Perfect Dark 10b: The Question

[The_NewCatwoman]

Considering everything, I wonder how they can even ask me.

'Bruce, why don't you just go on with your life?'

'Why don't you just forget?'

The answer comes quickly, almost easily...

**

"How can I?" A.J. turned to her and said.

"Well you could start by acting somewhat normal for a change, you're a recluse!" Mila said defiantly.

"Do you even know what recluse means?" A.J. asked, sounding bored.

Mila sneered, she saw through it a mile away, he wasn't nearly the unshakable roman soldier he made everyone think he was.

She was going to be the one to find the chink in the armor.

They were sitting in the upper-F wing of the Gotham City Public Library. Long abandoned, Mila had cornered A.J., and convinced him to meet her there to talk about the party. More specifically why he had slaughtered, what she thought she heard to be, a vampire.

"You don't have to treat people like that you know." Mila said folding her arms across her chest, ignoring how fine A.J. was outside of the suit. But it wasn't like he wasn't a heartstopper when it was on either,...

She shook the thought away and continued, "You can be a perfect gentleman to people and still rip the intestines out of vampires."

A.J. looked at her, smiling. But it wasn't the grotesque smile he used to purposely scare people, it was one that suggested amusement. "You have no idea what my life is like, telling me to act like everyone else is like,..."

"Likkkkkeeee?" Mila asked somewhat over-zealous.

"Asking you to do the same thing." he added smartly.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Mila asked offended.

A.J. shrugged and turned away, "I wasn't lying when I said it, you have no idea what it's like to be on this end of the bargain. I'm the protector, you're the protected, it doesn't relate." he said quietly.

"You're not making sense." she said, taking up the corner of her gray, pleated uniform skirt between her thumb and index finger.

A.J. stared at her figeting fingers, she was nervous around him, but she had a good reason to be.

"You asked me why I can't just act like a normal person. The answer's simple."

"Waiting,..." Mila said with an impatient growl.

"I am acting normal, this to me is what's normal, therefore everyone else must be acting weird."

"You're hopeless!" she said nearly screaming.

"Why did you bring me here if you were only going to ask me a bunch of stupid questions?"

"Fine, why did the vampire try to kidnap me?"

A.J. looked at her, "You're not ready."

"Ready for what?! I swear, talking to you is like talking to a brick wall!" Mila screamed.

"Ready for an answer you don't want."

**

"Don't worry 'Baby Girl', Daddy's got you, it'll only hurt for a second I promise." His sweet messaging voice lulled her awake.

"Daddy, I don't want to anymore, it hurts so bad."

"Don't you see honey," he said gently pulling down her panties, her small legs shaking in represed fear, "Daddy needs you, he needs this."

"Daddy stop! Your hurting me!" she said desprately, tears pouring down her face.

"Daddy, stop please!" she said, this time louder, but he didn't.

He never stopped.

--#--

When he was done, he smiled at her weakly, "See, that wasn't so bad."

He could feel the guilt wrenching his stomach apart, but he tried to convince himself that it was just the whiskey.

He tucked her in gently, kissing her on her forehead, forcing her towards him when she pulled away.

"I love you Selina." he said, staggering out of the room.


**I'm dizzy with love, and drunk with hate.**

[Daughterof_Evil]

Wow, that was sickening. I can understand AJ's wanting to protect Mila, and how she couldn't see how he operates. After all, he is Bruce's son. But I thought the quote about him being a gentleman but still "ripping the intestines out of vampires" was a classic, just way too funny to ignore.

Just one question, do you happen to watch a lot of Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit? Your writing seems to have that edge to it.

[The_NewCatwoman]

Selina rolled over in bed, trying to ignore the painful stabs of sunlight that fought it's way through the bay window's heavy curtains.

Everytime Bruce had come in to see about her, she had pretended to be asleep.

Now she really didn't feel like playing games.

His heavy frame lay motionless beside her, a victim of self-inflicted exhaustion.

His now unintentionally shallow breaths made no sound as they swam through his lungs and out into the cool air.

She turned over on the bed, staring at him.

Why does he always have to sleep on his face like that?

Most of his face lay buried in the sheets, his pillow resting on his neck.

He never slept on the pillow, it was practically only for decorational purposes.

She knew he meant well when he made restrictions, she also knew it was the only way he felt he could be sure he wouldn't lose her to the violence, like his parents.

She turned and looked at the bedside baby grandfather clock, which was more like a preemie in her opinion.

Only 7:13, she could still squeeze in a few hours before Bruce would rise like a hungry bear, fresh from hibernation. Angry, cranky, and down right mean until he had his morning coffee.

Turning back around, she was met with the red-rimmed eyes of her mate, they burned into her's, daring her to try to play with him.

It was obvious he hadn't had a good night.

He raised his head, a dream-like gaze spilling from the sides of his mouth as he tried to give her a reassuring smile.

Why was he being so nice?

He raised his hands to her face, cupping her chin into his palm.

Selina slid out of his hands, and rose up, supporting her weight on her arms and hands.

**Sorry gotta go**

[The_NewCatwoman]

Shooting him what could have been a look of pity if she didn't know better.

Sitting up in bed, she raised her hands to her forehead, trying to shake away the awful memories, knots swelled in her stomach the size of Texas.

She forced a smile when she noticed she had no clothes on, realizing that Bruce knew she wouldn't sleep comfortably in them, but had the decency to leave her underwear on.

She turned to face him, he was still staring at her.

"What's wrong?" he asked innocently enough.

Selina shook her head as if to say, 'You wouldn't understand.'

Sliding out of bed, she stretched, accepting the sunlight that she couldn't change.

Turning back to give Bruce a quick grin, she stripped and headed for the shower.

**

Bruce stared at the spot Selina had formerly stood, feeling the guilt tug greedily at his insides.

Her cute little tummy still showed no signs of a baby's presence.

The world would be fooled for another five months.

Turning over, he swung his legs over the side of the bed, trying to remember what Selina had said in her sleep.

"Daddy stop, your hurting me!"

She'd sounded so weak and scared.

Standing, he stretched and followed her into the bathroom.

Taking a towel, he wiped the condensation off the mirror.

Staring at his reflection, the old saying 'How can you look at yourself in the mirror?' flashed across his thoughts. Shaking his head loose of the shameful statement, he opened the medicine cabinet, noticing a fresh bottle of aspring on it's side, completely empty.

He turned his eyes on the opague shower door behind him that distorted Selina's naked frame. Watching as her body sank down into the bottom of the shower stall.

"Selina!" he yelled, rushing to the window.

Yanking the door open, he knelt down besides her collapsed frame. He quickly stood her up, and turned the water to cold to revive her.

When she came to, Bruce shut off the water, grabbed a fresh towel from the shelf over the toilet, and wrapped her body in the warm frabric. Picking her up, he carried her to the bed. She stared ahead obliviously.

Bruce smoothed back her wet hair, while reaching for the phone.

"I'd like to speak to Dr. Leslie Thompson," his voice surprisingly even. "It's an emergency."

**

Bruce watched as they loaded her into the back of the ambulance, knowing that as much as he hated the hospital, it was the safest thing he could do if he wanted to keep her and the baby alive.

A.J. stood next to him, silently, eyes trained towards the ground.

"Playing hooky?" he asked menacingly.

"It's saturday." A.J. said quietly, sarcasm lost to him at the moment.

Bruce raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Oh, well what about your cartoons." He remembered A.J. would rise as early as 5, just to catch cartoons when he was little.

A.J. shrugged, "Wouldn't that have made me into some kind of indecent?" he asked looking up at Bruce.

Bruce started grinding his teeth, not sure what to say. "Sorry." he choked out finally.

A.J. bowed his head and went back in the house, not sure himself of what to say at the moment.

[Panther]

Well, i've changed my mind (again) and now fel some actauly sypathy for Bruce nad Selina - if only they could help each other instead of fighting like a cat and dog! And so cute that AJ got up ealry to watch cartoons when hew as little. Just like Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes - hehehe.

[The_NewCatwoman]

Thanks, also: I wanted to know if you read the post I did with Bruce and Helena?

[Rae]

This is a great story! I was wondering if the beginning was archived anywhere, because the earliest chapter I could find here was part 4. I would really like to read it from the beginning.:)

[Panther]

You mean the part where Bruce got drunk (what the &*@!?!?!^&*$!?!?!) and had a one night stand with her? That certainly made things more complicated. I have a hard time imageing Bruce gettin sloshed but you did a wonderful description. Waiting for more!

[The_NewCatwoman]

**Rae- Well, I started this story a loooong time ago, back on the original boards, and didn't know high nor hair about saving my stories. So, no it's lost, but if you have any questions just ask me, or DoE, or Panther, they have better memories than I do, even about my own stories. Sorry:(

Panther- Thanks, it's kinda rushed though because I was trying to hide the fact that I was writing it in the first place from the computer lady, soooo I'm, finding all kinds of faults. But thanks, I just wanted to make sure that you all knew he was regretting that, and not so much the fight.**


A.J. stared at his mother's beautiful face, painfully ignoring the various tubes that were jammed into her arms.

His back to his father, his expressions was particularly softened. "I'd rather see her in private." he said quietly.

Bruce nodded understandably and stepped outside.

A.J. took her hand into his, and buried his face in her stomach, noting the slight shifting of her body as she woke up. He felt himself being comforted by her hand on his head.

"Mommy." he whispered, looking up into her eyes. "I'm not the only one anymore am I?"

She shook her head 'No', small tears welling in her eyes.

A few minutes passed.

"I'm sorry, I don't know why I did it, I just wanted to get away, sometimes it just hurts to be alive." she said, her voice breaking.

"Don't worry, I understand." he said, reaching around to hug her, not remembering the last time that he'd done such.

**

His step was considerably light, even though he knew that there was a good chance he'd be killed that very night, it was the same way every night. But it was hard, what with this city being so filled to the brim with such 'impressionable' young women.

His tongue lightly brushed the unlit cigarette resting between his lips as he thought about it. His stomach was growling, which made him even more anxious.

The sun was just setting, signaling the carnival of fun to begin. It was ridiculous how much he wanted a pint right then, just something to tide him over until he found something more suitable, warm from body heat, something that could make sex even better. He smiled, they didn't call him "Shameless" for nothing.

Sucking on his teeth, he walked into a dimly lit bar, people hardly noticed him, crumpling his body onto the barstool. In Metropolis-- and even Bludhaven to some extent-- people always noticed a new face, but not Gotham, everybody was purposely oblivious.

"Bloody Mary." he said, chuckling lightly, memories of the other night flashing through his mind. She'd been easy, you'd think she would have put up a fight, that's what people here were famous for anyway. Ridiculous hype. He laughed harder this time, nearly giving himself the hiccups. "To the back door of America!" he said happily, spilling a good amount on the bar as he raised his glass in a toast. Smirking as a few joined in drunkenly.

Swallowing it in a huge gulp, he licked his lips and rose from the bar. Slapping his money on the counter, he turned and left.

**

She felt his hand brush across her legs, it was horrible, but she couldn't say 'No', it was useless, she'd tried before.

She felt him grab her wrists and hold her down on the bed, praying that it wouldn't go on too long, and that he'd be satisfied.

She felt him enter her, wincing in pain, it was like searing flesh with a hot iron. He always went to hard, too fast, and sometimes too long.

She turned away from his face, the stink of his alcolhol kissed breath clogged her nose. "Monica." he grunted, it sounded like a swear word every time he said it.

Her thoughts flashed to the steak knife in the kitchen, she could just slit his throat while he slept, then she and Selina would be free forever. But she knew she didn't have the guts to do it.

She felt the knot rise in her stomach as he pulled away, and left the room, his pants still un-done.

"I'm sorry Selina." she whispered.

[Rae]

I can still enjoy your great story. I'll be sure to ask questions if I'm confused. Thanks for replying Catwoman.:)

[The_NewCatwoman]

Hey Rae, can you do me a favor? Can you give me any good adresses where I can get a few Catwoman thumbnails? Thanks a bunch. It would be much appreciated.

[Rae]

Actually, I got my current avatar from another forum I belong to. I did find this site, though, and it has a lot of images.
Catwoman (http://www.super-highway.net/users/altoot/catwmn00.html)
I was really looking for a Batgirl/Barbara Gordon avatar, so if you (or anyone else)know of some good galleries could you let me know? Thanks. :)

[The_NewCatwoman]

Consider this if you will:

There once were two little boys, identical twins, born to the minute. They grew up together, getting along perfectly. The older was Abel, a sweet, kind-hearted young boy who wouldn't hurt a fly. The younger, Caine, hostile, selfish, and well, he lived up to his namesake.

The brothers did everything together, and Abel always helped his brother out when trouble persued. Unfortunately, trouble always did.

The two young men left home together, moving into the same home, and all was well. Until a young woman entered the scene. Her name was Gaia, and was the object of affection for both brother's. When asked to choose between them, she chose Abel over Caine. Caine's chaotic temper and strong pride got the better of him and he left.

Years later, resentment for his brother and sister-in-law swallowed him whole. He was approached by a voice, offering him the chance to get revenge on his brother.

Abel was found in his bed, an incredible gash stretching from his neck down to his,... Another from fingertip to fingertip. Blood drained to the drop. The mark of the crucifixion. Least to say, it wasn't pretty. Gaia was missing, Caine had kidnapped her, his love for her over-ruling his jealous rage. Instead, he Sired her, and she adopted the name Dimanche, French for Sunday, a play on the holy day of Sabbath.

According to history kept, Dimanche or atleast her physical being was killed in 1572. But that's the magic of vampires, if you don't kill them the right way, they can be like roaches. Unfortunately, all a vampire needs is a body to host their soul. Yes they have souls, this isn't Buffy. Even if the host isn't willing they can find a way. In some cases, the host has no idea. Scary huh?

That's why I'm here, to free the innocent souls, and take out holy vengence on the guilty. My parents have some idea, but not really. I'm glad that they don't know, that would make them a target. Even my father doesn't deserve that.