Broken pt 1a (a batman beyond elseworlds)PG-13

[The_NewCatwoman]

**These characters aren't mine, also, I don't follow the shows continuity that closely in here. Also: DoE just incase your wondering, I got tired of only working on one story at a time, there's no high-stress factor, which are perfect working conditions**

**2024**
Harley lay cold between the sheets of her full-sized bed, waiting, eyes open wide, ears strained for the tell-tale turn of the lock.

Waiting for her "Puddin'" to come busting agrily through the door.

No doubt, he'd had another run-in with the Batman.

She reached down and clutched the burgandy comforter, pulling it up roughly under her chin.

Maybe he wouldn't bother her if she played dead, pretended she was asleep.

*click*, the front door groaned in protest as Joker opened it.

A heaving of the couch as he threw his rainsoaked body onto the dusty cushions.

Mumbling, and the sound of his footsteps as he neared the closed bedroom door.

Harley winced, then sighed silently in relief as he went towards the bathroom instead.

She listened as he growled in pain, dabbing peroxide on his cuts, and the tear of the medical tape.

The click of the bathroom light, and the sound of his footsteps stopping outside of the door.

He turned the knob, and the hall-light fell across Harley's deathly still body.

Harley held her breath, clutching the small gold Star of David that hung tenderly around her neck.

Joker didn't bother to close the door, and begin to undress, throwing his clothes down onto the floor, and around the small, ill-furnished bedroom.

"I know your awake Harley." he said cooly, Harley sighed again before turning over to face him.

"Hiya Puddin'," she said in a high, squeaky, Jewish accented voice.

Joker didn't respond, just proceeded to force her nightgown off of her body.

"Puddin', w-what a-are you d-doing?" Harley asked in a shaky voice, reaching for Joker's arm.

Joker back-handed her down onto the covers, silencing her.

Harley looked to the doorway, small blue eyes peered terrified, blond hair like her mother's, why it was curly, no one knew, hanging loosely around her face.

She bit her lip, as he entered her, and lip-synched for the little girl to go back to her room.

Her eyes disappeared, and small feet plodded quickly down the hallway, back to false-safety.

**

Terry paced, breath floating like a cloud in front of him outside of the club entrance.

He wondered if he should go back inside, try to make peace with Dana, apologize for being late again.

They'd made a scene, she'd told him she was done, tired of waiting for him, tired of half-assed excuses that didn't explain anything, and worst done with him.

"I guess it had to end sometime." he said frowning lightly.

He began to walk, where he didn't know, guess there was only one place to go, back to the cave.

It took him an hour to get to the far-north end of the city, he'd have taken bus, but he didn't have any creds.

He looked up, studying the sharp line that was a border to Wayne manor.

Where the pavement ended, and the long dirt-lane driveway began to wind up to the front gates.

Like a modern day Mason Dixon line, Bruce, the courageous north, Gotham, the human-rights-less south.

He looked up to Bruce's house, majestic, surrounded by trees like a castle.

"How fitting, oh Dark Knight." he said bitterly.

He began to trudge up the driveway, realizing he was becomming more and more like Bruce, destined for a lonely existance in a house with a dog.

"What are you doing here?" a deep, painful voice asked.

It belonged to Bruce Wayne, out on a midnight stroll.

Terry jumped, "So now I'm not allowed to come to work is that it, are you done with me too?!" Terry shrugged, feeling defeated, "Sorry, bad day."

Bruce didn't answer, eyebrows arching, feining intrest.

"She's tired of my excuses, tired of me leaving her out in the cold all the time. She's right though,... You know alot about women, maybe you can help m,.." Terry was well aware of Bruce's status as a young man. Able to get any woman he wanted.

Bruce raised his hand, stopping Terry mid-sentence.

"Oh come on Bruce, you mean to tell me, all those girls and you didn't learn a thing?"

Bruce shook his head, "You'll learn."

"Learn what?!" Terry asked confused.

"The only thing a man needs to know about a women is that she can give you everything you may want, but she can also take everything you need."

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

"I'll tell you the day you become a man." Bruce said smiling slyly.

"What are you talking about? I'm a man!"

"A seventeen-year-old boy is not a man." Bruce said turning around, and beginning to walk away.

"Hey, come on!" Terry yelled after him.

Terry waiting, becoming more angry as Bruce walked away.

The harsh face of silence, was even worse when you were freezing.

"Fine!" he said, turning around and leaving, he didn't care if Wayne fired him.

**

Melanie sat on a bench in the park, head bent over the newest installment of Fearless, hunched down to ward off the cold.

Swearing up and down with every word that she was just like Gaia.

The only difference was her father was there, very much there.

She wondered if she could spend the night at Max's house again.

She knew it wasn't an issue with Max's parents, they were divorced, and her mother was never home.

Now what to tell her own mother,... She'd have to think of that when she got there.

Gathering her bag, and placing a fallen leaf between the pages to hold her sheet, Melanie stood to leave.

She walked while putting her book in her bag, she walked headfirst into another kid.

"Oops, sorry." she said, reaching down to pick up her books.

"That's alright, my fault." he responded, handing her her book.

Gotta go.

[Daughterof_Evil]

Hiya, NC! Didn't know you were starting another fic. All hail the queen of Elseworlds!!

Noticed that Harley and Misteh J have a little girl in this one. How cute! I wonder what the little one's name is. My first "version" of Hollye was her as Joker and Harley's daughter, but there were too many plot holes for that to go well. Oh, well. It's more dysfunctional this way anyway.

I can't wait to see where this one is going. It's always a surprise with you...

[The_NewCatwoman]

Melanie rubbed the tender spot on her forehead where she'd clumsily walked into another person. Looking up, she began to blush furiously as he smiled. He had nice Raven hair, cut into a chili-bowl, and sharp blue eyes that sparkled with the night. She sighed as she began to thank him again.

"Hey, no sweat. Besides, what's a girl as beautiful as you doing out here anyway, it's like 12:47 already."

"Anything just to avoid going home." Melanie answered quietly.

He frowned with concern, "Is there something going on between you and your folks?"

Melanie nodded, "Nothing that can't be put off for a few hours."

"Where are you headed? It wouldn't be very gentleman-like if I didn't walk you."

Melanie smiled appreciatively, "I was on my way to a friend's house, maybe you know her, Max, Max Gibson?"

He smiled, "You know Max? Wow, she's one of my best friend's."

"Strange, she never mentioned you before, what's your name?"

"Terrence McGennis, but everyone just calls me Terry." he said extending his hand. "Your's?"

"Melanie Quinn." she said with a small smile, excepting his hand.

"Any special nicknames?" Terry asked.

"Well, my mom calls me 'Sunny'..."

"Do you mind if I call you Sunny?" Terry asked, tilting his head.

"No, it can be our little secret." she said with a devious smile.

"My kinda secret!" Terry said smiling back.

The two turned out of the park, and headed Northeast towards Max's apartment together.

**

"Where is she?!" The Joker asked, his voice straining with rage.

Harley trembled in the corner, arms wrapped around her knees. Shrinking away from the horrifying figure across the room.

The Joker grabbed a bowl off the card table that doubled as a dining room table, and hurled it at the wall.

"I-I-I-I don't k-know, she hasn't been home all day." Harley offered.

The Joker suddenly took a deep breath, and walked calmly towards Harley, a soothing smile on his face. "Gee Harl, why am I yelling at you, it's not your fault Melanie's missing."

Harley shrank back further into the corner, she'd learned long ago not to let her guard down.

The Joker stopped in front of her and stooped down onto his haunches, reaching out, he began to stroke Harley's cheek.

Harley closed her eyes immediately. Calling his bluff, her head smacked loudly against the wall as the Joker punched her. Without wasting any time, she let her body go limp as he grabbed her by the arms and threw her violently into the wall.

Harley crumpled to the floor unconcious, blood dribbling from her nose and lip, a blackeye forming.

The Joker bit his lip and walked away, still seething. He collapsed onto the couch and decided that he'd deal with his daughter whenever she decided to make an appearance.

[Batgirl_2005]

wow. that was really cool. I definitely wasn't expecting that. It was really good. I am really very impressed...

[The Game]

Joker's daughter... Not sure if I like that idea... Poor Harley. Keep going New Catwoman!

[Panther]

My jaw dropped when she said ehr name was Melanie /Quinn/. Is she an elseworlds Ten or is it just the same name?

opps, gotta go

[The_NewCatwoman]

**Alright, I haven't written a story with already fully established characters (except for a few changes) since Breakdown, so don't be mad if it takes me longer to get posts up. Also, check out the date differences, that's just how busy I've been with school, and my other story**

Bruce sat by himself in the cave, staring at the expansive screen before. McGennis obviously had someone up in heaven looking out for him, as there was nothing going on that needed Batman's attention. But that could always change, and that's what made Bruce severely consider cutting his pay. The only reason that he didn't was because Terry's mother needed all the help she could get, now that she couldn't depend on Terry's father for child support.

Bruce sighed, where the hell was that boy?

Bruce placed the heel of his hand under his chin and thought about the conversation he'd had with Terry earlier. When Terry had suggested that Bruce knew anything about women. That in-turn led to thoughts about his failed marriages. The first was with predictably Selina Kyle. They'd had a daughter, naming her Aidia. She was the most beautiful baby girl he'd ever seen, with eyes that sparkled like diamonds, and the softest brown hair.

Bruce took a deep breath, the last thing he wanted to think about was how things had ended with Selina and Aidia.

The second marriage had been strained, but much more fruitful, as he'd reestablished a relationship with, and married Helena Bertinelli. They'd had three boys, two of which were full grown with their own children.

The youngest was Thomas Wayne Jr., whom they all called Thomas J. like the character from the movie My Girl. He'd been born with gray eyes that shined so brightly and penetrated so deeply, they could only be described as silver. He was 21 now, and was almost ready to graduate from Art school.

Bruce was incredibly proud of his sons, but hardly got the chance to speak to them. When they'd gotten divorced, Helena had taken their second son Issac along with Thomas J. and moved back to New York City. Back in Gotham, Bruce had been forced to watch them grow up through letters, and on the phone. He'd plunged into depression.

His relationship with Isaac had been lost, as Isaac had blamed Bruce for the divorce. That along with the loss of Aidia had been practically intolerable. But somehow through it all, he'd managed to hold onto his oldest son Shane, and Thomas J. Giving them everything he could during the few weeks they'd spent together every six months.

Bruce reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. Unfolding it, he pulled out the four pictures of his children that he kept behind his credit cards.

Aidia smiling brightly in front of the Great Wall of China at the age of two.

Shane standing next to his surf board on Anini Beach in Hawaii, flashing a large smile and a peace sign. His pale-blond hair shining in the sunlight.

Isaac looking sleepy on the morning of the last birthday he'd spent at Wayne Manor.

And Thomas J. smiling mischeiviously as he held up one of his 10th grade report cards, on which he'd made a 3.986.

Bruce stared sadly at the pictures, running his fingers across the glossed surface of each. These were just pictures, not flesh and blood. He smiled grimly, and wished his children blessings that he couldn't give them.

[The_NewCatwoman]

**Thanks for all the replies before, sorry I didn't say it on the last post.**

Terry opened his eyes and looked around, reality slowly filtering into his early morning mindset.

"Oh my God!" he said quickly realizing where he was, on the floor in the middle of Max's living room. Max lay asleep, arms draped across her still-on laptop. Melanie lay across the couch Terry's jacket substituting as a blanket, popcorn was scattered across the floor, product of a very productive food-fight.

Terry ran a hand through his hair, a nervous habit, and quickly slipped on his shoes.

Tip-toeing over to the desk, he gently proded Maxine awake. "What time is it?" he asked her, as his eyes flashed to his bare wrist.

Max wiped the small line of drool from the corner of her mouth, and looked at the clock in the right corner of her screen. "Geez, Terry it's only four-thirty!" she whispered in a croaky voice.

"Ay, I've got to get back to Wayne's,... he's gonna use me for kindling!"

"Kndling?" Max asked confusedly.

"Firewood, before our time, Bruce says it every now and then. Did you the fireplace's at his house actually burn wood?"

"Whoa, get outta here, but then, that's kinda what one would expect when the house has been in the family since like colonial times."

"Actually, his great-great Grandfather Jack bought it for his wife Jane and their growing family right before the Civil war." Terry said as he yawned.

Max shrugged, "Hmmmm, who'd have thunk it?" she said with a smile.

Terry looked over to Melanie, "Just tell her she can borrow it 'til I see her next, I gotta go back to work, man I'm fried." he groaned.

"It's saturday, we can all sleep 'til nine and watch some cartoons, come on, it'll be fun!" she said.

"I'm not paying you to sleep!" Terry said, imitating Bruce deep, irritated tone.

"Alright, see ya." Max said laughing lightly, before settling onto the couch Terry had just occupied, as Terry left and closed the door behind himself.

**

Bruce sat in the kitchen enjoying his second cup of coffee, rubbing his tired eyes, but ignoring the stabbing fatigue of sleeplessness.

Ace lay at his feet, padding a chew bone back and forth between each paw boredly.

Bruce's eyebrows rose, as the wall phone rang, it's shrill tone echoing throughout the kitchen.

"Yes." he said sighing silently.

"Hey Pop!" came an excited voice from the other end. "It's your favorite!"

Bruce rubbed his temple, trying to hold back his smile. "What is it Thomas?" he asked trying to sound irritated.

"Well, um... I'd like to get in, as I've managed to loose my key for the sixth..."

"Your outside?!" Bruce asked standing quickly. Marching to the window, he looked down the path, and saw the strong frame standing before the front gates.

"How many times have I told you about leaving your keys everywhere?" Bruce said entering the lock code into the panel by the door.

"Must be the twentieth time, at least." Thomas J. said with a smile as the gates slowly slid open. Rushing quickly up the path, he closed his cell phone.

Ace scratched at the oak double-doors, anxious for the arriving youngest son.

Bruce opened the door, and applied a stern look as his son quickly hugged him and stepped back.

"What?!" Thomas J. asked exasperatedly.

"What are you doing here?" Bruce asked, suspicion tightening his throat.

Thomas J. scratched the back of his neck and began to look everywhere but at his father.

"I'm waiting." Bruce stated impatiently.

"Jesus, can't I just come visit my Papa, without the third-freakin'-degree."

"No." Bruce said crossing his arms.

"Man it's dark in here, maybe we should open up a few of those windows, maybe let a little air in..." Thomas J. said trying to side-step his father.

Bruce quickly grabbed him by the arm and dragged him back to his original place.

"Why?"

Thomas groaned angrily, his face reddening in shame. "I'm been suspended indefinitely." he said quietly, refusing to look his father in the eye.

Bruce stepped back, face frozen in thoughtful shock. Taking a few seconds to let it process he readied hiimself for his next question. "Why?"

Thomas sighed defeatedly, "They found drugs in my bag, and I was unable to prove they weren't mine."

"Are they?!" Bruce asked angrily.

Thomas winced, not from the question, but from the tone, "No way! Someone's framed me, I swear, I mean I'm at the top of my class, what the heck do I need drugs for?"

Bruce considered his son's words, "How were they discovered?"

"Someone called in with an anonymus tip, they totally stormed me at like three in the morning, and had me out by four, they didn't even give me a gosh-dang drug test!"

"Gosh-dang?" Bruce asked with a hint of a smile.

Thomas shrugged, "I don't like the other word, so I modified it for my use."

The two entered the kitchen, where Bruce offered him a seat at the breakfast table. "Have you told your mother?"

"God, no! She'd come all the way down here just to put her foot up my ass!"

"You don't tell her yourself, I will." Bruce said eyes flashing to the phone.

"You're not going to call her now are you, I mean it's only four-" he quickly looked at his watch, "fifty-six."

"Why wouldn't I?" Bruce asked, taking another sip of his coffee.

Thomas J. scratched behind Ace's ears as he thought, "Just give me a few days, then I'll tell her myself."

Bruce nodded, and the two of them sat in comfortable silence, as the grandfather clock struck five, it's harmonious chimes, echoing throughout the first floor.

[The_NewCatwoman]

**December 24th, 2008**

Bruce sat in the back of his black sudan, calmly brushing the stray pieces of lint that clung to the frabic of his fedora to the floor. He placed it back on his head, and tucked it lower, shielding his eyes in a shadow.

He subconciously began to hum, his low baritone voice resonating through his eardrums at a smooth, cheerful tone. His thoughts on his young daughter at home.

Aidia had been throughly excited for the past two weeks, counting down the days to Christmas, as her mother placed large red X's on each of the respective days.

They'd all sat together infront of the television, watching all the little Christmas specials that came on ABC, and Fox. Aidia asking if Santa Claus was going to bring her presents.

Selina had quickly corrected her on the proper pronunciation of Saint Nicholas, and he himself went into the whole history behind the celebrated Saint, and how the name "Santa Klaus" came into use. Then the both of them quickly told her that Santa Claus wasn't real, just a folk tale that people told their kids in the spirit of the original. Aidia had appeared slightly crushed, but had gotten over it by the time the commercials had ended.

Selina had bought Aidia a Spanish children's book called "Feliz Navidad!" and used it to teach her the history behind the celebrations.

Then Bruce had read her The Night Before Christmas, using the same pop-up book that his father had given him as a young boy.

Aidia had helped her mother, and Alfred decorate the house in garish design the entire week, and marveled at the large trees that had been put up in the more frequented rooms. Large mounds of presents sat under the biggest tree, adressed to several of Bruce and Selina's closest friends, but the majority were as expected for Aidia.

Bruce looked at his watch, it was only 6:20. He smiled, Selina and Aidia weren't expecting him for a few more hours. But he'd let everyone off early in anticipation for the coming holiday.

His smile widened considerably, for him at least, as the car pulled into the long driveway that lead up to Wayne Manor, his father's house.

After all this time, even now as he raised his own familia inside it's secure walls, he still thought of it as his father's house.

Quickly he thanked Alfred with a nod as the aging butler opened his door for him, and pulled the last of his Christmas shopping bags from the trunk. He turned startled,as Alfred called out in concern.

Bruce stared at the front steps of his home, the double-doors ajar. He dropped the bags and rushed into the house. Alfred right behind him.

He balled his hands into fists, and quickly punched the splintered frame of the door as he surveyed the scene before him. The trees had been knocked over, and the gift contents had been strewn haphazardly across the great room floor. Furniture had been broken into pieces, and the hanging decorations had been pulled down, and shredded into shards of evergreen and plaid red.

Bruce's eyes scanned over the remains of the house, cursing under his breath severely. He felt his breath catch in his throat as he caught sight of his parent's portrait. A long slash divided the two, and several sections had been ripped from the painting all together.

Bruce clutched his temples and closed his eyes, trying to cast away the glaring red pain growing behind his forehead. He raised his eyes to Alfred, small tears forming at the corners. "Who would...?" he asked hopelessly.

Alfred rested his hands on Bruce's shoulders, but remained silent, not sure what he could say to soften the moment. Suddenly realization flashed in his charge's eyes, and the worried man rushed up to the second floor of house without turning back around.

Alfred looked over the chaos sadly, himself without the slightest idea who would have the intense hatred in his heart capable of causing such unjustified pain in his master's life. He found himself jolted unpleasantly from his thoughts as a totured cry swallowed the house in it's hollow, raw conviction.

Alfred was soon at the younger man's side, his hand stiffling his comments, eyes glazed over with wonder.

At their feet lay the lifeless body of Selina, cuts and bruises covered her exposed skin. Bruce sank to his knees, and took her into his arms, burying his head into the nape of her neck. He sobbed furiously, only calming slightly as her bloodied hand caressed his cheek. He raised his head, and looked at her, their silence filling the room with uncertainty.

"Bruce," she said weakly, "They came out of nowhere, they took our baby, there were so many of them, the bastards." she choked out.

"Shhh," Bruce said placing his finger to her lips, before cradling her, holding her protectively against his chest. "I'll find them, I'll make them pay for what they've done."

Alfred quietly excused himself out of the room and went about the task of cleaning up the great room. His brow creased in determination, and worry. There were few men who had the... need... to do something like this, particularly to Master Bruce. But there was only one man, who had the actual resources, the means to do such a dastardly act...

[Panther]

I'm having a hard time imaging Bruce as the father of three boys. But Thomas is so adorable!

"They didn't even give me a gosh-dang drug test!"

"Gosh-dang?" Bruce asked with a hint of a smile.

Thomas shrugged, "I don't like the other word, so I modified it for my use."

Cute!

I'm also enjoying how you skip back and forth between time, space and characters - Max and Terry to Selina and Bruce, etc. - yet no one gets slighted in developemnt.

I /know/ this will only end in tears - but who kidnapped Aida (with a name like that who expects anything /but/ tragedy? , since this ain't the Disney version) and why and /who/? Who wants to hurt /Bruce/ so bad?

keep up the good writing!

[The_NewCatwoman]

**Panther- thanks for replying, I can understand about the three sons thing. The thing is I've always wanted Bruce to have a huge family of his own, with Selina or whoever, it just kinda developed this way.**

**flashback continues**

A small trembling form crouched in the corner of her the bed, her legs pulled up to her chest, tears streaming miserably down her small face.

Before her stood three figures, one large and musclebound with a bald head, another a woman with long hair that obscured one of her eyes, and the last a man with black hair streaked in white, and eyes so cold they made her shiver.

"I want my Daddy." the young girl whispered, wiping the hot tears from her eyes.

The last man spoke first, "Oh come now, I've saved you from mediocracy, growing up under the misguided efforts of The Detective and his wife The Catwoman." His voice was thick with an accent she'd never heard before, his was different than her mother's and she could only half understand what he said.

"What is your name?" the woman asked, her voice was also tinged with a similar accent, but was thick with some unknown emotion. Maybe hate?

The girl shook her head back and forth, "I'm not supposed to talk to strangers." she said, burying her face in her knees.

The last man spoke again, "I am Ra's Al Ghul, this is my daughter Talia, and my assistant Ubu, you are a very fortunate young girl, to think you were almost brought up in such a wretched existence in Gotham."

"I don't want to talk to you, I want my Daddy!" she screamed suddenly, erupting into another round of tears.

Ra's sighed, "I don't think you understand my dear, I suppose I should explain it in a way that would make sense to you, as your father has done nothing to develop your mind as it seems..."

He walked to her bedside and stared down at her, she proceeded to scoot as close to the opposite bedpost as possible. "Your father, The Detective was already a good man, but he was to become a great man, he was to become my heir and rule after me, finalizing my dream to a utopian earth, but he foolishly rejected my offer as well as my daughter. You," he said reaching over, and taking her chin, "are the child they should have had together, and are rightfully my heir. I will raise you as my granddaughter, and Talia will become as your mother, Ubu as your uncle and godfather." he paused, "Now tell us child, what is your name?"

"Aidia." she whispered quietly.

"Now get some sleep my precious child, you will rise in the morning for your first lessons."

[Panther]

Well that just made me come up with half a dozen /new/ guesses to how we get from point a to b in this story. You picked Aida's name on purpose, didn't you? Have you seen the musical? I hope to get tickets next time it comes to my town. I liked the way you introduced Ras and crew in this post. He's even more scary from a child's pov!

good luck with this story!

later,

[The_NewCatwoman]

*11:47pm, Christmas Day*

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing! I've gone over this entire house from top to bottom, four times Alfred!" Bruce said collapsing into a heap on the floor.

Alfred stood nearby, worry etched into his face, genuinely afraid for his charge's mental health. Master Bruce hadn't slept for the past fourt-five or more hours. Twenty-eight of which had been spent turning the Manor over half in rage, and half in desperation. Master Bruce had denied continually the possiblilty that he wouldn't find their child, but now it was becoming more and more apparent that their Angel was gone forever.

Alfred reassigned his attention to Master Bruce who had crawled into a ball on the floor, with his face in the rug. He let out a low wail, and punched the floor savagely, his fingers burning against the friction.

"Master Bruce, perhaps a hot shower, a meal, and a good night's sleep would make for a renewed spirit in the morning." Alfred said, well aware that Bruce was hardly ready to sleep.

To his surprise Bruce relented, standing slowly, his face unshaven, eyes wild with stress. Alfred watched with a small reassurance as he turned for the stairway, then new anxiety as Bruce instead tore for the cave.

"Master Bruce, you really should get some rest." Alfred pleaded.

Bruce rushed towards the changing room, and stopped just short of entering. Staring in anger at his various suits, and the trophies he'd acquired through his years of rigorous training.

"Sir, maybe it is too soon to say, we really shouldn't give up hope that young Aidi," he started as he joined Bruce.

"There's nothing there Alfred," Bruce moaned, "Not fingerprints, not footprints, fragments of clothing, hair,... NOTHING!"

"We do know it was Ra's Al Ghul don't we sir?" Alfred asked timidly.

"Yes, of course, but that doesn't tell me where he is, what he's doing, why it is he's doing this. I--know--absolutely--NOTHING!"

Alfred remained silent, stepping back a few paces to allow Bruce room incase he ran through his fist through the wall. Instead Bruce grabbed the nearest suit, a lightweight summer get-up, and raced back up the stairs, Alfred trying desperately to keep up.

He soon found the troubled man outside of his home, in the middle of the commodious front yard, the suit at his feet. He also found Bruce had managed to grab a gasoline can and a book of matches on the way outside before Alfred had even made it to the first step.

"Master Bruce..."

"Quiet Alfred." Bruce said in a unnervingly even voice.

Alfred watched as Bruce poured gasoline over the suit and struck a match.

"Alfred, what is he doing?" came the tired voice of Selina, Bruce's wife, Aidia's mother behind him. Alfred didn't have the will to answer, locked in awe at the sight.

They heard, back in the great room, the Grandfather clock strike twelve, it's chime ringing harmoniously through the three figures ears. Bruce waited a tense moment with uncaring eyes, and threw the match onto the suit. The entire thing went up instantly in a fiery haze, the heat enough to drive both Alfred and Selina back a few paces.

Bruce stayed put, tears streaming torturously down his cold, expressionless face. His knees began to shake, and gave out, lowering him to the grass.

He raised his face to the heavens and let out a horrible scream.

Alfred and Selina looked up suddenly as a swarm of bats appeared over them, blanketing the sky. Their wings flapping thuderously across the great expanse.

Before them stood something more than a man, he was the master of something they could never concieve, the bats themselves respected him, and he had been broken.

Selina took a few steps forward, then slowly, unsure of his reaction, wrapped her arms around his neck and lowered herself to her knees

Bruce turned slightly and buried his face in the nape of her neck, as she stroked his hair. "I can't be Batman anymore Selina..."

"Shhh." she insisted quietly, kissing his forehead.

"No, how can I be expected to protect an entire city, if I can't even keep my daughter out of harm's reach?"

Selina closed her eyes, leaning against him for support, unable to answer the question.

**Present Day**

Thomas J. sat lazily on the couch, pressing the television remote control over and over, each channel blinking before him for only a second before he changed it again. A long line of drool purposely sliding down his chin, and spotting his shirt.

Bruce sat next to him staring in facination. His son was a master at improvitization. They could be just sitting there having a conversation, and all of a sudden, Thomas J. would just zone out, letting his eyes blur, and face become blank. The first few times he had done it, at age twelve, he'd scared his mother half to death and proceeded to get himself grounded for the entire summer. Bruce had later convinced Helena to overturn the sentence, claiming he meant no harm, and that she was just a bad sport.

Shane had jokingly accused him of favoring Thomas J. which they all knew wasn't actually true.

Not entirely anyway.

It was now a little after ten o' clock at night, and Thomas had made a big show out of watching Blue's Clues, and Dora the Explorer on Nick Jr. the next morning. Something they'd done regularly when he was a toddler. They'd both slept past it that morning, and Thomas was determined not to let it happen again.

Across from them sat a barely awake Terry, his eyes fluttering up and down, for the most part unresponsive to Bruce's calls.

Thomas snapped out of his trance and stared at the teenager, just four years younger than him. He didn't really have that good of an impression of the guy, as he'd only broken into the batcave and stolen his father's batsuit. But Thomas wasn't one to let prejudices get in the way of potential friendships, so he had given Terry the benefit of the doubt that morning when they'd finally met. He turned to his father, "A bit of a late start isn't it?"

Bruce nodded, and stood. Raising his cane a few feet, he whacked Terry on the shins, causing him to wake up quite suddenly and irritably. Just the perfect combination for crimefighting, as one can't fight crime without some sense of drive.

"Good morning Sunshine!" Thomas sang with a chuckle. Terry stared at them both angrily, he'd been having a great dream about putting in a guest appearance on The Man Show on Comedy Central. He'd even convinced Dana to get on the trampoline. "Dammit." he cursed, rising from his seat.

He yawned, then looked back and forth from Senior to Junior Wayne, and for the life of him couldn't imagine how the two of them could be related. Sure, they posessed similar features, but their personalities were completely flipped. Thomas J. had to be the goofiest guy over twenty he had ever met, the guy laughed at everything. And Bruce... As it appeared didn't even know what a laugh was anymore. But it was also apparent that Bruce thoroughly enjoyed his son's company. He hadn't seen the guy so at ease at any time since he'd met him. He obviously adored his children, and Terry was happy for him for that.

He turned to Thomas, "So are you joining me or what?"

"Whoa, oh no, I don't do the vengence thing. Besides when you come from a family of superheroes, it's a little 'old hat' if you know what I mean."

"Family of superheroes?" Terry asked, noting Bruce's sudden aggitation. Terry had never inquired as to the scope of Bruce's reach when it came to the people around him. All he knew was there were two Robin's, and he was satisfied.

"Yeah, uh gee... Dick and Tim of course. My mom, my godmother and father..."

"Your mom?" Terry asked surprised.

"Yeah, Helena Bertinelli, school teacher by day, ass-kicker by night...?"

Terry's face remained blank.

"Geez, doesn't this kid know anything?" he asked rolling his eyes.

"No." Bruce said in a flat tone, indicating the conversation was over.

The three of them headed towards the clock. Bruce turned and stared at Thomas expectantly.

"What?" Thomas asked, as if there was nothing out of place.

"I thought you don't do the 'vengence thing'?"

"I never said I didn't want to watch, besides seeing Terry get kicked in the balls sounds like such fun!' Thomas answered enthusiasticly.

"Thanks." Terry called up the stairs.

"Your welcome." Thomas said ginuinely as he started down the stairs, Bruce following, rolling his eyes at the comment.

--#--

A young woman sat reading a french magazine, and enjoying a small gin on her trans-atlantic flight, smiling pleasantly as the p.a. system announced the plane's decent into Gotham Internation Airport, gate 327-B.

Her soft, wavy brown hair, flowing from under a custom made fedora, curved over her shoulders, accentuating the button-down shirt she wore, cuffs un-done, first three buttons as well. Her clevage was showcased nicely by the outfit, which when complete included her pinstripe skirt, and the matching jacket, which lay folded across the seat next to her. She replaced the magazine into her carry-on, and finished her drink, handing the empty glass to a passing flight-attendent. Buckling her seatbelt, she prepared for the landing, tensing her body, and checking her earplugs to make sure they were lodged firmly in her ear canal.

Upon landing, she regained the rest of her luggage at the baggage claim including the cage that held her infant pet tiger Ali-Aamir, and caught a taxi to the Gotham Plaza, across the street from Wayne International, the newly established Wayne Enterprises world headquarters. Upon reaching her room, she immediately let Ali out of his cage, and cradled him. The plane ride had made him cranky, and he now moaned insatisfiably. She fed him and eventually he calmed down, falling asleep on one of the many pillows atop her bed. Walking to the window, she stared at the Gold monogram labeling the Wayne building, the name ringing a distinct and rather nagging bell in her memory. But she couldn't place it. Shrugging, she undressed, save for her underwear and set up her laptop. After finally finding a phone jack, she logged onto the internet and checked her e-mail. There were a few letters from her brother Jean-Xavier about their grandfather's health. She read them quickly, then decided to reply later on.

Now Relaxed, she changed completely out of her clothes, showered, and laid down to take a short nap. Setting the bedside alarm clock for 2:30am, she kissed Ali on the top of his fuzzy head and settled down to sleep. She had a busy night ahead of her.

[The_NewCatwoman]

Originally posted by Panther


Well that just made me come up with half a dozen /new/ guesses to how we get from point a to b in this story. You picked Aida's name on purpose, didn't you? Have you seen the musical? I hope to get tickets next time it comes to my town. I liked the way you introduced Ras and crew in this post. He's even more scary from a child's pov!

good luck with this story!

later,

Ummmm, what musical. I swear I'm so sheltered, I have no real concept of that kind of stuff. I guess I'm more interested in drugs and the 60s. Che Guevera and Nikki Giovanni kick ass! The only musical I guess I'd really be interested in would be uhhh, WestSide Story, I guess. I've never seen it. Thanks for the reply, it's greatly appreciated.

Love, Peace, and Hairgrease,

-tNC

[The_NewCatwoman]

Batman sat boredly atop the Wayne International building, staring vacantly at the stars. Yawning, he looked at his watch, only 2:28am. The city had been completely devoid of crime for the past two nights, it was as if the crooks had all gone on some kind of unscheduled holiday or something. Oh well, he should be happy there was nothing going on, he could get home earlier.

--#--

The alarm clock slashed through her sleepy dreams like a sharpened machete. Groaning, one hand went to her forehead, the other to her alarm clock. She quickly cut it's shrill cry before Ali had a chance to pounce on it. Turning over, she kicked the covers back and picked Ali's groggy form up, holding him over her. He croaned softly, startled by the sudden movement.

"Hey cutie, how's about you and I get going?" she asked, her american tone accented by the french and arabic she'd become accustomed to speaking for the past few years.

Ali of course eyed her silently. She sighed setting him back down, watched as he curled back into a little ball.

Rising, she began to set out two separate outfits. One she was going out in tonight, which consisted of a black kevlar catsuit, with an invisible zipper that ran up the front, and a white screenprint of a tiger on the back and a light-weight utility belt holding all the tools she would need for her job. Finished off by a pair of googles, that would allow her to see in the dark. The other was a Hotkiss clipped-sleeveless shirt whose sides were purposely accentuated with about fifteen safety pins each, and a shin length dirty-denim Diesel skirt. She also pulled out a pair of aviator glasses in the shade of her skirt. This outfit was for tommorow of course.

Quickly she got dressed, and grabbed a reluctant Ali, placing him across her neck He began to cry out in protest, digging one of his tiny claws into her shoulder.

She cired out, ignoring the urge to throw him from her, and picked him up. Holding him away from her, she shared a few harsh words in french with him that she had used during his house-breaking to symbolize he'd done something wrong.

He cried out fearfully, never liking the position, and she relented, placing him back on her shoulders. Smiling, she pulled the goggles up to her forehead, and checked her e-mail once more.

Jean-Xavier was now stateside as well, staying the night in New York, before he would join her the next afternoon. She was to spend all of her time until then concentrating on finding the Batman, and detailing his actions.

Exiting through the window, she used the grooves between the bricks to climb to the roof. Looking out over the city, she was surprised to find her quarry sitting not but fifty feet away.

Snorting with annoyance, she remembered her grandfather's many words on the Batman, and how he was not easily belittled in his glory days. When he'd surfaced, she'd been called on to confront him for some reason or another, she hadn't needed an answer. She'd spent the last few years training non-stop for the encounter.

Walking to the edge of the roof, she calculated the distance between her building and the next, deciding that it was too far to jump. Instead, she reached into a pocket on her belt, and pulled out a single hook grappling hook, and threw it across the mostly empty street below her. Pulling it, to check it's security, she latched her end to the ledge below her, and tight-roped across.

--#--

Batman leaned back, and sighed. Absolutely nothing was going on, this was a complete waste of time. He pressed his comm-link, "Come on Bruce, this is fruitless. I think it's pretty safe to say, the freaks aren't coming out tonight."

He chuckled, as he heard Thomas J. go into his own rendition of "The freaks come out at night!" and Bruce hush him quickly.

"Stay out for another thirty minutes just to be sure, it's still pretty early."

"*groan* Alright, as you wish your majesty. Over."

"You said Bruce, tell me, who is this Bruce you speak of, his name sounds familiar to me." a feminine voice said from behind him.

"Ahhhh!" Batman yelped nearly falling over. Turning around, he stared at the figure before him. Thinking quickly he blurted, "I didn't say Bruce, I said uh,... er..."

"You said Bruce, I heard you, those were your exact words." she said quietly. "Don't worry, I have no desire to pry into that which is not my business."

"Who are you speaking to?" Bruce asked through the comm-link.

"Uhhh, I don't know, I didn't even hear her come up." Batman rubbed the back of his neck nervously, searching for the right words to say. "Who are you?"

"I am not obliged to say, I am on business for my grandfather, your presence is needed at his estate, that is all I know."

"Whoa, uhh I don't even know your grandfather, let alone you."

"Don't worry, the time is not at hand just yet, I will take leave now, and contact you later with more details." she said quickly leaving.

[The_NewCatwoman]

Selina Kyle lay half-asleep in her bed. Coming to her senses fully as a shadow fell across her from the window. She tensed her body, feigning slumber, as the shadow opened her window and crept inside. Springing up, she ran at the assailant, striking them on the shoulder. The attacker recovered quickly, and turned, ducking under her other arm, and grasping both wrists, drawing them behind her.

Selina growled, "There's only one person I've ever let hold me like this, and they're not a part of my life anymore!"

"Shhh, I have not come with any threat against you or your possessions."

Selina pulled surprised that as small as the figure was, their grip was unbelievably sure. "Fine!" she relented angrily, as they released her instantly and stepped back.

"Who are you?" she asked, staring at the shadow before her, surprised to see they wore an outfit similar to her's as Catwoman, and that at their feet was a baby tiger. She smiled adoringly, at the little warrior who stood in a protective stance, growling as much and as loud as it's little voice box could take.

"As I told someone else tonight, I am not obliged to say, I am here on the behalf of my grandfather who requests your presence at his estate. It is with great regret that his health is failing and he is on his deathbed." she finished with strain.

Selina stared at her, it was obvious that she was hurting, and she was almost sad to tell her there was nothing she could do. "I'm sorry sweetie, but I don't know you or your grandfather, and hardly know why he needs me there."

"He told me that you were owed an explanation to an event in your past involving myself, but he wouldn't say anymore. He said to take it up with a man named Wayne."

Selina shuddered at the sound of the name "Wayne". She knew who her grandfather was referring to: her ex-husband Bruce Wayne.

Selina turned away from the young woman, "What does he need with Bruce and I? Especially together, one would think he doesn't know that we're divorced." Selina remarked solemnly, her eyebrows raising with emotion.

The young woman stepped back, "I-I did not know, he just gave instructions that I find Batman and yourself. And that I tell you to give consultation with a man named Wayne. I have received no other instructions pertaining your visit."

"Do you know why he wants me there." Selina asked, wrapping her arms around herself.

"That was not my concern, my only duty was to-"

"What a minute," Selina interrupted, "you said you had to find the Batman. What does he have to do with this?"

The figure stepped back, "As I told you, I do not know. My brother will see you tomorrow, he knows much more than I, as I have other duties on my own to attend to. Good night Ms. Kyle." and with that she and the tiger were gone.

--#--

She sat down on the ledge outside Ms. Kyle's window and sighed, that had been hard work. Sliding off the narrow space, she took to the air, Ali clinging to her shoulder blades, enjoying the rush of wind on her face as she sped towards the ground. At the last possible moment, she produced another grappling hook and latched onto a building. Swinging upward, she arched her body, and sailed through the air, coming to a graceful landing on a rooftop not far from Ms. Kyle's.

"What exactly are you up to?"

She spun quickly, surprised to find the Batman behind her.

"I saw you leave that apartment, what were you doing in there?" he asked in a slightly menacing voice, not at all as scary as her mother had boasted.

"That is none of your business!"

"And here I thought you were harmless, silly me. I followed you, I saw you go in, and I saw you leave. Now, where's the stash?"

"I beg your pardon?" she asked angrily, "Are you placing me on the same level as a common criminal?"

"You said it." he remarked sarcastically.

Her back went rigid and she stared at him, her bosom heaving in anger, "How dare you! I am NEVER to be placed on the level as a crook! I--under absolutely NO circumstances--EVER steal!"

Batman stared ahead cluelessly, taken aback by her outburst, she hadn't struck him as having a temperament. Taking a moment to recover he tried a new line of questioning: "Ummm, fine, what are you doing here?"

"I was on my way back to my hotel room." she said as if it were obvious to any fool.

"No, I meant in Gotham. What're you doing here."

"I already told you, now if you excuse me, I have appointments to keep."

He reached out and grabbed her arm, "Look, as long as you're willing to play by the rules. I figure I can help you out a little."

She turned, finding herself strangely calmed by his touch. Of course, she reasoned to herself, the Batman had had that same effect on her mother. Her grandfather often spoke of him with a tone of pride, as if he were his own son. Unfortunately, the Batman and her grandfather had come onto bad terms when he'd refused the opportunity to live the life of a king, married to her mother. She was told that she was the child of the original Batman, and her mother. Knowing this, she pulled out of his grip, this was by far not the original. This was not her father.

"You have no say in the affairs of my life. Your only concern is that of my grandfather."

"Just who is your grandfather anyway?" Batman asked.

She sighed, knowing that he wouldn't let her leave until she told him that much. "Why Ra's Al Ghul of course."

--#--

Bruce began to cough painfully, grasping his chest.

"Dad, are you okay?" Thomas asked coming to his side.

"Yes, yes. Terry, ask her to repeat herself."

--#--

Batman cocked his eyebrow in confusion, "Uhhh, okay. Hey, um could you repeat that, I'm not sure I heard you correctly."

She huffed annoyedly, "As I stated, Ra's Al Ghul."

--#--

Bruce leaned back in shock, staring at the screen blankly.

"Dad, what, what is it?!' Thomas asked bewilderedly.

"Terry, give me visual, ask her to take off her goggles so I can see her face."

--#--

"Ummm," Batman said switching to visual for his employer, "This might sound really odd, but could you kinda take off your goggles?"

She groaned impatiently, "I really don't see why that's necessary..." she said reaching for the eye wear that obstructed her face.

Just as she began to pull them up, a deafening explosion sounded a few blocks away.

Bruce, Thomas J., Batman, and the young woman all cursed at the same time.

Batman took off in the direction, "Just when I thought it was safe to call it a night." he threw out as he jumped from the ledge and let out the wings tucked under his arms. Enjoying the kick the jet packs in his feet gave him as they burst on.

Hearing a soft growling noise, he turned to see the woman, with her tiger in her arms, rushing over the rooftops not far behind him. "Hey, what the hell are you doing?!" he asked.

She didn't answer, instead choosing to concentrate on her destination.

Batman smirked staring appreciatively at her form as it raced across the tarmac roofs of the many Gotham apartment buildings. She had no problem whatsoever keeping up with him. The catsuit fit her perfectly in all the right places.

"Terry, quit staring at her, and look at where you're going!" Bruce barked into his comm-link.

"Yeah, yeah ok--Oomp!" Batman said as he flew into a billboard.

--#--

Thomas J. stared forward at the screen as Terry's body fell away from the billboard. After a few seconds of disbelief, a few snickers formed in his throat, until he could no longer hold them in. He began to cry as he guffawed unashamedly on the floor. Letting the laughter roll out of him like water. He... hit the..." he said unable to finish.

--#--

Batman groaned opening his eyes, the young woman stood above him, turning away to hide her smile.

"Owww!" he groaned.

She raised her eyebrows, and pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh.

Batman sat up, placing his arms over his knees.

Finally, she managed to squish them down long enough to make a comment, "Ummm, while you were slumbering, I took care of the situation, calling both the fire department, and the police." She said pointing over her shoulder at two goons who hung unconscious from a streetlight.

"I guess you've more than proven yourself." Batman said, coughing, and rubbing his throbbing head.

"Well, I guess this means you'll be buying Krest toothpaste hmmm?"

"What?" he asked still disorientated.

She pointed over her shoulder at the sign he'd crashed into, an advertisement for the toothpaste she'd spoke of."

Batman sighed as he heard Thomas J. go into another fit of laughter, he knew he wouldn't be living this down anytime soon.

[The_NewCatwoman]

Melanie opened her eyes, squinting in the darkness of her bedroom. She turned over, finding herself in a tangle of sheets. Cursing to herself, she kicked her way out of the entrapment, and crept to the mirror. Without turning on the lights, she examined her bruised eye. It wasn't swollen anymore, but it was still an odd chocolate pudding color. Frowning deeply, she turned away and began to get dressed, periodically recalling the days activites: She'd arrived home from Max's around five, at which her father had preceeded to knock her unconcious. She then remembered being shaken awake by her equally bruised mother, who'd helped her to bed. Harley had then proceeded to stroke her daughter's hair until she fell back asleep.

Melanie looked in the mirror, a t-shirt, a gray hooded Triple 5 Soul sweatshirt, and a pair of jeans she'd found under the bed. "Yeah, you'd fit right in at Teen Vogue." she remarked, as she began to bite her fingernails.

Turning away, she used her left hand to fish around for a pair of socks. Finally becoming fed up, she threw on a yellow striped one, and a red one she'd found next to her nightstand. Reaching into her dresser drawer, she pulled out a few creds and a folded piece of paper, hiding the rest of her creds under a few old shirts. Going to her window, she lifted it slowly, weary of any creaking the old frame might do. Reaching out, she tested the weather, finding it to be comfortably cool. Throwing her leg over, she hoisted herself over the sil, and placed the folded piece of paper between the closed window so as not to lock herself out. Creaping along the fire escape, she slowly climbed down ladder after ladder until she reached the sidewalk, finding comfort in once again being outside her father's reach.

Walking down the street, she began to smell the distinct scent of shrimp. She rubbed her stomach, noticing for the first time that her tummy was growling quite painfully. Looking across the street she saw the source of the smell, a Miley and Miley Shrimp Shack. Given she lived in Gotham, she was grateful for the abundance of twenty-four hour establishments all over the city. Running across the mildly busy street, she ducked inside and ordered chicken tenders and fries. Turning around to find a table, she noticed the ancient Mrs. Pac-Man upright in the corner. Next to it stood a converter machine, which would easily exchange her creds for the quarters that funded the video game. Deciding that a fast game was in order, she made quick work of gaining quarters and set to work on the first level.

***

Selina took a deep breath, and cut the engine. Stepping out of her car, she brought her sunglasses down slightly to get a better look at Wayne Manor. It wasn't quite as neat as she remembered. For one thing the term "crab-grass" was being nice. It looked like Bruce was cultivating a small rainforest on his property. Smirking to herself, she attempted to steady her nerves. This was the first time she'd been up here since the divorce, which had been twenty-four years ago last month. Sighing, she told herself to chill, and walked to the intercom. Pressing the button for service, she waited for someone to acknowledge her presence. She took the time to reminisce, back to when she and Bruce were just part-time lovers at best, and Alfred ran the household with a strict intolerance for the unorderly. During their many on and off again relationships she'd made time to visit the house, often unnanounced, to surprise Bruce. The lawn had seemed to sprawl into oblivion, miles of healthy green in all directions, bathed in sunlight. Every now and then, she'd managed to talk Bruce into taking naps in the soft blanket.

"Hello?" came a young voice jarring her back to reality.

"Yes," she said, "I'm hear to speak to Mr. Wayne, who is this?"

"This is his son, Thomas, may I ask who you are?"

Selina looked at the intercom in shock for a moment, not quite remembering that Bruce had remarried, and had had three more children. This must have been the youngest Thomas.

"Hellllloooo?" he asked, confused by the sudden silence.

"Yes, I'm still here, just tell him 'The cat in the cowl,' he'll know what that means."

"Hold on a moment please." Thomas said.

Selina drummed her fingers against her thigh, not quite remembering ever being this nervous back when they were younger.

Again she was shocked from her thoughts by interruption, this time it was the sliding of the manor gates. Selina took her time walking up the path, smiling to herself as she noticed particular spots where she and Bruce had shared intimate moments. By the time she reached the giant oak doors, her smile was a large as a cheshire. Raising the knocker, she waited a few moments until the door opened. She had expected to find Thomas waiting for her, but instead, she was greeted by Bruce. Although Bruce clearly looked like he had seen better days, there was a glint in his eyes that had been missing for what she knew to be a very long time.

"Selina." he greeted kindly, stepping aside to let her pass.

"Bruce," she greeted in turn, stopping just inside the foyer, "You're up rather early aren't you, being a nightowl and everything."

Bruce smiled, rather pleasantly for the moment, and nodded. "Thomas wanted to watch Blue's Clues."

Selina cocked her eyebrow, "He sounded much older than that..."

"He is, I assure you, he just hasn't let go of his love for cartoons and the like yet." Bruce said, taking her coat, which he hung up for her.

Selina nodded in thanks, and waited for him to lead her to the family room.

Sitting across from each other, they both sat in comfortable silence, not in any rush to say anything just yet. Finally their eyes met and Selina began:

"I had a bit of a encounter last night."

"Oh, the close kind, or was it far?"

Selina smirked, Bruce had always been a bit on the sarcastic side with her, "Anyway, a woman came to see me, she looked rather young, dressed in all black, I thought you might know a little something, since you know,... you keep up with that kind of thing."

Bruce smiled, the second time since she'd arrived. "Well, as you know Selina, a lot of people in this city wear black."

Selina frowned slightly, "I've never known you to be an ass Bruce, don't start now."

Bruce leaned back, folding his hands over his upright cane, "Alright Selina what happened."

"Well, as to be expected, I thought she was there to steal from me, so I defended myself..."

"And?"

"it was amazing, she was soooo... Like you, she even pulled nearly the same moves. She locked my arms behind me, I've never met anyone besides you who could do that." Selina said in awe, noticing slightly how easy it was to say all this, she'd been scared of nothing.

"Did she have a pair of goggles and a tiger cub?" Bruce asked tilting his head and narrowing his eyes.

"Yes, see I knew you knew!"

"I don't know anything, before Terrence could get her to take off her goggles, we had a bit of interference."

"Terrence?" Selina asked puzzled.

"My gopher, the new 'Batman'."

"Well, I never thought I'd ever hear you readily refering to someone else as the Batman."

"My subconcious seems to agree with you, but he's earned it, he's hardheaded, but he's earned it." Bruce said smiling for the third time, this had to be a record!

"So what about the girl, what did she do?"

"The right thing it seems, while Terry was unconscious on the roof, she dismantled a bank robbery all on her own."

Selina's eyebrows raised, "Thinking of recruiting her?" she asked with a smile.

"That's not my worry." Bruce said, all of a sudden becoming serious again.

Selina wasn't at all shaken, this was how she was used to him, and felt the most comfortable around him. "What, there's something else?"

Bruce raised his eyes to her's, the flame that was his presence burning as brightly as she'd ever seen it. "Did she speak to you about her grandfather?"

"Yes, she said my presence is requested, apparently he's on his deathbed or something."

Bruce reached out and took Selina's hand, "There was something else, something she didn't tell you."

Selina frowned, suddenly uncomfortable again. "What? What did she say?"

"Did you ask her who her grandfather was?"

"Yes, she wouldn't tell me, or maybe I didn't ask, I backtracked when she mentioned the Batman."

"His name is Ra's Al Ghul." Bruce said, never taking his eyes or hand from hers.

Selina felt her insides freeze, it was Christmas 2008 that she'd finally found what it was in her that could hate someone. That name had been like a poison to her, toxic to her mind and spirit. Ra's had taken and disappeared with their daughter Aidia the night before. They had never been able to find her. The lack of balance in their lives, yet another emotional shift, had eaten through their hearts, and eventually their marriage. They'd begun to take the ever mounting pressure and stress out on each other. Eventually deciding that their relationship was not something they wanted Aidia to return to should she be found. They'd divorced away from the media, bidding each other adieu.

Ra's Al Ghul was the man responsible for the ruination of the most stable and beautiful thing either had encountered since their early childhood's. There was a new meaning in the word hate when his name was mentioned.

Selina pulled her hand from Bruce's and cradled her face in her palms, willing herself not to sob.

That man had pulled tears from the both of them, single-handedly destroying Bruce's career as the Batman, and their life as a whole. They both had eventually learned to live with the increasingly bigger holes being cut into their sanity. But for what he'd done to her, Selina had wanted more than to put her foot up his ass, she'd wanted to kill him. A part of her still did.

[Panther]

I love how you're handeling all the different plotlines and can't wait to see how they weave together. Also, I must say I cracked up when Terry flew into the bilbord. Classic, absolutely classic. And I was so pleased when Ali turned out to be a tiger cub - I had him pegged as a monkey when he was first introduced - but this is sooooo much cuter! Are you a Calvin and Hobbes fan too? This is all geting very interesting - this is certianly going to be no ordinary family reunion!

Also, about the muscial I mentioned. It's called 'Aida', pretty close to Aidia, but... NEway; very breifly, it's a tragedy about Egyptians, Ethiopians, loyalty, and young love. I have a summary of it that's too long to put in a reply. E-mail if you want it. (side note - I strongly suspect Batgirl saw the musical and got a lot of her ideas for the flashbacsk in Link to the Past from Aida.)

later,

[The_NewCatwoman]

*Panther*
My cousin is a HUGE fan of them, mostly because his name is Calvin too, I on the other hand enjoy them when I see them. Calvin was such a cutie.


--

Bruce rose from his seat, and strolled into the study, taking his usual stance in front of the window. He wringed his hands, mind jumping from one thought to the other:

Judging from her build, she's anywhere from twenty-three, to twenty-eight years, but I can't determine her height until I see her myself. Aidia will be twenty-eight on her next birthday. Damn, this really could be her...

A hand on his shoulder interrupted his thoughts.

Bruce turned to find Selina's shorter frame behind him, pleasantly surprised at how her touch still calmed him. He turned slightly as she resumed a place next to him, her gaze before her out to the water.

"I keep thinking back to last night," she said sadly, "She's so much like you and she doesn't even know it."

"We don't know if it's really her Selina, we cannot get our hopes too high."

"You weren't there Bruce, last night, I didn't take the time to really listen, I've been replaying her words, the way she moved over an over. How can it not be?"

"How can it not be who?"

Bruce and Selina turned to find Thomas standing in the threshold. His hands moved nervously against his pants legs on either side, Bruce took this to mean he was holding back his urgency.

Bruce sighed and turned to his youngest, Selina doing the same, soaking in the features of the young raven haired man. Right down to the laugh lines in the corners of his mouth.

"You remember long ago, when you were about six, and you wandered into the room you were forbidden to visit don't you?" Bruce asked.

Thomas nodded.

"And I told you that that room was very dear to me, do you remember why?"

Thomas bowed his head, "That was my sister's room." he answered quietly.

Selina bit her lip, and turned back to the window.

"You must be Selina then, her mother." Thomas said, looking to Selina's back.

Selina begrudgedly turned back around, "Yes." she answered.

"I'm sorry I didn't properly introduce myself at the door, I was eating, but that is still a poor excuse..."

"No, no, it's alright."

Thomas pursed his lips and extended his hand tenatively, surprising Selina with his sudden shyness, he had sounded quite open on the intercom. "Thomas Wayne Jr."

"Selina Kyle." Selina said stepping forward and shaking his hand.

Thomas turned to his father, "Do you think you've finally found her?"

Bruce huffed slightly, and aimed his eyes at the floor, "Last night, when I had that coughing fit, you asked me what was wrong. That woman Terry was talking to, she said her grandfather's name was Ra's Al Ghul, does that mean anything special to you?"

Thomas wrinkled his brow, "Is he the man that kidnapped Aidia?"

Bruce and Selina both shook their heads at the same time.

Thomas balled his fist and averted his glance to the window. "So why don't we go get her, bring her back here, and tell her the real deal?"

"Because it's not that simple, first, we don't even know if it's her or not, and second, she obviously doesn't remember us." Bruce noted Selina flinching at the comment. "And she was taken from us when she was two, it's most likely that because she was so young, Ra's convinced her that he was her grandfather, Talia her mother, that Bruce Wayne didn't exist, and that she was rightfully his."

"You've spent a lot of time thinking about this, haven't you?" Thomas asked.

"When all you can do is sit there thinking about what you could have done, and how you're not there, you find a lot of different ideas become plausible."

Thomas nodded, feeling that Bruce wasn't just referring to Aidia anymore, but himself and his brothers as well.

Thomas opened his mouth to speak, turning to Selina to find her gone. Wide-eyed, he turned looking frantically around the room to where she could have gone.

Bruce grabbed his shoulder, and told him to calm down, then led him out of the study, up the double-staircase, and down the left hallway. They stopped at a door that was cracked, Bruce slowly nudged it open with his cane.

Selina stood in the middle of the large bedroom, tears sliding down her fair skinned cheeks. Her eyes scanned the many reminders of her daugter, the hundreds of drawings taped to the bulletin board showcasing everything from Mama and Daddy, to Elmo from Sesame Street. Her box of Crayola's still sat on the drawing table, a few spilling out, waiting for an owner who had yet to return. The wind-up carnival horse sculptures that sat on the shelves next to her collection of china figurines. The giant doll house that sat atop another table in the middle of the room. Her twin-sized canopy bed. Bruce and Thomas each sat down on a side of the bed, waiting in silence.

Selina brought her head down and bit her lip, more tears streaming down, and dripping off her angular chin. She balled her fists and shuddered.

Bruce's face softened as he beheld her trembling figure, anxious to go to her. He would have if Thomas hadn't been there.

Thomas, sensing the tension, stood and left.

Bruce mouthed 'thank you' to the door and rose from the bedside. Taking her into his arms, pleased that she did not object, he held her, transfering all his long neglected feelings for her into their embrace.

Although he and Selina had divorced, their reasons weren't because they couldn't stand the sight of each other, but more so because they realized that for the meantime their marriage was becoming an obstacle. They were becoming too insecure with each other, worried sick that they might leave one day only to return to find the other gone too. They were fighting constantly, driving each other mad with complaint. Bruce had alway found comfort in their decision by assuring himself that Selina was no longer a target, and that Ra's could not use her to get to him. Even in passing, they never found it hard to be civil to each other, the direct opposite of most of the other high-society divorcees at the time.

Selina wrapped her arms around his neck and sobbed into his chest. Bruce ran his hand down her shoulder and made circles on her back, burying his face in her neck, something he had always loved to do. As they rocked back in forth, he whipsered encouragement into the tender spot between her ear and the slope of her chin. "Don't worry, we'll find a way through this."

Just as he finished the statement, he realized something. What had been missing from his second marriage. It had always amazed him at how poorly that relationship was, until it was absolutely no surprise that they were contacting their lawyers and drawing up custody forms. There was no element of intimacy, sure there was sex, and there was even the sharing of children, but no intimacy. No connection. No feeling of something being shared only between the two of them. They were both no excuses, hard-headed, and stubborn. They bounced off each other like rubber bands, usually not agreeing on anything. Selina and himself on the other hand, had complimented each other well. It was almost as if they could be made a available in a box set. They were like peanut butter and chocolate, green eggs and ham, three-year olds and tricycles. Perfectly completing the other. A cypher if you will. A never ending three-hundred and sixty degree wheel of love. For the first time in twenty-four years, Bruce felt ginuinely sorry that they'd divorced.

Selina lay her head on Bruce's chest, listening to his heartbeat. Here was the man who could make the skies erupt in black. A horrific frenzy of wings and claws, and screaming things that called the night their home. No matter how dark life became for him, he'd always possessed a heart of light, leading him through his troubles. There was nothing like a man completely sure of his actions, and every action of his ensured some kind of good outcome. She shifted slightly, to lean against him a bit more, enjoying the gentle slope of his digits as they massaged her. The sequencial sentence or two uttered in his beautiful voice catching her ears, and sliding slowly down her ear canals, soaking them with sound.

Finally she looked up at him, "Bruce, what if... What if it isn't her, what if Talia finally made another child, and he just... Ra's just killed..."

"Shhhh." Bruce said, quieting her immediately. "Believe me, Ra's would settle for nothing less than our child. No one elses will come before our own."

Selina nodded, as Bruce used his thumb to wipe away her tears. They both offered weak smiles to each other, "Don't worry, I'll get to the bottom of this before it becomes too much for either of us."

**October 2006**

Ra's Al Ghul paced impatiently infront of the double doors leading to his daughter's quarters, listening as she cried out in labor. She'd been having contractions since three that morning, and now it was after midnight. It wasn't long before he'd have a grandchild on his hands.

Not far away stood another figure, much calmer, although their expressions still portrayed concern. This earth knew him as Clark, this universe knew him as Superman, and a select few knew him as Kal-El, the son of Krypton. He was dressed in a newer form of his old uniform, a black and red suit, that had done away with the cape completely. Thick lead gloves and boots finished off the outfit.

Ra's glanced at him periodically, biding his time between worrying for his possible future heir and the strange man himself.

After Batman had rejected her in true finality by marrying the Catwoman, Talia had turned her sights to the other champion of earth, Superman. He'd been embroiled in proving himself to the world again, after some undisclosed event during which he'd attacked the earth's various military groups. Ra's had become intrigued by the man's actions as he watched the meelee unfold on television, struck by how much the man wanted to make ammends. Unfortunately, he was never again accepted near any degree of his former popularity, and had become bitter because of it. When Ra's had offered him the chance to save the earth from humanity's sins, he'd jumped at the opportunity. He and Talia had been married, and they'd promptly conceived a child.

That very child was now being born in the next room.

Finally a shrill cry cut through the air, and both men turned to each other.

Clark's face although reserved, was clearly over-joyed at the sound of his baby's voice.

The door burst open, and two nurses ermerged from the room, with smiles and deep blushes in their plump cheeks.

"What's the sex?" Ra's asked simply.

Clark frowned, slightly disturbed that whether Ra's was pleased with the birth or not depended on if the baby was a boy.

"It's a boy." The nurse on the left said, stepping aside to let the two men pass.

Inside the bedroom, Talia lay in her bed, sheets soaked with birth, holding her son in her arms. Clark stepped tenatively to the bed, eyes glazed with happiness.

"Your heir father, your son my love." she said referring to both men.

"What will his name be?" Ra's asked smiling proudly.

"We've decided on Jean-Xavier." Clark said, finally speaking.

"Jean-Xavier Head it is then!" Ra's said, proclaiming the child's name to everyone within earshot. "Tonight we rest, tommorow we celebrate!"

[Kali]

Oooh, the plot thickens! Talia and Clark had a son! Does Bruce know? And that evil, dastardly Ra's stealing Bruce and Selina's baby on Christmas Eve. I hope they nail him but good. I also like the twist of Helena being Bruce's other ex. I'm really looking forward to the next part!