Chapter 2: Bruce Wayne is a Shock To The System?

AN-Veers off from the 'Return of the Joker' Batman Beyond timeline. Tim eventually resumes his post as Robin.

Chapter Two of

Young Justice Titans: Changing One's Fate

Chapter 2: Bruce Wayne is a Shock To The System?

At eight fifty nine in the morning Amanda Waller did not expect what occurred. She stood in the same room as she occupied the night before, and looked at a chair where it's previous tenant resided.

One moment later there was a ping on Waller's watch. She tapped a button on it and said, "This had better be important."

A male voice fearfully replied, "A young woman is here to see you. She says she has an appointment with you at nine a.m."

Waller tapped on a wall panel and a screen appeared. She touched a few icons and triggered the camera controls. She zoomed in on the woman at the front desk who was in a white low cut blouse, tight black slacks, and black heels. Her long black hair hadn't covered the fierce intensity on the woman's face. Waller saw intelligence and cunning in the woman's very demeanor.

She ordered her escorted up.

Once in the room, Waller dismissed her aid and said, "What? No theatrics this time Ms. Campbell?"

"Maybe later after I have been exonerated of whatever charges you have trumped up for me."

Another beep was heard.

Waller again answered her wrist phone, "Now what?"

"Well Ma'am. We have Ms. Laurel Lance here as Ms. Campbell's attorney. She advised her client not to speak to you at depth again until she was there.

Waller felt another headache coming on.

After a few moments Dinah Laurel Lance was present and was dressed in a dark brown pants suit with a black blouse. She looked no less fierce than Tani when she said, "At the request of Ms. Campbell and Mr. Wayne I am stepping in as Ms. Campbell's attorney. Any further questions from here on out have to be approved by me. Any questions I find objectionable will be denied and I will file harassment charges. And please note that even as a covert operations center, you are not exempt from the law. Just slightly curtailing it. That will not be tolerated with my client. Questions?" she asked them both. "None? Good. Let us begin. Tani- you filled me in on what happened up until you were dropped off at the hospital and the second hand information which I have corroborated via the Titans. Now Ms. Waller. Would you like to continue where we left off?"

Steam could almost be seen coming from Waller's head as her eyes narrowed. She took a moment to calm, nodded and said, "I would watch myself counselor. Or should I say Black Canary?" she smirked.

Much to Waller's disappointment Ms. Lance retorted with utter calm, "Whichever you like."

Tani forced down a small laugh that threatened to escape. She then cleared her throat and continued her tale, "It had been three months since I'd been dropped off at the blood stench filled hospital where the Titan known as Raven had been kind enough to drop me for treatment and leave me a recorded note explaining what had happened. I felt fine physically, but mentally I was shattered. After a few days of testing I had been released but had constant nightmares of that eventful night. The rare moments of reprieve were when I saw the four who rescued me in my dreams. My job offer rescinded as news of the rape got to the company's PR department and it did not match up with the company's image. The one ally I thought I could trust in this fight had betrayed me. I was stricken by grief and started doing drugs. Every kind I could get a hold of. Ecstasy, marijuana, antidepressants, and even sniffing cleaning products. Anything to forget the pain. If only for a moment.

I was trying to revive the feeling of whatever my rapist shot me up with. My test results came back clean for diseases, but no one could explain the drug, but I had to try to push forward, but money was needed to live and no one would hire me as I gave off a vibe of being an extreme addict. The shakes and twitches. Whatever was put into my system I just couldn't shake it. I was eventually caught as I tried to hack into an ATM machine. At court my betrayer showed her true colors. After hearing testimony from Tracy Lynn, my 'sister' stating that I'd become unhinged and violent towards others, she could no longer care for me as she feared for her children's safety. But she did not want her sister in jail. I needed 'help' and the psychologist expert, a doctor if that's even what you'd call the psycho masochist Hugo Strange recommended that I be transferred to his facility. I was given a choice by the judge which surprised me, but crazy I may be. Stupid I am not. That and the possibly of being out in six months â€" three years. Or spend the next fifteen years in jail for my crimes. After arriving I had realized I was thrown into the same mind fuck of a place mom was years ago, possibly still as far as I knew... the Arkham Asylum in Gotham city. For me to have accepted that offer on paper with a lawyer that didn't really give damn about me. This is not a choice I should have made. The lawyer and Judge probably receive a hell of a kickback for people getting sent to this place.

...Waller smiled at the thought of sending Tani back to Arkham. Tani saw this and was about to have some very uncivilized words with her when Ms. Lance placed a reassuring hand on her wrist which calmed her for the time being.

Ms. Lance then did an arm gesture which suggested she continue which Tani did.

"I screamed and tried to get out of the restraining jacket to escape this madhouse and pulled every which way eventually resorting to kicking and knocked out six orderlies but this was Arkham. The place which sometimes held the Joker, Clayface, and even Poison Ivy, before their inevitable escape. I was shot with a tranq dart and fell, paralyzed, but still awake and aware before 'he' walked over to me as they put me onto a stretcher. He placed his lips near my ear and said in a whisper...'

"It looks as if you will have to be broken. I shall look forward to that Ms. Campbell. And I am sure there are others looking forward to meeting you as well."

'Even paralyzed, my body shivered in fear.'

"My god Tani. That must have been terrifying," Ms. Lance empathized. Waller merely rolled her eyes, and awaited more of the tale.

''It started day one. First my beautiful black hair cut into a scruffy bob. Day after day of 'therapy sessions I was continuously 'loved on' by Hugo Strange while tied down and medicated. Addiction being overridden by madness and no sign of help in sight. No one to call. After a series of morning sickness it was determined that I was pregnant and somehow Strange was able to obtain my power of attorney from my sister and forced me to abort his child. I just wanted to die. I didn't care about escape anymore. But it would have been far better had the devil not been there. His face ghostly white and full of evil. Tortured and crazed eyes. Sickly green hair with breath to match, and those blood red lips and that dead smile. I knew my life was coming closer and closer to it's end every time I saw it. I had to escape Arkham Asylum.'

...Waller inwardly shivered at the thought of having to live in the same building as the Joker but showed no outside evidence of that...

Waller continued to listen intently as Ms. Lance continued writing notes. Tani had become glossed over as she recited this portion of the events.

One morning before daybreak the madman clown was making his third consecutive escape attempt this year, but not before stopping in to 'see' me in my nearly isolated room away from the more dangerous freaks. I was tied down, and helpless, or so he thought. He came in with a knife with his deep terrifying laugh. One of the butcher knives from the kitchen. What he'd not known was I had managed to slip a razor blade away from one of the crooked orderlies before he strapped me back to the bed. I guess I have pretty good aim too. I was able to spit the blade without cutting my tongue much. I cut out of my restraints but left them looking as if they were still there until I could make my move. It seemed my move was now. Blood shot eyes stared at me as he made little nicks here and there, from my feet, legs, stomach, even my groin before going further up, and I yelped out in pain like a good little girl." Tani spat.

"A good little girl until he was close enough. Until he was within arms reach, then the unexpected happened. He stopped. He looked into my eyes, and grabbed my wrist that held the blade. I swung my leg over his neck, and flipped him onto he bed having caught him off guard. I was suffocating him. I couldn't believe it. Even if I died in here, I would have died in infamy as she psycho who killed the joker, andwill be able to say over these three month's i'd become cunning and deadly enough to get the drop on one of the worlds most dangerous criminals. The Joker. But my luck had run out the moment I heard five horrific words.'

..."What were those?"... Waller asked, still staring daggers at Laurel who hadn't even flinched.

"Get away from my puddin'!" Screamed a madwoman as she took a swing at me, and I flipped up and jumped over her kicks. It was a voice I never thought I'd hear again.

"Mom? Harleen Quinzell?" I screamed, rage overtaking common sense, and adrenaline ran rampant.

I slammed my fist into her face sending her back a few feet making her fall over her feet and slam into the wall which was unfortunately padded. I managed to grab the knife as the joker turned his attention to me. Fear started overtaking me where adrenaline once did.

"Mom, for once in your life, save your child and keep her from being hurt by your dickless boyfriends. Or are you the same piece of manure you were before?"

Standing, Harleen Quinzel looked closely at the girl, then says to her 'puddin'.

"She thinks she's my daughter. She's crazier than we are. Hahaha!" She laughed out and squealed as she is grabbed up in a kiss, then was thrown to the ground by the Joker.

'I plead one last time.'

"So you really did love Tracy-Lynn more than me you corn fed, psycho, bat shit crazy whore of a monster!" Hoping that the insults would shake her mother to sense or a moment.

"Hey!" Joker intervenes. "No one gets to insult my Harley but me!" as he back hands Tani. But to his surprise Harley grabbed his arm and turned him to her.

"I know who she is puddin'. I just wanted to make sure she could take care of herself. Please leaver her be Mr. J. She is my daughter. She's family."

Joker paced around for a moment, then sat on the bed while I looked up at him as perplexed as he seemed to be, then he finally looked at Harley and said.

"I don't know when we made love last, so I don't remember making her because obviously not even you are crazy enough to cheat on me, but you say she is family, she is family. Ahahahaha" He turned back to Tani, smacked her again and said..."You had to be punished for hitting uncle J, but now that that's been settled...See you at thanksgiving kiddo!" as he and Harley Quinn started to leave in confident strides.

Harley turns around and says on her way out;

"I had to make you stronger doll. It's a tough world out there. I did it out of love."

After whispering something to 'Mr. Jay' she said;

"Mr. Jay says the more the merrier! Come on. We can be one big super dysfunctional family."

"No thanks. I think I will stay here and wait for your next visit in a few weeks when Batman or one of the other heroes drop you back off." I deadpanned as I was going no where with Psycho one and Psycho two.

"Suit yourself. We might be a while this time thought sweetie. We are going to Disney world!" was the last thing said before those maniacs were gone and I could take a moment to compose myself.

'My door's latch was still broken and I prepared to make my move, but then the alarms went off. If I tried to move now then all of my planning would be for naught. I quickly straightened the room, and laid back down with the straps covering enough to make it appear as I was still locked down. I would have my chance.''

Forty Five Minutes later I heard explosive yelling by someone. I couldn't help myself. I recognized the voice. But then I saw Mr. Bruce Wayne and a younger man who I believe I saw in the news to be his adopted son Timothy Drake-Wayne was yelling almost as much at Hugo strange's assistant Morgan. As Morgan walked off I call out. Nearly in a whisper.

"Mr. Wayne." I cried desperately.

He obviously heard, but chose to keep walking.

"Please Mr. Wayne. Or You Mr. Drake-Wayne. I was set to work at one of the Wayne subsidy divisions a few months ago before I was raped in Bludhaven. Please hear me out. You both are my last hope. I know you are one of the major contributors to this place to keep it open and keep the insane of Gotham off the streets. Thus keeping all parties safe, but I was innocent. I was raped damn it. I was told by your company that it did not coincide with the company image to have someone working for you all that had just been raped. I lost my job, my apartment, everything. My sister even turned her back on me." I was now screaming. But continued. "I have no one. Nothing. Hugo strange raped me. I was nearly killed by the joker and my very own mother tonight as they tried to escape. Yes. I am Harleen Quinzel's daughter, and no I am not making it up. I can prove it. I will allow you to take a blood sample from me to compare to hers on file. I was raised by my father shortly after she began dating the mad clown."

Bruce Wayne and his associate seemed interested as they slowed down to barely moving more than an inch or two per step. So I continued.

"I was saved by Nightwing and his team. My verbal recording from the Titan called Raven is saved on one of my e-mail addresses used under an online alias. One used for chats to keep me safe. I can give you the information to verify it. Please Mr. Wayne. I have been told that you are deadly protective of your family and your employees. Please don't let the fact that I did not get the opportunity to start stop you from being the man I know of you to be. Please!" I took a moment to catch my breath then said one thing. "I was offered a way out after fighting against the joker and my mother. I could have left with them. My door is unlocked due to being damaged and my straps are broken, but I am still in here. Please hear me. Not my situation or reports Strange has shown you, but me...I don't know if madness is taking me over in this place but it is corrupt and if you leave me here I will continue to be raped and assaulted, or die. I'm not sure which is worse right now." I broke down and started crying, and couldn't stop. What I did not know was that Tim Drake-Wayne had silently informed Mr. Wayne that he had spoken to his predecessor and knew what I had said about the assault to be true and that Raven had reportedly left that recorded message with me.

The next thing I knew was I was giving Mr. Wayne my information and who it was who fired me. He instructed me to stay where I was, and to continue to pretend I was strapped in for now. Before he left I asked; "What are you doing Mr. Wayne?"

He replied simply

"Getting you real help to try to help you get past your hurt and your pain, and to ensure Hugo Strange is no longer hurting people here. You stayed here of your own free will. I know because I checked the door when I walked over here. You will be rewarded for your honesty and integrity even after your stint with the illegal. I will call in a few favors with a few judges who owe me if you pass minimum evaluations to go into my new treatment center or stay here during some 'renovations.'. Please don't mention you spoke to us. '

'I nodded and he walked off with his ward. Ten minutes later I heard the faint screaming of whom I believed to be Doctor Hugo Strange. Maybe God did listen to one or two of my prayers after all.'

Three days later the door had been fixed but on the bedpost was a key card someone had left for me in my sleep. I sleep light, so that is not something I am happy about, but after seeing that the card worked I realized that the straps on my bed were gone, and I had a set of fresh clothes and a bag to place my old ones in after a shower.

I finished everything and noticed a note on my door that wasn't there before. It said 'Ms. Campbell, please report to the Wayne observation area please. Also, food will be served there so there is no need to wait for food to be brought to your room today.'

I walked down to the elevator and the key card allowed me to access it. It took me upstairs automatically. I sat in a chair in a circle with some others and went through a little small talk. Then a clean shaven, tall light skinned black man with neatly cut dreadlocks came in with glasses and sat down and tried to introduce himself.

..."Why do you say tried?" Waller asked suspiciously...

Tani only blushed at the question then explained what happened next.

"Good afternoon everyone. My name is Doctor Virgil Hawkins, and will be assisting you all to..."

"VIRGIL!" I leapt up into his arms and hugged him with all of my might.

Another girl there pried me off and as I looked into her eyes I recognized her immediately, but whispered to her.

"Raven! Thank you so much for what you did for me but what are you doing here?"

Raven not recognizing the girl took a minute to organize her thoughts, and then recognition hit.

"Please keep that quiet Ms. Campbell. While I am here I am using the name of Rachel."

Virgil being slightly quiet turned to the 'attacker and realized that despite the shorter hair, he recognized her too.

"Oh my god. Ta, Ta, Tani Campbell!" the newly minted doctor shocked, managed to get out.

"The one and only. I still make you stutter after all this time. I thought your crush on your old TA would be gone by now." She quietly allowed a brief moment of joy and relished and teased, but was ecstatic to see them both. Faces she believed she could trust in a world where trust was a luxury she felt she could no longer afford.

Then Virgil turned to Raven and asked; "So she knows about us. The Young Justice Titans?"

My mouth opened, shut, opened again, then shut. I gently grabbed his and 'Rachel's arms and pulled them to the side, and asked;

"Okay. Not that I am complaining about having help to get past my breakdown and all, but if I am going to work with super heroes as my shrink and babysitter respectively... I want the truth. I know Virgil, and Rachel, and Raven, but who do I have the pleasure of meeting?" She gently holds her hand out to shake Virgil's firm hand and he reluctantly grabbed it and said."

"Old crush or not...you break our secret and there will be hell to pay," I nodded and he continued with a small shock to my hand which made me pull away slightly. I looked at his face closer and I allowed a small smile to creep across my face as I quietly shrieked.

"Static Shock!"

"So you ready to fix all the crazy going on in your head?" Raven asked with a touch of humor, but unknown to me, she could tell I was happy, excited and geeking out all at the same time. Even my chronic fear of men that I developed after my first rape and that I have been fighting vanished for a few moments."

..."So the rich boy scared you a bit," Waller allowed a monstrous genuine cackle. "Your experiences aren't funny, but someone being scared of the rich playboy...especially a beautiful young woman made this old woman almost not hate you at the moment," she cackled again for another moment before letting Tani finish what she was saying.

'The Titans were my intervention. I wondered if Mr. Wayne is Green Arrow or Nightwing?'-

Tani was 'allowed' to leave A.R.G.U.S for the day as long as her lawyer legally took responsibility for her. They were scheduled for the next interrogation within the next three days.

AN: This chapter ends on a slightly healthier note than it began because the protagonist asked for help. Help is never too far away. Just have the courage to ask for it. I hope you enjoyed Chapter two of Changing One's Fate.