Hush

[Batman (Bruce Wayne)]

#6 Hush


Story By: Batman
Heroes: Batman, Red Robin, Huntress, Catwoman, Nightwing, Batgirl II, The Oracle, Superman, Spoiler, Wonder Woman, The Flash
Villains: The Joker, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Hush, Deadshot, Killer Croc, The Great White Shark, Mad Hatter, Scarecrow, The Riddler, The Red Hood, Clayface, Two-Face

Plot: coming soon


Hush Part 1 - "A friend to all is a friend to none."

-Gotham city remained quiet for the beginning of the night, there was nothing spectacular was happening, until a police report caused Batman to twitch his usually stiff head, crouching hunched over the city from the position between two gargoyles, Batman listened as his head snapped to the direction to catch a visible observation of the district too far for the human eye to see- ‘…Reports came in, a rape and abduction at Robinson Parkway. White Female, Blonde hair, stands about 5…’ –Batman’s wings opened and he flew towards the park, Robinson Park was located directly in the center of Gotham City, it’s massive size made it difficult to determine, which of the 48 different streets, did the accident or scene cover. Roughly 48 city blocks surrounded the park on all sides. It was near the east end; Catwoman and Black Mask’s territory.- ‘Selina wouldn’t allow for this kind of thing to get by. And it would have to be something that interested Black Mask at this point in time.’ <c>

‘Robinson Park, itself is Poison Ivy’s territory. Since she’s been in Arkham, the territory is up for grabs. Rumor states that Penguin, Victor Zsasz, Killer Croc, and Black Mask have been trying to take that territory over for their own.’ –Batman landed upon an apartment building and looked over the edge, standing by an outdated television antenna; Batman looked out towards the park. There was no woman, no sign of anything except quietness. Batman narrowed his eyes glaring at the scenery. He tapped his wrist and activated his detective vision causing a black sheet to drop in front of his eyes to display an enhanced vision of the scenery in front of him. Batman would spot in the forest a group of 14 men sitting at a table, while another danced about, one of the people standing at the table was a young woman strapped to a chair.-


Selina Kyle: She moved silently and swiftly through the dark trees, her teeth clenched angrily as she weaved in and out of each, sticking to the darkest part of the shadows. ‘If this had still been Ivy’s territory…if she hadn’t of been sent to Arkham.’ Catwoman cut off the angry thoughts, Ivy caused enough trouble to overshadow any good she might have done for Gotham City, and the fact of the matter was she wasn’t there. Grabbing a low branch she jumped, swinging her legs up and over her head as she flipped up onto the branch then climbed a bit higher in the tree, claws digging into the wood. Her green eyes narrowed as she spotted the table, counting each of the men, close enough to hear them, too far still to know what they were saying. Watching the dancing man she made a puzzled look. “What the hell…?” Whispering softly she slipped back down to the ground and edged closer silently, the high ground would have been an advantage, but it was too risky, and the trees would make too much noise. -c
Selina Kyle: Slipping her whip from around her waist she waited as she watched, crouched close to the base of a tree.


-Catwoman would see Jervis Tetch dancing about with men wearing Rabbit hats, his green tuxedo Jacket making him appear nothing like a Tim Burton character. Dressed in a long trench coat with green coloring down it along with patches and stitches along the damaged fabric. A top hat that was busted and wrinkled some rested on top of his long white hair that hung around his shoulders appearing matted and ruffled. His minions were a wide breed of street thugs, and two children were amongst his group of thugs, all of them wearing different types of hats. The Woman wasn’t dressed in anything special; a blue dress, a ribbon in her groomed hair, with the special guest of a C-4 attached to the back of her chair with wires attached to her clothing through the back board of the chair.- <c>

The woman had a single arm that was free, almost. Her right arm had a brace locking down her arm from reaching behind her, but her elbow could flex; to raise the glass of tea in front of her to her lips. His hi-pitch squeaky voice spoke with madness lining him. The Mad hatter truly was insane; no one could make this mistake about him. – “Ladies and Gentlemen! I want to thank you all for coming here! I’m sorry but, we’re running low on time! But once our guest of honor arrives, HE will give us our remaining time…HE will give us ALL the TIME we need.” –Mad hatter lifted a white Rabbit cowl and placed it at the end of the table while his right hand held onto a MP-40- “So, everyone can just sit and enjoy the tea party!” –Mad Hatter grabbed his own cup of tea and gulped it down.-<c>

-Batman spotted Catwoman and narrowed his eyes from the distance at her, he opened his wings and flew towards the park, and his body flew over a couple of cars until he landed on the other side of a large fence. He tumbled onto the ground and stood up after a low thump. He stood position within the darkness and shadows, analyzing and strategizing the scenario in front of him.-


Cassandra Cain: *Her black boots would rest upon an adjecent rooftop near Batman. Clad in her normal batgirl uniform as she would tap the yellow belt around her waist. Her eyes gazing through the stiched up mask as she would shadow Batman. Normally sticking behind him as he took the vanguard, until the fighting began. As he would move she would mimic his movements. Unable to fly and float like he, she would relie on her grapple gun to pull her through the air. As they would arrive at the park, she would watch Batman soar towards the park as she would start her movement, shadowing him still. Her eyes would spot a good vantage point, a little higher, looking over the park. She would move from her rooftop to the next before gripping a metal pipe leading up to the roof. Her black boots would dig in to the side of the building, as her black gloved hands would wrap around the pipe, as if strangling it. Pulling herself up a few more stories as she would have a great vantage. The dim light of the park and (C)

Cassandra Cain: allowing her to see decently with her unaided eyes. She would crotch on the corner of the building, watching Batman land in the park as he would stand up. She had not spotted Catwoman yet but she did spy the activites of the Mad Hatter. To get a better look, she would grip her binoculars from her waist and hold them up. Shifting in a few magnification levels, as she would eye the scene. More interested in saving the girl, keeping loss of life to a minimum. She would remain perched upon the rooftop for now, her black hanging off her back, she almsot appeared as a gargolye hanging on the edge of the apartment building. focusing in on the activies below.....for now. (E)


Selina Kyle: A breath escaped her silently as her eyes trained first on the woman. She was alive, she was dressed and for now she looked decent. Noting the explosives she could already foresee what would have to be done and she tapped her claws lightly on her thigh. Jervis Tetch, known for mind control tech she found herself feeling annoyed at having to deal with such a man. Slowly her gaze settled on each and everyone of the people at the table her heart giving an uncomfortable thud in her chest as she spotted the two children. Eyes closing for a moment she breathed in deeply, they were first priority. Opening her eyes once again she stood slowly in the shadows, hand pressing against the trunk of the tree. “He’s always ruffling my fur, where is he when I actually need him for a distraction.” Catwoman spoke softly before turning and slipping back into the woods, moving around to the side of the table with the children. -c

Selina Kyle: A good sprint would get her there, she could grab them, roll under the table, three chairs to take out, knock three men to the ground and make her escape out the other side. Her eyes trained on the weapon in the Mad Hatter’s hand. ‘Can’t outrun bullets, Selina.’ Crouching once again her hand slid back to a grenade resting against her lower back. Thrown at the opposite end of the table from “Alice” she could use that as a distraction. Eyes narrowing she heard something, a click from far away, it was faint but clear to her. “He’s come for tea after all.” She whispered faintly.


-Mad Hatter looked to the children and gestured to the streets.- “You kids do what you’re good for and keep a look out for our flying rodent…Oh, I hope he isn’t late!” –Mad Hatter’s voice would begin to seem agitated and annoyed.- “He’s always LATE for his important DATES.” –Batman spoke into his headset with a soft voice.- “Mad hatter, 14 hostages. His weapon has 32 bullets inside the magazine. Fortunately he’s using a refurbished model…It’ll take approximately 3-7 bullets to instantly kill a single person if shot in the torso. His bullets are useless against my armor, however; he has a pack of C-4 attached to one hostage ‘Alice’ that he will likely detonate if I don’t play along with his charade. Use your tranquilizing Batarangs and take out the men on the east side of the table when I tell you. Destroying the hat could detonate the C-4, getting it away from him should be the priority.” <c>

–Batman began approaching Mad Hatter merging out from the darkness. The Mad Hatter jumped in surprise while aiming the machine gun at Batman.- “Ah! You’re late!” –Batman would growl.- “Rape is hardly something you would do, Hatter.” –Mad Hatter giggled lifting a cup of tea to his mouth.- “Correct, Batman… But we needed your attention. We needed your attention.” “Who’s we?” “Ta ta, Batman…First you must play my game…Please drink your tea…” –Batman looked at the empty chair and blinked with no amusement.- “I’m not going to get drugged by your tea, Hatter.” Jervis sipped his tea and began pouring himself more.- “It’s an excellent release, Batman…But if you won’t join us, why doesn’t your Cat friend join us! Come on out…I know you must be there…Heehee!” –Mad Hatter looked around the woods to see where Catwoman was hiding. <C>

‘He knew Catwoman would be here…this isn’t a coincidence…It was planned specifically for both of us…This isn’t Jervis’ usual game. Kid napping is, drugs, definitely. Planning for Selina and I…that takes a bit more genius.’ “She’s not here.” –Batman said trying to cover for Catwoman, Mad Hatter didn’t seem to like this.- “I know you’re lying!” –Mad Hatter pointed the gun at Alice’s face causing the girl to groan.- “Help me…” “This is Catwoman’s territory…Everyone knows that! How could she NOT be here?” -Mad Hatter added, after the woman made her plea.-

Cassandra Cain: *She would simply nod her haed. No words needed from her as she would listen to Batman. She was currently on the north face of the park. Her eyes glancing over to the east, as if looking for a better vantage point on this scene. She had to make it to her local before Batman needed her. Her hands would set the binoculars down as she would draw her grapple gun again. Her eyes focused on the east. Seeing an apartment about the same height as hers. Her boots would push up, letting her stand, still moving in the shadows of the building she would make her way to a better eastern position. She would assume the same position except on this building a better vantage for her targets. She would scope out the men, assigned as her targets on the eastern side. Several stories above the action, sitting in the darkness with her pure dark attire. Batman knew, as did she, her suit was made out of a kevlar mesh, it was resistant to bullet fire of most small arms but was not immune, like Batman's armor.(C

Cassandra Cain: /em she would watch Batman emerge from the darkness, as the two would converse. She would wait to see what transpired next, just sitting and waiting for her signal. Trying to best see if a ranged engagement would be better or if she could fell the Mad hatter's men with a simple one-two punch. (E)

Selina Kyle: Her green eyes locked onto the large shadow that was Batman as soon as he moved from the cover of the trees and she watched him almost carefully as he moved towards the Mad Hatter. ‘He’s playing the game, means he’s not alone.’ Casting a sweeping glance over the trees she saw no one and narrowed her eyes a bit as she turned them back Batman. Twisting her gloved hands around the leather of her whip she listened to them then canted her head to the side as Jervis called for her. “Well now, isn’t this a surprise.” Keeping her voice quiet she ducked down more as he looked to the woods. “She’s not here.” She heard Batman say then she stood as the gun was pointed at “Alice”. Wrapping her whip back around her waist her eyes glanced to the children before she moved out of the cover of trees slowly. “Hatter.” Catwoman purred the name. -c

Selina Kyle: “If you wanted me to come for tea, you should have said so.” Her movements were languid and relaxed as she crossed the grass, her eyes on Jervis and him alone as she positioned herself between him and the two children. “You know I love a good party.” Giving him a charming smile she placed a hand on her waist, letting her hip drop out to the side as she stopped moving. She didn’t even glance in Batman’s direction.

-Batman narrowed his eyes at Hatter.- “Splendid! Let us have a seat!” –The Mad hatter placed his gun onto the table and sat down at the head of the table.- ‘Suspicion confirmed. His hat does hold the trigger to the bomb.’-Hatter adjusted his white gloves and then patted Alice on the cheek. “My my…This party is late…We must drink as much as we can…Drink up dear…it’s my special blend. It’ll make things a lot more cheery.” –Batman looked at the tea and said.- “Hallucination…I don’t have time for this, Jervis. Let the girl go and tell me who you’re working for.” –The Mad Hatter snarled.- “Don’t YOU tell me what to do! Thanks to my new friend, I was supplied with this Wormhole.” –Mad Hatter gestured to the pack of C-4.- “I will send Alice straight to the QUEEN! Heehee! But! First we must have our tea!” “Jervis, you’ll kill everyone here.” –Mad Hatter shrugged.- “If that is what the Queen wishes, who are YOU to say otherwise?” <C>

-Batman’s cape slipped around his body, giving him the ability to arm his sonic batarang and prepare it.- ‘A sonic Batarang modified to disrupt electronic signals should do the trick, it’ll create an EMP field that will block out his control, I’ll need to get it under Alice’s chair.’ “Where is she going to sit? All of the seats are taken except mine.” –Batman taunted Mad Hatter, at which point he nodded.- “You’re right…You, give your seat to Catwoman.” –The man next to Alice stood up and mindlessly walked around the table to stand next to Mad Hatter. Batman then took a seat at the head of the table.- “Put on your helmet.” –Batman looked at the White rabbit hat and blinked before picking it up, he examined it and then placed it on his head.- “Splendid!”

Selina Kyle: Catwoman remained standing as she watched the Hatter place his gun on the table and was about to speak up about there being no empty seats when Batman spoke for her. Her eyes shifted to the Dark Knight briefly before she moved around to sit next to Alice. Sitting down she crossed one leg over the other at the knee gracefully, sat up straight and proper in her chair then picked up her plate a teacup though she didn’t drink. “So many guests, Hatter.” She kept her tone cheery, then looked towards Batman as he placed on the hat and a look of absurdity flashed in her eyes before amusement settled there. Well, at least a moment of entertainment was provided. “What a lovely hat.” Catwoman commented to Batman, clearly making her tone lighter as she served as a distraction as best she could. “I’m glad to hear you have a new friend, won’t you tell me about him?” Turning her attention back to Jervis she brought the cup to her lips but didn’t drink as she set the teacup down gently. -c

Selina Kyle: Inside her struggled not to help the woman next to her, not to turn her attention there, and not to bring any notice to the children.

Hush: -The scope settled upon Batgirl, zooming into her to examine her outfit and costume and then flicked towards Mad Hatter, who cleverly positioned Batman to be at a large opening between trees and brush.- “I could kill him from here…” “No. I want her too.” “Kill him and when she loses her cool, I kill her too.” “Hmm…” –He struggled with his hand on the trigger; the temptation to forsake the deal and just shoot Batman seemed to weigh much. The Contractors would remember it and it would guarantee his value to soar like Deathstroke’s value. His distance was significantly outside the range that the human eye could see with detail, binoculars couldn’t even reach his distance as he aimed the Sniper rifle calculating wind current and movement of his target.-

Mad Hatter giggled and spoke to Selina tipping his large hat at her.- “Thank you, Catwoman…Alice doesn’t seem to think so. She has barely touched her tea…Drink up dear, it will get cold!” –Batman held the first sonic batarang in his belt and then prepared the second. Once the second was established Batman tossed it under the table to hit Catwoman’s foot. The Mad Hatter looked at Batman and said.- “Now, rabbit…What time is it?” –Batman waited a moment and then said.- “It’s time for Alice to hold on to her seat. Catwoman.” –Mad Hatter nodded taking a tea pot and pouring a lot of tea into Catwoman and Alice’s cups to the point of splashing the tea onto their laps.- “Hm. I couldn’t agree more Mr. Rabbit. We wouldn’t want the Queen to be upset, now would we?” “No…but Catwoman has a gift to give Alice first…And so does Batgirl…” <c>

-Mad Hatter’s eyes lifted and he grabbed his gun to aim at Batman.- “You’re talking out of character! Stop it! You’re supposed to be the White Rabbit!” –His voice was venomous and agitated, he was clearly angry now. His teeth clutched and his gun aimed at the over grown rabbit head.-

Cassandra Cain: *She saw the gun lifted towards Batman from the Hatter. Her eyes would narrow behind her mask. She had to fight the urge to break her assigned task. Hearing him speaking through her comm under her mask. Her eyes would spy the several guards at the east. Watching them patrol a little bit. They were simple thugs. armed with small arms..about 6 of them. Two of them smoking. She had to be careful, casuing them to fall to the ground, the little light would go out exposing her pressence. They were far enough away in the darkness she could take them. Her hands would grip a few tranq. batarangs. She would dive off the three story apartment buidling landing with a roll. As she would move, she would launch two batarangs and two men, causing the weapons to graze them, they would almost instantly fall prone, stunned, still awake and able to see. As she would roll,her left hand would extend hitting a a thug in the throat, causing him to recoil backwards, the blow was perfect as it did not kill (C)
Cassandra Cain: but kept him from screaming or alarming. The three others would go for their weapons, as she would start to dash between them landing critical open ahnd chops to each of them felling the down. She would pick up the cigerates as she would lean the two of them up against cars and place the cigerattes in between their lips. Making it look like they are leaning against the vehicles still smoking, hopefully to draw any unwarned suspecion away as if they are still keeping watch.She would slink into the shadows. Close enough and on ground level now not needing to use her binoculars. She would speak in a very hushed tone. "East..clear." (E)

Selina Kyle: “Alice, dear.” Catwoman turned her eyes to the girl next to her as she felt the batarang bump her boot and uncrossed her legs, only to change their position, now putting her left leg over her right. The exchange of her kicking the batarang up into her gloved hand with her heel of her boot was so smooth even Batman would have a hard time noticing it if he was looking for it. “You really should try the tea, it’s wonderful…oh!” Catwoman stood quickly as the tea was poured into her lap, the batarang moving from one hand to the other as she brushed at her pants, the tea simply running off of the material. One more sharp stroke of her hands and a simple flick of her wrist and the batarang landed under Alice’s chair, point stuck into the ground. “Oh Hatter, what a waste of tea. Do you perhaps have a napkin? I could clean off Alice’s dress so it isn’t stained with tea for when she meets the Queen.”-c

Selina Kyle: She placed her palms on the table as she leaned a bit closer to the Mad Hatter to gain his attention, her claws hooking into the cloth there as she gave him a smile, hoping to distract him from Batman one more time, and more than ready to change the rules of the game, her muscles tightening in anticipation.

-Hatter ignored Catwoman as he growled.- “You ruined everything! Both of you! This was supposed to be a fun Tea party!!!” –Batman took off his ridiculous hat and tossed it onto the ground while his right hand hurled towards the MP-40 to cut it in half.- “His hat has the detonator to the C-4. Don’t destroy it.” –Batman called out to Catwoman. The mindless men with various hats stood up as the Mad Hatter shouted.- “Kill them!!!” –Batman immediately tackled two of the gangster shaped men, knocking them over.- “Batgirl, close in.” –He signaled as a third man came charged to attack Batman. Brown eyes watched the scene unfold.- “No…It’s too soon.” –He turned and began walking down the ladder, his brown trench coat flowing behind him, Deadshot lowered his rifle and looked back at the man covered in bandages.- “What do you mean? It’s now or never.”

Hush: -The set of brown eyes looked at Deadshot.- “He has to suffer…I want everyone in his little family to *know* what happens.” –Deadshot lifted the rifle to his shoulder allowing it to rest there.- “And you think killing him won’t do that?” –Deadshot began following behind, the man wearing the trench coat entered into the stairwell and began walking, a voice echoing from the darkness spoke.- “When he dies, I will be holding the smoking gun…” –Deadshot grabbed the circular lens to his outfit and adjusted the piece some.- “Does everyone in Gotham have a secret vendetta?” –Deadshot followed and said.- “What about the Shark…” “We stick to the plan…”

Cassandra Cain: *She would take several batcuffs from her belt as she would start to handcuff the men she knocked out, as if preparing them for the police to haul away. The less thugs on the streets the better. As she would finish, she would hear Batman's call, as she would respond, with no words but actions. Her black boots hitting the ground, as she would huddle the fence, closing in on the tea party now. her black cape flowing from behind her. Her stature was short, however, she was a frighetning sight to be seen. As she would move in, she would see the men getting up and ready to assault the two of them. Coming from their blind side, she would make short work of two moving in on Catwoman, she would be at the east side of the table. Her hands still in an open palm formation, as she was delivering non-lethal blows to nerve groups in the neck causing a semi-paralysis state, making them easier to deal with. As she dealt with those two, she would see two more mindless men moving in her direction. (C)

Cassandra Cain: would drop her stance, taking a defensive posture as she would watch the two men move in on her. As if she was waiting for them to make an attack against her. (E)

Selina Kyle: Hands clenched the table cloth as she brought them up quickly, flinging the tea, the pots and all of the cups onto the men on the Hatter’s side of the table. “I’ve never liked tea.” As the cloth settled her whip was already in her hand and with a sharp crack it wrapped around the Mad Hatter’s hat and she pulled it from his head. Catwoman leaned over the now bare table to catch it as it turned upside down, her fingers closing around the brim. As Batgirl took out two of the men closest to her she turned her attention to the two children and scooped them up with one arm and delivered a hard kick to the sternum of a single man in her way, knocking him clear off of his feet. “Get Alice!” Catwoman called to Cass who was closest to them as she quickly pulled the two away from the table and towards the line of trees, hat still in hand, detonator inside. “You’ll be okay.” She said to the kids.

-With the hat removed the thugs would appear puzzled, before the gangsters knew what hit them, they were being punched, kicked, and slammed around by Batman, Batgirl, and Catwoman. Batman had taken down three of the thugs he was dealing with and watched as a fourth began running away, a quick fire action from Batman’s right hand hurled a bola device towards the thugs legs, the device screaming as it was pulled off Batman’s left hip and wrapped around the thugs legs causing him to crash into the grass. Batman’s attention shifted to the Mad Hatter who was making his escape deeper into the park. Batman jumped up and raced after the Mad, leaping up Batman grabbed hold of his collar and slammed him into a tree.- “Who are you working for, Hatter?” “N-no body! It was supposed to be a tea party! He said it would be everything I wanted!” –The Mad Hatter would begin to sniffle and cry.- <c>

-Batman pulled Mad Hatter away from the tree and punched him in the stomach, the small man fell over onto the ground, when Batman grabbed Hatter again and slammed him into the tree.- “Who are you working for?!“ –Batman growled and snarled when finally the Mad Hatter spoke.- “It was the Great White Shark…Please…Let me have Alice…” –Batman growled.- “No.” –And then Batman slammed the Mad Hatter into the ground knocking him out cold.-

Cassandra Cain: *She would hear Catwoman call off to her, seeing the Hatter run away with Batman in chase. She knew she could leave him alone as she would look at the two men before her.* Stop. *Is all she would say. As they approached her taking a swing, she would bob and weave by their attacks landing a sharp fisted attack to their sternum. Quickly spinning around to cuff them att he hands and ankles as she would repeat the process with the other two. Seeing Catawoman move further away from the table her eyes turned to 'Alice' who was tied to the chair. She would pull a small utility knife from her belt, moving towards her. The girl's eyes widen, as she would cut the bindings to the chair lifting her up and into a basket carry position as she would now pursue Catwoman, leaving the 4 men gasping for air or unconcious and tied up. After making it a safe distance away she would set 'Alice' down on a park bench looking at her past that haunting stiched up mask, she would finish removing any bindngs (C)

Cassandra Cain: gags on the woman, still not saying anything* (E)

Selina Kyle: Catwoman crouched down, knocking the hats off of the two she had as she stood in the line of trees with them, hiding them in the shadows. Glancing down at Jervis’ hat she let out a breath as her gaze turned to where Batman had run off then to where Batgirl was taking out the last of the men and bringing “Alice” over. Slowly Catwoman stood, looking down at Batgirl and inclined her head to the boys that look dazed and confused. “You see that the girl gets to a hospital, and give these two to the PD, to find their parents. I‘m not exactly police friendly.” Giving the ever silent Batgirl a wink she reached down and picked up the hat from where she had set it on the ground and without waiting for a reply Catwoman turned and moved into the woods, heading in Batman’s direction, leaving Batgirl to deal with the kids and “Alice”. It wasn’t hard to find the man who had been interrogating the Hatter and as she slipped from the shadows she held the hat out to him. “The Great White Shark,

Selina Kyle: I wouldn’t have guessed he was a fan of tea parties.”

-Batman looked at Selina and nodded.- “It’s been a while since I heard anything on him…I’m guessing he’s back. Considering the number we did on him last time we met…He has a hit on you and me…It’s not safe here.” –Batman took the hat and ripped out the computer from it, analyzing it Batman then placed it on the booby trapped chair and then turned to walk deeper into the park and its woodland areas. Batman walked on until he felt the area was clear via scan of his detective vision. He would turn to see if Selina was following, if she was he would speak.- “It was a police call of a reported rape victim…It’s out of character for the Mad Hatter do announce himself like this. The Great White Shark is behind this, you’re going to need to watch your back for assassins, hit men. I can have Oracle keep her ears open, Dick and Batgirl can watch your back and territory for you...”

Cassandra Cain: *She would listen to Selina, however she would not obey her. She listened to two men, Batman and Alfred. Beyond them, she was a free spirit doing as she wished. She did not dislike Catwoman, she just didn't feel the level of respect she had for the two men. She would look at the little boys and then turn her head to 'Alice'. Her hands would reach out to start inspecting the woman. Finding slight lacerations on the female. she would dip her hand into her belt pulling out what appeared to be items found commonly in a medkit. Having to do combat triage on herself and allies, she would start to bind up and triage the wounds of the female. She would not speak a word while working. After finishing that, she would turn her back to 'Alice' and take a few steps away.* "...Hostages clear...on my position. *Is all she would say into her comm* (E)

Selina Kyle: Her expression darkened as she remembered the last time they met with the Great White Shark. The children he had shipped in boxes, running him down on the train tracks, her finger nearly squeezing the trigger. His movement stirred her from her thoughts and she followed after him. ‘Of course he’d be back to haunt us.’ Was the passing thought as she stopped, looking up at Batman as he turned his eyes to her. “I already watch my back, it holds one of my best assets.” She dismissed his care, crossing her arms over her stomach as she canted her head to the side. “As cute as your concern for me is, if you really think I’m going to hide behind your kids I might have to check you for a mind control device.” Moving an arm she reached out, catching his cape then let it slip through her fingers. -c

Selina Kyle: “This is my side of the City, and I’ll be damned if I let some fish get the better of me. Though, I’d make an exception to being caught by one of his gang, if it meant I got to see you put on a cute rabbit head again.” Catwoman teased him, smirking as she moved to brush past him, her fingers running across the armor on his chest.

-Batman listened to Selina as she spoke, when Batgirl spoke into his earpiece.- “Got it, Batgirl. Returned Return to the nearest Bunker; I’ll see you there in a moment.” –Batman’s attention went back to Selina as she teased and joked.- “Warren White isn’t your typical Gotham gangster. Very few men deal in Child slavery…White has no limits.” –Batman watched as she went past him, his hand reaching to grab hers and hold her still. A memory flash of their last conversation that left them on bad terms, once again came to mind. He didn’t want this to end like that one did.- “Selina…” –Bruce’s voice softened some. <c>

The Bat bunker nearby was Wayne’s Penthouse, a nearby parking garage had an isolated elevator that would sink down into the long empty room with floor panels that would rise up from the floor. The ends of the room had Car parts for the different Bat Mobiles, the Bat pod, and other mechanical parts. The computer required an active log in to access it, once doing so it would load up the full bat computer database.-

Cassandra Cain: Understood. *She would turn to the now free hostages as she spoke* Follow. * Her boots would hit the ground guiding the hostages with her through this part of town. Her eyes keeping peeled, as she was moving street level now. Unable to take the the rooftops with the hostages in tow. Upon arriving at the nearest police precinct. She would turn to 'Alice'* ...Go in... *Her hand would move to her belt as she would grip her grapple gun. She did not like dealing with the authorties, they asked too many questions. She let Tim or Bruce handle the talking. Her arm with the grapple gun would extend as she would fire it, pulling herself up to a rooftop. Spinning in the air as the grapple gun retracted as she landed. Her eyes peering out. As she would move across the rooftops, to arrive at the parking garage. She would head into the floors before moving to the mainfloor. She would crouch down into the darkness, making sure she would not be followed, and waiting. She would wait several mintues (C)

Cassandra Cain: in the darkness shourded, if Batman arrived she would emerge, if not, she would wait till she felt it safe.* (E)

Selina Kyle: “I know plenty about Warren White, I nearly put a bullet in his head.” Selina doubted he had forgotten, and the only reason she hadn’t was because he had been there, it was a reminder to him that she was a big girl, not a shiny new Robin, not an overzealous Batgirl, and his rules weren’t hers. As his hand caught hers she stopped, her green eyes turning towards his face showing genuine surprise before she was able to cover it up with something else. They had wounded each other last time, not that she thought he’d have noticed her pain through his own as she had grabbed the knife handle that was already in his heart and twisted the blade sharply. Anger was a strong defense mechanism, and it drove her to be vicious when she felt injured. Her hand gripped his in return, a solid firm grip that felt as if she didn’t want to let go of him.-c

Selina Kyle: “I’ll be careful.” It wouldn’t be the “solution” he wanted, it hardly ever was, defiantly stubborn to the end there was no way she would use any of the Batfamily to hide behind. If The Great White Shark wanted to take her out, he wouldn't have to go through Batman's family to do it, she wouldn't have that on her conscious.

“If Deathstroke comes after you…I want you to do everything in your power to reach me or Nightwing. I have to regroup with Batgirl and work on finding The Great White Shark.” –Batman released his grip and then went to walk on and towards the edge of the park wall and leaped over it and returned to the Bat bunker, where he approached towards the computer and sat down.- “Cassandra...We’re looking for this man.” –Batman tapped his fingers across the profile and revealed a man on police file dressed in a white business suit, his face deformed with his nose practically non-existent revealing the internal workings of his nostrils. His skin was pure white, pale in tone while his lips were also scorched and non-existent as well to expose his gums and their sharp jagged teeth.- “According to file, he spent time in Arkham Asylum where he filed his teeth into…sharp, jagged points…” –Batman blinked and then commented.- “That’s new…he didn’t have those last time…”

Cassandra Cain: *She would follow him to the computer. Her cape swaying as she would stand behind him once he sat down. Her eyes scanning over the screen, looking at the picture. She was illiterate, but the picture was enough with the words Batman said to her.* I understand.. *She seemed to be partly elsewhere as she spoke to him. Her eyes gazing over the picture more. Hinting at the jagged teeth. They were unique so was his open nasal passage. It would be hard to hide or conceal.* Is..he a gang leader? or does he operate solo? *She learned from Batman and Tim, that you can find the leader of a gang by following the memebers. However, she also knew, many of these villians worked solo jobs or hired unaffiliated mercs or even other groups gang members to add to the complexity of finding them. She would stop as he would speak his final statement.* What is....? (E)

Selina Kyle: As he let go of her hand she let her arm drop to her side as she looked after him. “If Deathstroke comes after me…” She trailed off as he vanished from sight, there wasn’t a reason to finish that sentence, they both knew that if it was Deathstroke, she wouldn’t even have time to suck in a breath to scream. Taking in a deep breath she looked down at her hand then rolled her eyes. “What, you were expecting a goodnight kiss?” ‘Perhaps a goodbye kiss.’ Shaking her head Catwoman turned and headed out of the park, heading towards her new apartment on the East side. All in all, it had been a damn successful night, and now all that was left was to bleed her sources to find just where the Great White Shark was hiding. It was strange that his name hadn’t surfaced before that night as she kept her ear pretty close to the ground. If anything, there had to be word on who he hired to kill them. -c

Selina Kyle: Using the fire escape she crawled in through a window into her apartment and pulled her goggles off of her head, tossing them to the bed. It had been a long night.

“His teeth weren’t ‘sharp’ last time I saw him…five years ago. The Great White Shark is a dealer. He runs his own businesses. He may start from the ground up again. We have nothing on him except…He’s an escape artist. He hires doubles to place himself at different locations. His clothing often disguises his identity. So we’re looking at Master Escape artist, Underworld dealer, and Master of Disguise…Something tells me he will look for another person to manipulate and use to draw Catwoman and I into the open.” –Batman stroked his chin and stared at the screen and then sent the information to Oracle with a message attached.-

Cassandra Cain: I understand. *She would turn around her back facing him and the computer now.* I will let you work..I will go patrol. *her boots would hit the ground as she would start to leave the Bat Bunker before turning to look over her shoulder.* I am going in disguise as well. Since you and her are the targets...it will let me move easier. *Unless he stopped her, she would exit the bunker and start to head in the direction of her flat, the current place she is staying and keeping most of her stuff. Cassandra was the mysterious one in the family to its enemies. They only knew her as Batgirl, like the rest of the world. Very few knew who Cassandra Cain was, even out of costume, she was like a spectre. Her very existance non-existant, thanks to her father David. The name Cassandra meant nothing to almost everyone, unlike Bruce.* 9E)

[Batman (Bruce Wayne)]

Hush Part 2 - "Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil."

-As Selina settled into her apartment an alluring scent filled her apartment, a tempting voice would begin to call and tease Selina.- “Selina…” –a woman’s voice, as three red plants sprayed the air, as Poison Ivy appeared from the bathroom of Selina’s apartment…It would be at this point, Selina would black out and not remember anything except a kiss…

SWAT helicopters surrounded the building, the five story hotel was surrounded by police SWAT vans and tactical units, Gordon stood by in a helicopter hanging out the side of the vehicle.- “Killer Croc…We’re prepared to pay your ransom..Do not try anything…” –Gordon’s voice spoke over a loud speaker.- ”Night vision activated” –The feminine voice spoke softly and quietly inside his helmet. – ‘I watch as a tactical team of SWAT were attempting to sneak up on Gotham’s physically most dangerous villain; Killer Croc, who had taken Edward Lamont IV hostage and is holding him for ransom at $10 million. <c>

Lamont Chemicals is a subsidiary of LexCorp…His family wants him back out of fear. Fear that Killer Croc is going to do something horrific to their son. I can’t allow this to happen.’ –The power to the building was completely shut off, and Killer Croc was missing.- ‘Nightwing stationed on the building across, examining the top floor; the pickup point for the hostage, he’ll take the boy to a safe location for Gordon’s unit to take him into custody. Nearby Reinforcements, Huntress; just a few city blocks away from her territory, and then lastly, Batgirl who is shadowing me.-

Selina Kyle: Selina pushed her hands through her dark hair as she moved into her kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water. Unscrewing the top she scratched the back of Isis’ head, dropping the cap on the counter as she moved through the living room, heading into her room. Taking a long drink she took in a breath then lowered the bottle slowly. Breathing in again slowly she shook her head a bit. “What is that?” Furrowing her brows, her green eyes moved quickly around her bedroom as she heard her name being called. Taking a step forward movement caught the corner of her eyes as she turned quickly to the bathroom her eyes widening a bit. “What in the hell…Ivy?” The water bottle fell from her fingers, hitting the carpeted floor as the edges of her vision blurred then went black.

Dick Grayson: The black earpiece in Nightwing’s left ear was well hidden in the cover of night, keeping him radio contact with the others. Wind from the chopper’s propellers blew paper, cups and other scattered litter from the rooftop around, Nightwing’s hair blew in the breeze. Two digits of his right hand pressed a button alongside his temple on his domino mask and Nightwing switched through different sets of advanced vision. Downloaded blueprints brought out a building layout which overlapped infrared. Though he only needed to check out the top floor, it didn’t hurt to be careful “I detect several heat sources on all floors. It’s not like Croc to work with anyone. ” Nightwing paused for a moment before speaking again. “Kidnapping isn’t like him either; maybe he’s desperate.” He mused. “A very large heat source, and a much smaller one is making it’s way to the top. I will swing on over to get a closer view.” <c>

Dick Grayson: Nightwing turned off his infrared vision and allowed his mask to see clearly. In the midst of night he leapt off the building he was at and extending his right hand, a steel cable shot out from his gauntlet’s palm. Bolting into the nearby brick along the top floor’s ledge, Nightwing swung across and carefully hid behind an empty storage shed, at least there was no warm bodies inside when he mapped the top floor. <e>

Huntress: Huntress crouched on a rooftop, her fingers drumming on her bare thighs as she tuned into the com signal the bat family was using. The night air stirred her cape as she looked down across the rooftops, towards the hotel, it was quiet for now, and she was unneeded. Shrugging a shoulder she stood straight, setting her hands on her hips as she looked around her own streets, her apartment not being terribly far. It was her territory and she was damn proud and protective over it. Turning on her heel she ran across the roof tops, jumping from one to the next easily as she closed the distance between herself and the hotel. Stopping just a block away she didn’t go any further, staying at the very edge of her territory not wanting to have an earful about leaving unless she was called. The Huntress sat then, on the ledge as she simply continued to wait, sticking her elbows on her knees and her chin in her palms. –e

“Keep tabs on the SWAT, Nightwing…We’re going after the hostage. ETA, One minute, ten seconds….Time.” –Batman’s last word signaled when to begin the count down, he charged towards the ground of SWAT grabbing the first, Captain Brigg, Batman’s vision locked onto his eye and immediately gave detail as to what the police had on file. Batman grabbed his gun and smashed it into his face…01:07…Batman pulled the gun away and slammed his fist into the Captain’s face throwing him backwards. Spinning his body Batman slashed his bracer across another guards gun shattering it as Batman dropped onto his left knee and slashed the rear thigh of Lieutenant Castle, dropping him. Five more men remaining, Batman hurled batarangs that stabbed into three of their necks and arms.- ‘short term paralysis…They’ll struggle to put up a fight. Batgirl can handle them from here…’ –Leaping Batman grabbed another by the helmet and slammed them into the wall knocking them out.- <c>

“…Skreee…We got contact, Batman is on the 3rd floor…repeat…Contact with the Batman--...skreeee….” –Batman left clean up of the SWAT to Batgirl as he arrived at the elevator, Batman’s power grip revved as it was attached to his arm, he grabbed hold of the doors and ripped them open.- ‘00:50 seconds…’ –Batman’s detective vision locked onto a vault inside a panic room, a child sat cradling his knees wearing a school boy uniform. Batman’s grappling line pulled him to the fourth floor where he charged into the room with the vault. Slipping acid from his belt he began pouring the vial onto the safety locks. Slowly allowing it to drip and burn through. Killer Croc’s heat source was different, as his exterior was cold and concealed his internal body heat, the only way to make out his coordinates would be to look for moving “wall.” Batman finally broke into the vault just as SWAT were setting down the exchange brief case containing $10 million.- “Alright, team move out!” –The SWAT would retreat into their helicopter and observe the scene.-

-Ivy would whisper into Selina’s ears.- “There’s an exchange I want you to be at. Mother nature needs some money and I know just where to get it…$10 million, Selina. And if you’re a good girl, I might give you some of it.” –Ivy would whisper into Selina’s ear explaining that she will snatch the ransom money off the SWAT before Killer Croc, Batman, or the SWAT can make their move on it.- “Go, now lovely. Time is wasting…”

Cassandra Cain: *She was trailing Batman after leaving the bunker at the garage. She remained her normal silent self. Her eyes peering through her mask as it was easy to keep up with him. She would listen in on the voice in her mask, as she would sit perched next to Batman on the rooftop. As he would speak and dive downwards she would follow. Her hand gripping her grapple gun, latching onto an outcropping on the oposing building to swing herself down. As he would do his work she would land, her long black cape splaying against the ground. She would stand up as the three men would stumble, it was all too easy. As their state worsened she would take the finishing blows. With a quick forward dash, her fits would land blows, one to each sternum, causing them to stumble to the ground. She would start to bind them each up, as she would speak in a hush silent tone.* "Clean up..finished..." She would wait here as Batman would continue up* (E)

Selina Kyle: ‘What is this…?‘ Selina canted her head as she listened to Ivy speak, saying nothing as the water from the bottle poured onto the carpet at her feet. Turning on her heels she scooped up both her mask and goggles, sliding them on as she moved out of her bedroom window. ‘Why am I…?‘ Her thoughts felt far away as she saw herself move, stealing a motorcycle, flying down the street towards the hotel. It felt like a dream, everything felt surreal as her body drove, as it parked the bike, and as it climbed up another fire escape all without her command to do so. The ride on the bike left her face cold, but it was only that she knew it did, not that she could feel it. Catwoman walked across the rooftop of the building directly next to the hotel, moving in the shadows as her eyes moved to the police helicopter flying above. In the center of the roof sat a case. “10 million…” Her voice spoke, and the tone wasn’t right. There was a distraction to be had, the helicopter was in the way. -c
Selina Kyle: Crouching down her claws dug into the cement of the ledge her hip bumping against the air vent she was hiding against as her blank green eyes narrowed on her prize. ‘Ivy…’ She would wait, for now, for her opportunity, it would be hard to collect the money if she were riddled with bullets, but easy to get it if that helicopter was focused on something else.-e

Dick Grayson: Closing his eyes, Nightwing shook his head; another order he didn’t agree with. “Again. When is he going to trust anybody.” Nightwing kept his voice off the air as he voiced his usual frustrated thoughts to himself. Looking around for the swats, Nightwing picked up something new. “What’s this?” he caught the flicker of a red scope. “Snipers.” He said internally. Carefully looking around the surrounding buildings he picked up one, thwn two. Careful he would have to weave, the opening between the snipers range of vision was limited, and fortunately such a feat was easy for an acrobat. Leaping to his first destination, Nightwing scaled the side of the building to the reach the top. Quickly taking out the first sniper with a submission hold, two more snipers remained on the building. Now their attention was brought to Nightwing; though they could not see who it was. <c>

Dick Grayson: As their red scope lasers headed toward their target, Nightwing dropped a Wingding from the wrist of each gauntlet and into his palms. With one flick of the wrist, the wings spread out and with another he released both targeting the two snipers; stunning them. In a race against time, Nightwing ran towards the first a quick jab to the jugular. The second was recovering and picking up his gun. His scope set on Nightwing before he reached the last sniper. Leaping into the air and soared above, Nightwing’s glider wings formed. Crossing the final sniper, Nightwing sent a kick to the Sniper’s head and sent him down to the rooftop floor for a quick nap.<e>

-Batman ripped open the vault and grabbed Edward Lamont, wrapping his arm around the child, Batman attached a safety harness to the kid.- ’00:25…’ –Once Batman attached the harness Batman picked up the kid and dashed towards the emergency exit of the stairs.- “Nightwing, I’m on my way. I’m on sched-…” –Killer Croc jumped out at Batman to tackle him.- “NO! I NEED THAT MONEY!” –Batman released Edward and tumbled to the ground, Batman pointed to the stairs.- “GO! Put your hands on your head and run up the stairs!” –Edward did as instructed. Batman glared at Killer Croc and thought.- ‘Waylon Jones AKA, Killer Croc, was an Australian Crocodile wrestler turned into Gang leader, crime lord, arsonist, now child Kidnapper…He suffers from a rare disease that mutates human tissue into a prehistoric ancestry…When I first encounter him, he was 6’4, weighing approximately 250…since then he has slowly mutated into something…MORE.’ <c>

-Killer Croc now stood at 10 feet, so tall in face that he was crouching to stand in the hallways of the Hotel.- ‘His skin used to be gray, it allowed him to blend well with Gotham’s dark environment…his time in Gotham’s sewers has changed his skin, adapted him to a dark green color along with his disease.’ -Killer Croc grabbed Batman by the head and clutched his helmet.- ‘Killer Croc is capable of applying 1,000 pounds of pressure per square inch…I can barely bench that weight.’ –Killer Croc’s large mouth roared at Batman spewing saliva onto Batman’s cowl and chest armor. Batman tapped his belt and activated a body wide shock attack that electrocuted Killer Croc causing him to snarl and release Batman. Batman collapsed to the floor and then while his body felt weak and fragile he leaped up the fire escape stairs to intercept Edward.- <c>

Edward reached the rooftop and saw Police spot lights drop down onto the kid, Machine guns from the helicopter aimed but, did not fire as the kid took up position exposed and in the open waiting to see what would happen next. Batman charged out with Killer Croc right behind him, Croc leaped to grab Batman’s cape, lifting Batman off the ground and slamming him into an air conditioning generator. Croc then turned his sight on the kid.- “YOU’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!” –Killer Croc’s mouth opened spewing saliva onto the young boy. Police bullets would reflect off Killer Croc’s skin and only served to agitate him.-

Cassandra Cain: *Cassandra would finish up what she was doing on her floor. The SWAT team memebers, left unharmed from any permenant damage, however she was not finished yet. Moving to an open window she would lean through it. Her slender form visable in the lights and commotion of the SWAT team. Leaping from the window, she would twist her body to get some distance, before firign her grapple gun. The hook would wedge onto the rooftop as she would pull herself up. As her body would twist right before reaching to give herself an acrobatic flip she would release the claw and retract it. Seeing the scene explode onto the rooftop, her eyes would focus upon the little boy with Killer Croc near by. She was warned about the Killer Croc, her convention methods would struggle against his hard body and strength. She was quicker...but would be riskier for her to take him on. All processed within a split second, her black botos would kiss the concrete top of the roof, dashing towards the ltitle kid. Hoping(C)

Cassandra Cain: Batman would take on the croc. She would reach the saliva spewing beast as the gunfire would light up at him but serve little purpose. She would attempt to slide by him, if successful scooping the child up in her arms and moving to a standing position heading towards the edge of the roof top. If unimpeded, she would grip the child harder as she would reach the edge of the rooftop to leap off it. If not, successful, the child still remained in harms way, and she might have a fight on her hands. (E)

Selina Kyle: Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see Nightwing, see the blue on his suit as he handled what would have been a pesky problem and her lips twisted into a smirk. How useful the Batfamily was. Her attention focusing fully on the roof top once again, Catwoman’s body stiffened as she saw a small boy run out onto the rooftop. Bingo. Her muscles stated as they coiled and prepared for the leap. The police lights moved to the boy, away from the money, and he was a decent distraction, if she could grab him, use him as a shield…’Stop!’ Bile rose in her throat as she stood straight, slipping her whip from around her waist. ‘That is a child.’ She snarled at herself and her hand shook for a moment as her grip tightened on the leather of the whip. Surely the Gotham PD wouldn’t spray that small boy with bullets, it’d be easy to grab the case while carrying him. The toes of her boots moved to the ledge then she paused as Batman charged out onto the rooftop. ‘He’ll stop me.’ -c

Selina Kyle: Relief nearly flooded her, until she saw the…thing, running after him. It was more than enough for her, she leapt from the ledge, the wind rushing past her ears as her whip flung out, not cracking as it wrapped around the railing of a balcony. Her gloved hand closed around it, as she stopped her freefall. A moment later she had agilely leapt up, grabbing the edge of the roof, whip wrapped around her shoulders and pulled herself up. Catwoman heard the roar of Killer Croc, as she pulled her gun from the harness on her back and angled her body, clicking the safety off. The sound of her gun going off was lost in the firing of the PD’s weapons, and the spot lights on the helicopter sparked, raining down glass as she shot each one, effectively turning off the lights. Leaving her gun in hand, she flipped down her night vision goggles, turning them on. ‘Save the boy.’ -c

Selina Kyle: The plea in her mind was faint, too far away as her eyes turned uncaring away from the scene of the monster and the boy and to the briefcase, missing the Batgirl as she landed on the scene, her boots clicking on the rooftop as she made her way to the case.-e

Dick Grayson: With one foot on the raised ledge surrounding the rooftop, Nightwing looked down. Of course things didn’t go according to plan, when Gotham’s most wicked and disgusting were involved, nothing ever went according to the plan. Watching the scene, the sight of the Gotham’s Finest shooting foolishly at Crock;which experience would tell them was useless, only served to put the boy in danger. Leaping from the ledge with arms spread out, Nightwing’s glider wings folded out and he used the currents to keep him afloat and gravity to increase his descent. When he reached the desired angle, Nightwing put his arms at his side and dove down to the ground. Rolling a few feet in front of the boy, black and blue arms wrapped around him and his back to face Croc and the ricochet bullets. Across shoulders and sides, a few skid against Nightwing; though fortunately the boy was safe. Immediately picking him up, Nightwing ran everal feet across the rooftop and spun around, cradling the boy in his arms.<e>

‘My shoulder is at the brink of being dislocated…I need distract Killer Croc enough for Dick to getaway.’ –Batman tumbled to stand up, Killer Croc slashed towards Batgirl and Nightwing as they attempted to steal the Edward Lamont IV, but wiring would wrap around Killer Croc’s mouth and Batman grinned, blood now dripping from his nostrils.- “Croc…Lighten up.” –Batman growled attaching the grappling line to an miniature sized electronic generator to shock Killer Croc with 10,000 volts of electricity forcing him scream and snarl loudly also buying Nightwing and Batgirl time to escape. Batman’s gaze locked onto Catwoman grabbing the briefcase.- ‘Selina…?’ –Batman abandoned Killer Croc and charged after Catwoman, but Killer Croc would regain his strength and reached to grab Batman’s cape once more and slammed Batman into another wall.- “I’LL KILL YOU BATMAN! ARGH!!”

Cassandra Cain: *Her charge was dead on, as her boots pushed her forward, seeing Nightwing from the corner of her eye coming in at speed, she would see the large croc claw swipe towards her as she would exit her dash rolling to her right to avoid the sweeping claw. Her eyes would fix on the croc, seeing Nightwing complete his dive to rescure the boy, she would turn her attention to the croc. Her vision impaired slightly, due to the spot light being shattered, using the moon light and the slight open skyline to gaze much of her intel. The eletric conduit would light up the roof a little bit as the croc would seethe and roar out. Seeing Batman move in a direction, would help point out the dark suited figure of a woman but her focus upon her would be lost upon hearing the sounds of a metal suit colliding with the structure. Knowing, her fists would do little the behemoth of the beast, she would improvise this one. Charging at the croc with her cape fluttering behind her, she would use the croc's (C)

Cassandra Cain: distracted attention to leap up onto his back, moving to his shoulders and his head she would move her arms quickly around to his face attempting to give him a momment of blindness. He was covered in thick scaling everywhere, except for his eyes. Using her fingers, she would attempt to poke at his eyes, not with enough force to physically damage the creature but enough to push inwards on them, to cause momentary pain/blindness. She would then attempt with the same motion to use her feet to push herself backwards into a back flip to land behind the beast, completing her manuver against him. (E)

Selina Kyle: Her body paused as she moved to pick up the case with her left hand, right still holding her gun. Catwoman’s head turned slightly as through her goggles she saw Batman coming towards her. ‘Don’t.‘ The gun raised, her finger nearly squeezing the trigger then lowered as Batman was grabbed and thrown. Inside she flinched as she heard the impact of his suit against the wall but she simply turned back to the case, leaning down and picking it up. Her mind registered the presence of Batgirl and Nightwing, the boy was safe, they could handle it and the resistance against herself was lost as she simply turned back the way she came and tucked her gun away. The wind caught her hair as she started out in a sprint towards the ledge and she didn’t wait as she dove off of it, grabbing her whip from around her shoulders and disappearing off the side of the building.


-Killer Croc snarled feeling Batgirl prod his eyes slashing his claw at her on his shoulders, if he was successful her Kevlar armor was shred with a loud spine cracking sound. Batman felt himself ache.- ‘Got to…stop…Catwoman…Selina.’ –Batman pushed himself off the floor and armed a sonic batarang, hurling it towards Killer Croc, allowing it to scream and release a sonic pulse that would deafen the mutant; Batman would follow with throwing five batarangs at the ground surrounding Killer Croc. Batman dashed to intercept Catwoman, hurling a batarang with a grappling line attached it to, sending the line to wrap around Killer Croc’s left leg, Batman spoke.- “Batgirl, hook your line around his right leg, behind you is a construction crane. Get ready in 3 seconds!” –Batman was preparing to detonate the floor beneath Killer Croc while also pulling the beast up into the air. The maneuver would slam Croc’s head into the ground before the explosion would blow up in his face. <c>

This would then follow with Croc being pulled up into the air and then dropped down the hole caused by the explosion. The drop down likely cause Killer Croc to fall through two floors before stopping. Batman leaped over a ladder and used it to elevate Killer Croc’s weight. Batman leaped right on time, regardless of Batgirl’s timing, Batman held on for as long as possible before releasing the wire and allowing Killer Croc to fall through the floor. Batman would then say.- “The construction site has hardened iron chains, they weigh roughly 20 pounds. Wrap them around Croc’s wrists and throat. Leave him for the police.” –Batman landed behind Catwoman, he aimed his line launcher and fired it and swung along its line to chase after her.- “Selina! Stop!”

Cassandra Cain: *She would feel his claw slashing at her. Her eyes picked up the subtle movements in his bulky arms, a mosnter he be, but muscle groups all interact the same. Her body twisting mid air as she would avoid his thrashings as her form pushed off him. She would teach into a belt pouch pulling out a two batarangs with a grapple line attached, she would would launch the first around Killer Croc's leg as she would take the loosen ends of them before tieing them together and using the second one she would latch out to the crane with a clinking sound as it would latch. She did not have the upper body strength of Batman, using the crane as her anchor. he eyes focused upon the batarangs as the explosion would happen, rolling backwards a little ways. The grapple lines would taunt up, before the weight on the knot would cause it to slip and let the croc plummit downwards. As he would crach through the ground, hitting most floors with his head from his inverted position and the recent eye gouge, (C)

Cassandra Cain: leave him slightly disoriented, maw gaped. Cassandra would twist flip down the hole after him, landing on the croc’s back. Her light form felt like nothing to him. Her eyes scan about as she spies different construction equipment, including several chains. She would take the croc’s momentary stun as a chance to wrap a chain around his neck and pass it through his maw, to the back of his teeth line before around the maw of the creature. Sealing his maw shut with a chain in the back. Her next action was to bind his wrists behind him, holding them in place, leaving him like a little tied up crocodile doll. She would grip her grapple gun next and fire it upwards, pulling herself up away from the bound up croc. Flipping herself up onto the damage roof, she would begin the search for Batman. (E)

Hush: -The scope lined up and aimed, watching the scene unfold. The Sniper Rifle’s cross hairs lined on Catwoman first, a red lens wrapped around his eye allowed his vision to enhance and predict where the precise shot should be made. A Barrett .50 caliber rifle was made for this task, Deadshot’s employer wanted to take no chances on this one. The first shot, Armor piercing, second shot was a FMJ round, meant for shattering. He fired a shot; armor piercing round flew directly towards the Line Launcher’s rear cable, the wire would snap and Batman would begin descending towards the alley below him, his strength would allow him to grip onto the line launchers handle, but the next shot would strike directly into the back of Batman’s helmet to the point of cracking the plating.-

Selina Kyle: She hit the rooftop hard, her body moving into a roll as she moved back to her feet, wrapping her whip back around her waist. Heels clicking loudly she sprinted to the next edge, a lower rooftop as she heard the call of Batman behind her. ‘You won’t get away, if anyone can catch me, it’s him.’ As her foot hit the ledge she twisted her body around to face him, hair flying towards her face as she fell and in the same moment pulled her gun free. Squeezing the trigger to empy the rest of the bullets from the clip at him, but he was gone, the sounds of the gun shots echoing in her head. ‘Batman?‘ Turning just in time for another rough landing that had her stumbling, and dropping briefly to her knees. The material on her suit threatened to tear as she slid across the rooftop but she still didn’t stop. Breathing hard Catwoman continue to run from him, heading towards her apartment at a carelessly quick rate.

-Batman glared at Catwoman his hand reached out to grab her boot when suddenly he began falling.- ‘What the…hell…?’ –Batman clutched the grip and felt himself descending towards the ground.- ‘Someone shot my line…Who…? I can’t-…’ –Batman’s thoughts went blank as a pound to the back of his head forced him to black out, his grip released from line launcher and Batman dropped five stories down smashing into a pile of trash bags and cardboard boxes. The shattering of glass and plastic beneath him stirred the group of thugs nearby.- “What the hell?” “Is that…” “It’s Batman!” –The group of thugs began closing in to circle Batman, incapacitated and helpless. A voice spoke into Batman’s earpiece.- “Bruce…? Attention! Oracle to all field units, Batman down! Batman is down! All units respond immediately!” <c>

-The first thought would raise a baseball bat.- “Lets crack his head open.” “No…lets see who he is under the mask first…” –The same thug would reach to the side of Batman’s mask and grip it only to scream as electronic surge protection zapped him throwing the man onto the ground and feeling completely numb. A group of ten more men rushed from across the street, a gathering of twenty thugs surrounded.- “Wow…it is him.” “He looks in rough shape.” “Always wanted a chance to beat the crap out of him.” “He’s actually bleeding from his nose…”

Cassandra Cain: *After dealing with the croc, she would scan quickly, not feeling the roof being safe for long she would grip her grapple gun and relocate herself to a near by building. Pulling herself in and up she would disconnect the line, At this time she would get the distress call from Orcale. Huddling down on the rooftop, she would respond.* "Batgirl..reporting in." *Her eyes closing as she would speak again* "Location...now." *She was protective of Batman as he was of her. She would speak no further words, not needing to. She would await the response from Orcale. Safetly relocated herself a little ways away from the entaglement with Killer Croc. She would trust Nightwing to do his duty and take the kid further away, to Gordon.* (E)

Huntress: As soon as she heard Barbara’s voice Huntress was scrambling up, grappling gun in hand as she leapt from the building. Swinging up onto the next roof her heavy boots landed hard. ‘Down? What in the hell does that mean? Did that stubborn ass man really wait until he was incapacitated before calling in for help?’ She sprinted across the rooftop heading towards the hotel when she heard a body hitting the ground below her on a jump. Sliding to a stop Huntress whipped around, cape snapping sharply as she looked over the edge. Fury blinded her as she gazed at the men below and without a seconds pause or plan she leapt from the rooftop. Her cape slowed her decent as she dropped down right in the middle of the group. “Get the hell away from him.” Were her only words, a deadly sound as two unfortunate souls broke her fall, and broke their collarbones as she landed on them hard with her boots. -c

Huntress: Her cross bow came out, shooting a single bolt that pinned a thugs hand to the wall, and the baseball bat that was in it as well the wood splintering with a loud crack. She jumped up, spinning around as the men began shouting, her cape smacking a few in the face, her boot dislocating a jaw, her elbow coming down hard on another collarbone. Huntress fought in a bar brawling fashion and a snarl on her face.

“Batgirl, I’m sending an Emergency vehicle to him, it should be passing by you any moment…” –A remote emergency bat mobile, tiny in size and meant to hold two people for light weight purposes, it hardly had armor and was pure agility and mobility. It raced through the street with a computer reacting faster than any human could.- “Hurry, Cassandra…I think he needs help. His heart and brain functions are-….” –Barbara stopped herself from saying too much over the transmission. The thugs began screaming and roaring in agony as Huntress began breaking bones and crushing flesh, men would begin hurling a metal trash cans at her, while others swung knives, baseball bats, and glass bottles at her.- “Gonna cut you up nicely little girl!” “Gotham city is no place for a prize like you!” –The men taunted as they swung to strike her at different angles. Batman’s mind would only hear a loud ringing as his body went into shock, his functions were shut down and he was suffering from coma like symptoms.-

Cassandra Cain: ..Understood.. *Her hands reaching into her belt pulling out a small little computer. She did not udnerstand the words on the screen but she knew what buttons to push for what she needed. She would locate the small tranmission of the vehicle as she would move in its direction. Starting to hear the sounds of fighting she knew she had to be close. Moving from rooftop to rooftop as she arrived in the alley way, above it. She would see the thugs and the Huntress fighting.* "Located..." *She would leap down from the roof top landing behind two of the thugs. She would reach up and clunk their heads together, Batman style, as she would standnear Helena, creating an opening from the alleyway to a roadway. She would glance at the other thugs, no witey one-liners would leave her lips, huanting visage of the Batgirl, before her hands dropped into a combat stance, her base widening.*

Huntress: Huntress didn’t speak, she just fought, she let the trashcans hit her, ignored the burning cuts she received when she missed a weapon. More bones cracked as she threw punches and kicks, the man with his hand pinned to the wall was sobbing uselessly. As Batgirl landed near her she didn’t even pause her movements swift, brutal and incapacitating and almost mirroring how Batman fought. Taking a hit she stumbled back only to snarl and grab a man by the hair, bringing him down hard into her knee. There was no finesse like there would be normally, she was just clearing the way. Hearing the screeching tires of the Batmobile she glanced up in her fighting barely, breathing hard then looked back at Cass. “Let’s get him out of here.”

-Batman was lifted to the emergency vehicle, as which point the vehicle would begin glowing as medical scanners began imaging Batman’s vitals to the best of its abilities. His armor stood in the way of the scans, however; red highlights flashed over the screen regarding the back of Batman’s head, multiple critical points were highlighted and flashing red. Oracle spoke.- “Ace is heading to the batcave…” –A quick. From a few buildings away, a man stood on top of a building, dressed in a trench coat, bandages wrapped around his face, staring down at the scene. A smirk across his face as he held the binoculars examining Batgirl and Huntress, their movements, their style, their training, all of it told the tale of their history and reason for turning to him. What was it about this man that they would dive head first into hell for? Was he really that special to this city or to just these people? We’ll never know, since that isn’t the question he sought to answer. –

Cassandra Cain: *Cassandra would adopt a defensive posture as Huntress moved by her with Batman to the emergency two seater vehicle. Her black cowled face staring at the men with assorted weapons. Her posture serious, her stance made to be intimidating. She would only speak a few words to the passing female.* Get him aid...quickly. *Her cape would ruffle behind her as her feet would move lightly, her stone stance during into something more fluid. Her left arm extended above her right arm, both hands laying flat out. Her eyes watching the men. If they made a move on her, they would find themselves in a world of hurt. Today was not the day to be aggressive. Getting Batman and Huntress out safely was her goal. Today, she was a bodyguard.*

Huntress: He was heavy, but adrenaline pumping through her system had her moving him with ease. Why wouldn’t he open his eyes? She wiped the back of her gloved hand over her mouth as she watched the lights, smudging blood on her exposed cheek as she breathed hard. The unusual sound of Cass’ voice broke through the pounding heartbeat in her ears and her blue eyes registered surprise. Huntress had expected the Batgirl to go, to stay by him and the Huntress had figured she’d handle the clean up. Giving a single solid nod, Helena jumped into the vehicle and closed the cockpit. Taking the controls was second nature to her and she slammed on the accelerator, taking off in a screech of tires, her fight hand reaching over to press against Batman’s chest plate to hold him in place. “Stupid, stupid man.” What had happened? What had gotten him? -c

Huntress: Huntress struggled not to turn her eyes to the scanners as she drove to the Batcave, her thoughts blurring together, the sick fog of worry overpowering the burning of her own wounds from careless fighting.-e

1988…Bruce: “2…” Tommy: “Another one down…” –Tommy removed the soldiers from the risk board.- “See, Bruce…You don’t ever think ahead. Your head is always somewhere else…You’re thinking about Rachel again, aren’t you?” Bruce: “Uhh…No…” Tommy: “Dude, are you in love with her? You should just marry her already.” Bruce: “We were flying a kite the other day…that doesn’t mean we’re getting married.” ……….Present day….–Batman’s right hand moved and brushed against Huntress’ leg.- “nngh…Tom…Elli…To…--liot…nngh…” –His eyes were shriveled shut as his mind and will power commanded them to open and review the damage he sustained, but his body would deny that due to the damage to his brain and skull.-

Cassandra Cain: *Cassandra would sway lightly as the remaining men thought it was their chance. They already took on THE Batman, what was one lone female clad in a black suit. The closest thug carrying a bat would lunge at Cassandra making a wide swing towards her head, as it playing baseball and going for a homerun. Cassandra would catch the quick movements and reading his muscle reactions, knowing the swing was coming high, she would bend at the waist, extending her arms wide like a wingspan. As she would drift under the swining bat, she would rise up. Her right hand during the rise would make a very quick few inch acceleration into his torso. Her hand, striking in a very strong chop, would hit him in the second to last rib. A cracking sound could be heard as the next sound was a wooden clank and a man falling to his knees then hands gasping for air. The blow not fatal, but would render him out of this bout. The next two men would each draw switch blades, tossing them back and forth between (C)

Cassandra Cain: their hands, like gansters from a bad movie. As they would approach her, her stance would not adjust from her strike, watching them. As they close within arm knife striking distance, Cassandra would not wait this time, her boots would click off the ground as she would moonsault over the hunched over men, landing with a clack behind them. As they would turn, they would see her masked face before her hands would meet their heads and clunking them togather. A hollow sound would ring out as both men would shrivel up and fall to the ground. Spinning on her heels her cap swishing behind her, a few of the gansters take off as the final, lone man draws his handgun, pointing at her. Her haunting cowl staring at him* (E)

Huntress: The contact to her leg made her jump as her hand came down over his, holding it, on instinct. “Tom Elliot…?” Her fierce blue eyes stayed glued to the path ahead as they burned while she struggled to hold back emotion. “I heard you, I hear you. Just hold on. Hold on Bru-…” Her voice cracked and she cut herself off sharply, clearing her throat and trying to clear images from her mind. Hand squeezing his a bit she made the jump into the bat cave and hit the breaks, slamming the release on the cockpit and was letting go of his hand and leaping from the vehicle before it even came to a proper stop. “Alfred!” Her voice wasn’t that of Huntress, but of a scared girl as she yanked her mask off of her face, letting it drop and moving around to the other side of the vehicle, nearly tripping over her own cape as it whipped around her legs. “Tom Elliot, he was trying to say something, that’s all I heard. Tom Elliot.”

-Alfred and Tim Drake arrived quickly rushing towards the car with a medical bed.- “Take hold of his other side. Master Drake, support his head…” –Tim went to grab Batman’s head, when Alfred snapped.- “From the sides-from the sides!” –Tim jumped and then reached to the side of Batman’s helmet. Tim was dressed in blue jeans and a white T-shirt with a white surgical robe on. His eyes widened and surprised by the scene. Never had Tim seen Bruce this bad, it was a shock to him as much as anyone else. His own mind would replay the sound of Alfred snapping at him, the scream of Helena echoing through the cave, and his own heart pumping in his chest beating loudly that it caused his hands to shake. Soon Bruce was moved onto the medical bed and pushed into the laboratory, into an isolation chamber fit with medical tools and equipment.-<c>

“Tom Elliot…? Master Drake, use the computer and find out where he is now.” –Tim nodded.- “Y-yes!” –Alfred would look at Huntress and command.- “Help me get this bloody chest piece off and then his cowl, use your gloves, damn thing has 10,000 volts lining its sides.” –Tim raced out of the room and began typing into the computer; surprisingly a file came up immediately. A phone number in Philadelphia appeared, Tim read over the file quickly to discover Thomas Elliot was an organ surgeon, that specialized in heart and brain operations.-

Poison Ivy: Working behind the scenes really seemed to agree with her. She was enjoying it. Why get her hands dirty if she could just get some pesky mammel to do it for her. Though she had to admit, the kiss she had used on Selina was a bit more.. pleasant than she would have liked. It was never acceptable to find oneself attracted to their lessers. The thought sort of rambled in her head a bit, 'lessers'. Had she really fallen that far from humanity where she believed herself to be something else? She clenched her jaw. "Don't think like that Ivy" she mumbled to herself. "You are Mother Nature, you ARE superior to these creatures that poison your beloved offspring" she continued, trying to pump herself full of her own lies, to feed her delusions a bit. Soon she was 'stable' in her own mindset again, moving about Selina's apartment rather nosily (c)

Poison Ivy: After picking through some things and whatnot, she had decided to go about "redecorating" just a bit. With some water and a little soil "which she always carried a bit of on her person" she had vines growing supernaturally all over Selina's place. The room looked like a fucking terrarium. ALl it needed was some birds and lizards and it might have even resembled a bit of a jungle. Pleased with herself she moved to take upa post on the couch, crossing her long pale legs and fiddling idly with her crimson locks as she waited. She was certain Selina would appreciate her little "gift" as her babies were precious to her. SHe didn't just give them away to just anyone (E)

Selina Kyle: Catwoman landed hard on the fire escape outside of her apartment window, her chest heaving as her body had clearly worked itself hard in her bid to outrun Batman. ‘Why isn’t he behind me?’ Sucking in air made her head swim a little but her own mental voice sounded clearer, not lost down a dark tunnel. Green eyes scanning the rooftops for a moment she wondered if he’d stopped to judge what he was up against and felt herself sink with disappointment. Gripping the suitcase tighter in a gloved hand
she ducked into her bedroom window and nearly found herself face planting as her boot caught on a plant. ‘What the hell.’ Temper burned in her stomach, white hot and it seemed to lift the fog a little bit more as slowly the aches and pains from her little trip started to sink in. Of course the woman would have made herself right at home, of course she’d have to find yet another apartment. -c

Selina Kyle: Catwoman clenched her left fist slowly and felt satisfied with the movement; she was gaining back her control and that bitch was going to be in for a hell of a catfight. Moving through her bedroom and into the living room she moved to stand before the redheaded woman, green eyes cast downwards that betrayed her inner fury as they all but shot sparks from them. ‘You used me.’ The thought hissed through her as the fury mounted. “Your money.” Her arm moved out obediently, palm opening up to relinquish it’s hold on the case full of cash. –e

Poison Ivy: SHe found herself pleased to see the woman and smirked. "You are an amazing creature.. I give you that... very VERY impressive" she remarked as she stretched,pushing out her plump bosom and twisting. She was ofc ourse wearing an outfit made up of her children.. tapping into her very lifeforce to remain lush.. lush like her lips. She trailed her tongue over her those cherry red muscles, her gaze burning into Selina's a moment as she found herself fancying a rather... unconventional idea. She moved closer, letting her fingertips slide along the briefcase to the other woman's (gloved?) hand. Even with material in between them, she had been perfecting toxins that could travel along materials and seek out organic. That's what was happening now.. should the toxin find Selina's flesh, it would taint her blood with a druglike substance designed by Ivy's own mind to reduce aggression and cause sensations of euphoria. (C)

Poison Ivy: "Put the case down my dear" she remarked as she leaned in closer, desiring to taste Catwoman's lips one more time but resisting the desire because she knew it to be her own folly "I know what you're thinking ..." she then continued while pulling back and moving towards a wall of vines she had "gifted" Selina. She reached to touch one of the flowers there before leaning in to inhale the scent deeply. "That i used you to get what I want... " she continued, finally turning to face her again. "But I don't intend to leave you empty handed. I'm not a monster.. as much as some might wish to think that" she said. "I.... i'm infact a hero.. the protector of this planet... i save more lives in a day with what I do then Batman has in his entire fucking existence" she said clenching her jaw lightly as she brought up an apparently painful subject. "But I digress. I'll let you keep 500 thousand of the cash.. if you want more, you'll just have to keep helping me" she said grinning lightly now(c)

Poison Ivy: "I could use some .. extended help from you.. especially with my.. upcoming plans" she said before slowlyg moving towards the kitchen area and turning on the water and placing her hand into it with a sigh. APparently she was "drinking" the water through a form of absorption. "The appartment looks good doesn't it? I know it might not be your style.." she giggled. "But my babies will give you fresh air and help ward off illness if you take care of them" she said on an added side not (e)

Cassandra Cain: *Cassandra's eyes narrowed on the last man holding the gun. She could hear a gentle rattling sound coming from him. Her cape ruffling behind her as she would start to walk towards him. Her eyes glued to him. Watching his hands and his mucles groups slowly, just like father taught her. "Stay back!" the man says as he holds the gun at her, "I will shoot you!". The words did not impede her progress taking several more steps before several loud bangs are heard with the sound of empty casings clanking to the ground, three to be exact. The man's eyes would widen as he watched the black clad female, would weave to the left, then to the right, The first two bullets wizzed by her body. Her brown eyes focusing upon him as a smirk crossed her lips under her mask. The third would cut it close, passing close enough she could feel a little bit of it by her left ear. Within range her right hand would extend, pushing down on top of the gun, before twisting the weapon. A blood curdling snap leaving (C)

Cassandra Cain: Trigger housing as the man’s finger was still near the trigger as she twisted it. His mouth still gaping as he just witnessed a human dodge three bullets before all he would see is a black clad fist slamming square into the bridge of his nose. Sending the man hurdling backwards and to the ground in a scuffle of his clothes. The gun still in her other hand as she would spin the weapon before tucking it into her utility belt. “Batgirl here. Hostiles are down. Returning to the cave.” Her next movements were to her waist to grip her grapple gun as she would take to the rooftops, making her way back to the bat cave, running and jumping across rooftops where she could and swinging to the ones she could not.(E)

Huntress: Helena bit down hard on the inside of her lower lip as she help lift Batman up out of the car and onto the bed, supporting him as steadily as she could. Her eyes were drawn to Tim, the look on his face, in his eyes and wondered if her own face reflected his fear and concern. ‘It’s okay kid, it’s Batman, he’ll be fine.’ She wanted to say, but couldn’t steady herself enough to speak the words. As they moved to the medical bay her gloved hand closed down on Tim’s shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze before her hand dropped back down to her side. Hunching her shoulders she made sure her cape dropped around her body, covering the various scrapes, bruises and stabs that had torn into her uniform and bloomed across her skin, she didn’t care about herself for the moment, it didn’t matter. Still not trusting her own voice she reached down, and as if by memory unhooked his chest piece and removed it will ease, letting it drop to the floor. -c

Huntress: The 10,000 volts was something she had experienced for herself so when she reached up and grabbed onto his cowl, pulling it off gently she clenched her teeth together and was glad for the extra protection of her suit and rubber soled boots. Pulling it off she glanced down at Bruce’s face then away quickly before bile rose in her throat as she noticed the back of the helmet. Briefly her knees shook so she slumped down in height before straightening herself. ’He’s not dead. He’s Batman.’ The sickness washed over her again as memories plagued her and she swallowed hard, holding out the helmet to Alfred wordlessly. -e

Hush: “A friend to all…is a friend to none.” –The trench coated man lowered the binoculars, seeing enough of Batgirl fighting to reach and grab hold of the ladder and begin climbing towards the ground. ‘By now…Ivy is ready…Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil…Can you feel the fear, Bruce? It’s closing in and there’s nothing you can do. No one can save you because you just won’t allow that to happen.’ –He moved quickly on his way to a hotel where he would intend to meet Poison Ivy for the next step in the plan.-

Selina Kyle: Behind her mask, her eyes watched Ivy coldly as she shifted and moved. ‘Come closer, Red.’ Her left fist clenched and unclenched at her side and she could feel her own claws poking through the fabric of her glove and into the flesh of her palm. Her right arm remained out, holding the briefcase and as Ivy’s fingers touched her she felt her inside tremble as she mentally scrambled to hold onto herself. At the command, Catwoman let the case slip from her fingertips, it landing on the couch with a soft thud and her arm dropping down to her side. The redheaded woman leaned so close that Selina could feel her throat burn with hate; if only she could get one good swipe in, but her fists her unclenching and the rage was dying out. The fog that had begun to clear from her mind brushed the tips of her conscious as the toxins took their toll. Ivy’s voice sounded sweet to hear ears, the “gift” of the money sounded fair, and she turned her body to watch the woman walk away. ‘Batman.’ -c

Selina Kyle: As the name was nearly spat from Ivy’s lips Selina closed her eyes, only briefly before the haze took over completely and her cold green eyes turned blank. “It looks good.” The hallow voice of the intoxicated woman answered Ivy, obedient and lacking life or emotion. “Thank you.” She said for the gift of the plants.-e

-Alfred began bandaging Bruce’s wounds and then spoke to Huntress.- “Prepare the ambulance and get into a pair of scrubs…Master Drake, get Huntress a disguise kit and a Gotham General Ambulance badge.” –Oracle’s voice would finally speak.- “Car crash?” “Yes…” –Tim then whispered.- “We should tell the truth.- “Sir Timothy…I’ve set many of this man’s bones and have nursed him back to health more times than you have living on this planet. While simply *giving* him to the hospital may seem like the right thing to do…It would save his life, but kill the man who he is…We do this the way *he* would want us to…” –Tim nodded and ran back to the computer to begin creating a false ID badge for Helena.- 1988…Mom: “Bruce, come to mommy.” Bruce: “What’s wrong mom?” Mom: “your friend Tommy…his parents…” –Bruce looked at his mom and her tear filled eyes.- “Everything is going to be alright, Bruce…” –She hugged Bruce, clinging to him.-

Poison Ivy: Ivy was pleased to hear her gift was recieved with gratitude.. at least until her eyes locked with Selina's. She sighed. "Fuck.... i guess I should have toned downt he potency of my toxin love" she remarked as she moved towards her to look her over slowly. She could get away with a LOT right now if she so wanted, and god that was a tempting idea. THis woman was powerful.. agily.. incredibly beautiful.. something that Ivy respected and found most appealing. But.. she didn't like her as much now that she had lost her "bite". She sighed again before moving to the case and opening it. She looked over its contents and grinned happily. "Nice nice.." she remarke.d "Green.. always a good color" she added before counting out the money she promised Selina (despite what Hush might ahve told her) and closed the case again. "I have places to go darling.. I do hope you feel better soon" she said before moving back to Catwoman and leaning in.. slowly she pressed her lips to the otehr woman's(C)

Poison Ivy: Knowing she wouldn't pull away because she was under the "trance" . She let her plant like scents and pheromones wash over her and transfered ANOTHER special chemical that she had been working on. This one in particular was similar to the chemical she shared with her "babies" and helped her communicate with them telepathically. She hoped this would leave a sort of.. "link" with Selina.. if not helping her to keep tabs on her, at least giving her the ability to share thoughts with her from time to time.. as she did now. She pushed an image past the trance.. an image of both Selina and Ivy entwined like vines.. nude... Selina oddly the one pinning Ivy down and doing many.. x-rated things to her. Pulling back Ivy grinned hoping this image made it through. "See you 'round love" she remarked before heading towards the exit with case in hand (E)

Huntress: It took a moment for the orders to come through and register, though Helena was looking at Alfred she blinked sluggishly, once, then again as her eyes seemed to clear. “Ambulance, but I…” Shaking her head as if to clear it more she took in a breath and set the helmet down on a table, swiping a roll of bandages and hiding them in her cape as she did so. Turning to leave her feet felt heavy, as if weighed down and she took one last glance at Bruce before walking out. “I know where the disguises are.” Helena called up to Tim as she moved into another room. Stripping down to the sports bra and short shorts she wore under her outfit she used her cape to wipe off the extra blood on her skin that wasn’t dried then quickly and haphazardly bound her wounds. Satisfied they wouldn’t bleed through she changed into a set of scrubs, tying her hair back from her face and jogged out to the ambulance to prepare it. Focusing solely on the task she called back to Tim. “We’re all set here!” -c

Huntress: Clamping down on her emotions she pushed everything away and focused on what needed to be done. If he were awake, he’d probably be bitching at her for not being in her side of the city, doing her “job”.-e

Selina Kyle: Her body was tired, she’d had more than her fair share of a busy night, and her mind was even more so. It was hard, terrifying so, to fight against yourself, to fight for literal control of yourself. What was worse, is that she hadn’t lost the battle once, but twice. As Ivy’s full lips descended onto her own it was like being doused with cold water and she felt her skin crawl as her anger flared back to life. ‘If only…’ In her mind Selina could see having control, having her hand snap up and closing her fingers around that slender neck. She could practically feel her claws digging into flesh, feeling the warmth of her blood then the satisfying crunch of her windpipe being crushed. ‘If only…’ Other images began to fill her mind then and she balked at them, the jerk of her body as she rejected what was being mentally thrown at her visible. ‘Like hell!’ The snarl in her head nearly got passed her lips, but Ivy was already pulling away, she was already leaving.-c

Selina Kyle: ‘I’ll burn this place to the ground, just so you can feel the pain of your “babies” after I crush them under my heel for this, you bitch.’ Frustration swamped her as her body shook with the effort to move, but as Ivy slipped out Selina closed her eyes once again. She was tired…-e

Alfred soon appeared wearing scrubs with a stethoscope around his neck and an ID badge. Wrapped around his ears and held on his forehead was a face mask. He pushed Bruce’s best through the doors and towards the Ambulance within the Batcave. Scrolling the table he and Tim would place Bruce into the back of the vehicle, Tim’s hand held onto the ID badges and another pair of scrubs. Alfred handed a face mask to Helena and then Tim handed her an ID badge. Tim then began dressing the scrubs, tossing the surgical outfit down.- “We’re good to go!” –Tim said slipping next to Helena, as Alfred sat monitoring Bruce.- “Oracle, what’s the status?” “Car Crash on the freeway, it’s underway now….It’s right on your way to the hospital.” “Thank you.”

Hush: -Hush stood on top of the Hotel, standing out in the January wind; his eyes closed waiting patiently for Ivy to show up. His gloved hands, red in color were concealed and pocketed into his trench coat. The bite of winter was affecting him, but thoughts and pleasure of the damage it caused Bruce made his wait for Ivy to come all the more tolerable. His hand clutched the ring container within his pocket. The pouch clicking as the object inside was worth $10,000 and he would get every penny out of it, especially when Ivy arrived.- …1988 Tommy: “…Mom and Dad…they were taken to Gotham General…” Bruce: “Tommy…My Dad is going to be there. Everything will be alright.” Tommy: “You promise…?” Bruce: “Stick a needle in my eye, if I were to lie.” -Tommy smiled at Bruce.-

[Batman (Bruce Wayne)]

Hush Part 2 - Continued


Huntress: Taking the mask she slipped it on, watching the two for a moment silently. When she looked at Bruce and felt nothing, she was satisfied with herself. “Thanks.” Taking the badge from Tim, she pinned it to the top of her scrubs and then moved up to the drivers seat. “Let’s hope no one asks for my drivers license.” Helena joked to Tim, trying to lighten the mood, trying to lighten his mood if nothing else, he was just a kid…and his face had been so shocked. “Hold on.” Starting the vehicle, Helena drove it out, carefully to not bump around the passengers and drove towards the hospital. Once passed the crash she gave a nod to Tim. “Hit the sirens, will you?” In her head though, she was already hearing them, a quick flash of the ambulance that came for her mother plaguing her for a split second. Clearing her throat, she hit the gas and sped the rest of the way to the hospital.

-It would be minutes later that the news media blew up.- “Bruce Wayne hospitalized after a dangerous car crash on the freeway, nearly 25 cars involved. Bruce Wayne is in critical condition and is being taken to Gotham General Hospital…” –Alfred, Tim, and Helena would race into the hospital supporting Bruce’s bed with until nurses rushed to take it off them. Alfred picked up the chart and waved to Helena and Tim for them to fall back while he spoke to the doctor. It would be a mere moment or two until Alfred returned.- “The Doctor is informed as to contact Thomas Elliot regarding Master Wayne’s condition…We should all get out of here. This is enough excitement for one night…”

Huntress: It was absurd to her that anyone in their right mind would think that Tim was a medic of any sort, as they rushed in Bruce and as they were waved to stay back that was the only thought in her mind. She focused on it, on how short and small the boy was by her side, it was better than focusing on the hospital around her. The sights and smells of one made her feel queasy, not that she had ever seen a family member in the hospital, her mother died in her father’s arms, she barely had time to exhale, much les shave any hope for survival. Turning her blue eyes to Alfred as he walked over to them, defiance flashed there, instantly and reminiscent of a younger Bruce Wayne. “I…” Helena trailed off. She what? Out of everyone she had the least right to be standing there, Cass should have been the one in the car with him, taking him where he needed to be. -c

Huntress: Helena Bertinelli would not be an associate or friend of Bruce Wayne. Nodding barely she turned on her heel and strode out of the hospital, yanking off the mask as soon as she was outside to take in a deep breath of air. ‘Fuck.' She snarled mentally. –e

Poison Ivy: She touched one of the flowers before leaving. She looked back at Selina, feeling her struggle against the trance. "Sorry i overdosed you love.. and I do hope there's no hard feelings.. besides... " she smirked lightly. "I can't kill off all the mammels can I? then how would us plants survive? Equilibrium and all that" she shrugged and slipped out of the room. One of her lacky's wwas waiting for her down stairs in a limo. And once she had goten into the vehicle sne instructed the driver to go to the hotel. She took the time to remove her costume of sorts.. her viny garments reducing to bracelet like items about her wrists and forarms. She then quickly donned a white button up blouse which was annoying difficult to button over her plump chest. and a business suit skirt (pin striped). The blazer was a bit stiff for her tastes, but it owuld have to do. Finally a pair of high heeled pumps completed the ensemble, just in time too as the car finally arrived at it's destination. "Wait (C)

Poison Ivy: "Twenty minutes, if I don't come back or call, leave. Someone has to see my plan through if something goes wrong.. got that?" she questioned as she leaned through the window dividing her and the driver and pressed her lips to his ear. "Remember, I'm counting on you" she said in a slow seductive tone. Moments later she had exited the car and headed inside the hotel. Her appearance wouldn't draw any unwanted attention like this. And with a wink at the clerk she wasn't even asked her business as she boldly entered the elevator and ascended to the roof (C)

Poison Ivy: Of course the damned thing didn't reach the very top of the hotel so she had to take the stairs from the top floor. And with a dramatic entrance the door to the room swung open as if someone had kicked it in, her supple womanly frame silhowetted in the doorway a moment before she took several graceful strides out onto the roof. "Come out litte human.. Mother Nature is calling you, and not in the crude way" she said with a little giggle (E)

Hush: ‘She relies too much on her…heh…*natural* assets. A pound of weed killer wouldn’t be affective against her; I gather it causes her pain.’ –Hush stepped out of the shadows and approached her.- “You got the money.” –He stopped a few feet from her and gestured to her.- “Give me the case, I’ll send your half to your next destination…Metropolis City.” –He watched her, his brown eyes leering, noticing that venomous pair of lips, the slithering pair of arms and legs, and her bulky set of melons on her chest, ripe and full grown. There wasn’t a man on Earth that wouldn’t want to dig into them or pluck them…except this man. How was he able to resist someone with such attractiveness that even women had fallen victim. He stood towering over her, his physical body was bulky, and his objective was easy; kill the Batman, for what reason no one knew, but there already was a long list of psychos eager and willing to kill the man. <c>

This man who went by the alias of ‘Hush’ was just another new face to Gotham and its rogue’s gallery. It was only a matter of time until Batman got a hold of him and tossed his ass into Arkham or Blackgate…that’s what everyone thought.-

Poison Ivy: She knew very well this male wasn't like the others. It was agitating as hell, but at the same time intriguing. Almost like the forbidden fruit. She also found herself a bit angry that he barked orders at her the way he did. She raised a brow at him, looking deeply into his eyes before reaching to tug on her long hair idly again. She licked her lips yet again, perhaps cleaning the toxins from it. If that was possible, since the toxins weren't really a tainted part of her, she could secrete them at will making any part of her poisonous or intoxicating with merely a thought. With a sigh she glanced down at the case in her hand and very carefully allowed one of her vines to work its way into the tiny crack of the case.. (using a vine that was almost no bigger than a strand of hair). It wasn't anything dangerous, but rather simply something to keep tabs on this new "face" not that she had ever seen it. (C)

Poison Ivy: "It's a shame that you show so much disdain towards me" she remarked. "A man of your uniqueness and obvious ambitions could be such a pleasant partner" she remarked. "And I'm not just saying that because of some pride issue. Am I agitated that you resist my charms? Yes, but my comments are more along the lines of curiosity rather than pride" she said, against slowly flicing her pink tongue over those soft ruby red lips. She then let out a resigned sigh and stretched lightly, her breasts threatening to burst the botton containing them in her restrictive top. (c)

Poison Ivy: "But moving on.. why do you want me in Metropolis? And frankly wouldn't that be dangerous for me? You now there is a practically invincible man flying about there claiming to be the city's protector right?" she remarked (E)

‘She’s smarter than she acts…’ “That’s exactly why you’re going there.” –He responded, flatly, dismissively, expecting her to just march right up against *the Man of Steel* alone.- “Give me the money now, and I’ll give you this.” –He pulled out of his pocket the ring container; clearly he had no intention of proposing to her. He opened it revealing a bright green glow and a lead case within it.- “I’ve done my research…I’m sure you could grow something or come up with makeup that it’ll work to your advantage against him…But. You won’t make your move just yet…I’ll let you know. Until then, when you get to Metropolis. Wait for my signal. Wait for Batman to show. Let him *try* to stop you. If you engage too soon, Superman *may* have his “Super-orgy friends” rescue him…” –Hush closed the case and tossed it towards Ivy’s feet.- <c>

-He held out his left hand to take the briefcase off her.- “And by the way…After Superman kills Batman…You might want to get out of Dodge…It won’t be very safe. Especially for you and your new boyfriend…” –Hush allowed her imagination to run wild, knowing that her imagination was very, very creative and given the opportunity presented, she wouldn’t pass this up.-

Poison Ivy: In all honesty, she was getting tired of using things to control people. FOr a split second she felt an overwhelming sensation of solitude. But she pushed it away and stiffened her thoughts away such things. She wasn't human she need not feel the need to hold their company. She looked down at the item at her feet before finally setting down the case and it towards him with her toe. "Fine, but I only do this because having Superman on my side will be useful to no end. The planet needs supporters before everything is poisoned beyond repair. " she trailed off feeling that her lecture would do little to nothing to convince Hush or sway him into becoming a "believer" (c)

Poison Ivy: She stretched again before letting her left arm fall to her side, her "bracelet" coming alive and the vines extending to pick up the ring case and draw it to her hand so she would not have to bend over (for fear that her breasts would fall out of her top. She smirked at him and it appeared as if she was going to be on her way. But she paused. "oh and not to see paranoid, but if end up crossing me in some what.. the'll be no hole on this planet deep enough to hide you from me" she gave him a wink as she kissed her palm then "blew" it at him. "Later Big Boy" she said as she moved to the door, hips swaying almost hypnotically as she moved (e)

-He smirked and warned her once again.- “Do *exactly* as I told you and maybe I’ll donate something to your “save the world” plan.” –He walked over and picked up the briefcase and began walking towards the entrance he came from.- ‘Nature does nothing in vain…And Queen and a Rook are unbeatable by most combinations…except a Knight and Bishop…I control both of your pieces. What do you have, Bruce? You can’t make a move without me knowing and telling you where to do it. It’s the game we play, isn’t it, Bruce…? You never plan the attack, strategize your next move. You wait until the last moment. That won’t happen…’ –Hush’s phone would vibrate.- “Oh…Bruce…? That’s terrible. I’ll be in Gotham *immediately.* Where’s he at…? Gotham General. Got it…” –Hush hung up his phone and looked out towards the city lights, the dark alley ways, a white bat symbol marked on the wall in chalk, a child had made it. He clutched his jaw and curled his lips into a grin.-


Hush Part 3 - "The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance."


Hush: -The cameras flashed and brightly lit up the hospital when suddenly the doors open and Doctor Thomas Elliot stood before all of the surgeons and nurses. Overhead surrounding the operating room were Academics, supervisors, of the highest pay grade. Hospital CEO and investors, it was more attention than what Thomas wanted but, with his small bag of equipment he placed it down and smiled.- “What’s the long faces for? We work magic in this place. Not like we’re going to Transport this man into another room. Lightning up everyone, we’ll be back out on the golf course in no time.” –Thomas took his bag and approached the head of Bruce Wayne. He then spoke to everyone on his team.- “Do be gentle on him…He tries very hard.” –Thomas flashed a grin at Bruce’s incapacitated body with a mask over his mouth. Thomas placed on his mask.- “Let’s see if we can do anything to save your memory…I know how you forget things, Bruce…”

Batman: -It would be complete day later that the News media went wild.- “Bruce Wayne recovers from traumatic surgery by Dr. Thomas Elliot!” –Bruce’s picture found in the news paper was that of him in the hospital bed wrapped in bandages and holding the hand of Thomas Elliot, both men smiling brightly as the Nurses around them also stood by happily. It wasn’t but two weeks later that Bruce stood up and was released from the hospital. They had reluctantly given weigh to his request to be released. Through his time he spent plotting, debating. His mind wasn’t going to rot.- ‘I have everything in this life to owe to Tommy…I remember his words upon leaving the hospital…’ Tommy: “Bruce, now go home and rest. You should retire from the late night business.” Bruce: “sure…whatever you say, Tommy.” Tommy: “I’m serious Bruce.” –Both men exchanged a serious glance at each other and then Bruce nodded.- <c>

‘All of this would have been in vain if I didn’t get out there and find out what Catwoman was doing…Why did she do it? Why did Killer Croc want the boy for ransom? Who cut the line launcher cable?’ –Bruce’s mind would flash back to the scene, his hand reaching for Catwoman when suddenly a gunshot.- ‘A gunshot…I remember a gunshot. Where did it land? It wasn’t aiming to kill me, at least not with the shot.’


Poison Ivy: Hush had given her a real edge up on Superman. Though she had her doubts about taking on such a powerful male.... and frankly she was a bit conflicted about going after one that really hadn't done anything to invoke her wrath, yet. However, he didn't give her any of the cash she had given him.. she was agitated as hell, but had two weeks to get things in order, and that was just what she did. Using her "charms" she was able to procure transportation as well as convinced a rather wealthy business man (C)

Poison Ivy: to give up his penthouse for her. ONce he signed over the deed to the place she of course gave him a "nature makeover" which was a night in one of her pods soaking in the toxins until he became essentually a plant sculpture (looking like a manicured hedge in the shape of a man). She had him placed out on the rooftop among her other plants.. the swimming pool offering a good amount of water for her babies. It didnt' take her long (c)

Poison Ivy: to have the place to her liking, plants and vines spread all over the place, as well as beds and cushions great for reclining on and enjoying the sunlight. She stretched out now on the grass, staring up at the Metropolis sky, .. it was exactly like any other sky, but she fancied the idea of catching a glimpse of the Man of Steel flitting over head. Of course, nothing of the sort happened, things were quiet.. sort of how she liked it. She just had to wait for Hush to contact her (c)

Poison Ivy: She rolled onto her side and eyed the pod, which was sort of jutting out of the dirt beside her (similar to a pedestool. In it, as she touched the top of it to open the pod (or rather bud), was the lead box containing her secret weapon given her by Hush. She licked her lips. Could it really give her a leg up? Or was this some elaborate trick? He had not double crossed her yet, so she had no reason to mistrust him. However, there was no honor in theives. (e)


Selina Kyle: It had been too close to be a coincidence, the night with the Mad Hatter, only to end up wrapped in Ivy’s vines. He had stated he was working with someone, and that someone had yet to reveal themselves. There had been explosives, provided by this person, even if his person was Ivy she wouldn’t have given him the explosives, it wasn’t really her style. Selina Kyle stared out of her penthouse window that she was currently “borrowing” while she spent her nights searching every known hideout in Gotham City for Ivy. The paper lay at her feet, weeks old and Bruce Wayne’s name splashed across the front along with his picture, from where she had thrown it up against the widespread glass in anger. He went down chasing her, and she didn’t even realize it. Arms wrapped around her stomach her fingers clenched into tight fists as her green eyes stared angrily out across the city. Ivy had *used* her, but who in the hell had used Ivy? -c

Selina Kyle: The sudden movement of a cat wrapping around her ankles jarred her from her thoughts and she looked down. Yellow eyes stared up at her expectantly. “I know he was released.” Selina hadn’t gone to see him, there hadn’t been a point, not until she could find an explanation. Isis let out a long whining meow and Selina looked back out of the window. “I’m going, I’m going. Guilt tripper.” Heading out, she drove to Wayne Manor, deep in thought. Her most enjoyable night was pulling the fire alarm, and burning every plant in her apartment to ash. She had hoped it would drawl out the Red head but to no avail. Parking outside of the gates she found herself uncomfortable with knocking on the front door, if it was from guilt or not wanting to explain herself to another member of the bat family she didn’t try to figure out. -c

Selina Kyle: Instead she took another route, and found herself sitting on the balcony rail outside of Bruce Wayne’s room, facing towards the door, clad in black dress pants, a turtle neck and a long thin dark tan coat, her hair tied back from her face and struggling with her feelings. -e


-Bruce walked through the doors of Wayne Manor, passing by groups of media crazed for attention and comments from him, security guards pushed through the ground protecting Bruce. A blonde haired woman lead the group, she growled ferociously.- “Everyone back the fuck up or I’mma start breaking bones!” –Alfred smiled at the woman’s tenacity, the chief of Bruce’s security while at Wayne Enterprises was definitely a force to reckon. Once inside the doors closed and the guards fought off the media. Bruce was using a cane to walk for the first few steps and then he handed the tool to Alfred.- “There, there sir. We’ll get you resting and relaxed. You’ll be able to-…” “I’m not resting, Alfred…There’s too many unanswered questions…Where is everyone?” “…If you insist…” –Alfred and Bruce began walking up the stairs to Bruce’s bedroom.-<c>

“Master Grayson has taken to securing Killer Croc’s transfer to Arkham Asylum last night, he should be resting now. Master Drake is on his way here from school as we speak. Ms. Gordon has been trying to find out all she can in regards to Catwoman. Ms. Cain has been humbly taking up your obligations in cleaning up street thugs in your stead. Huntress is…well you should….” -Bruce would interrupt Alfred and ask.- “Where’s Selina?” –He spoke just as he opened the door to see Selina by the balcony. His jaw stiffened, his eyes filled with rage.- “Alfred. Leave us.” –Alfred took a glimpse of Selina and opened his mouth for a second until he closed it and the door behind him. Bruce took a few steps towards Selina.- “Where do you get the nerve to show up here *after* stealing that money?” –Bruce’s tone filled with anger and almost disgust as he placed his hands on his hips looking at her.-


Cassandra Cain: *Cassandra’s taped up left fist would thud against the large punching bag in front of her body. Her brown eyes focused on the bag. She was wearing a grey sports bra and black sweatpants, that were tight around her ankles and her waist but left a little breathing room along her legs. Her feet were clad in black boots. She would bounce back a few steps as she held her fits up before her bust. Landing several more punches against the bag. Sweat on her brow, arms and stomach. She would give the bag a hard roundhouse to the upper third of it as the chain would clank around. Her stance not breaking before she lowers her leg to rest her foot back on the ground. Cassandra was abnormally quiet for the past two weeks, since the incident. Cassandra had spoken naught a single word since then. She did not visit the hospital and spent most of her day time training and her night hours in costume keeping the streets clean. She was even scare from Tim and Alfred, the two she spent most of her time with

Cassandra Cain: outside of Batman himself. As the bag would swing back to her she would catch it and steady it. Her right fist would land a final punch, the exact height of Catwoman, to make contact with the bridge of her nose. Her teeth held in a clench as she would turn her back to the bag and walk over to a small bench. Taking a seat on it, her right wrapped hand would grip a small water bottle that sat beside her. Undoing the cap and setting it down she would lift it to her lips. Letting out a sigh as she set the bottle down, her shoulders slumped slightly, a light pant leaving her lips. The scars of her training and lift visible on her tone but slender arms and her stomach. The scars seemed

Cassandra Cain: almost countless but each most likely told a story to her. Hearing the commotion at the manor door, she would remain in the training room. Her brown eyes gazing up from under her brown at the punching bag.*(E)

Hush: -A waiter would arrive to Poison Ivy’s new garden, where he stumbled to get through the plants.- “Excuse me…Ma’am..? Phone call for you.” –He offered her the cordless telephone at which point, Hush would speak in a cold tone.- “I hope you haven’t forgotten about me…The plan is almost in motion. For security reasons, I haven’t delivered the cash because the bait isn’t ripe yet. Batman will find out where you are hiding through Killer Croc…By the way…He might have Catwoman with him. I don’t care what you do to her; consider her an additional bonus for burning all of your plant crap at her apartment. Remember...When I tell you to, lure Superman to you, and keep him distracted with that ring I gave you. Then I’ll take care of the rest.”

Poison Ivy: SHe watched the waiter struggle to get past her beauties. She rolled her eyes as she listened to Hush. "How could I forget such a distinguished individual, it's not often a man can resist my charms" she remarked as she eyed the waiter and winked at him. Pulling the phone from her mouth a bit and covering it with her hand. "Care to stay for lunch cutie?" she questioned the man before putting the phone back to her mouth. "I'm ready for whatever you need me to do, but I'd rather keep any damages to Selina to a minumum, despite what the bitch did to my babies. I have plans for her.. so when you go after Bats, keep that in mind will ya?" she questioned, not caring if the waiter heard her obviously. (c)

Poison Ivy: Infact as the man gave her a look of sheer confusion and wariness she waved her hand at him making it look like she had a tip for him. As he'd approach she clutch his wrist and pull the young man into her kissing him roughly and then letting him fall at her feet (which were dangling over the side of her little sofa) in a catatonic state. She'd use him for .. added security when they finally came for her. As she was using her business man shrubbery.. she eyed the shrub and giggled lightly to herself before focusing her attention on the phone if Hush would respond to what she had said or just hang up (e)

Hush: “…” –Hush froze listening to Ivy flirt with the waiter. He stood outside the Penguin’s marketing building, knowing that any involvement of the crook would jeopardize his plans, rather he had to keep Penguin out of this entire charade, if Crane and Nigma were right about anything, the Penguin was out for profit, exactly what Hush didn’t want to get mixed up in. This wasn’t about profit, it was about revenge. Deadshot had done his piece, bringing down Batman. Hush had everything in place and just needed. Ivy would give the next clue that would be followed by the trail to LexCorp. A perfect money trail right to the next part of the plan.- ‘Keep following the bread crumbs, Bruce…’ “Do not under estimate him, Ivy. Kill Batman and get the job done.” –Hush hung up and stroked his chin.-

Selina Kyle: Glancing back over her shoulder down at the swarm of people, Selina slid off of the banister and walked inside of the doors to avoid being seen by anyone who had the idea to look up. As the door to the bedroom opened her eyes regarded Alfred before turning to Bruce as he spoke. Her green eyes regarded him almost coolly as she saw the rage register on his face, heard the tone of his voice and saw his body movement. It took everything she had to not snarl back at him, the rage showing suddenly on her face, it took everything not to move to him and check for herself that he was really okay. Slipping her hand into her pocket she pulled out a vile and threw it to him roughly, confident in his ability to still catch. In it had a shriveled red flower of Ivy’s with a dead vine, the end of it scorched and one that she often used to manipulate people. “You better pray you find her before I do. Otherwise all bets are off.” The anger rang clear in her voice as she watched him. -c

Selina Kyle: “She’s not in Gotham City, I’ve looked *everywhere*, but if you find her first, I want in on it.” If he didn’t get it, it was just too damn bad, her pride was hurt, she was damaged and she wanted revenged and that was something she couldn‘t just explain to him. Selina yanked a wad of money out of her coat pocket next, what Ivy had “gifted“ her, it was tied with a rubber band and she slammed it down, it hitting the floor with a loud smack. “Not even you can protect her from me.”-e

-Bruce caught the vial and looked at it for a second, his enraged glare staring at it…A beep on his wrist watch made him click it quickly and shut it off angrily. He looked back at her listening to her rage, she was trying to beat him to the punch.- “She must’ve fled…” –He said before unleashing another jab at Selina. He was beginning to think.- “That’s…not like Ivy at all. Mind Control isn’t like Ivy either. She’s playing a new game…Like Croc. Like the explosives Mad Hatter used…” –Bruce spoke out loud looking at the wall and floor, completely dismissing Selina, she was invisible to him in that moment. It was then Bruce looked at Selina and then said.- “Helena…Huntress…There’s something…” –Bruce bit down on his teeth with telling Selina.- “You should find Huntress. Talk to her. She needs help…from a *woman.* I have to find Ivy…and I know how to do it.” –Bruce opened the door to his bedroom and walked down the hallway. Alfred was standing outside the room solemn and being respectful.- <c>

“I’m going to need guard details and communication channels to Arkham Asylum inmates…” –Bruce looked at his watch.- “Our master mind in on a schedule. He wants me to follow his game…Killer Croc is the next piece. I want to interrogate him.” –Alfred spoke softly.- “It will be difficult for…” –Bruce then spoke.- “it’s alright. There’s a pattern forming to all of this. Where’s Batgirl again?” Alfred: “She’s probably in the batcave or at home.” –Bruce would stop outside the piano and begin tapping the notes until it opened a secret passage.- “Have her run the Bat Mobile and Batwing simulators. I want her an expert by tonight…All other priorities are secondary.” Alfred was a bit shocked by the overhaul Bruce was commanding.-

Cassandra Cain: *After a few moments she would stand up, grabbing the white soft towel she carried around. Wiping the sweat from her body as she would rest it over her shoulder. Undoing her hair tie letting it fall down around her shoulders she would glance about. Picking up a black sports bag and looping it over her left shoulder, She would exit the first floor training room in the Wayne manor. Looking about the halls moving about. She heard the piano notes being struck, moving in the direction of sound. She felt herself the bodyguard of the family. Upon arriving, she would not speak, just stand there, her hips shifting her weight, to the side not carrying the sports bag. Her brown eyes casting to the old man, known as Alfred. She arrived just after the conversation about her duties. Casting her eyes to Bruce..then back to Aflred, standing in her stoic silence.* (E)

Selina Kyle: Biting back a smartass remark at his statement she watched him as he started to speak, it was all things she had thought of on her own. There was a bigger picture for sure and he was already pushing her out of it. When he spoke of Huntress her brows rose in confusion as she watched his expression, something was off there, something that he held back. “Helena? Helena Bertinelli?” Selina knew she was the Huntress but her interactions with the young fiery girl had been minimal at best and confusion colored her voice. “Why in the hell would I talk to her?” She took a step forward, calling after him then paused to listen to what he was telling Alfred and narrowed her eyes. “If he thinks he’s pushing me out of this…” Shaking her head as they walked away Selina turned to the balcony. Screw him, she’d find Ivy herself. ‘I’m fine by the way, glad to see you’re alive.’ Sneaking off of the grounds was easy, and as she sped back into the city her nails dug into the steering wheel of her car. -c

Selina Kyle: “Damn it, Bruce.” Shoving her feelings down she moved back to her penthouse, it was going to be another long night.-e

-Bruce spotted Cassandra, his head wrapped in bandages, indicating a bald head and fresh surgery. He had some hair growing in, his beard had also grown out, details that weren’t conscious to him when he and Selina met a few moments ago. Now in front of Cassandra he felt it was a bit of a destructive self image. Without a word his glare at Cassandra spoke silently of. ‘You want challenge me or come with me?’ –Alfred held a cane for Bruce, but Bruce didn’t seem to need it. His posture and stance was strong, determined, he had a job to do and there were only a few hours left until night fall. If Cassandra stepped on he would lower the elevator. If she chose not to he would go down without her. He approached the Batcomputer and spoke with a grave tone.- “Lights.” –The generators would begin to rumble and lights began flashing on. <c>
Bruce’s feet tapped across the floor, the titanium plating walk way as he came to stop by the computer he typed into the system to begin looking up Arkham Asylum security guards. Bruce’s eyebrows furrowed, his eyes dashing across the screen to look over the details of the files, a blueprint as to the exact location of Killer Croc’s cell.-

Poison Ivy: Ivy listened and sighed, not being able to respond as he hung up. She tossed the phone on teh ground, one of her vines catching it and then toting it to the side of the roof and dropping it. She closed her eyes and stretched. "God this is going to be annoying, I can tell" she remarked as she eventually stood and moved towards her new toy as he lay paralyzed at her feet. Prodding him with her toe she gave him a thoughtful look. She oddly enough had trouble killing the fucker, just like the businessman she had practically turned into a shrubbery. No, she'd simply improve upon him.. making him more.. plantlike. She directed her vines to twist and move the waiter into position before nearly twenty new vines shot out from Ivy's fingertips and pierced his body. She began pumping her OWN life blood into him, the toxins beginning to burn the man from the inside out, if he survived he might be something more useful, if he didn't, well he'd be added to the surprisingly (c)

Poison Ivy: short list of murders she had taken a part in. THe paralysis began to wear off as her toxins gave him an immunity to such things.. he started to scream and moments later had passed out.. she withdrew and moved closer to him, petting the young man and sighing. "Just relax... you're my new baby" she said as she moved in and planted a kiss on his cheek. "You rest now" she said while the vines wrapped around him almost like a cacoon and began to draw him into the hefty amoount of soil that was on the roof (she actually had more brought up to support her babies so it was deep enough to do this. (E)

Hush: -The door to the office opened, Commissioner Gordon stood holding a cell phone.- “What the hell are you talking about? I don’t care who she is. Croc is Gotham Jurisdiction and I won’t let you have him.” –He clicked off the phone and adjusted his tie.- “Jim…” –The voice spoke, a ping resonating from a piece of silver, flicking from his hand, the round shaped piece of currency flew towards Jim Gordon’s desk until it landed with a thud and rolled across the desk. Jim’s jaw nearly dropped.- “Ha…” “I heard you guys got your hands tied down here…I’m looking to get my hand back in the game. I need to start small. I know…” –Jim pent up his emotions and then said.- “We’re busy down here, Harvey…” “Well, what do you have on leads with the Catwoman case?” –Jim rubbed his eyes.- “We don’t know it *was* Catwoman.” –Harvey approached the desk and took hold of the coin.- <c>

“Oh, come on…You want to believe that because you know its right or…Because you don’t want to upset *our* friend…? What if I told you I have evidence that supports my theory?”

Cassandra Cain: *In Cassandra’s mind the choice was easy. No words spoken between the two, she would just look up at the taller male. No words were needed, as his eyes would stare at her, he would see her determination in hers. He knew the answer to his own question. Cassandra, the quiet young lady of outstanding fortitude, grit and determination. He knew how she felt about his mission and had taken it on as her own, even evident with her taking over in his absence. As he would step onto the elevator, so would she. Standing next to him. Still not speaking, just riding it down with him. As it would come to a halt and the doors open, the lights chime on at his command as she would exit after him. Moving near the armory, she would drop off her sports bag. Not moving to the computer, just finding a sturdy metal beam to lean against. She always let him, Tim, Alfred and Oracle work the computers. She would await for her next direction,* (E)

-Alfred would gesture Cassandra to follow him to the training simulator.- “I wish Master Grayson was here…He would be an appropriate trainer to teach you this…” –He lead her to a small cockpit shaped pod, Tim had used it a few times to learn how to fly and drive a car, in fact Tim had gotten his license thanks to the simulator. It was just at this time the elevator opened again and Tim Drake rushed into the batcave, dropping his book bag and coming to stand beside Bruce.- “Hey…How are ya doing big guy?” –Tim said placing his hand on Bruce’s shoulder. Bruce’s gaze didn’t change.- “Help Alfred with Cassandra. She needs to know how to use the Batwing.” “The Batwing? We’re against something serious aren’t we?” –Tim groaned jogging across the long cavern to catch up with Alfred and Cassandra.-<c>

-Bruce tapped a communication panel.- “…Come in if you can hear me…Get back to me when you receive this message.” –Bruce waited and then pressed a button to another channel. –“… Come in…Get back to me as soon as possible.” –Bruce leaned back in his chair and stroked his chin staring at the street. His thoughts fell back to Thomas Elliot.-


Cassandra Cain: *Her eyes would catch Aflred as he would gesture the young lady over to the simulator. She has used a batpod before but it was simplistic in nature. A form of transportation. She had been in the Batmoblie and a Batpod before, but never beenbehind the controls. Her thoughts stayed focused, even when hearing Tim enter the Batcave and speakw ith Bruce before being redirected to aiding Alfred with her. As Tim joined them, the trio would reach the simulator. Her eyes casting over it as her hand would move to pop the cover of it. She had seen it opened before. Cassandra, with the inability to read or write, learned via visual cues. Some would call it a handicap that she could not teach herself, except through trial and error, but it was one of her strengths. She would climb into the cockpit and situate herself. Her brown eyes casting over the controls, all the writing, might as well of been in Greek...knowing Batman, that was a posibility. Her hands would stretch out to touch different (C)

Cassandra Cain: controls and buttons, not pushing or moving them, just feeling them out, Learning short routes around the main area. Learning through memorization her whole life, left her with that as a strength. Being shown something once, she could duplicate it, especially if it was a physical task. Cassandra was a quick study, perhaps that is why Bruce choose her for this task. Her eyes would move to the young dark haired male and the elderly man, still not speaking, as if waiting for them to show her.* (E)

-Tim jumped next to her and reached behind her to pull out a “Bat cowl” helmet that he would hand her before putting on his own.- “Okay…So...The computer is going to talk. Just listen and watch where things are…” –Tim didn’t want to admit it, but he thought this was a huge leap forward for Cassandra. Flying an aircraft was something he couldn’t believe. Bruce must’ve been planning something big or he had some other plan specific for Cassandra that should would need to know how to fly a plane sooner or later. Tim pushed aside his concerns for her and allowed the training simulator to continue on. It would be a few hours into the training program that they finished their first mission. Tim was backing her up as a “Co-pilot.” From Tim’s perspective, he felt himself improving, working with her. Co-piloting for Batman allowed him to be an excellent partner, and he was able to teach Cassandra some of the tricks he’s seen Bruce perform.- <c>

The cockpit they sat in would lift above the ground and allow them to feel the jerking and maneuvering of the simulator as if they were flying. The vehicle would even rotate upside down should they command it to do so.-

–Lightning would crackle and thunder would roll in the distance, the dark building stacked like a common apartment facility, its windows barred to prevent entry into the facility. The front door had a pair of twin metal doors with a small handle to pull opene each door. {R} ‘Arkham Asylum…The place itself gives me the chills. I don’t know Batman can feel comfortable going into a loony bin like this place. The entire island is nothing but forest except the single building itself. The building was once a water valve point used during the civil war to control the flow of water into Gotham. Since Scarecrow and the League of Assassins terrorist attack on the city, the entire pump has been shut down and a new one was established. The sewers of Arkham serve as Killer Croc’s cell.’ –Red Robin sat in the Bat Mobile next to Batgirl, the radar screen in the center console allowed for them to monitor the systems of Arkham Asylum and the tracer once it was placed. <c>

The required amount of technology would leave Robin in the passenger seat while Batgirl was driving the Burton 89’ Bat Mobile. Its long form body with a smooth black chassis allowed it to appear like a cloaked vessel while surrounded by trees of Arkham Island.{R} - Batman stood by the back entrance to the Penitentiary.- ‘Dead man’s point…Arkham Asylum’s only secret entrance into the facility. Many men have jumped and have died attempting to survive the jagged rocks below.’ –Batman stood approximately 60 yards from the Dead Man’s Point, a small cliff and ledge with a door leading to the escape. Batman waited for the right moment; the moment she would show up, it would be a disappointment if she didn’t know her way out of here.-

Cassandra Cain: *Dressed in her normal attire, Batgirl would sit straight up in the seat. The black sleak vehicle would not be running, just sitting still for now. In a moments notice, the Bat Mobile could be fired up and begin its needed task. Cassandra however, did not speak, she has yet to speak since the incident. Her hands were resting on the leather peices of the steering wheel. Her eyes focused upon the radar as much as the area around the vehicle itself. She had grown accustomed to using the Bat Mobile, even if it has only been several hours since she learned from Alfred and Tim. As Tim would speak, she would look over at him briefly, before resuming her vigil. Her gloved figners would touch a few buttons on the dash and console as if keeping the reactions fresh. Not one for book learning, but memorization, it was normal to her, just like walking. (E)

Selina Kyle: Catwoman turned her green eyes upwards to the sky as a storm rumbled in the distance, the thought of a downpour of heavy rain made her shiver in her catsuit. Of course it had to be that night of all nights, someone upstairs had a sense of humor, as if the island containing Arkham Asylum wasn’t already creepy enough. The thick woods screamed horror movie set and as the trees were lit by the quick flash of lightning she gritted her teeth. ‘There’s no such things as monsters.’ She told herself, her mental voice full of humor, just to get her mind off of the storm in the distance and onto a more serious subject. Of course, Selina Kyle knew very well that monsters existed in the world, and she was going to slip her way into Arkham to be face to face with one. ‘Killer Croc.’ The second of puppets used by whatever mastermind was controlling the strings of the Gotham City underground; or in his case, sewers. -c

Selina Kyle: That creature had to know something, and she was willing to venture into hell to find out what he knew, if only to get her clawed fingers around Ivy‘s slender neck. Of course there was more to it, Croc, Ivy, The Mad Hatter, Batman’s injury, the money Ivy had said she needed for herself, but that didn’t feel right…it wasn’t her idea to control Selina, it couldn’t have been. It took her a bit to navigate to the secret backdoor of the Asylum, and as she landed, her back to the door she gazed over the edge of the cliff at the rocks below and churning sea. “Nice night for a swim.” Catwoman deadpanned to herself as she pushed her goggles up on top of her head.-e

{R} -Tim was actually silent throughout the moment until he finally asked.- “Cass…You’ve been silent lately…Are you okay?” –Red Robin looked at her and reached his hand out to hers to touch or hold her hand. His gaze would look at her underneath his black cowl helmet, his blue eyes and small frown.- “You’re not usually talkative…I know. But you’re different. Don’t ask me how I know…I just do. Alfred thinks you need time…If you do I’m sorry I’m even bringing this up. Gosh, I feel stupid right now.” –Red Robin rubbed the back of his head with his other hand nervously.- {R} <c>

-Batman spotted Catwoman climbing down at which point he leaped down into the 100 yard drop below his wings opening to fill with air, the draft would pick up and jet Batman into the air as he spread his wings fully and his stabilizers kicked in. His wings would clap as he landed behind Catwoman, his arms wrapping around her waist just as she opened the door. The narrow space of the ledge, a single foot step backwards and they would both fall off the cliff behind them.- “Selina…” –Batman’s voice raspy, deep, agitated, but not verbally angry. She might have been able to tell he was angry, not with her anymore. He would allow her to open the door and then follow her inside, at which point he would remove his hands from holding her waist.- “Killer Croc’s cell is to the right.” –The long tunnels mapping the penitentiary were extensive, but there was only a single elevator that led to the sewers where Killer Croc was at. Batman tapped his helmet and spoke.- “We’re inside. Now, Robin.”

Cassandra Cain: *She would look over at Tim as soon as he asid her name. Her eyes staring at him through her stitched up cowl. Those brown orbs not visable through her mask. Her eyes would scan him up and down quickly, words almost seemed overrated to her. The body could express a thousand words in a single gesture. Perhaps it was only her that saw this. As Tim would touch her hand, she would flip it palm up and close her slender yet strong hand around his hand, in a handhold. She would not apply much pressure. Her eyes would meet with his as she would simply just nod her head at him. Still not speaking. Her eyes returning back to just surveying the area, her hand not moving from his. He was her partner after all. She held close ties with those in the Family. They were her family now and she would do what she must to protect them. It was all that she was good for anyway. * (E)

Selina Kyle: Turning to the door her gloved hand reached out to grab it and she heard a sound that made her heart momentarily jump into her throat. ‘I should have known.’ Was her thought, though not bitter as he dropped down behind her. When his arms wrapped around her waist, her heart beat fluttered in her chest and her eyes closed momentarily as she held onto the feeling, listening to his agitated voice speaking her name. She hadn’t touched him, didn’t get the chance in his room, he had been distracted and angry, and she was just plain angry. His touch made it real, he had almost been lost. “You always have to make an entrance.” Pulling open the door her eyes opened as her thoughts and feelings came within that brief moment she had taken, and stepped inside. Moving to the right she stepped to the side so she’d fall just into step with him if not a bit behind. “How about you lead, I’d hate to get lost in here.” -c

Selina Kyle: Catwoman followed him to the elevator, and stepped onto it with him as her gaze fell over his suit, looking him over slowly as if weighing to see if he looked fit enough for the adventure. “Even in your time off, you still fill out those armored pants nicely.” She spoke like he had been on vacation, and it was her way of making light, of burying those emotions. ‘Was it my fault? Did you fall because of me?’ She tried for a smirk at him but in an unusual move she looked away, shielding her vision from his, afraid of what he could read.-e

{R} ‘Not exactly the response I wanted, Cass…Sometimes when I look at the troubles in my life, I feel like that are the biggest crisis in the world…but then I see someone like her…I know she doesn’t have much of a life outside this one…Seeing Bruce…Seeing *Batman* defeated in such a way…I can imagine was heart breaking to her. Here Bruce is again, tempting fate. His job is risky…and he *needs* to rest. That helmet of his can only endure so much from Croc. Cassandra wasn’t there at the hospital…Suddenly, I realized...The trouble in my life are small arguments compared to her world ready to be wiped out by a forest fire.’ –Red Robin began flipping switches with his right hand while his left held Batgirl’s. “We’re good to go, B.”{R}

“Affirmative, R. Maintain Silence. Continue as scheduled.”-Batman tapped his helmet and stepped in front of Catwoman, pulling his cape to the side some preventing her from stepping on it. Her comments made him pull the cape around him and fit like a robe surrounding him and giving him that vampire look. When they arrived to the elevator shaft, Batman placed a pry bar to the doors and gently wiggled it open. Below was a shaft that was normally closed, sealing the basement behind 8,000 lbs of iron. Batman looked above the shaft to see an elevator. A click and rev from underneath his cape would soon reveal his plan as he fired his grappling hook towards the elevator and then attached it to his belt. His cape suddenly opened and he would grab hold of Catwoman to pull her down with him. His cape spread open fully <c>

Allowing their fall to become snared as they landed within an open security room. Police officers armed with assault rifles pointed at Batman and Catwoman.- Cop1: “Freeze!” Cop2:“GET ON THE GROUND!” Cop3:“STOP!” Cop4:“Jesus Christ! It’s Batman!” –Batman’s cape would protectively surround Catwoman, his head lowering some as his eyes narrowed as his jaw stiffened.- Cop5: “Don’t…move…” Cop6: “Put your hands up. Slowly!” –Suddenly power to the room went out completely converging the room in darkness. Batman unwrapped his arms around Catwoman and swung his right hand to backhand a man behind them slapping his gun away, two gunshots scrambled off towards the ground, Batman took hold of the gun and swung the stock to bash across another cops face throwing them backwards and unconscious onto the ground.-

Selina Kyle: Pausing as she glanced at him then watched as he worked, her brows raising. ‘Well, it looks like we won’t exactly be a welcome party here.’ Her hand moved up to her whip, tightening it a bit around her waist as she heard the click and as he grabbed her, she stepped into him, wrapping her arm around his waist as they dropped down, her hair flying about a bit wildly. As they landed her boots clicked on the floor and she unwrapped her arm from around him, her eyes turning to face the cops. “Look at this, a party to greet us.” Catwoman took a step back, her back bumping his chest armor as his cape came up around her protectively, her hand raising to flip her goggles down over her eyes. As the lights went out she waited until she felt him let her go and she ducked low, her night vision turned on. -c

Selina Kyle: Sweeping the legs out from under one of the men she used his body as a spring board as he grunted, jumping up and slammed her right knee into the face of another cop, his body dropping to the floor with a thud, her left gloved hand closing around a gun, twisting it free from the cops hand as she flipped forward, landing on the unconscious man with both knees, keeping low and out of any normal line of fire.-e

-Batman heard the couple of men fall over behind him, but as Catwoman came closer, he hardened his stance allowing her to bounce off him, at which point he dropped his wrist and snapped a rifle in half while also bashing the cops chest forcing them backwards. He turned and fired his batclaw over Catwoman’s back as she would flip over one, Batman yanked the cable to the batclaw and forced two cops to tumble into each other just as she landed on the unconscious body. His gloved hand holstered the batclaw onto his belt, but it suddenly revved with electrical current and with a left hook over Catwoman’s head, he stunned the remaining cop dropping them down onto the ground trembling some. Batman allowed his cape to surround himself as he walked by a conscious cop. <c>

-Batman kicked them across the face with his boot knocking them out cold. Batman proceeded past the command center and towards a large vault door held together by a large valve. Batman grabbed the vault , attempting to use his entire body to twist it until it finally turned at which point he began rotating it at least a dozen times until it finally opened to reveal Killer Croc chained to a wall by his wrists, ankles, and neck. Batman stepped into the cell and watched as Croc began sniffing until his yellow gaze dropped onto Batman.- “Bat-Man! Hissss! I will KILL YOU!” –Batman glanced to see a dead carcass of a cow, its ribcage broke by teeth. There was a folding chair by the door, probably used by security to tease and toy Croc.- “I’m here to offer you a deal, Croc...Answer a few of my questions and I will let you out of here.” <c>

-Killer Croc snarled for a moment and then thought about it.- {R} ‘This is the easy part of the job.’ –Tim’s hand would slowly tighten, the security tap within the room played the audio back to Batgirl and Red Robin, allowing them to hear everything. Tim was worried, but he puffed his chest up, reassuring himself that Batman knew what he was doing.- ‘The hard stuff has yet to come…’{R} –Killer Croc snapped.- “How do I know you’re not lying?” –Batman armed an explosive batarang and hurled it towards a chain on the wall. CLICK. Suddenly the chain exploded and released his right arm from the wall. Killer Croc grinned while Batman spoke.- “Why did you need that money?” Killer Croc: “For surgery…A specialist said he could cure me of…this.” Batman: “You know, that’s not possible.” “You’re LYING!” –Killer Croc’s left arm swung and he took a step forward. The bolts in the walls suddenly rocked and dust crackled from the wall as his right arm swung to grab Batman, but was out of range.-

Cassandra Cain: *Cassandra would sit in the driver's seat. Her eyes peering around still watching. She still wanted to be alone with her thoughts. 'She should be out there with him..not sitting in some car waiting. She was a fighter..not his personal driver.' Cassandra would shake her head to clear the thoughts. She trusted him thus far and needs to continue to stay focused on what truly matters. The mission. Her left hand would tighten into a fist as she heard the audio feed. She would feel Tim's hand tighten on hers. She had to fight the urge to want to bust from the car and join Batman. She was use to following him, being his shadow. However, she would center herself and remain put, waiting for when the Batman would need use of her skills and talents. 'We work as a team, that is what makes us powerful.', the quote rang in her head and helped calm her tensions a little bit. She let Batman down two weeks ago and would never again do so.* (E)

Selina Kyle: Catwoman stood as the rest of the men fell around her, courtesy of the Dark Knight as she dropped the clip from the gun she was holding, cleared the chamber then let it drop as well. Working with him was just as exhilarating as working against him, she was coming to find as she smoothed her hands down her sides and hips, doing a quick inventory check and moved after him, her heels clicking as she sashayed her way in his wake. Looking at the vault she narrowed her eyes a bit as he grabbed onto the valve and she set her hands on her hips, standing back as she watched him work. When the door swung open to reveal Killer Croc she stepped forward after Batman, her right hand sliding to her back an closing around her pistol though she simply propped a hip against the vault door, not drawing the weapon or attention to herself as she continued to watch. -c

Selina Kyle: At his offer to free Croc her brows shot up behind her mask and she bite back a remark just before it left her red painted lips then closed one eye as he used a batarang to free one of Croc’s hands. ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’ It was certainly not the approach she would have taken. Her stomach muscles tightened in anticipation when the bolts in the walls seemed to loosen and Catwoman resisted the urge to reach out for Batman. ‘He’s injured still, one hit from Croc could take him out, and you’re ill equipped to deal with that hulking dinosaur.’ She knew she was fast, could escape on her own, and had a little less faith in the injured man before her. ‘He has a plan.’-e

“There’s an escape through that vault door to the elevator that brought you here. You can climb the ladder on the sides and reach a basement door. The tunnels lead to Dead Man’s Point…” –Killer Croc stared for a moment. Batman then said.- “Who was the specialist.” Killer Croc then snarled. “Some guy who was masked. He wears a trench coat. He smells like blood…Human blood” –Batman would begin shifting his eyes back and forth while lowering his head, considering the options on hand.- “That’s not enough information…Poison Ivy has used Catwoman to steal that money. She ran away, fled somewhere….Where are you supposed to meet this specialist?” Killer Croc’s eyes went into rage.- “What?! My money!” Batman growled.- “Where are you supposed to meet the specialist?” “I NEED THAT MONEY!” <c>

-Batman would look at Catwoman.- “I’m done wasting time here. Even you aren’t stupid enough to believe there is a cure for you, Croc. You’re wasting our time. You can rot here feasting on dead livestock and pondering here in loneliness. Never knowing what it’s like to have that money. You were played like a fool. They lied to you and used you. Heh.” –Batman almost chuckled.- “And you bought it, hook, line, And sinker.” –Killer Croc would growl until finally he roared at Batman unleashing saliva and carrion breath at Batman and Catwoman. Batman’s face scrunched as his face was struck with the fowl spit. Killer Croc would hiss.- “Did you forget, Batman? You unshackled ONE of my arms…That’s all I’m going to need.” –Killer Croc grabbed onto his left chain with both hands and ripped the bolt out of the wall. He would proceed to break both his ankle and neck chains off. <c>

Batman stood by, until Croc’s legs were undone.- “Catwoman….” –Batman pointed to the side of the room.- “Get away from the vault door.” –Batman would stand between Killer Croc and the door.- “You’re not leaving through that door until you tell me, where Ivy is.” –Killer Croc roared and charged at Batman, swiftly grabbing Batman by the chest and throat to begin squeezing.- “SHUT UP!”- Batman’s hands grabbed Killer Croc’s wrist to struggle until Batman jabbed the electrical gauntlet into Croc’s wrist shocking him. Batman dropped to the ground and tossed three snap flashes onto Croc’s chest, tumbling forward and behind Croc, Batman tossed another device into Croc’s back. Batman ignited the snap flashes and forced them to explode causing hardly any damage to the fiends chest.-

Selina Kyle: ‘Masked guy, in a trench coat.’ Catwoman sorted through her memories, picking her own brain at anyone like that who rang a bell. ‘Smelled of blood.’ Inclining her head she shook it barely, no one registered. As Batman looked back at her she simply shrugged a shoulder. It was clear he was trying to piss him off, and that was a roll she could slide into easily. “That’s what you get for trying to ask a dumb animal questions, and expecting an intelligent answer.” At Croc’s roar Selina turned her head away, holding her breath and bringing her left arm up to shield her face, her lips curling in disgust. “Charming.” Green eyes turning back to Crock as he started to break himself loose, Catwoman pulled her gun from its holster. “I’m not seeing this work out to our advantage.” She took a few steps back from the door, heels clicking against the floor as she did and moved to where Batman had pointed. -c
Selina Kyle: ‘Clearly either that blow to his head has seriously affected his judgment, or he has a plan that’s less than sane.’ Her left hand came to her belt, to a grenade resting there as she watched Batman struggled with Croc. Physically he was in a much higher playing field, and she wasn’t about to be caught by him, so she stayed out of the way, finger clicking the safety off of her gun, though she knew it would do little than annoy the beast. –e

[Batman (Bruce Wayne)]

Hush Part 3 - Continued.



‘If there was anyone in the world who I would have by me at this point in time…It would be Selina. Dick would try to defend my pride…’ –Batman saw the image of Nightwing dashing towards the beast front flipping over to stab his escrima sticks into his back.- ‘Cassandra would sacrifice herself to protect me. In these close quarters, she’s agile but she’s in Killer Croc’s playground.’ –Batman saw the image of Cassandra lying on her back with her cowl torn open.- ‘Tim…’ –The image of Red Robin standing in front of the vault speaking the words ‘Batman said you’re not leaving. And I’m going to make sure that happens!’ –Batman rolled away towards a wall where Batman attached explosives to the wall. Killer Croc turned to glare at Batman.- “Think you can stop me?!” –Batman quipped quickly at Catwoman.- “Selina, close the vault door before he escapes!”–It was now that Batman ducked and blew open the wall forcing a rush of water to begin filling the room. <C>

-Killer Croc felt the water push him away from Batman and towards the vault door. The room was beginning to fill quickly. Batman tapped the side of his mask and forced the breathing system to activate.-

Selina Kyle: She continued to watch him struggle with Killer Croc as her muscles tensed up and adrenaline pumped through her system. He wasn’t going to win in a confined space like that, there was no way he could beat Croc in there. ‘He…doesn’t want to win, there’s something else.’ At his order Selina turned towards the door and stared at it for a moment then stumbled as the water started pouring in. ‘Is he fucking kidding me?!’ Digging her heels into the floor she ran towards the vault door to push it closed the water causing a good bit of drag on her movements, her mind running through the fact it was completely and totally impossible. As the cold water started to leak through her resistant suit she felt panic start to grab her. They were underground, and he was flooding the place. “This is great for the one who can breathe underwater…!” ‘Or has a grappling gun.‘ -c

Selina Kyle: Suddenly her whip didn’t look so hot compared to some of the gadgets he held, and what was worse, the giant lizard man was heading directly where she was. Catwoman stumbled again, as the water continued to push against her, dropping her gun as her hand went down to the floor to keep from falling flat into the water.-e

-Killer Croc charged at the door by dropping to his hands and feet and leaping through the water. He jumped outside the vault and quickly began shutting it.- “Lock me away, will you?!” –The vault shut and the valve to lock it suddenly began twirling at rapid speed; Croc had been able to rotate the wheel almost double that of what Batman could. Batman swam to Catwoman and wrapped his arm around her waist to pull her against him. His voice metallic and robotic in tone.- “Take this.” –He offered a breathing mask. The water was filling up to their stomachs but, both of them were already in a position to swim and float. Batman held onto Catwoman, not allowing her to float off.- “Robin. Batgirl. You’re up. I placed a tracer on Killer Croc. If he’s going where I suspect…We’ll soon have a lead as to where Poison Ivy is…” <C>

-Batman tapped off his communications link and looked at Catwoman. His eyes filled with worry.- “Are you okay? We need to go through that hole. It will lead us to someplace safe.” –Batman would take her hand gently and motion to pull her with him.-


Selina Kyle: “No!“ A furious scream erupted from her as Croc began shutting the door, the sound of it closing echoing in her ears as her heart pounded in her chest as she stood, not even bothering to look for her gun. As the water moved up over her thighs and hips her breathing became quickly uneasy and as Batman wrapped his arm around her, pulling her to him she uncharacteristically jumped at the contact then turned and grabbed onto his shoulders, claws sinking into the material of his cape. At his voice her wide eyes moved to the breathing mask and she let him go to take it and put it on, listening to him speak. She focused on his words, tracer, Killer Croc, Ivy; this was his plan. Catwoman struggled with her panic, and it was clear in her eyes. At the look in his own eyes, as he took her hand she simply nodded, trying to process the fear and work through it, her fingers gripping his hand tightly. He wouldn’t let her drown, she could breathe with mask, he had a plan.-c

Selina Kyle: Keeping those thoughts in her mind she forced her body to move with him towards the hole and deeper into the water.-e

-Batman swam with Catwoman through the hole and into the sewers until they reached an underwater passage, Batman slipped into the cove and pulled Catwoman with him, completely submerged in water with the pressure building against them. Once in the cove, Batman closed the passage and swam straight up until finally their heads popped into a dark cavern. Batman’s arms were wrapped around Catwoman to continue supporting her.- “We’re safe.” –Batman tapped his facial mask and caused his lips to be revealed.- “Lights.” –a generator would begin to rev and suddenly lights around the room would power on and display a Bat Submarine along with a bat computer and laboratory. The operation was very small, but somehow he managed to get a batcave onto Arkham Island.- <c>

-Batman would lower his hands to her hips and help lift her up out of the water.- “Robin and Batgirl are tracking Killer Croc. I suspect he will be going to The Great White Shark or Penguin for help in transportation.” –Batman waited for her to be in a safe position when he would jump out of the water and sit down with his feet dangling in the water.-

Selina Kyle: Closing her eyes as they became fully submerged she flipped her goggles down to afford her some protection as she opened them again, swimming along with him and keeping a tight grip on his hand, kicking her feet hard. ‘How can he swim against these currents with that cape?’ Keeping her mind off of the fact she had no idea how long the mask would let her breathe she forced herself to calm her breathing. As they entered the cove and began swimming up she fought harder to swim, seeing the end in sight and as their heads surfaced she ripped off the breathing mask and took in a deep gulp of air, wrapping her arm firmly around his neck, holding onto him like a clinging cat. No sharp quips came from her as he spoke, as the lights flickered on and as he lifted her from the water. Yanking off her goggles and mask she let them drop to the floor as she lay out, taking in a few deep breaths of air as her hair clung to her. “Let’s not play that game again.” -c

Selina Kyle: She finally managed, pushing her palms against the surface of the floor to push herself to sitting to gaze at him. “Maybe next time, you can warn me, before you decide to drown us.” Selina wouldn’t wait for a response as she leaned forward, putting a hand on the back of his neck and pressed her lips firmly to his. –e

-Batman paused feeling her lips against his, his hand would grab her bicep firmly as if to stop her before her lips pressed against his. He froze for a moment allowing her kiss to press against his lips. Batman gently pulled away.- “Selina…” –Batman’s voice fading some.- ‘Is this how it’s meant to be? Our daughter is from another universe. Another point in time…Is this how we’re supposed to be?’ –Batman’s hands begin to soften and he gently rubbed her arms.- “…why…?” –Batman studied her expression; her usually bright skin color was now a brighter blue color, likely from the cold of the water. Batman’s own lips were purple in tone due to the hyper tense and cold water courtesy of January weather.-

Selina Kyle: The feeling of his hand closing around her arm, she expected that, just as she didn’t expect a response. If she had money at the moment she would have bet on him pulling away, on him getting back to “work’ like it never happened. Pushing forward, putting up that wall that he built so well, that she loved to push against, and one that she herself, sometimes reinforced. As his grip changed, rubbing her arms the cold began to set in, the adrenaline fading and her slender body shivered. Parting her lips to speak, she hadn’t expected the question, and honestly struggled with the answer herself. “S-sometime, I’ll try to explain...” Her voice trailed off as hand tightened on the back of his neck as she shivered again and she pressed her full lips together firmly. ‘He was shot, chasing you, he almost died, and you’re going to keep playing these games.’ Selina closed her eyes for a moment then looked at him once again. -c

Selina Kyle: “Life is too short to live with the regret of not acting when you have the chance.” Her green eyes watched his blues as she leaned closer. “I don’t want to die with regret, do you?”-e

-Batman blinked a few times, slowly, unsure.- “Selina…There’s something I need to tell you.” –He whispered as his lips were close to hers, his blue eyes capable of seeing into her emerald gaze as blue lights kept the room lit and visible for them to see.- ‘Just tell her…she has a right to know just as much as you do.’ ‘But it’s Helena’s choice. She should’ve told her by now…’ –Batman appeared confused, unable to cope with what was going on.- ‘Helena is my daughter…*our* daughter…’ –Batman’s jaw stiffened when he whispered.- “…We...Have to catch Ivy…”

Selina Kyle: Watching him silently her heart started to beat harder in her chest as he spoke. Was it conflict she saw in his eyes? He paused, and her brows furrowed, showing almost concern for the pause as her thumb brushed against the back of his neck though he probably couldn’t feel it. Taking in a slow breath she tried to get her shaking under control, though for once in her life she didn’t know if it was from the cold, or from nerves. Selina had opened up to him, even if just a little, and that was unbearably hard; hell she’d even chalk it up to being tired from the swim, or the events of the past two weeks if she wanted to lie to herself. Her eyes flickered down to his lips and she noticed the stiffening of his jaw, and she watched his lips as he spoke. Heart beat sounding in her ears it took a moment, a brief moment of painful recognition for his statement to hit her. If she had any color in her face not caused by the cold, it would have drained out of it as he lips pressed together. -c

Selina Kyle: It took a breath for her mask to drop in place as her teeth clenched and she looked up briefly into his eyes and her own was filled with pain as if she’d be stabbed then it was gone just as quickly. “I’m sure your kids will tell us where Croc goes.” Selina scooped up her goggles and mask as she pushed herself shakily to her feet. “What’s a cat have to do to get a warm blanket around this place?” Slipping her mask down over her eyes she moved from him, her fist clenched tight around her goggles, a soft crackling noise sounding as the lenses started to crack under the strain of her grip.-e


-Batman followed suit and stood up.- ‘What makes Selina preferable when going into a plan with Killer Croc…They’re two animals acting on instinct…I trust Selina’s instinct. Whatever she is feeling, I feel it too. But I can’t allow that to cloud my judgment or impair what I need to plan next. Ivy isn’t in Gotham…There aren’t many places that Penguin or White are going to slip her off to. Outside of Gotham, Ivy loses her--…roots…taking into consideration this factor, she still has something here in Gotham and is only skipping town out of someone else’s scheme.’ –Batman would walk towards a heater and tap the button to force hot air through the grates of the stove sized device. Batman then opened a cabinet and pulled out a large blanket and towel.- “Here…” –Batman sat down, staring at the computer, he opened a global map to begin tracing Killer Croc’s homing tracer.-

Selina Kyle: As the heater turned on her body shivered just on principle as if to remind her that she was a lot colder than she was supposed to be and she walked over to him and took both the blanket and towel before throwing the towel at him as he sat down, unless he caught it it would be on a straight path to drop over his helmet, obscuring his vision. She didn’t wait to see as she unzipped her boots and kicked them off to let the water run out of them then yanked off her gloves, letting them drop in front of the heater. Unzipping her suit she let it drop as well, not wearing anything under the top of it she was however wearing a small pair of shorts that she left on and she wrapped the blanket tightly around herself. “Dry off, you’ll give yourself away with how that water sounds trapped in your armor.” It was a tone that told him he was either going to have to get his head out of his ass, or the case, or face the fact she was going to undress him herself.

-Batman felt the towel flop over his head, which slightly aggravated him. He heard the sound of her clothing coming off as she undressed. He merely wrapped the towel around his shoulders.- “When I get back home, I can change suit.” –Batman felt himself shiver and then he began taking off his armor pads stripping down to his two piece skin tight outfit; his appearance was very much like a skin diver. He lifted the helmet and placed it onto the desk next to the computer. Bruce Wayne’s face appeared underneath the cowl, he turned his head to look at Selina. His chair moving with him as he watched her for a moment.- “We’ll have to take the Batwing to get where ever we have to go…We should be able to intercept Killer Croc and shut him down before him or Ivy kill each other.”

Selina Kyle: Waiting for an argument she was glad when there wasn’t one as she shifted the blanket, using it to try her hair, standing next to the heater. Her back was too him, and she was completely bare save for the mask on her face and the shorts she was wearing which left nothing to the imagination. Selina wasn’t exactly shy. Hands moving the cloth through her hair she shifted her weight from one leg to another, scars littered her back and a few old bruises, serving the purpose of providing her solid evidence of what happens when she screws up. Bouncing on her toes to try and warm up her body she paused in her motions when she felt his eyes on her and turned to face him, the blanket proving her some modesty. “Great, so you can go from not drowning me, to not crashing us into something.” The idea of flying was less than appealing, but she’d take it over swimming any day.




24 hours later…

’Metropolis City. The size of it puts New York City to shame. I’m reminded of my youth being here a few times. Before and after mom and Dad died. Selina and I have taken a flight in, my private jet. I know what my motives are…To find out who is behind this strange string of events. Madhatter moving into the open, seizing Poison Ivy’s territory, Killer Croc kidnapping and holding for ransom, Selina stealing…that’s not far-fetched, but it was to save a child’s life. I’ve tracked Killer Croc’s movements; he used an underground train ticket sold to him by The Penguin. Croc and Ivy are both here in Metropolis somewhere.’ –Bruce Wayne stepped off the jet and walked down the runway, the sky was beginning to fade as the cities illuminating glow still seemed to keep the sky bright.-

-Bruce bit his lower lip, a habit rarely seen or done, his gaze unable to look away from the most eye catching thing in the city. A large Brass colored orb, wrapped text announcing to the world what building it was…’The Daily Planet’ Bruce blinked for a moment and looked at Selina.- ‘I’m reminded that I have no idea what her intentions are despite what she claims. She has trusted me this far, I suppose Alfred would suggest I give her some in return…’ –Bruce smiled.- “I have a Wayne hotel setup a few blocks from LexCorp and the Daily Planet…I’m sure they won’t mind us sight-seeing since we’re in the neighborhood.” –A black Limousine was waiting for Bruce and Selina, the driver held the door open for them before driving them. Bruce spoke confidently.- “The Daily Planet, please.”

Catwoman: Selina Kyle sat comfortably, green eyes watching out of the window of the private jet. She was far more relaxed than she would have been if Batman himself had been flying, though the plush accommodations weren’t exactly what she was expecting when he stated they were going to Metropolis. They had after all the night before spent time swimming through a freezing cold drain of some sort out of Arkham and… Her thought trailed off as the plane had landed and she stood, smoothing down her the front of her black pants to follow Bruce off of the jet. Glancing around she couldn’t help the smirk that crossed her lips as she watched Bruce in front of her, Gotham’s finest in the ever pristine Metropolis. ’I can’t image there being many shadows here for us to hide.’ Now that was an usual word. Us. “Do they have a choice?” Selina asked good naturedly to his statement, as at ease as always next to his side, like it was second nature to her. Eyes gazing along the skyline she slid into the limo and crossed one leg over the other, her hair down around her face and looking rather sharp in her black pants and form fitting white blouse. “What a beautiful city.”

Lois Lane: Lois Lane sat at her desk, a pile of papers sitting precariously on the edge next to her right elbow as she typed up an article with almost a robotic like movement and gaze. Technically her shift had ended nearly an hour ago, but she just couldn’t quite get this story how she wanted it and she could have sworn that spell check was broken, again. “That’s not right.” Reaching out, she poked the monitor hard and left a momentary indent as the LCD display gave way to her abuse. “Now there’s an extra letter!” Irritation once again won out with her constant battle with technology and she threw her hands up in the air and sent the papers flying. “Son of a…I need a cigarette.” Reaching up to pinch the bridge of her nose to ease a headache her stomach growled in protest to against her lack of dinner and she sighed. “And a hamburger.” Ignoring the papers as they fluttered to the floor she leaned back in her chair. “And an ax.” She gave a half hearted glare towards her monitor.

Ivy: A man in a delivery uniform stumbles into the Daily Planet news room, his eyes look a bit glassy. He is carrying a large bouquet of roses. "Miss Lane? Lois Lane?" he stumbles into her office tripping over the chair she has for guests in her office. The roses are very large the size Lois' fist, the stems the size of her finger. Their fragrance instantly fills up the room, it is nearly intoxicating. The delivery man hands them to Lois and wanders out, as if lost in a dream. As Lois looks at the roses they almost seem to move. There is a note tied to the bouquet, with dark green lipstick print on the seal.

-Arriving at the Daily Planet, Bruce offered to escort Selina on his arm.- “Be careful what you say…He can over react.” –Bruce went to walk inside where he caught the elevator.- “You’ll know when he shuts down any emotion.” –Bruce was wearing a black suit, with a white shirt and red power tie, the tie made him very outstanding. He looked at Selina and spoke.- “We know where Croc is, but he’s nowhere near Ivy’s trail.” ‘Maybe I should’ve told Selina we’re going out on a limb here…Clark can either help with this investigation or not…Either way, Ivy and Croc are coming back to Gotham with me.’ –The elevator dinged and the faded gold colored doors opened to reveal a room full of computers and desks. Bruce stepped through the doors and looked around the room.-

Catwoman: “Are you telling me not to speak?” Slipping her arm in his she moved with him and amused looked crossing her face at his descriptions of the man they were looking for. “So, when he starts acting like you?” Giving his arm a playful squeeze she looked him over slowly. “Or are you telling me not to flirt?” Listening to him she wondered what exactly he had to go on here. Metropolis was a far cry for Gotham in terms of who decided to lurk on its street corners, and Ivy could be idiotic, but why would she risk going into Superman’s territory? Stepping out of the elevators, Selina breathed deeply then her brows pulled together as she faintly smelled something familiar, her hand tightening on his arm momentarily as she looked around curiously.

Lois Lane: Shifting in her chair she leaned down, sliding the papers across the floor to gather them as she heaved a sigh when she heard her name being called. Looking towards the door, her hair hanging down and bent over at an awkward angle and she blinked once, then twice as the delivery man with the flowers just walked on it. “Whoa, easy there.” Standing up, she let go of the papers and reached out to steady him only to have the flowers pushed into her hands. “Um…” Glancing down at the bouquet with the usually large roses the bumped her nose against one, inhaling. “Wow…that smells…really good.” Sighing softly she sat the roses down on her desk then picked up the card. Brow quirking curiously she flipped it over running her thumb lightly over the lipstick mark, then pressed her fingertips to her temple for a moment. “…maybe I should have eaten sooner.” Shaking her head lightly, Lois brushed her fingertips over the top of the roses then pulled open the envelope to look inside.

Ivy: The strong aroma of the flowers basket about Lois. Sweet and in some way... relaxing. Did all this work needed to be done right now? As Lois' finger brushed over the lipstick mark and touched her temple, she felt a sudden light headedness, her eyes were having trouble focusing a little, the room looked off, like the angles were slanted and the room was shaped funny. But it didn't seem wrong, it seemed nice, like a waking dream. The note read, "Lois, you are such a hard working girl. Please take time to smell the roses. Give Superman my love. Love, Ivy." Looking from the note Lois might notice the flowers on the desk started to move on their own, crawling and slithering across the desk. The roses would reach towards Lois and started to kiss her finger tips.

Batman: His dress shoes clicked against the floor as he began walking back to his office to meet Lois, where he opened the door and spoke. “Lois, Perry wants us to…What the? What’s going on here?” Clark’s gaze examined Lois for a moment and then he turned to look at the flowers crawling across the desk. “What in the devil…” Clark walked towards the plants and reached to grab them in an attempt to hold them down and stop them from moving. The elevator would ding as gold colored doors parted and Bruce Wayne stepped out to see a passing janitor. “Excuse me, I’m Bruce Wayne, I’m looking for Mr. White’s office.” The janitor pointed to the front office. “Down that aisle and towards the big office door. Has his name right on it.” Bruce smiled and nodded. “Thank you…” Bruce would lead Selina down the hallway when his gaze caught sight of Lois & Clark’s office where he stopped to observe the scene as it unfolded.

Catwoman: “How can anyone work in this place.” Assaulted by the ringing of phones and of people Selina’s green eyes gazed around as she moved with Bruce, arm still looped with his. Glancing at him as he said Mr. White she turned her eyes elsewhere, searching for the door and caught sight of a man in glasses heading into another office. “Big guy, for a reporter.” She commented idly then moved along with him once again. As he paused to look into the office she raised up on her toes trying to get a better look herself. “Do you smell that?” It wasn’t a smell she’d be likely to forget any time soon.

Lois Lane: “Ivy…?” The name left her lips as her eyes drifted closed for a moment as things in the room started to change. The light was strange, or was it…because the walls seemed to be bowing in on themselves like she was looking through a convex lens? Not that it mattered, everything felt comfortable, nice even. Hand coming down on the desk to support herself she opened her eyes again with a soft content sigh. Well, whoever it was, she sure did sent nice flowers. A smile on her face, she glanced down at the desk as the card slipped from between her fingers, fluttering to the ground. Spotting the flowers Lois squinted at them then let out an uncharacteristic giggle as she reached out to brush her fingers more firmly as the roses brushed against her finger tips. The entrance of Clark had her eyes turning up to meet his face and giving him a wistful smile. “Aren’t they just so friendly Smallville?”

Poison Ivy: As Clark had walked into their office he saw some of the flowers still crawling across the desk to greet Lois. He could smell the sweet strong aroma of the roses, the scent seemed relaxing somehow, although it didn't affect him the same as Lois who was stroking roses which were kissing her fingertips with their light brushing petals. Several of the roses started to crawl and vine about her fore arms, and if she lifted them up to nose to breathe in their fragrance they would kiss her cheeks, very friendly roses indeed. They didn't even prick her with their thorns being careful. The odd thing about the sentient affectionate roses were that they were never cut, their roots still attached. As the roots touched Lois' skin, they felt like a lover's touch, the lipstick's poison working it's magic enhancing the sensitivity and enjoyment the report got from a simple caress. The roots started painlessly work themselves into Lois' skin, bonding with her, making new connections, sharing nutrients and chemicals back and forth. Such friendly sharing sweet flowers. She felt really good now, so relaxed, and happy, and passionate. She hadn't felt this good in ages. Why did all this newspaper work seem so important and persistent? As Clark grabbed and pulled at the remaining crawling roses they would try to stick them with their thorns, and surprisingly they drew blood! The roses' struggled to get away from Clark, they ruffled their petals at the male reporter, almost like a hissing cat would, they were not happy he was interrupting their fun.

Batman: Clark’s gaze began to grow more intense as the plants became more intrusive to Lois. “Lois!” He shouted in demand for her attention, it was then a rose would attempt to prick him, but it would’ve had no success in puncturing his solid skin fully charged from the suns radiation during the day. “Alright! No more mister nice guy.” Clark reached to grab the plant attaching itself to Lois and would attempt to peel its roots off Lois, if it caused her harm he would stop. If it didn’t, he would proceed to disconnect and pull the plant away from her by force if necessary. Bruce would take the liberty of opening the door and inquire. “Plant trouble? “ Clark would respond briefly. “You could say that.” Bruce would seem unaffected by the aroma of the roses, he could smell them and they were attractive; but their affects did nothing to him, much like they had no effect on Clark Kent.-Bruce would gesture some Selina. – “My associate and I happen to know a few things about plants…If I could barrow you for a moment, she can look after your friend and the plants.” “Now is not a good time.” Was Clark’s grumbling response to Bruce’s suggestion.

Catwoman: As Bruce pushed open the door, Selina would stand on her toes once again, looking over his shoulder. Though her breathing would change, shallow and taking in as little of the aroma as possible she rose both brows. So that was the guy. Somehow…she thought he’d be…bigger. He was taller than Bruce by a few inches but other than that…well, he didn’t exactly -look- Super. Nearly rolling her eyes at Bruce’s question she wondered how exactly a question like that was going to aid them in not saying the wrong thing towards the man Bruce deemed as one who “over reacts”. Then, she looked at the billionaire playboy as he offered her up on a silver platter to be some reporter’s babysitter and Ivy plant watcher. “Are you crazy?” Selina hissed at him. How in the hell could he trust -her- to be around anything of Ivy’s especially after what happened. Some plan he had!

Lois Lane: “Clark!” Lois gave him a wide eyed stare, his blue eyes glazed over in the intoxicated state she was in and tried to look serious then just dissolved into giggles once again. God, she felt nice. The roses crawling up her arms would cause her to just smile as she sat down on the top of the desk swaying back and forth slightly. Watching the roots as they started to burrow into her skin she blinked a few times, something was wrong, wasn’t it? But…who cared. God who cared about any of it. Work, Perry, this silly little office and the computer at her back that always gave her trouble? When Clark grabbed onto the plant on her arm her hand closed over his wrist and she gazed up at him still. So handsome. “Now, Superman…” She said the name in hushed tones, still with that giggle. “You’re not supposed to hurt innocent little flowers.” She shook her head no slowly as she scolded him.

Poison Ivy: The roses caressed Lois as she sat on the desk, they seemed to love her giggle and laid back attitude. Clark was a handsome man, had he always seemed so handsome, so kissable? The urges quickly fading as Clark tugged on the plants attached to Lois, she would feel him grabbing the plants as if he was touching her skin, the tugging feeling like he was pulling her hair out or her limbs apart. The pain searing through her as if the roses had bonded with her nerves, making them feel everything the other felt. The floral scent in the air seemed to grow stronger as the flowers were abused, trying to calm down anyone who was susceptible to their influence.

Batman: Clark would notice the pain he was causing Lois and softness occurred in his eyes, not intending to hurt her. “Help her.” His voice was demanding as his gaze remained on Lois, his left hand held one rose and kept it from slithering away from his grasp. Bruce nodded and took a few steps towards Lois to place a hypospray injection into her neck, she would begin to reject the symptoms of the plant and then he would look to Clark. “Poison Ivy is in Metropolis. I need to find her and bring her back to Gotham.” Clark eyed Bruce and then said. “Poison Ivy’s in Metropolis? Don’t worry…I’ll take her back myself. I owe her a visit. When I find her I’ll bring her to justice.” Clark would squeeze the rose in his hand and crush it causing the water to squirt out of various ends of the plant while damaging the roots of it.

Catwoman: Selina hung back in the doorway, watching the exchange between the three and then looking past them out of the window. How close did Ivy have to be to control the plants? Her fingers drummed against her thigh and she stepped into the office, closing the door behind her to keep out prying eyes. It was bad enough Bruce Wayne was in the building but add on creepy plants on top of that? That was a news story waiting to happen and be splashed all over the front page. Looking at the rose in Clark’s hand she rose a brow and refrained from clearing her throat. Well, maybe he was Superman after all and one had to wonder why in the hell Ivy or whoever was controlling her would risk pissing off the Man of Steel.

Lois Lane: Lois let out a cry of pain, an eye closing in a wince as her hand on his wrist tightened. “O-ow, Clark.” Voice thick with tears she took in a few deep breaths, the scent of the flowers causing her hand to relax on his arm. “Ah…it’s okay. It didn’t hurt that bad.” Her voice started to take on that dreamy state again and then she spotted Bruce. “Bruce Wayne?” Confusion colored her tone and then she jerked a bit as he stuck her, her other hand coming up to shove at him. “Ow, hey!” It was then the dreamy state started to dissipate and her blue eyes began to clear only to look down at her arm then back up at Clark again, sitting up absolutely straight. “…is that plant sticking out of my arm? Clark Kent please don’t tell me that plant is -actually- sticking out of my arm.” Her tone pitched higher in panic. How could she have been okay with that?!

Poison Ivy: The rose crumpled easily in Clark's hand falling to the floor lifeless.

As Lois was innoculated after a moment the flowers to shiver and wilt as they dumped the rest of their chemicals and energy into Lois, doing what they had been created for, their affect and influnce on the woman nullified by agent Batman had put into Lois' bloodstream. Lois' body was rejecting the plants who had grown instantly symbiotic with her and were quickly dying as their nutriants and bond were being destroyed, the roots getting brown and flaking off about the reporter's arm. Ivy's penthouse would be easy to find. Either by the particular scent of her flowers or from the plant choked rooftop garden that used to be a swimming pool and patio. The windows of the penthouse would be steamed over as it had been converted into green house, plants vying for sunlight clogging up the glass. Entire place was filled with plants and ivy everywhere. Especially a kind of vine like cane which was coiling and choking out other plants.

Batman: Clark smiled seeing Lois restored to her usual self. Bruce nudged Selina and whispered. “Take a good look around, you may need to know its layout sooner or later.” Bruce slipped out of the room and turned to Selina. “I guess I don’t need to speak with Perry anymore…We need to set up for Ivy.” Bruce would whisper to Selina. “This should be easier now with him on our side.” It would not be long before Bruce would leave to take Selina back to the hotel where he would prepare to suit up, while Superman was soon found patrolling the skies. Superman’s gaze fell upon Ivy’s rooftop penthouse and he spoke into his communicator. “Superman to Batman. I found her and I’m going in.” Superman would descend onto the rooftop and look around for Ivy. His intense vision would begin to scan through the plants and structure walls for her. Until they finally settled upon her and he would approach her.- “Alright Ivy, give up and I won’t be forced to hurt you or any more of your precious plants.” Superman’s voice was filled with confidence, bravery, and firmness while his eyes remained fixed on Ivy keeping his shoulders and back were straight.-

Catwoman: At Bruce’s nudging and whisper her eyes glanced around the office then back at him curiously then she slipped out of the room after him. “Easy enough.” Speaking back to him in low tones she took another glance around the office and was sure to memorize the floor they were on then moved with him. “Easier? I’d almost wonder if there is anything left for us to do.” Back at the hotel she’d suit up as well then gaze out of the hotel window. “I think we’re wearing the wrong colors for this city. We’re going to stick out like a sore thumb.” Setting on her hand on her black clad hip she’d glance back at the Dark Knight. “Can’t say I’d ever want to live here, but a vacation would be nice.”

Poison Ivy: Ivy was reclining on a chaise lounge topiary, apparently enjoying her little paradise. She smiled as Superman appeared on the rooftop walking towards her The plants seemed to slide in towards him a bit as if watching the caped man. Ivy laughs and grins. "Welcome handsome, I was wondering when you would show up. Did Lois enjoy her flowers?" she teased, quite amused. "Now why would I give up? I'm having too much fun." she got up and caressed some of the cane. Superman would notice he was starting to feel off, weak, achey. "Aren't my babies beautiful? This one is my favorite right now." the cane caressed her back, longingly. "She is a type of dumb cane. Are you familiar with the variety? amazing plants, forms crystals in it's stem. A defense mechansism, keeps herbavores from muching on them. Puncturing their fleshes sensitive lining with the crystals making them swell, blocking airways." she idly gave her lesson lazily. "But his one's special. Did you know that the crystal's can be formed out of any kind of mineral that saturates them?" she flipped a switch against an ivy colored wall and the lights went out. The cane was glowing an eerie green. "Even Kryptonite." she grinned. The plants started to move and grab at superman.

Batman: -Batman’s grip held tight to either side of the yellow belt and forced its ends to meet forcing a gentle click of the latches. His expression was blank, allowing his personality to emerge, summoned forth by theatricality and duality in his personality. Batman turned his attention to see Catwoman looking out the window, at which point Batman would speak softly.- “I prefer Tokyo, personally.” –Batman’s gaze settled upon Catwoman staring out at the brilliance of Metropolis’ as the sun shrunk and the city lights suddenly took over to glorify the city in defiance of the night. ‘I can’t help what I feel for her, after all I’ve been through…This has to be strictly professional.’ –Batman raised his hand as if ready to touch Selina’s shoulder but, he was lured away by Superman’s voice. He quickly tapped his ear and spoke. “Got it, on our way…”“Superman has found Ivy.” –Batman approached the balcony and raised his line launcher above himself while offering an arm for Catwoman to hitch a ride.

Superman began to feel himself dazed as he approached Ivy. He began to stumble, but kept himself still standing tall.-“Nice story, but you’re through, Doctor.” Superman could feel his resistance fading and eventually fell to the ground just before reaching Ivy’s chair. He closed his eyes and began attempting to maintain his strength. “Why are you here, Ivy?”

Catwoman: At the sound of his voice her head lifted a bit, dark hair slipping over her shoulders and settling against the back, the “ears” on top of her head becoming more prominent as she did so and let a smile pass over the lips. Choosing to say nothing for once, she shifted her gaze to watching the man in the reflection behind her. For a woman who loved games, who didn’t mind complications she imagined what it would be like without them, at least for a moment. Seeing his hand come up then watching him turn to move away she said nothing still and then she followed him out as he spoke to Superman. “That took no time at all.” She smirked as she stepped up against his body, slender arm wrapping around his neck. “Maybe we could take a vacation after all?” The woman would tease him as she simply snuggled in to be pulled along for the ride.

Poison Ivy:Ivy grinned and stood up, as Superman fell to his knees, slinking her way over to Superman, her hips swaying, her hair draped about her shoulders. She bent down and pressed her green cheek against his own. her breath warm against his ear. "Because I want you... I want you for my own..." she drew back and held superman's cheeks, caressing them with her nails, teasing. She leaned in and kissed superman's lips passionatly, the taste of her poison and drugs on her lips, her pheromones filling the air between them.

Batman: -Superman cringed in pain despite Poison Ivy’s control, the Kryptonite was still afflicting pain, its radiation was even damaging the plants around her when the harmful crystals were exposed. Her kiss made things seem suddenly durable, acceptable to happen. He felt himself falling weightless, while his head suddenly lowered before Ivy in submission.

Batman and Catwoman would arrive only minutes later, where they arrived at the rooftop across from Ivy’s penthouse.- “Subtle, Ivy…If there isn’t one thing that can be said, it’s that she’s consistent with her choice of hideouts.” –Batman stated in a chastising manner of Poison Ivy, despite her absence. Batman armed his grappling hook and shot it towards the penthouse rooftop and would swing with Catwoman to climb up rest of the way. They would land in the gardens surrounded by plants, where Batman would look around skeptically of the area. “No one home or the fights already over.” ‘Clark hasn’t checked in…I don’t have to tell Selina that something is wrong…A detective follows evidence…a cat follows instinct.’

Catwoman: “Are you really surprised?” Gazing around she rolled her eyes. “This plant mess is up high at least, which only adds to the idea that Red wanted to be found. Wouldn’t you think?” It was more of a statement than a question and once they were on the rooftop Catwoman slipped from his grip, tapping her claws on her thighs as she walked a few steps away from him, her ears straining for any noise. “Do you get the feeling of “Calm before the storm?” Turning on her heel she slipped her fingers up over her whip and looked towards Batman. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end at the silence that met them; she could have sworn that when the Man of Steel was fighting, things got destroyed, never was it quiet.

Poison Ivy: Ivy frowned as the exposed crystals were starting to damage the plants about her, but as she watched Sumperman lower his head to her. She waved a hand and the crystals were engulfed by the plants that created them, sheilding them and the plants about them from the harmful kryptonite. she carressed his chin making him look up. "Mm, you are my lover now Superman." she said caressing one cheek and and ocvering the other in kisses. "You want to protect me don't you? to protect the plants on this world who are poisoned daily by humans?" she looked up her plants sensing something. "Prove to me your love, your devotion. Kill the Batman and I will show you my gratitude." she grinned a sultry purr to her voice. Her words sounded like honey, like the only thing that mattered. His feelings for batman seemed small for the aching craving he felt for her, for her approval, her praise. "He is here with his little kitty, go get him." she grinned.

Batman: -Ivy was still human in some carnation; she had a form of connection to the Red, the tiny mammal hairs on her arms and legs would begin to feel a gently breeze over them and at the same time there was no wind blowing. Superman’s cape began to flap to his left as his concentration was diverted between hearing Batman and Catwoman and fighting Poison Ivy’s control. Superman’s eyes opened to look at Ivy and in that moment sapphire crystals turned into brilliant rubies. In an instant he flew off allowing Ivy to see a red and blue blur speeding into the bushes. Batman would lift his head and say.- “I…” And in an instant Batman was crashing through plants as Superman tackled and slammed Batman through the edge of the penthouse forcing Batman to fall from the large building.

Batman’s armor tightened around him, compressed from all sides from the pressure applied to his body by Superman. Batman fell towards the ground while Superman hovered above the city staring down with his eyes burning with fire. Ivy’s lip stick perfectly traced about his cheeks. Batman fell and tapped his wrist console. “Batman, Type-01, launch.” “Authorization granted.” –Batman’s arms opened and his body began to slow down while his cape flew open allowing him to land on the building him and Catwoman were just previously on. Batman rolled across the rooftop and grunted feeling the soreness in his chest.-



‘I don’t know what it is I am feeling right now, urges of a primal instinct forgotten by my people surrounds me like a whirlpool. Trapped between cyclones of finely weaved vines, for all my strength and wisdom, I cannot break out of this rift. Bruce, you have crossed the line by going after her. Jealously overcomes my usual thinking. It’s the kryponite in Poison Ivy’s lipstick. The radiation created by her plants. I fight with all of my strength, but I can’t stop thinking of Bruce’s hands on HER!’ Superman glared down at Batman and shouted “ARGH!!!” blades of amaranth surge from once blue corals stretching into infinity to vaporize a once loyal comrade, now an indistinguishable foe, into oblivion.

He realizes that he has less than a second to react. His mortality hangs by threads and though his trauma and headache, he somehow finds himself taking a suicidal dive. ‘Marker 1.’ He falls limp, his figure lifeless towards the solid concrete pool beneath him. Gravity holds onto his shoulders guiding him and yet his brother, his comrade, still seeks to kill him. The helmet chirps. It’s the sign of good news given the circumstances. Blades of Amaranth shatter through steel and glass, vaporizing dry wall and plastic objects in its wake. Its strength powerful enough that it shatters a hole through the street, though reckless in appearance, the beam is clear of any innocents.

‘An aerial vehicle dives towards Superman, his attention so focused on killing me that he has somewhere between 5 and 2 seconds to react. For all intense purposes, that’s 5 minutes he has to decide what he wants to do. ’ “Selina, I need you…Now.”

An explosion erupted and a black pod shoots out of the hind section of the plane smashing down onto the street beneath the caped crusader. His cape opens and he shoots grappling line to slow his descent with a mild tug on his line he lands perfectly. The pod opens immediately and Batman slams his fists into open slots ripping them out of the pod. Simultaneously a floor plate and cranium device lowers a helmet and new boots to Batman’s outfit rendering him larger and bulky. A chest piece attaches next, just in time for the remains of the Batbomber to smash down five feet from him. Stumbling backwards Batman would find himself suddenly lifted off the ground and held up by his chest with a single arm from Superman. “Shields.” Growl from the lips of Batman and the armor transforms before the kryptonian encasing Batman in a suit of Diamond-Titanium armor.

‘This armor could be torn to pieces by him if I didn’t anticipate how strong he really is. I relish a moment of achievement when a force field erects and repels *him* faster than a speeding bullet, throwing him into the back of a transportation bus crushing its hind section, its passengers have long abandoned it, once again we’re lucky.’

The Dark Knight jumped into the crater leading into the sewers where Superman immediately followed. “Do you think a force field will stop me?” Superman’s punch slammed into Batman’s helmet igniting a cascade of green and blue electrodes light up a dark maintenance tunnel like fireworks on July 4th. The armor and body hold and only knocked backwards as though the punches were of equal potency. A metal and armored fist right hooks and smashes the side of Superman’s face, but an additional affect sparks as 50,000 volts surge through Superman causing him to scream in pain. He doesn’t expect it to hurt as much as it does, but the caped crusader doesn’t let go. The quilt of friendship weaved in patterns of achievement created from the fundamental elements of truth, honesty, sacrifice, and hope.

The metal of truth, tested only by the facts of reality and science. Honesty is trialed by bravery and wisdom and the respect for both. Sacrifice is marked with countless moments of waiting for the other, canceling delicate plans of infiltrating a corrupt ring of drug dealers, postponing that romantic getaway from work to wait patiently till that stroke of midnight to piece together a case. Hope…how is hope measured? Hope cannot be measured. You cannot touch its intangibility. You cannot predict when it will start, or when it will end. You can only *hope* that it exists. And you can only *hope* that your quilt will shelter you through the good times and the hard times.

He considers for a moment, perhaps some of that hope has rubbed off from Superman onto himself. ‘I don’t use kryptonite; his system is battling enough of it with the poisoning Ivy has given him. I use more…conventional methods.’ An upper cut right his right hand lands square on Superman’s chin thrashing the Man of Steel backwards. A left hook smashed across Superman’s right cheek, sparking another electrical surge. The stunned Man of Steel fell to his knees wiping his face, attempting to recollect the pain. Batman continued tapping his wrist console and set off an ultrasonic sound wave that caused Superman to scream.

Superman growled “Stop it!” Batman snarled in retaliation and defiance “No!” Amaranth blades shot from Superman’s vein surging face, muscles of his avatar tensing as every logical fiber of his being held him back from obliterating the oxygen within the shaft. The cloak of Batman would swipe at Superman with practiced precision temporarily blinding Superman of a smoke bomb that was dropped. An explosion of black and yellow erupt, but the blast did not stop Superman’s heat vision from surgically dicing a line through Batman’s cape. Bringing his vision to a halt he searched the blackness attempting to find Batman but, it was impossible. His telescopic and X-ray vision were blinded by the thick layers of black smoke.

A dark figure merged from the smoke causing Superman’s once tense face to prop in surprise as Batman’s sudden charge. “You don’t understand. I love her!” Superman pleaded before Batman’s fist smashed into Superman’s face throwing the Man of Steel backwards once more causing the concrete wall behind him to crackle into a void of hardened chalk and concrete missing unraveling dirt and rock. “This isn’t love, this is slavery, Superman!” Batman’s fists smashed five times in a brutal beat down into Superman’s chest and face. A sixth strike came towards Superman’s face until it was halted in mid swing by a flat palm. Those opals of amaranth lit up towards Batman while the pressure of 4 tons began to break apart his glove. “Whatever it is…I won’t let you take her from me.” Superman dropped his arm to his side shedding the layers of the Bat Battle Armor like a sheet of paper from Batman’s arm exposing the arm of the batsuit.

Hands gripping on either side of Batman’s torso shred through the chest piece like a child ripping open a birthday present with eagerness. The symbol of a bat upon his chest revealed. ‘The Bat battle armor was designed as a counter defense to some of my most dangerous and physically threatening opponents. Sub systems intended for battling the likes of Darkseid’s minions. The only thing capable of tearing this suit to pieces isn’t even from this planet.’ “Eject.” Batman’s armor fell off of himself unfolding and demounting into piles of metal pieces as the Dark Knight kicked his body away from Superman. Into the black smoke Superman stared still unable to see through the layers and traces of lead. Batman aimed his grappling hook towards a manhole and fired it.

Screaming from the ultrasonic sound rang through his head creating a splitting headache, his hands crushed the metal gloves smashing the deafening sound and allowing him to hear the squealing of Batman’s grappling hook reeling towards the surface. Batman climbed out of the sewer and crawled towards the Daily planets front steps when an eruption of concrete and asphalt flew from the ground behind Batman.

Catwoman: Catwoman’s emerald gaze met Batman’s blue ones, he parted his lips to speak and in the next breath he was gone. Her hair blew around her face, tangling against her mask at the rush of wind that followed caused by Superman’s body and cape and the horrible noise of armor crashing through wall turned her attention to the side where he was taken. “Batman!” The cry of surprise had her eyes widening and had her sprinting forward to look down below. She held a breath she didn’t realize she was holding as she watched him fall, and then as he landed and she let it out in a quick exhale. A flash of red caught her attention and she turned her gaze up towards Superman. “What in the hell is wrong with you!” Selina snarled up at him, breathing hard as her heart beat hard in her chest. What in the hell was going on? Was he being controlled? But the plants had no effect on him. In the next moment the Man of Steel was nothing but a blur as he seemed to blink from existence, going after Batman. -

‘Remember the layout.’ She heard Bruce’s voice in her head and unwrapped her whip from around her waist, preparing to leap from the building. “Nothing like knowing a prime weakness to a man made of steel.”-e-

Villainess: As Selina was watching the enfolding scene of Superman taking on Batman, whisking him away and hunting him down. The flower boxes surrounding the ledge of the penthouse seemed to flourish. Not growing taller or larger or anything like that, but new bud after new bud started to appear on the densly populated flowerbed of poppies. As the kitty unsrapped her whip and was getting ready to leap the poppies bloomed at once. Hundreds of blooms releasing a waft of pollen, phermones, and opiates. It was enough to make anyone take a step back or at least be distracted by the sudden sensations of pleasure and drug induced high as the kitty's vision burst with colors. A voice could be heard behind selina's ear, purring into it, her breathe surprsingly cool. "Does the kitty not have time to play? I'm much better than any catnip the bat is willing to give you..." another set of poppies burst their potent perfume, surrounding her in vibrant colored haze. Tender fingers caressed selina's throat. (d)

Catwoman: Her attention was brought downward quickly as the poppies began to bloom in front of her, making her take a few steps back, her hand gripping the handle of the whip tighter as it slipped free from her slender waist. ‘Shit.’ Holding her breath quickly she shook her head lightly, not having quite caught it in time as different colors began to distort the area around her, reaching up she flipped her goggles down over her eyes, to use them to afford her some protection. ‘Have to get out of here.’ The thought was interrupted as her back straightened, feeling the cool breath against her ear. As the fingers caressed her throat Catwoman tipped her head back a bit as her muscles tensed. Her lungs were starting to burn. “No,” Letting out a bit of air in a soft growling noise she shifted around, trying to slam her elbow into the temple of Ivy as she spun around, the red hair of the other seeming to nearly glow. “I don’t have time to play with you.” -e-

Villainess: A bud as big as selina's fist had been resting beside it's mother's head. As Catwoman swirled about her elbow met the rose and it burst into an exploding blossom it's petals seemed to float about the two like a bad kung fu movie, moving in slow motion, twinkling like diamonds as they flittered. Ivy slid back in a fluid motion, only above her flared hips could she be seen. all else lost in a writhing kalidescope of shades of green. Her Red hair glowing about her like a neon carnation, almost seeming to writhe like her crimson locks were also alive. "Careful... you almost hit me kitty." She faux pouted. "It's too bad you have no time for me... We were going to have so much fun girl time together... gossiping, sharing secrets, truth or dare, and don't forget about make overs." she grinned, vines about her legs slithering out like the tendrals of a squid, rushing out to try and wrap about the kitty's limbs and sink into her thorns laced with fertile chloroplastic emzynes.

Catwoman: The flower was much softer than the face of Ivy, and as the petals fell about them she couldn’t help but to suck in a deep breath. Head beginning to swim Catwoman held a hand out to her side, whip still hanging from it and bent her knees to keep her balance. Everything was too bright, and she felt far too relaxed for the situation. Left hand moving behind her back her fingers closed around one of the three explosives there. “Make overs hm?” The pin was pulled on the explosive and she took a few steps back as the vines slithered closer, and giggled. “Let’s go with that first.” Her hand came out, lobbing the grenade into the green house where Ivy’s precious plants were. “Hope you don’t mind if I clear us a space.”

Villainess: The red head's eyes opened wide as she saw something get flung a hand coming up and making a gesture flinging her nails upward as her head turned to watch the gernade. A wall of twining vines sprounted behind Selina to block her, the greens vibrant and bright like sunshine through a stained glass window. "Babies!" she cried out, reaching with her other hand as the bomb shattered a window and went off, the scorching fire burning the plants as the green house crumbled. She turned around no longer smiling "I'm sorry... but I forgot how kitty's treat flower beds as their own litter boxes... Let me take care of these other party poppers for you..." she said, her smile returning coming closer, her phermones almost palatable in the air. She made a gesture with two of her fingers. Regardless of which way selina might run, twining vines reached in from the wall of garland and vines, to try and pluck away the other two gernades.

Catwoman: The explosion made her ears ring and as the vines were coming up behind her Selina was already sprinting towards Ivy, her whip wrapping up around her own shoulders and neck with a flick of her wrist. By the time Ivy turned to face her, Catwoman’s fist was half way through a brutal right cross, aimed to slam her glove covered knuckles against Ivy’s cheekbone. The movement wasn’t slowed by the bright colors and desirable feelings, but she was throwing her entire weight behind the punch in hopes that it would stun the redheaded woman enough to escape.

Villainess: Ivy turned to see a leather covered fist come to crush her cheek, the strong blow sending her realing backward as vine from every direction lashed out to catch their mistress. Vines to grapple and surround every curve of her, catching her as her mind realled as bursts of stars lingered on her sight. The vines distracted for a heavy pause as they lifted Ivy off her feet supsended in a webbing of vines and greenery. "Kitty..." she nearly growled and purred at the same time. "Don't you know I love it when you play rough...?"

Catwoman: The feel of her fist hitting its mark was a small consolation for the angry woman as she slid to a stop and changed directions, running into the half destroyed apartment where the vines in there would no doubt be destroyed. Catwoman didn’t stop as she jumped over debris, far less gracefully than she normally would as she struggled to grasp the reality of the situation through the haze of toxins she was being forced to inhale. “Focus.” The woman demanded of herself as she tripped, catching herself and then saw her escape. A window not covered by vines would have been her best bet, and thanks to her grenade she found one. Not caring if she would even have anything to snap her whip onto Catwoman made the lunge for the window, tucking in her arms and legs as she made the crash towards freedom and away from the plant loving pain in the ass.

Villainess: As Selina ran and jumped, stumbling from the wonderful sensual pleasure the haze of toxins and opiates, made selina's legs feel rubbery, her trip hardly painful at all. The ivy and vines about the redhead started to crawl and move like the limbs of a giant spider pulling their mother across the remains of the aparment, swiftly through the scorched floor, roots scrambling into the little cracks from the gernades precussions, worming into them, finding foot holds. Vines shooting into the ceiling and walls about the dodging kitty, making Ivy drift through the room on a river of stems, flowing in fast persuit of the running kitty. As selina dove through the window, it shattering, the sharp glass feeelign like paper cuts to the drugged kitty. Ivy coming after her arms out to catch her, as the weight and force of the vining and rooting plants took their toll on the apartment, the floor and walls shatering and crumbling about them as Ivy tried one last grabbing catch of Selina. (c)

The vines suddenly going taunt making Ivy freeze in her tracks, the vines not letting her go as they were all starting to be pulled down into the now yawning apartment below the penthouse.

Catwoman: The feel of a burst of fresh air hitting her face made Catwoman suck in a sharp breath and as nice as it felt in her lungs, each cut through her suit burned as using her momentum she turned to face the window as she fell. Eyes widening to see a vine held Ivy reaching out for her. Putting a hand up, the black clad woman folded all of her fingers down on her left hand minus one, flipping her the bird as her right hand grabbed her whip. “Bitch.” Catwoman’s voice was lost in the wind as she turned to face the ground, snapping her whip out to grab onto a streetlight and braced herself. The leather snapped around the pole and Catwoman felt her arm pull painfully as it caught her weight, swinging her forward and instead of sticking the landing as the whip went loose she landed then rolled onto the concrete of the road, cars honking and screeching to a stop. “…I hate Metropolis…” -

Pushing herself up shakily the woman did the only thing she could think of to get to the Daily Planet, and hailed a cab.

Villainess: For the first time Ivy's expression showed a sense of loss as she saw selina's gesture, more so than from when her precious plants were burned by the gernade. The vines about her seemed to curl and shrivel as if too close to a flame, as the vines and darkness of the lower apartment seemed to swallow the botanical vixen in it's oblivion, gone. Gone as her quarry got away. (d)

Superman’s gaze glared at Batman. “You can’t hide from me!” Batman leapt without thinking, flipping over a parked car as amaranth blades sliced through the vehicle like a saw through wood. Intense heat caused a hot glow of yellow and red from the edges of the cut. Black powder seared the concrete and streets as the beams ravaged everything in its path. Slipping his capsule from his belt his glove tossed a blue grenade at Superman as the grenade came close, Superman reacted and shot the grenade with his vision caused an explosion of cryogenic frost. Superman grunted and covered his eyes as a burning sensation fell upon his eyes from the collision of fire and ice. “Selina.” Batman growled tapping the side of his helmet to speak to her. His words hoping to find out what her progress was currently at.

Catwoman: Shoving up her goggles Catwoman rubbed at her eyes as she tried to clear her vision shaking her head a bit. As Batman’s voice reached her ear she let out a grunt as a sharp elbow landed against her side. “Oof. Sorry, there was traffic.” The woman answered him, her voice a bit strange as she worked to control herself squinting a bit as she looked down off of the roof at the street below. “What in the hell is this?!” Lois’ voice shouted, making her earpiece squeal sharply and Catwoman tipped her head away, a hand holding onto her whip which was wrapped securely around the slender form of one pissed off Lois Lane. “I’ve got you a pretty present, kind of mouthy though.” On the line there was another thump and Selina let out a hiss of pain. “Are you done playing with your friend now?” Grip tightening Selina shoved Lois up onto the ledge of the building.

“It’s now or never. Just-…” A car Batman was hiding behind would lift into the air as Superman’s burning eyes flared at Batman. “Its over. You will not take away my love.” Batman’s eyes narrowed and glared at Superman. “Your right. I’ll leave that for you to decide.” Batman pointed towards the edge where Catwoman and Lois Lane were at. Superman’s eyes changed to a coral color. “Lois…” he whispered. Batman stared at Superman for a moment. ‘Come on…make the right decision…’Superman would drop the car beneath himself and then fly up in front of Catwoman. “Give her to me. Now. You can tell Batman where Poison Ivy is.” Superman held his arms out for Lois.

Catwoman: Catwoman watched them, hanging Lois over the edge of the rooftop, whispering something softly under her breath. Lois glared at Catwoman then turned her eyes down at the streets below as well her breath catching. “Is that?” “Your crazy boyfriend? We’ll go with that.” Letting go of the whip a bit Lois let out a soft cry of surprise and as Superman came up Catwoman watched him, his suit much too bright for her to stare directly at. “Superman…?” Lois watched him, then as the whip was loosened she fell into his arms, Selina letting out a held breath as she reached up to rub her arm; her muscles felt like jelly and there was no way she could have done a damn thing to escape an enraged Kryptonian. “She’s all yours.” Slipping away Selina headed back down to ground level and walked out slowly to Batman, heels clicking sharply as each step was heavy with purpose to keep her from wobbling. “You look surprisingly well.”-

Lois wrapped her arms around Superman’s neck, looking at him with concern. “You going to tell me just what in the hell is going on?" -e-

Batman stood up and adjusted his cape looking at Catwoman. “I need to find out who’s behind this.” Batman adjusted his cape around himself and looked towards the rooftops squinting his eyes to focus on Superman and Lois Lane in the sky for only a moment. “Lets go find Ivy.” In a few moments Batman, Catwoman, Superman, and Lois Lane would gather on the roof top. After explaining the situation Superman searched with his hearing. “I don’t think Poison Ivy is still in Metropolis.

[Batman (Bruce Wayne)]

Hush Part 4 - "I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self."

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcDsBVZvRDM - Complimentary music for the party

Gotham City…February 19th, 2013…The music rang throughout the halls of Wayne Manor. The Ballroom filled with groups of people, pairs of ladies and gentlemen danced in the center of the room, as the band took to the stage and performed with gold and silver instruments. A wooden dance floor with maroon and tan shaded walls crafted an elegant and formal environment for the room. A second tier balcony surrounding the ballroom from above allowed guests to circle and observe the scene below from a distance above. A banner hung above the stage “Happy Birthday Bruce!” A large cake stood upon a table, square in design with a servant prepared to cut slices. Catering services ushered about the room to give service of dinner or desert to those who desired such.

Bruce Wayne stood before a mirror in his bedroom, pulling each side of his bowtie to finish the final touch of his outfit. He opened the door to his bedroom and stepped out into a warm hallway that echoed with chatter and some laughter from the guests. Bruce stopped as he was greeted by his secretary, Anna Williams. “You look handsome, Bruce.” Bruce nodded and slipped his arm to her waist and lower back while continuing to walk down the hall. “Thank you, Anna. Did everyone get my invitation?” Anna began to list names - “Thomas Elliot, Doctor Leslie Thompson, Helena Bertinelli, Lucius Fox, Chris Nolan, Derek Powers, Barbara and Jim Gordon, which reminds me, Jim said he won’t be able to attend. Mayor Garcia couldn’t confirm whether or not he was going to show up either…”

Bruce smiled and gave Anna a pat on the shoulder. “Thank you, Could you check on the kids for me? I had Alfred get Cass and Tim something nice to wear for tonight.” Anna folded her hands together and nodded. “On it, Bruce.” Bruce continued to walk towards the room full of guests and immediately began shaking hands with strangers and friends ‘I shouldn’t be at this party right now…I should be trying to figure out who is trying to kill me. This past month, Mad Hatter held his hostage in the middle of the park, someone hired Killer Croc to kidnap a millionaires son. Selina stole the ransom money while being manipulated by Poison Ivy…It was after that Selina and I………..’ Bruce grinned seeing Lucius Fox. “Mr. Wayne. “ “Lucius, thank you for coming.” -Bruce continued to move on and shake more hands and hug various women.

‘…We went to metropolis and found Poison Ivy had taken control of Superman, attempting to turn him against me and the entire world…If it weren’t for Selina…I would be dead and probably a guilt trip in Clark’s mind. Who is trying to kill me? Someone is orchestrating a plot to kill me, but they’re either toying with me or they’ve failed in every attempt thus far.’ Those blue eyes searched the crowd for any sign of Selina among them.

Meanwhile in the back gardens of the mansion masked men wearing clown masks armed machine guns as a feminine voice whispered. “Okay, we don’t make a move til’ the Rid-La gives tha’ cue.” Upon the balcony a man dressed in a dark green business suit chuckled politely. “A suit of highly functional parts and complex interconnecting biomatrix aren’t impossible. Though we all would see more suits such as if Wayne Enterprises conceived of ingenious designs from someone like me. And a far superior name than Iron Ma-…Oh, excuse me…” He grinned towards the guests he was talking to. “I think I see Stan Lee.” Edward tapped a person on the bicep and slipped off to the edge of the balcony to look down at Bruce Wayne. “Hey diddle diddle…” He mumbled to himself before tapping his watch. “We’re just waiting for the right time…”

Catwoman: She stood near the center of the room wearing a form fitting black dress that plunged down the front, her left arm wrapped around her waist and her right hand holding a delicate flute of champagne with a line of pearls resting gracefully against her slender wrist. Jade eyes watched the man in front of her as he spoke, dark bangs threatening to hang in her face and her short cropped hair tucked stylishly behind her ears and she looked absolutely interested in him. “Mm…” A smile, a laugh left her as she reached out and touched her fingers to the lapels of his jacket, to skim there in her own flirting way as he laughed as well, clearly full of himself. The ticket to his car was taken as simply as that, easy and for sport and because the woman was nearly bored to tears with him but she was blending. ‘Why is he not taking this seriously?’ The very close call with Metropolis’ Man of Steel was something that the Feline Fatale wasn’t likely to forget any time soon. And Ivy. -

Catwoman: The fire that burned in her eyes for a moment would have gone unnoticed to the man in front of her as she parted her fingers and let the ticket for his car flutter away under the footsteps of those moving around them. ‘A fancy party in the middle of all of this.’ When she heard someone whisper his name excitedly Selina tipped her head away from her uninteresting and current escort to finger the blue-eyed billionaire who always did look damn good in a suit not made for taking a hail of bullets.-

Huntress: Helena walked into the familiar home with her heart already hammering against her ribcage uncomfortable. Long dark hair, a bit wild was left untouched as if to help her hide and the strapless dress in a light blue hugged her curves and rested just above the floor. All around her were the rich, the influential but she wasn’t the least bit concerned with any of that. Blue eyes, the same color as the man who trained her, who raised her roamed around the room with hardened resolve. He made it to 33 years of age, that was doing good she figured, but it didn’t ease the anxiety that still tugged at her from the night that he was taken out of commission. The bruises and cuts on her body had faded by now, but she could still feel his hand in hers, she could still feel that ice cold ball in her stomach as she had driven to the cave, as she had helped Tim and Alfred get his armor off, get him to the hospital. And then…? -

Huntress: He had been released, something had happened in Metropolis and she had avoided this house, his “family” like the plague. Too much was at stake inside of her, too many emotions threatened her but the invitation had come and she had fought with herself until she had picked out a dress and found herself standing on the outskirts of the crowd. If she could see him with her own eyes, perhaps it would ease her, perhaps she would be able to let go of that stale fear brought on from her childhood from another life. So she grabbed a flute of champagne and downed it, damn her age, and hid in the crowed as Bruce Wayne made his appearance.-

Kate Kane: Putting your family first had its merits and its flaws. Being at your cousin's birthday party with the rest of Gotham ranked a flaw in Kate's book. She had been sure there was something sinister going down in the streets of Gotham tonight. This wasn't a hunch or clairvoyance. This was Gotham. So something wicked was coming this way and again she had to be her old happy-go-lucky self and smile to the camera as if she knew nothing. And again, she had donned the tiny black and smiled to bad jokes and pretended to drink at the toasts of her fellow Gothamites.

Kate Kane: A red bob framed the pale white face from which restless green eyes scanned the ballroom. Kate had moved herself from one group of party goers to the other, always refilling her champagne glass with water when she had the chance, pretending, however, she was still drinking alcohol like the rest. She needed to stay sober; she needed to stay vigilant. Again, this was Gotham, so something telling her her services would yet be needed wasn't anything out of the ordinary. Just plain common sense. Family duty made her approach her cousin. Bruce and her hardly talked and hardly met. His busy schedule and her... night time arrangements didn't make it easy for them to meet at all. Except for birthday's, christmas and hannukah.

Kate Kane: Her heels clicked on the polished marble floor as she approached Bruce Wayne with that well exercised Gotham socialize smirk that indicated enthusiasm and boredom alike. Her champagne glass in the right hand, silver bracelets jingling as she spread her arms, she offered a welcoming "Let me just give you my wishes before you're swept away by those of the rest of the city!"

It was by the marble stone wall that Bruce was speaking to a fellow philanthropist when his eyes were swept away by the sight of Katherine, a sudden wash of guilt struck him. ‘Kathy. I don’t-…did Alfred invite her?’ Bruce grinned mixed genuine and surprise. “Kate, I-…It’s good to see you.” -He offered to give her a hug. ‘Kathy and I…well, we haven’t been as close since mom and dad died…I barely remember spending any time with her…I spent so much time with Tommy and Rachel…Alfred always told me she and her sisters were always busy with their own family events…When I grew older and came back to Gotham I made a promise to myself to invite them to every holiday party and event opportunity I could to make up for lost times. Another promise I failed to keep.’

He stepped back and looked over her outfit. “You look beautiful, Kate.” ‘I feel a little guilt hiding my secrets and my knowledge from her…but its better this way. I don't need my enemies to be hers’ It was at this point Bruce’s eyes shifted to Selina holding a bottle of champagne, which was odd to say the least. “I’m sorry for not letting you know I was alright, after the car crash and everything…I…I just want you to know that it’s great to have such a great family…” Bruce smiled genuinely at her before looking around the crowd. “Excuse me! Everyone! Excuse me!” -the music began to quiet down as attention drifted towards Bruce. “Everyone I just want to say…Public announcement for everyone. I’m sorry I’m not one for facebook or twitter but…I’m grateful you’re all truly here and I will probably say this many more times tonight.”

“I am truly truly truly truly grateful to have all of you as my family and friends. After the car crash, I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my old friend Tommy. Without the support of Alfred, Helena, Tim, Cassandra, I just don’t think I would be here…So if we could have a ‘round of applause for *family* and for *friends* I think that’s what I’d like for tonight to be remembered as.” Bruce began clapping while looking at Kate, soon all spectators began clapping. Bruce’s gaze shifted from Kate to Selina. “Kate, I’m going to talk to uh-um…er…you know…” Bruce slipped away through the crowd towards Selina, or the beautiful woman in the black dress with the revealing cut down the center; as Kate would probably know her as. Bruce would smile looking over Selina’s face. “I’m glad you came. I didn’t expect you to be here.”

Catwoman: She watched with interested eyes as the redheaded woman headed up to meet Bruce and the look in the man’s face showed emotions she wasn’t used to seeing herself. Turning away from the man who had been talking her ear off she gave him a polite “excuse me” and headed a few steps away from him to get a better look at Kate. Taking a sip from her flute she studied the movements of the two since she couldn’t hear their words and thought for a moment that she was familiar then waved it aside. Reaching out to set her glass down on a passing tray the dark haired woman kept her eyes on Bruce as he quieted the crowd and smiled appropriately at the social media comment. Helena? There was that name again and she tipped her head around to glance around the crowd before looking back at Bruce. What was it about Helena Bertinelli that Bruce was so interested in? -

Catwoman: As far as she knew, the wild Huntress had been someone that Bruce was against, and then suddenly she was a friend, still as wild or so it seemed to Selina, but to call her family? The frown pulled down the corner of her lips and she put her hands together slowly in a clap with the rest of the crowd as Bruce looked her way then headed down to see her. The smile she gave was easy going, but somehow had a demanding light for explanation behind her gaze and as he stood in front of her she leaned forward and planted her red painted lips against the corner of his mouth in a brief kiss. “Happy birthday, Bruce.” She purred out the words to him and ignored the spectators. “Thanking your family in the middle of a crowded room for your survival? Should I be concerned that you’ve been told you only have a week to live?”

Huntress: The redhead wasn’t familiar and that was okay with Helena as she didn’t exactly feel the need to keep up with her not-dad’s latest romance and she skirted along the wall slowly, staying out of the crowd but where she could keep an eye on things. At the start of Bruce’s speech she paused, her eyes coming to rest back on him and then she felt her heart skip in her chest. Her name was spoken and her cheeks pinked ever so slightly in surprise, in embarrassment as she was listed right along with Tim and Cassandra, with Alfred of all people and her eyes stung momentarily. Turning her gaze upwards to the lights above them to hold back emotions she cleared her throat before smoothing down her dress. A thank you from him? It wasn’t from Batman but… Her attention was grabbed now by a form that was far more familiar than anyone else’s, that of Selina Kyle. She was stunning, young and vibrant and clearly her eyes were on Bruce. “Even across worlds there’s still an attraction isn’t there?” -

Huntress: They weren’t her parents but damn it if it didn’t tug at her heart strings to see Bruce cross to her, to see Selina lean in towards him and then she looked down, embarrassed all over again. ‘Gross.’ Fondly her mind said that singular word about her not-parents sharing any sort of affection.

Kate Kane: Bruce had been distant before. Cryptic even. Like he was disengaged from the here and now. And tonight, his birthday, made that even more apparent. "Sure thing!" Kate said with a perfect smile but behin that facade she began to wonder. She let him walk away, of course and as he'd briefly stop and turn back to compliment her, she'd smile and raise her glass. Then, his eyes suddenly went into an unexpected direction. Doing her best to mask it, Kate followed his gaze and her eyes fell onto that beauty dressed in black.

Kate Kane: Was she the reason for his nervousness? Hardly. She didn't know Bruce all that well but she knew him well enough to know that a woman wouldn't throw him off balance. At least not that easily. Ergo, the had to be more to her than just her looks. Or a lot less to her cousin than she would like to believe. For the moment there was nothing she could do. Following him now would raise questions. And she wasn't one for answer questions, not as far as she was concerned herself. Thus, she mingled again, all the while trying to keep and eye on Bruce.

Kate Kane: And then he kissed her. They already knew each other. Not even Bruce could work that fast! Or could he? Kate was willing to make the bet on he couldn't but that didn't prove or mean anything. Her hunches had been right, something was up. And then again, this was Gotham. As she flowed through the crowd, she made certain to keep the seemingly happy couple in her sights.

Oracle: "You look lovely, Barbara." Her father, Jim Gordon, who had already told Mr Wayne he couldn't attend the event, had kindly brought his daughter to Wayne Manor. She had assured him she would get a ride but he'd been insistent to do so, and it gave him the chance to make a quick appearance as well. A blush stole her cheeks softly and she smiled as he steered her chair through the halls nearer to the party. "Thanks, Dad." They turned the corner and Jim smiled at Alfred, nodding to the butler. "Mr. Pennyworth, you've got a slight late arrival, due to my part I'm afraid." The older gentleman smiled slightly and gave a respectful nod. "I believe the 'better late than never' still applies, Mr. Gordon. Shall I escort that lady to the party?" Alfred inquired gently, gesturing to her chair. Jim nodded and released her to the man, "Thank you sir, sorry I can't stay, business as usual." He gave a lasting look to his daughter and bent, kissing her cheek. "Have fun, Barbara. You look beautiful."

Oracle: She gave him a hug from her chair and kissed his cheek, “Thank you, Daddy.” Barbara enjoyed the smile of pride the drew from him before he left. Alfred began wheeling her to the party, “You look wonderful tonight as well, Alfred.” She teased gently, he, wearing the same as he always had, his butler’s attire. And true to him, he barely changed pace before responding, “Ladies do enjoy a fine-dressed man, Miss Gordon.” She laughed softly as they rounded the corner and the lights of the Manor’s party illuminated them from the darker hallways. The long, dark blue gown she wore glistened with the numerous, miniscule glitters over it, making it look as though she were wearing a piece of the night sky. The halter dress looped down for a layer of silk hanging at her front and bared her back to her chair. Her hair she’d curled and used a pin to lift one side while the rest hung in vibrant curls along her shoulder. Her eyes scanned the crowd.

Bruce grinned at Selina and the sparkles in her eyes, a strange sensation rang throughout his chest. Standing before Selina wearing his tuxedo and her in an raven colored dress surrounded by friends and family…a celebration that wasn’t…. A childish voice spoke out from the side of Bruce and Selina as Tim Drake and Cassandra Cain walked down a staircase into the main lobby. “Eww, get a room you two…” Tim spoke in a childish tone and teasingly with Cassandra on his arm wearing a black dress that was tasteful and not too revealing nor constricting of her movements. She would seem timid and shy but, she was handling it better than Timothy who was shaking inside his own tuxedo, Cassandra’s strength subtly kept the boy from being obvious. “Have fun you two kids…” Tim grinned, making fun of others seemed to ease things for him a bit. Bruce tossed an over the shoulder comment. “No Stephanie tonight?”

Tim shook his head. “I don’t think she could make it…Besides someone’s gotta look after Cass.” Bruce’s attention shifted back to Selina and then waved his hand towards the dance floor on the other side of a double doorway. “Care for a dance?” If Selina took the offer Bruce would take her hand and lead her into the ballroom for dancing. Placing a single hand upon her hip while the other took her hand and held it at shoulder level. He spoke confidently and calmly. “I’m surprised you came. I would’ve thought the other night would’ve scared you off…”

As the party seemed to be in order, Edward watched as new arrivals came in particularly Thomas Elliot who made his way through the crowd. Thomas would tap Helena on the shoulder. “Excuse me? You’re Ms. Bertinelli, right?” Helena would feel that man’s hand was warm as his body heat had been built up by the tuxedo he wore. His orange and brown hair was conservatively groomed and his eyes held the strength one would expect from billionaire Bruce Wayne’s friends. “I just wanted to say it’s a pleasure to meet you. I heard Bruce talk about you a time or two…how did you two meet? I would ask him but, he’s obviously occupying the company of *another* beautiful woman…He just can’t help himself, can he? Hehe.”

Catwoman: Glancing down she spotted two of “his” children and watched them, giving Tim a charming grin as he eww’d up at them. Outside of their uniforms they were actually kind of cute, though Selina always had a soft spot for children and even more so for those that Bruce had “employed” over the years. “Hard to imagine them on other nights.” She said the words softly, almost curiously to herself and then she reached out to take his hand, to be lead to the dance floor and easily fell in step with him. An arm wrapped around the back of his shoulders, pressing her closer in to him than most would be willing to dance in front of a crowd of people no doubt and she tipped her head at him as he spoke. “You mean the night where I saved your life?” It was as blatant as could be, a not so subtle reminder that she clearly wasn’t going to let slip past the two of them. “I didn’t get a crowd winning thank you, but then again I don’t exactly count as “Family” do I?”-

Catwoman: The words were said pleasantly, a hint of jealousy hidden behind them as she danced with him gracefully. “Somehow though, I missed the memo about Bertinelli. First you wanted me to hunt her down to give her someone to talk to, and now you’ve named her in front of all of your guests. Are you going to tell me what’s going on Bruce?” He wasn’t really one for sharing, but that didn’t stop the woman from asking questions. Over his shoulder she spotted another redhead and watched her for a moment before turning those cat green eyes back to him.

Huntress: She watched them dance, caught on expression on Selina’s face and wondered if he was getting some kind of stern lecture and then she jumped in surprise as someone tapped on her shoulder. Standing up straight Helena turned to look up at Thomas and gave him a polite smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Someone from one of Bruce’s parties recognized her? The Bertinelli crime family had long since been dead, and it wasn’t like she was often in the papers, but then again there were always the gossip columns. “Hi, I am. A pleasure to meet you as well, Mr?” She didn’t recognize him, but he looked like he belonged there, rich and a bit stuffy inside of that suit and she held out her hand to him. Bruce had spoken of her to this man? Social graces dictated for her to smile a little more than politely and so she did, it lighting her blue eyes. -

Huntress: “Has he? We met at a social event, he has been very kind to me since my families passing over the years. You know Mr. Wayne, he can’t seem to help himself from picking up charity cases.” It was the quickest thing that came to mind mixed with humor, she figured it’d have sufficed.

Kate Kane: Chatting away with some old acquaintances of her step mother's Kate watched Bruce and his pretty date hit the dance floor. She had always found her elder cousin cooky. He always seemed aloof and always chasing skirts. He spent his whole wealth as best as he could but there was always more to come. Usually, he could be seen with some starlet or model. Nothing noteworthy. But the demeanor and composure of this one suggested the exact opposite. "They're a pretty couple, ain't they?" Came the rough voice from her side. "Tell me what you think. I can practically hear your gears grinding away!" Jacob Kane said with that dry sense of humor of his.

Kate Kane: Kate didn't bother to even cast her father a side glance. They had burried their hatchet. But that didn't mean he was entitled to her information. "I think that Bruce has a great taste in women!" She said and then turned to Jakob with a feisty smirk. Turning away just as quickly, she moved across the hall looking for just anyone wanting to dance. Bruce's weird talk, almost gibberish and now his flamboyant dancing with an obviously pretty and yet apparently not dull girl had finally rung Kate's alarms. She intended to dance close enough to them to maybe get an ear full of their conversation.

Bruce wasn’t surprised by her directness, a bit of it was also a bit sore from that sharp edge. “It was that night, in the alley.” Bruce spoke in almost a ghastly tone, he was serious and not cryptic as he usually was. “While you were escaping, I was shot by someone unknown…I went down into the alleys below where I’m told that I was attacked by thugs. Dick and Cass were distracted and taking care of Croc…Helena rescued me…She didn’t have to, but she did. She brought me to Tim and Alfred.” Bruce’s bold blue eyes looked into Selina, his lip bit down and prepared to tell her the truth about Helena, like he had intended months ago. His hesitation still held him back…He would rather Helena be there for that conversation.

Bruce took note that Katherine was getting closer and offered a forced smile. He didn’t know how much or what she heard, but was fairly confident if she heard anything it would be relatively safe in her care. He knew he could trust her, even if she couldn’t trust him. “It’s not polite to stare.” Were the worlds from Dick Grayson as he stood beside Barbara watching Bruce and Selina. “Good thing he shaved…he was beginning to look like a mid-life crisis Nicholas Cage with that stubble.” Dick would lean down and give Barbara a kiss on the lips, holding it long enough for her to place her hands upon his shoulders and feel the tuxedo he wore in uniform with most of the men at the party tonight. “It’s good to see you’re out of the nest. How’s Bruce doing?” Dick spoke, his previously playful and joking manner turned into something of a darker expressed tone.

“Oh! forgive me…Thomas Elliot, call me Tommy. I went to private school with Bruce and Rachel; we knew each other growing up.” Helena would then hear a voice whisper from the nearby window. “Helena~…Helena…” The whisper would seem relatively loud and also familiar as it was a mixture of an older Jason Todd and Bruce Wayne’s voice. She would also, slowly begin to feel her heart rate increasing and her ability to concentrate diminishing, this would cause her eyes to break from looking at Tommy to the crowd of people, their words seemed to have been mocking her. ‘What is she doing here?’ ‘She’s not even a real Wayne.’ ‘She’s just a phony and a criminal.’ If her gaze went back to Tommy she would imagine his words. ‘Skank, feeding off Bruce’s wealth. You’ll never be in his family. He can’t trust you!’ Tommy would look at the crowd and then she would clearly hear him say. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to wish the man of the hour my best wishes.”

Helena could feel anxiety building within her and suddenly her outfit was too hot as her heart raced. Tommy made his way across the room and towards Bruce and Selina.

Catwoman: “She saved your life, does that give her a sudden pass? The last I saw she was an outcast to you and yours, a wild card that took things over a line.” The jealousy showed forward a little more and then she pulled it back, reigned it in and brushed her fingers down the back of his neck in affection. “We need to find, who’s behind all of this. What are you doing here, suddenly celebrating life when someone is clearly after Batman?” She questioned him softly, almost barely audible knowing full well he could read her lips, that he wouldn’t be able to help but focus on them. Eyes trailed to Grayson as Bruce looked at Kane and she watched him interact with the injured Batgirl. He always had been her favorite. “Who is your friend?” A brow was raised now as she looked back at Bruce and nodded to the red head. “She seems familiar.” Tone was taken lighter and in showing that she was easing up on him she danced in closer to him. No personal space was given this evening.

Huntress: The smile grew even more then, turned genuine as she gave a nod to Thomas. “Then it is certainly my pleasure to meet you.” She knew Rachel’s name, she learned about her, about her death but to see someone Bruce actually grew up with was interesting. Her name being whispered then caught her attention and she turned her head slightly in that direction and furrowed her brows down. It sounded so familiar, like…but that wasn’t possible. Reaching up slowly she brushed her hair back from the front of her shoulder, brushed the tips of her fingers over her heart as she felt her skin flush from the heart rate increase. ‘Too much champagne? That’s not…’ Clearing her throat then she could only nod as Tommy began to walk away and she reached up to rub her hand over her eyes. “What in the hell…” Helena whispered the words a bit too loudly and then she shook her head, reaching out towards the wall to steady herself. -

Huntress: She could feel it, the cold sweat trickle down her back as her heart began to ache, as her breath became shortened and she stumbled forward then tugged lightly at the bottom of her dress. ‘Drugged?’ Wildly she looked around, looked at the other people, looked for someone else to be reacting but her brain fuzzed and she thumped back against the table she was standing next to and knocked over a few glasses.

Kate Kane: Dancing at social parties in Gotham had something of a very weird raffle. You never knew whom you'd be dancing with. Before long, Kare found herself in front of Lucius Fox! He was the perfect gentleman. They chit chatted away and Kate let him even take a the lead. Something she hadn't done since her junior prom. If he'd known that he was dancing with Batwoman, would he take her into custody right then and there? Or would he let it slide and even tell that she was doing a good job and that the city was the better for her and the other bats?

Kate Kane: It didn't matter. Her job was her cousin that night. Much like other nights before had. Only the cousins changed. Family business was gritty business. They always messed up one way or another. Bette when she went out on her own to fight crime and ended up in hospital. Only barely making it out. Now what was on Bruce's plate? Besides those thighs in that clingy black dress.


Oracle: "It's not polite to stare." Came the familar voice next to her, without looking, she knew the handsome man that took up a stand next to her. Before he'd moved closer, his movement to join her had the smell of his cologne wafting to her senses. It smelled warm and musky, it made her smile. "Since when is anyone in this family polite with the other's personal lives?" she quirked a thin, red brow with humor and laughed softly when he made a stab at Bruce's shave. "Bruce as Nicholas Cage," she lowered her tone, "That would make for a terrible man under the cowl." Movie critiques, oh how they'd spent so much time exchanging such over the roof tops to pass the time. When he leaned down and kissed her, she'd forgotten the rest of the party, the people around them, the music and the chatter, the fact that Batman was dancing with Catwoman at a fancy soiree or that she was even in this chair. Her eyes drifted closed, dark, feathery lashes sweeping down along the high swells of her cheek bones as

Oracle: she savored the kiss. He always had the ability to calm her world, just his presence, his laugh, his humor, that smell. She inhaled again and wrapped her arms around him to hug the man. Easing her eyes open to take in his attire as she released him she smilled and admired him. “You look quite the handsome man in a tux, Gray.” she noted, completely enjoying the sight. “Too bad it takes one of Bruce’s soiree’s to get you into one.”

Bruce didn’t seem to cave nor would he mind the invasion of personal space, Selina’s dance method a cross between a strippers grace and technique with the poise of a perfect lady. Of every woman in the building, Bruce *knew* Selina was the most athletic, agile, flexible, and enthralling. The idea of her working a stripper pole didn’t elude him as it must’ve taken a lot of willpower to stop her from using *him* as such. The reality that Bruce and Selina knew was that someone was gunning for him and this person was *close* they knew his villains, they knew his secrets, they knew his family. Any one of them could be the next target…Tim? Barb? Alfred? Who would be next? Selina would challenge his reasoning but tonight was the only way he could keep everyone close to home. <c>

He was protecting everyone and keeping everyone under his roof for at least tonight. “I…have to make sure everyone is alright. That no one is in danger.” Bruce’s hand slipped around Selina’s hip and raced up her back to pull her chest closer to his and allow her to take in his menthol flavored scent. “She’s my cousin…You’ve probably seen her family on the news as the Kane family. No doubt you’ve probably heard of our uncles Ted and Bob Kane…They were like a father to us both growing up. Though I’m sure if they were to see us now, they wouldn’t recognize us.” <c>

Dick’s menthol scent was similar to Bruce’s as Barbara took it in. “I’m worried about him…He’s not talking to anyone except Selina…Superman asked how he was doing, Babs. Something’s going on that he’s not sharing. And given that Selina is involved, I’m definitely worried.”

“~Jason….I need Huntress…Jason~…Helena…Huntress~…” Were the words Bruce spoke. Through the crowd she would see Jason Todd staring at her wearing a tuxedo, his face was sorrowful, sadden and disappointed from his looks. He lowered his head and placed his drink down then walked out the front door towards the parking lot, she would probably note that Jason was heading towards his own graveyard. “Helena…I need Huntress…” would speak to her again.

Huntress: The air was entirely too hot, the room blurring just enough for her to feel dizzy and the music was being drowned out by her heartbeat, by the voice in her ears. Her name was called and she searched for it, but he wasn’t looking for just her, it was Huntress and she forced herself to stand straight to take a breath in and then it exited her lungs like she was hit. ‘Jason…’ It was the name in the family she had searched hardest on, she had scoured the files of him, of the Lost Robin and he stood in front of her looking handsome, handsome and so sad. “Jason.” She said his name, it caught in her throat as she reached out towards him and then he was leaving. Helena didn’t hesitate, she didn’t pause as she moved after him, pausing in the parking lot to grab her gear, to hide in the rented car to change though her head swam, though the Earth felt like it was being upended…she had enough clarity to change. “I’m coming, I’m coming.” -

Huntress: And then she was running, cape snapping in the air behind her as she sprinted on a familiar path to the graves, to where her grandparents were buried. No, not her grandparents, but the ones here, the ones not from her world. Sliding to a stop she found herself breathless as she looked around wildly. “Jason!” She called his name and searched behind her mask.

“Helena…” Jason spoke with his back to hear, a loud roll of thunder in the distance would make this meeting all the more ghastly. “This is our fate. Anyone who gets close to him. This is where we end up. It’s happened then. It’s only a matter of time until Barbara ends up here. It’s a matter of time until Alfred and Tim…Cassandra and Spoiler…Helena you need to stop him. Don’t let anyone else die. Selina…There’s something you have to know about Selina…” Jason’s words were trembling; the roll of thunder began once more, subtle, quieter than the loud blast that happened moments before. “I know all about you now, Helena…Your secrets are safe with me…But there’s more I have to tell you…Everything is going out of control. There’s so many lies…Bruce doesn’t realize what he’s doing.”

Oracle: Barbara, high on the scent provided from his cologne, blinked out of the calm it brought and listened to him more. He'd made a passing question about Bruce a moment ago, but she'd thought it was just that, a passing question, one member of the family asking about the head. Because if they were to be honest, no one really ever knew how Bruce was. He was a solid, stoic statue with emotions so buried deep and in stone they weren't visible on the statuesque face. But now the inquiry was deeper, caked in worry that was genuine and growing. Her green eyes flitted to find Dick's blue ones. She searched there, trying to understand, had she been locked away in her tower to tightly? Had she been fixed on her work and missed something brewing? "Superman asked as well?" She asked softly, green eyes growing cold with thought and focus as she turned them to watch Bruce on the dance floor with Selina. "And Selina is a bit distracting...more than usual." What was going on? Was this happening long?

Oracle: Had she really missed so much? Pieces started to float around her mind, waiting to be put into place. There was more, what was she missing? Her hand on her champagne glass was clutching the glass tightly, almost too tightly, the contents so still as she froze in thought. Her other hand, resting on the backside of Dick’s lower forearm squeezed lightly. “I haven’t heard much from him. But I’ll be damned if something is going on and he’s trying to keep us out.” Whether Batman or Bruce liked it or not, they weren’t the same person. She cared deeply for Bruce, saw him in so many ways, and a friend and mentor was one. And whether he liked it or not, keeping things from everyone wasn’t the best play every time he had cards in his hand to hide. Now she was stern, focused. “He won’t tell in a crowd of people, but he won’t tell if he can turn cape and run either.” She looked to Dick. “We need to talk to him.” her eyes set on Selina. “Without the thief around to cloud his thoughts.”

“Amen to that…” Dick said crossing his arms while looking at Bruce and Selina still, his blue eyes squinting some. “He likes her a lot…He seems genuinely happy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for Bruce and I hope it works out for him but, I also don’t want to see him get hurt or see him do something that would cloud his judgment. After since taking that bullet to the head, he’s been like this…You should’ve heard the family speech he gave minutes ago. Talking about how grateful he is and thankful we’re all just one big happy family. I wasn’t planning on coming tonight, he was lucky he had me there for dealing with Croc. But after getting out of the hospital I figured it was the least thing I could do, show my support. Has Tim or Cass…erm…Cass doesn’t really talk. Has Tim said anything?”

Huntress: Her heart thudded in her chest, her pulse jumping as thunder rolled in the distance, as it made her skin crawl. The night her mother died it had been storming, the night she had lost half of her world and now…? What in the hell was going on. “Stop him? Who? Bruce? Who am I stopping?” She took a step forward, reached out then flinched back at the thunder and she struggled to control her emotions. “Selina? What about Selina?” Her voice cracked and she swallowed the lump that had risen in her throat at the name. Were things going to end her the same as they did at home? “What do I have to do, Jason? Tell me what I have to do. I can save everyone, I can change everything. No one has to die, I’ll save Selina, I’ll save Bruce…I won’t let them die now. I’m so much stronger than I was.” Taking another step forward she reached out again. “Jason, please…”

Jason clutched his fist and growled out. “Selina will kill Bruce. She will lure him to Sheldon park…She’s hiding something there…Something big. A Wayne family secret that no one knows except Selina. The truth about Bruce’s parents. The *real* truth. You have to stop her, Helena…you have to be ready to *kill* her because Bruce won’t! If you don’t….Tim, Cass, Alfred, Bruce…will share my fate…it wasn’t the Joker that gave me up that night…It was Selina. She turned me over to the Joker. I trusted her…”

Oracle: The redhead blinked rapidly and shook her head as if to clear it before looking up at him, "Wait, he made a speech and said we're all one big happy family?" She stared at him a moment, trying to discern if this was a joke or not. No, he was serious. She sighed, too bad her father had been running late, she'd liked to have heard the phrasing of said speech. Something was off, several somethings wer off. Barbara watched him with Selina, nodding slightly in agreement, Bruce did seem geniunely happy dancing there with Selina. "As much as I'd be happy to see him relaxed and genuine...it's not him. He just doesn't do that." It was the major flaw she found as an adolescent and finding a liking to him. He could never sever himsef from the cowl, split himself from Batman and be himself and happy in some way. His life was being a vigilante, and it was what he'd taught to Dick that displeased her as well. Shaking off the thought, she remembered her glass and took another sip, allowing the bubbly

Oracle: contents to warm her stomach. She allowed her eyes to scan the crowd again as she had periodically, something she couldn’t put down as a habit. A frown tugged her red-painted lips, “Dick...wasn’t Helena Bertenelli just here?” Green orbs searched again, perhaps it was from her lower field of vision? Was she missing the woman tucked in a corner somewhere? From what she’d read of Bruce and Selina’s lips, the woman had come up in conversation, so where was she?

“Hel? She’s was-uh…Just over there….” Dick spoke her name as if a friendly acquaintance with the woman had been made and they had nicknames for each other. “She’s probably looking to get something to drink, get herself tanked up that she doesn’t have to remember anything tonight. I will say, its odd that she’s here…For as long as I’ve known Bruce he hasn’t liked her and she’s told me he doesn’t like her. She seemed surprised that I was willing to hear her out and make my own opinion of her instead of following Bruce’s.”