here's the next installment of Of Bats, Cats and Children by Batgirl2992
Chloe crept down a dimly lit corridor. She had gotten some intel on Harley Quinn's location, no time to wait for Batman. Sticking her head around a corner, she saw a group sitting at a circular table Gotham's own round table of villains. When she reached for her gun, another hand halted hers; startling Chloe.
"Did you really think I'd let you get away with this?" a high pitched voice purred in Chloe's ear. "You took my baby and my man." Selena whispered violently. The cold black leather covered hand constricted around Chloe's throat slowly. Talons broke the sensitive skin of Chloe's neck as she was shoved into the grey concrete wall.
When her captor faced Chloe again, the face was no longer female. The cold eyes of a long dead Lionel Luthor stared back at her. "You are going to pay, Ms. Sullivan." He cracked, throwing her to the ground, his long curls flying wildly around his lean face.
Lionel's body began to split apart from itself, each piece morphing as it multiplied. The fluid forms took shape quickly. Davis Bloom smiled down at Chloe swinging a bloody pipe. Milton Fine stared hungrily; his digits extending, the metal tips of his fingers glinting in the dim lighting. Bizzaro advanced on her, cracking Clark's winning smile with a hint of malice in his eyes. Vordigan cocked an arrow aimed straight at her heart. Then like the splitting of the seas, the men parted and Lex Luthor advanced carrying Helena in his arms. Chloe scrambled to get the baby back. Lex held her just out of reach, "not so fast Chloe, we wouldn't want anything bad to happen to Mr. Grayson would we?"
Harley stepped forward holding a gun to Dick's head, her light giggle bouncing off the walls. A manic gleam glinting in her eyes. Chloe's eyes locked on Harley's trigger finger for a moment. The jester bounced on her heels, the gun swaying from Dick's temple to his jaw and back again.
"What do you want?" Chloe stood up keeping her distance. Staring Lex down, she sneered "What would you want so badly, that you would risk me informing the League of your whereabouts?"
Lex's blue eyes sparkled. "Don't you see? This is a warning." He cooed at Helena, tickling the girl his smirk turning to a smile at the small girl's giggles. His next words chilled Chloe to the bone. "You stand in my way I'll take the baby."
"Just give her to me Lex." Chloe pleaded, reaching forward. Lex smiled, acquiescing.
Selena barred her teeth, body blocking Chloe's reach. "If I can't have her, no one can." Catwoman's costumed talons swiped across the baby's throat. Blood began to pour profusely. The deep crimson staining Helena's pink onesie.
"HELENA NO!"
Chloe bolted up in bed. Bruce tried to grab her arm, but she shrugged him off running to the nursery. Tears streaming down her cheeks as she picked up the little bundle of pink blankets. Cradling the baby to her chest, Chloe looked at Bruce. "Selena came for her, and Lex, and Davis." Chloe sputtered, she was trying to stop hyperventilating.
Bruce pulled her into a hug and whispered "it's going to be okay."
After searching the mansion, Bruce and Helena started toward the batcave looking for Chloe. They found her reentering the mansion, shutting the hidden door next to the piano.
"Are we sure that Arkham is going to contain her?" Chloe asked, studying the blueprints from the latest renovations to Arkham Asylum.
Bruce pulled her chin up to face him, "Chloe, we've been over this a few times. This is just residual stress. Lena is fine, and she's going to stay that way. I think you are trying to project."
"She's safe for now." Chloe murmured dejectedly. She narrowed her eyes, setting down the plans. "Projecting what?"
Bruce bounced Lena in his arms. "You are still mad that I gave you an ultimatum. You are scared of their reactions, and you are channeling your stress into your fears about Selena."
"You didn't see her face that night in the asylum. The rage on her face when you walked out with Helena." Chloe pulled Helena into her arms, making kissy faces at the infant. She changed the subject, "I am thankful you've decided to let me tell them before the press, but this is the part where we really lie, and to people who deserve the truth."
Bruce gently pulled Chloe's face to look in his eyes. "You are her mother in every way that counts." She tried to talk but Bruce continued placing a finger on her lips. "If we wait any longer things will be suspicious; especially because she is healthy as a horse. We'll only talk about the pregnancy once, then move on. They'll be here any time now, let's get her ready."
Following Bruce, Chloe pouted to herself, "I still don't think I look like I had a baby a month ago."
"Bart Allen, I should have known you'd be the first to show." Alfred laughed, then escorted him to the 'family room' and introduced Dick to the newcomer. Both boys sat down at the game console, and Alfred left the two in peace.
"So do you know why Chloeliscoius sent for us?" Bart inquired.
"yup." Dick smiled as he continued to fight the speedster on the Play Station.
Bart's character lost his last life, game over flashing across the screen. He growled, "What is it?"
"Can't tell. You've got to learn how to be patient dude." Dick changed the game, "You think you can beat me in a virtual race?"
Bart narrowed his eyes, "you bet kid."
Soon Dinah, AC and Victor were escorted into the living room. The leaguers all caught up after meeting Dick, each attempting to pry the big secret out of him.
Lois walked in, a ball of fury, all of it aimed at her husband. "Clark, I know you know. Chloe tells you everything." Clark rubbed his temples, shooting a glance at Victor.
The Cyborg met his eyes, he asked in an amused tone "The whole trip?"
Clark gritted his teeth. "The General and Gabe were with us so we took the car."
Victor sucked in a breath. "Long trip then." Clark just nodded frustrated.
An interesting fluttering, like a quick heartbeat kept catching Clark's attention. Dinah eyed him warily as his baby blue eyes darted around the room, searching for the source of the noise. The General and Gabe Sullivan both sat sternly staring at the floor from two of the leather chairs situated along the east wall.
Never one for meekness Chloe strode into the living room to a very interested audience. A quick rush of butterflies hit her. "Well, if you hadn't noticed for the past few months, I've been on sort of on radio silence, but more like visual silence." A quick glance around the room, she found a bunch of confused faces. "Well for health reasons…"
Lois cut her off, "Why didn't you tell us you were sick?"
Chloe shook her head, "jumping to conclusions Lois?" Lois sat back down next to Clark. Chloe's face returned to a serene smile, "Well, Bruce and I have someone for you to meet."
Emil entered the room, "As you all know I've been serving as the league's medic for quite some time. Chloe approached me asking for utmost secrecy, to handle a high risk pregnancy."
When Emil said pregnancy, the room fell silent and Bruce walked in with Helena in his arms.
Bruce handed the baby to Chloe. Emil continued on explaining how Chloe gained no weight, or really any symptoms of pregnancy, and how small Helena was born. His explanations fell on deaf ears, they were all eyes for that little girl.
Lois stormed out of the room outraged that Chloe had kept this from her. She was back within a minute, too curious to stay away. "What's her name?" Lois asked as she approached the small girl.
"Helena Kylee Wayne. Today she is six weeks old." Chloe cooed, barley removing her eyes from the baby. "I know this violates all the promises I made you Lo, but I didn't want to risk getting my hopes up. What if I told everyone and I lost her?" Chloe implored with sad eyes.
In a show of sisterly love, Lois walked forward, motioning to hold the baby. Chloe reluctantly gave up Helena, taking turns to hug all her friends and family. They all smiled wide, yelling their congratulations. Gabe kept to himself, sitting back, waiting to talk to his daughter.
Alfred began to announce another guest when she made her own entrance. "Hope I'm not too late to celebrate." Zatanna sauntered in top hat and all.
Bruce ran forward embracing the enchantress. "Z, come meet Chloe and her friends."
A chuckling erupted behind Bruce. Bart zipped forward excitedly. "Mistress of magic. Long time. No see."
"Bruce I've been on the team longer than you've know the baby mama here." She patted his cheek patronizingly. Z's eyes turned to the baby in Lois' arms, "Can I be the fairy godmother? Granting wishes and all that is kind of my specialty." She laughed heartily finally giving Bart a hug, messing up his hair.
An awkward bark of a laugh came from Clark, Lois shooting him an angry glare. Although they had moved past their Zatanna issues, Lois still got a little jealous around Ms. Zattara.
Chloe laughed breaking the tension, "how do you know each other?"
Bruce smiled, "childhood friends. It was always Z, me and Rachel running around either here or at Shadowcrest."
Z fluttered her eyelashes dramatically, speaking in a southern accent, "Oh Mr. Wayne, memories, childhood nostalgia, is there any way you could take me for a turn about the garden. All this excitement I think I need some fresh air." She finished her old time impersonation with a feigned faint.
"Are we going to need a chaperone Ms. Zattarra? Your clothes reveal so much, I don't know if I could control myself." Bruce mimicked her tone, winking at Chloe before taking Z's arm and heading outside.
Dinah laughed to herself, "Bruce Wayne has a sense of humor, who knew?"
The remaining group all congregated around Helena; commenting on her looks, and fretting about who would hold her next.
Chloe took a deep breath to prepare herself. She found it surprisingly difficult to approach her father. Chloe began, staring at the carpet "I know you are mad."
Gabe cut her off, surprising his daughter "Chloe I love you. I want to apologize for my actions at the wedding. I want to ask for a clean slate."
Chloe stood stunned for a moment. "I… I thought you were going to be mad."
Gabe pulled her into a bear hug. "You are my baby Chlo. Plus what would it say about me if I were less forgiving than your crabby pants of an uncle?"
The barb thrown at the General broke the ice, getting Gabe and Chloe into the rhythm of banter reminiscent of their relationship in the past. "You ready to be a grandpa old man?" Chloe smiled at her father.
"Yup. All I ask is if you marry this one; please invite me to your wedding this time." Gabe said sincerely.
Chloe bit her lip, "of course daddy, you'll be walking me down the aisle. Let's go meet your granddaughter."
Bruce and Zatanna leaned against the well, the same place where Bruce had fallen all those years ago. She just sat; waiting for him to tell her what was going on.
"Are you going to be in Gotham for awhile?" Bruce asked, tearing apart dead oak leaves and tossing them to the ground.
"I'm planning on doing a few shows, why?" Zatanna questioned, pulling off her hat.
Bruce ran a hand through his hair. "I've got a guy running around. Calls himself the Riddler. He's a small time thief, but there's something about him."
Z nodded, "ya. These laugh inducing types never stick to a plan. I'll be around. Are you worried about Chloe and the baby?"
Bruce nodded, "No, it's just Dick and I can't handle all the small timers and keep an eye on these guys. Chloe does what she can, but she needs to take care of Lena too."
"I'll be available." Zatanna sat for a minute in deep thought before continuing. "The two of you, it works Bruce. You seem happy."
Breaking his normally stoic facial features, Bruce smiled like the child he once was. "She gets me Z, this is it."
Lois and Clark stepped away from the crowd. He implored her, "Lo, I promise. She never even hinted that this was her secret."
Lois narrowed her eyes, "You couldn't pick up on anything when you talked to her?"
"What's going on Lo? You know I don't eavesdrop on people unless it's necessary." Clark asked his wife, gazing into her eyes.
"I'm sorry. Ever since we got married and my promotion, I didn't even notice I hadn't seen her for months." Lois hung her head against Clark's chest. "When she called and told us to come, I looked. I hadn't seen Chloe since the day after our wedding. What kind of family does that?"
Chloe walked into their little gathering. "With our family everything is forgivable. We are all busy and we all have secrets." She motioned to her father hugging Helena to his chest.
Lois cracked a smile sheepishly, "I'm sorry for taking it out on you Smallville." Chloe laughed watching Lois apologize to her husband.
The General pulled Lois into a hug, inviting himself into the conversation. "So how long before you two have one of your own?" He asked, gesturing with his thumb to Gabe and Helena on the couch.
Lois and Clark both had eyes the size of saucers. Clark cleared his throat, "when the time is right sir. And not a moment before." Lois added, locking panicked eyes with Clark.
Chloe laughed. Trying to recapture Clark's attention Chloe asked, "Your mom couldn't make it?"
Clark shook his head, "It's her last term in office. She wanted to push through her last few bills before this session closes."
Chloe smiled, "would she be in her office or at home? I want to tell her before the media catches on."
"Office." Clark said before rejoining the conversation with his father -in -law.
Chloe gazed at the joy on her father's face as he cradled Helena to his chest. She held the phone to her ear while it rang, she spoke excitedly when Martha picked up. "Mrs. Kent I have some news…"
"We are sitting here awaiting Bruce Wayne, my source in WE says today's announcement will be game changing news." A news anchor spoke into her camera.
A second sitting toward the front of the crowd began, "This will be Ms. Sullivan's first appearance in months, possibly an engagement?"
As the minute hand approached the hour mark, the crowds of reporters began to grow restless. At nine on the dot Bruce, Lucius, Dick and Chloe carrying Helena walked out onto the platform. Lucius took the microphone, "Wayne Enterprises is proud to announce the birth of Bruce Wayne and Chloe Sullivan's daughter Helena. I'll turn over any questions to the family." He nodded and left the family to face the press' firing squad.
"Ms. Sullivan are you and Mr. Wayne going to get married?" a reporter yelled.
Chloe chuckled, waving her left hand. "No ring on my finger at this point."
"Does that mean you don't believe in marriage or do you just condone having children out of wedlock?"
Bruce took a breath before addressing the reporter. "When the time is right, we will consider taking the next step."
"Mr. Wayne, how will this affect the future of Wayne Enterprises?"
"It is happy news for us personally and hopefully the company will enjoy the morale boost that comes with any child born to an employee."
"Mr. Grayson, are you still living at the Wayne household?"
Dick smiled, "Bruce and Chloe are my legal guardians, so as far as I see it Helena is my sister."
"Where do you intend to send her to school Mr. Wayne?"
Chloe snorted, "When she's out of diapers, we'll start discussing that."
"Ms. Sullivan are the rumors true, you declined a proposal because you swore off marriage after your first husband's death?"
Bruce took the microphone at Chloe's gasped breath, working his playboy charm. "We are glad you've all made such a welcome for our daughter. Any interview requests should as always go through Wayne Enterprises Public Relations department. They also have photographs of the baby and my family if you wish to use them. Have a good day ladies and gentlemen."
A chorus of reporters started yelling for attention of the family members.
Chloe laughed incredulously as they headed up to the penthouse in Wayne Tower. "I forget how crazy press conferences are." She smiled at the men, "you two handled yourselves beautifully."
Bruce nodded, "are you planning on granting any interviews?"
Chloe contemplated for a minute, "probably, if they pitch the story right. Good idea throwing pictures at them, keep the paparazzi away."
Bruce leaned down for a kiss, "I do my best."
After a few seconds Dick cleared his throat. "um, I get you have no respect for my feelings on this but I think the baby is getting grossed out with all the kissing and jazz. Please cut it out."
Edward Nigma was pleased with himself. He found a crack in Luthor Corp. security, Chloe was coming back to work today and he'd finally made contact with the Penguin the night before. He brushed back his auburn hair excitedly before packing up his laptop, heading to work.
"Mr. Cobblepot, I must say you are a hard man to find." The Riddler sat across from the Penguin, a smirk on his face. "Who is a man that destroys henchmen, hides from light and foils all your plans?"
Oswald lowers his pointy nose, sizing up the man across from him. "Batman." He answers dryly.
"Exactamundo my friend. I need him out of the way. I hear you are the guy to help me."He stage whispers a grin on his face.
After a minute, Cobblepot's stoic face broke into a sinister smile. "I can do you one better funnyman. I'm working on a plot, but the bat needs to be distracted. Could you provide assistance?"
Attempting to act casual, The Riddler leaned back examining his fingernails. "What kind of plan?"
The Penguin leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. "What would make Harley Quinn happy, the Bat crazy and turn Gotham into a chaotic warzone?"
"Joker, I like this plan. Consider me part of the team." Extending his hand, Edward Nigma smiled in satisfaction underneath his Riddler costume.
A/N: sorry, I'm back kinda. I'm working temp jobs this summer which means I have no schedule to write around. Unfortunate.
p.s. the Zatanna /Bruce banter was inspired by Easy A, after I wrote it I just couldn't bring myself to delete it.
Please tell me what you like, don't etc. you know how this works!
~Batgirl