But you're Batman. So instead, I'll ask, why did you find me?"
"Joker's looking for you." Batman said plainly.
"Joker's always looking for me. You're going to have to be more specific."
Batman paused, "After the last time you and your sister talked, she decided to leave him."
"Really? She did? Finally!" Hannah said, letting go of a breath that she didn't know that she was holding. Giving the first real smile in a long time.
"And he's holding you personally responsible." Batman finished.
With that, Hannah's celebrations were cut short. "How long?"
"Not long. He's on his way now." Batman said, pointing to Hannah's packed duffle bag. "We need to go. Now."
"You're Batman. Can't we fight them off?"
He held up his arm, and a holoscreen appeared just above it. On it were heat signatures. Two small dots inside the house, a large blob that looks like a jet just outside, and then a sea of red encircling the entire property. And they are getting closer. Fast.
"As much as I am confident in my fighting capabilities and my tech, I don't think that I could take on an entire army by myself, while trying to protect you. For your safety, we must leave."
"So your ride is this way?" Hannah pointed out the back door, as she grabbed her bag, making her way out the back door.
Climbing into the Bat-jet, Hannah only had time to slide the last strap of the harness on, and hear the click, before the plane took off into the sky.
As they flew away, Hannah could have sworn that she heard a scream of outrage on the winds.
( &%$!)
Hannah looked around in the cockpit, noticing that Batman had tinted the cockpit window in the back where she was sitting. She tried to look around the large wide shoulders in front of her, but no dice.
'Could you be any more of a door?' Hannah thought, rolling her eyes, and huffing as she crossed her arms under her chest. Keeping her arms and legs tucked in, doing her best to avoid hitting any of the blinking buttons and switches surrounding her.
Leaning back, Hannah closes her eyes and tries to snooze. Just for a little bit. Even a little sleep is better than no sleep.
What seems like seconds later, Hannah is jerked awake by the jarring motion of the aircraft landing. A jaw cracking yawn tore through her, as the engines were powered down and slowly stopped altogether. Stretching as best she could, in the confined, cramped space.
Hannah looked up as the sound of the hiss of the pressurized airlocks released, allowing the cockpit hatch to slide open. She followed close behind Batman, as he climbed out of the jet.
Looking around the dark and dreary cave that just screamed Dracula, Hannah swallowed her scoff. Instead she rolled her eyes at "The Dark Knight's" dramatics.
Silently, Hannah made a slight "Oof", as she collided with Batman's back. Batman didn't make a sound, didn't move an inch. Rubbing her stomach where his utility belt had dug into her. Hannah frowned up at the cowled head in front of her.
Though the deafening, irritated silence got Hannah's attention. Slowly, Hannah began to shift to the side, and just when she was about to peek around Batman's large shoulders, someone spoke. Someone she did not recognize.
"Batman," said a nervous male voice, "this is an intervention."
Hannah's jaw dropped. Snapping her mouth closed, she had to bite her lips to keep from smiling, as this is a very serious matter.
"Batman, we all care very much about you." A different man said. This one less tenor, and more bass.
"Batman you've been like a maniac for the past ten years, throwing yourself at every thug in Gotham." A hard feminine voice said, trying to sound soft.
"But the past six months, you've been running yourself ragged. Practically into the ground." A younger man's voice said, concern laced into his words.
"Father, you don't eat. You don't sleep. Last week, you got hit four times by a common mugger before you took him down." A boy, probably early teens, commented.
"We're worried about you."
Hannah listened to them all talk. And while at first she was a bit confused. After all, Batman has been beating justice into criminals in this town for the past thirteen years. But they said that he's been acting like crazy for the past ten. So, what changed?
As she listened, Hannah lightly pressed her hand onto Batman's back. Just enough to let him know, and to remind him that she was there.
Finally, Hannah couldn't take it any more. "They've got a point you know."
All sound seemed to be sucked out of the cave, like air is sucked out of a breached spaceship. Hannah stepped around the dark imposing figure of Batman, only to come face to face with the original members of the Justice League. And the various Robins and Batgirl.
Craning her neck to take in all of the cave that she's been flown to, Hannah snorted.
"You know Bruce, you have got to get someone to come and decorate. Because, damn!" Hannah said, turning to look up at Batman. "No seriously, Dracula just called. You just missed him. Yeah, he wants his cave back."
Hannah graciously ignored the snorts and snickers going on behind her.
"Now, I know that you've got an aesthetic, a theme going, and I can appreciate that. But Bruce, we need to talk about the elephant in the room." Hannah said with the utmost seriousness. "... Your friend back there."
Hannah turned to look at Superman. "I mean really. In what world is it socially acceptable to wear your underwear outside your pants? I would tell you to pull your pants up, because I can see your draws, man! But…" Hannah shook her head, as the supers standing around the highly offended "dark pink" tighty-whitey clad man, looking like the primary colors had thrown up on him, all did their utmost best to contain their laughter.
Hannah turned back around to Batman, "Between you and me, my theory is that he was either raised in a barn, or by wolves. What do you think?"
Batman tilted his head to the side ever so slightly. Hannah hummed, looking at Superman and tapping her chin, "Yes you're right. He's much too well behaved to be raised alongside pigs."
Hannah gasps, her head whipping around to Batman, "Maybe he was raised by monkeys!"
Many of the supers behind her lost their battles of will. Giggles and snickers shook the very foundations of some of them as they continued to fight to contain their amusement.
Hannah smiled up at Batman's partially concealed face, "Don't hide that smile from me. I see it. You can't hide it from me. I know you too well Bruce."
Observing the subtle changes in Batman's body language, Hannah raised an eyebrow. "What? Do I have something in my teeth? Use your words Bruce."
Batman shifted minutely, and Hannah snorted. "Really? This is the first time we've seen each other in twenty years, the first time that we've talked, and that's what you want to ask? No, 'Hi.' 'How you've been?'" Hannah shook her head, "you haven't changed at all Bruce. No 'beating around the bush' for you."
Hannah sighed, and turned to fully face Batman. "Fine. You want to know 'how'? How I know that it's you? Okay." Hannah suddenly pointed at his face accusatory. "But just know that you're that one who wanted to know. You're the one who opened Pandora's Box. So if I 'ruffle some feathers', or if your feelings get hurt, it's your own fault."
Hannah breathed deeply through her nose, all previous amusement gone. "First of all, you can take off the mask. I know that it's you, Bruce Wayne."
She stared at him deadpanned, and with a tinge of bitterness. Her arms crossed under her chest, waiting. The two stared at each other for a moment. Light blue eyes locked onto the glowing white lenses hiding Batman's eyes.
After what seemed like an eternity, Batman finally sighed. Reaching up to his head, he unclasped the latches on his mask. The eye lenses stopped glowing, and slowly the mask was lifted away. Revealing the tired face of one Bruce Wayne.
Hannah clicked her tongue, her head nodding, "Now, you want to know how I knew that it was you behind the mask? Okay."
Hannah held up her hand, holding up her index finger. "First of all, did you really think that just because you decided to dress up as a giant bat, cover up half of your face, and beat up the criminals in this city, that I wouldn't recognize you? Really?"
She put up a second finger, "Second, who in this city meets the body type requirements of Batman, has the money and resources to pull all this off, and has the motivation to actually do it? There is only one person, Bruce." Hannah jabbed her finger into his chestplate. "You."
Hannah gave a disbelieving scoff, shaking her head. Her hand falling back to her side. "You really haven't changed at all, have you?"
Sighing through her nose, she looked back up at Bruce. "I knew it was you the moment that I heard about a guy in a giant bat costume beating up criminals. If I've said it once, I've said it a million times. You should have majored in drama, instead of medicine. You would have thrived. You are still the drama queen that I dated for six months back in med-school."
Both Hannah and Bruce ignored the shocked gasps behind her, as they continued to stare at each other. As Hannah continued with her tirade. "You know, that had really hurt. The way that you left. No note, no phone call. Nothing. Just one day, you were gone." Hannah's blonde brows came together to make a divet between them, as her full lips were pulled down into a frown.
"Do you have any idea how worried I was?" Hannah said, her voice shaking with emotion. "Just one day, out of the blue, you disappeared. You stopped showing up for classes, and study sessions. Which is so unlike you. You could have been sick as a dog, and still shown up for class. I thought that you had been kidnapped! You asshole!"
Hannah took a moment to collect herself. Bruce stood there stoically. Seemingly knowing that she needed to get this out of her system.
"Did you know that I was the one who filed the missing persons report?" Hannah asked, her jaw clenched. "The police didn't tell me anything. And why would they? After all, I was just the girlfriend. But, a week after I filed the report, I had to find out from the school's Dean that you had dropped out of school. Luckily, spring break had only been a couple days away. So when it did arrive, I hopped on a plane, and came to Gotham. Yeah, instead of going back home to visit my family in Brooklyn, I came here. To Gotham, and then went to Wayne Manor. Where I had to find out from Alfred, that not only did you drop out of school. But you had left the country altogether!
"And not even a note…it didn't have to be a Dear John letter. By any means. But even something as simple as, 'Hey Hannah, what we had was great. But I'm gonna head out now.' Now, I got over you leaving. Don't worry. But, what really hurt? What really broke my heart, was the fact that when you did come back, you had completely ghosted me. You didn't call. You didn't write. You didn't drop by to say, 'Hey. How you've been the last seven years?' Just, nothing. I was starting to fear the worst, and that you had died, you jerk!"
Hannah's frown smoothed out, to be replaced instead with a look of forlorn bitterness. Sighing, Hannah said, "You are still the same guy that I went to med-school with. Still the same guy that half the campus had drooled and fawned over, and the other half hated. You are still the same KING OF EMO, that I fell in love with. And you are still the same guy that broke my heart in college, and seven years later when you came back, giving me false hope that you were going to show back up in my life. And every year for the past ten years, when you would show up when Harleen would track me down for our birthday. Haunting me, like some kind of ghost."
Hannah swallowed as she deliberated over whether or not she should say what she wants to say next. Finally, opening her mouth, Hannah said, "Bruce…I'm not perfect. I've never claimed to be. Never have, never will. And I am fully aware that I have flaws. But, was I really that bad of a person, that bad to be around, that bad of a girlfriend… that you felt trapped, and you felt the need to run away?"
Finally, Hannah seemed to run out of steam. She and Bruce stared at each other. Throughout her tirade, Bruce's countenance softened. Not dramatically so, but enough that those closest to him, who knew him, could see the change.
Hannah closed her eyes, and shook her head. Walking back around Bruce, she pulled her duffle bag from the jet.
Just as she was turning back around, a new, distinctly British voice said, "Ah, Miss Hannah. How wonderful to see you."
"Hey Alfred." Hannah said, an exhausted smile pulling at her lips.
"I presume that you will be staying with us?" Alfred asked.
"Apparently."
"Most excellent. If you will follow me then, I will show you to the guest room you may use. Would you like anything to eat?"
"I already ate thanks. And I just got off an eighteen hour shift at the clinic I was working at. So sleep sounds wonderful."
As Alfred showed Hannah the way out, Bruce's voice, softer than it usually is echoed off the stone walls. "I'm sorry, Hannah."
Stopping in front of the elevator, Alfred already standing on it waiting for her, Hannah turned her head slightly to the side. "Me too."
As Hannah steps onto the elevator, and rides to the top, an intrusive thought pushes its way to the forefront for her mind. Once upon a time, I would have compared Bruce's voice to dark chocolate.
Giving her head a shake, Hannah wills the unwelcome thought away. Not wanting to go down that road.
Bruce watched Hannah go, a part of him wanted to go after her. The same part that made him try to keep an eye on Hannah. Make sure that the Joker stays away from her, keeping him off her trail. Trying to keep her safe. Even if she did make it extremely difficult for him.
The piece of him that had fallen, and was still in love, with Hannah.
Reluctantly, Bruce turned away from the elevator to deal with this "Intervention".