Reading Time: 81 Minutes
Title: An Exiled Necroscope
Author: sarhea
Fandom: Batman, Harry Potter
Genre: Action Adventure, BDSM, Crossover, Het, Romance
Relationship(s): Hermione Granger/Bruce Wayne
Content Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Hate Crimes/Hate Speech, Major Character Death, Rape/Non-con/Dub-con, Violence – Graphic , character bashing, explicit graphic sex
Word Count: 101,000
Summary: Parselmouths are not the only ones hated and feared by wand-users. What would a British witch find in Gotham? Home, Freedom, Purpose, Love, Family? How far will she go to protect what she finds?
Artist: spuddoc
#~#~#
Hermione gagged as the last of bile and half-digested food left her mouth. She was dimly aware of a warm dry hand pressing against her forehead, supporting her head while another held her loose hair out of the way.
“How long has this been going on?” Her lover’s voice was concerned and worried.
Hermione sat on her heels and began twisting her hair into a quick braid. “A few days.” She admitted before taking the cup he held out and rinsing her mouth. When she was done she stood up slowly and moved to the sink to brush her teeth.
“Have you seen a doctor?” Bruce pounced on her hesitation. “You have, haven’t you. What’s wrong?”
Hermione ignored him more intent on brushing her teeth to get rid of the sour taste. While she rinsed her mouth she frantically tried to figure out a way to put him off. She was not so lucky. He was still there, determined to find out what was wrong.
“What is it Mia?” He noted the way she began to chew on her lower lip. An old habit she fell back on when she was feeling very uncertain. “What’s wrong?” He asked more gently. “I’m sure we can get through anything together.”
Her answer was stark and blunt in its impact. “I’m pregnant and I’m having the baby.”
Bruce Wayne’s brain worked rapidly processing variable factors, measuring forces, calculating impact, worst and best case scenarios. If it were any other woman but Mia it would be a trap, a disaster. But it wasn’t. It could be one of the best things that ever happened to him.
He reached out and hugged her tight.
“I’m glad.”
The honest unplanned response made something tight within her unfurl as she hugged him back just as strongly.
“Thank you.”
He pulled away and looked down at her. “For what?” He was honestly confused.
“For how you reacted.” Her voice was muffled, her face still buried in his bare chest. “You didn’t accuse me of planning this to trap you.” She confessed more softly.
Bruce frowned slightly. “Why should I have ever thought that? We agreed to be honest with each other and to be honest a pregnancy would have more impact on you. You have a lot of plans and having a child will definitely put a roadblock in them.” He moved away so he could meet her eyes. “You would not have deliberately gotten pregnant. You are too honest for that Mia.” His eyes were steady, expression relaxed and open. Her eyes were very open and bemused. “This was an accident; a very welcome but unplanned event.” He urged her into their bedroom with one hand on the small of her back. “Any theories on how it happened? I know most birth control have a small percentage failure rate but I thought that potion you drink every month was foolproof.” He pushed her to sit on the edge of the bed before joining her.
Hermione sighed. “I spoke to Luna about my… condition. She informed me standard contraceptive potions do have a very small failure rate in special circumstances; they break down and become inert before the usual thirty days when the user is exposed to a strong magical environment. I never understood why Madame Pomfrey would only give Hogwarts students Nihen Dzou, a more expensive and potent Chinese contraceptive that was brewed by the schools Potions Master. This kind of explains it.”
Dark blue eyes widened in understanding. “The nodes.”
Hermione nodded and winced. “We were just lucky I didn’t conceive sooner. In the future we will just have to be more careful.”
Bruce nodded. “What about this Nihen Dzou?”
“It is expensive and mainly used by oldbloods who live in old magic soaked ancestral estates of the older enclaves. When an average witch buys it… it raises eyebrows. I could brew it myself but some of the ingredients are restricted. We’ll have to arrange for a dependable discreet source. I could use non-magical birth control but it’s not more dependable. Until I get access to Nihen Dzou I’ll just have to arrange for adding contraceptive potions to the regular kits in all the safe houses.” She winced. “We can’t carry it with us. It will be rendered inert the moment it is exposed to a node.”
“Are there any other potions that could become inert?”
“Many. But none in the kit I prepared for you.” Hermione reassured Bruce quickly. “They are simple Class D potions, nothing overly sensitive to magical energies.”
He was silent for a while.
“It happened the night you tracked down Batman. When he— No, I lost control.”
She shifted close and wrapped her arms around his torso, under his arms.
“I love him. I love you. I have no regrets Bruce.” She rested her cheek against his chest. “In a weird way I’m glad. Both of us have this sense of obligation and duty. We would never slow down and consider having a child, not yet. When the city has turned around, when crime rates are lower, in three, five, ten years perhaps… But we would be losing out in all that time.” She looked up and touched his cheek. “Both of us know life does not come with any guarantees of perfect endings; we only get what we make for ourselves.”
He dropped a kiss on top of her head. “You are right.” There was a long comfortable silence. “You know, I really meant it when I said I’m glad. I don’t think there is any other woman who I would trust for this. Having a wife and child was never in the cards, not until you.”
Hermione snorted, a soft dainty sound. “Bruce Wayne has plenty of enemies himself. Between general envy and jealousy and irate women there is also the threat of kidnappers and unhappy mob families and crooked politicians. A lot of people don’t like you rocking the boat in Gotham.”
Bruce laughed. “And the smarter ones know you are the driving force behind most of the Eos Trust projects. I’m just signing the cheques.” He became more sober. “You will be more careful.”
She touched her waist. “Of course.” Her eyes were fierce. “I want this baby Bruce. I will not let anyone hurt her.”
“Her? Can magic determine the sex so early?”
“No.” Hermione confessed sheepishly. “I’m just hoping for a girl because I’m really outnumbered in this household. There is only Barbara and she’s more likely to spite me than support me.”
“What about Luna?”
“She’s great. But you never know which side Luna will support. Besides she’s rooming with Ivy these days and we decided it would be safer to keep her outside the loop on your nightly activities.”
“Mmmm.” Then he looked down at her. “Marry me.”
Hermione was taken aback. “What?”
“I had it all planned. The first phase of the New Dawn Housing Project would be completed in five months. The community meeting hall and sporting facility. After the opening ceremonies I would take you out on the Jeannie Mae for dinner and ask you to marry me. The actual wedding date would have been flexible depending on our schedules at the time. Dick could look after Gotham if you wanted to travel outside of Gotham for our honeymoon. Actually I was hoping things would turn around enough for Batman to take a few months off by then. There is so much I want to show you in Asia.”
Hermione did not know how to respond. “Bruce—”
He pressed his finger against her lips, silencing her.
“I’m only accelerating the time table Mia. I want to marry you. I want to raise a family With you. I’m not going to take no for an answer.” Bruce grinned wryly. “If you persist I’ll tell Alfred you’re pregnant and refusing to make an honest man of me.”
And he laughed while she coughed and sputtered in protest. While she calmed down Bruce stood up and move to a large chest of drawers. He opened the third drawer and pulled out a small velvet box before returning to stand before her. Gracefully he fell on one knee and opened the box to reveal a ring. A platinum band set with a large oval cut sapphire flanked by three diamonds on each side, the wide band itself was etched with delicate intricate designs that Hermione instantly recognized; runes for protection, honesty, fidelity, and love. It was definitely not an off-the-shelf item. It was something commissioned with a great deal of thought.
“Bruce…” Her expression turned grave before she reached out hesitantly, not touching the ring.
“Marry me Mia, Jewel of my Heart.”
She did know him and she did love him.
“All right. I will. I will marry you.”
She felt his hands shake slightly as he took her left one and slipped the band onto her ring finger. Hands that were usually so steady and so certain… they trembled. He was definitely affected emotionally, not just acting logically.
She reached out and touched his cheek, cupping his jaw before she moved off the edge of the bed to kiss him. Without hesitation she pushed on his shoulder until he was sitting on the floor. Her feet and hips shifted until she was straddling his legs then sitting on his thighs, one arm wrapped around his neck, the other cupping his cheek, her mouth devouring his.
Bruce wrapped his arms around her back and hips, drawing her closer to him. The tiny uncertainty buried in his psyche incinerating under the heat of her touch.
Mia Granger had agreed to marry him. Bruce Wayne was finally going to be a father and a husband, not an adoptive parent or boyfriend.
Their kiss ended reluctantly. She was breathing harshly and he was not much better.
“I want to marry as soon as possible. I don’t want the big hoopla of a society wedding or reporters counting weeks and whispering you trapped me because it is completely untrue. Only family and close friends in attendance.” Bruce whispered. “We can have a large reception afterwards for society.”
Hermione hesitated. “I want to invite Stella, Ivy and William Hawk Eye.”
Bruce hesitated but in the end he conceded. “All right. I know William is a licensed registrar, would it be all right if I ask him to perform the ceremony?”
“Oh yes.”
“Stella!”
The sound of her name drew her attention to the young woman standing on the front step waving her hand. The society matron stifled a smile as Mia Granger stepped out and ran down the broad steps and hugged her tight.
“I’m so glad you’re here!”
“And just what am I doing here Mia-child?” Stella asked bluntly, looping her arm around the younger woman as they walked up the steps towards the front door. “You could have knocked me over with a feather when Bruce called and asked me to clear my schedule for a whole weekend.”
The brunette held up her left hand, the back facing the older woman. On her ring finger was a wide platinum band set with a large oval cut sapphire flanked by three diamonds on each side.
A wrinkled age-spotted hand grabbed the more youthful one to examine the ring. Sharp black eyes sought out gold-flecked brown ones.
“He asked you.” It was a statement looking for confirmation.
Mia Granger smiled brilliantly. “Oh yes. Bruce asked me to marry him.”
Stella Vandermeer hugged the young woman who had become a surrogate daughter in the past few months. “Congratulations my dear! I am so happy for you. I’m positive both of you will make each other so very happy!” She grinned. “I’m surprised Bruce got off his backside and asked you so soon. I thought he would have waited a few more months. He has a tendency to over-think things.”
Mia touched her waist and smiled secretively. “Well, something came up.”
Eyes widened in understanding. “You’re pregnant!”
“We didn’t exactly plan for it but both of us agree it is serendipity.” Mia confessed. “Both of us think and plan too much. We probably would have delayed three-five years if we were making a conscious decision but now that I am we feel it’s for the best.”
Stella nodded briskly her mind working quickly. “I presume you are going to have a quick private ceremony and a big public reception later.” She smiled at the younger woman’s shock. “You could wait but Bruce is not one who will risk rumours harming his children. He’s very protective of Richard and Timothy.”
Mia nodded slowly. “Yesss. A few friends and family are going to be joining us for the wedding. Sunday after this weekend.” She took the older woman’s hands. “I’d like you to be there.” She hesitated before continuing. “My own mother is dead and I—”
She was cut off by a wrinkled finger raised in a one-moment gesture.
“I would be honoured Mia.” Stella blinked back tears. “I only have two sons and I’m not very close to the women they married you know; shallow selfish twits more interested in the latest fad and fashion than people who indirectly depend on them. I think of you as the daughter I never had.”
“Stella…”
“Don’t Stella me young lady! Most young people have no sense of noblesse oblige. I know it is a new century and all but I grew up in a different time! Back then you were expected to repay like with like, loyalty with loyalty, trust with trust… Few follow those old traditions; except perhaps in mob families.” She made a face. “Except they only act to match negative actions.”
Mia nodded in wordless understanding.
“Now Mia, I love you like a daughter but Mattie Kane was like a sister to me. Bruce may run wild with little restraint or care for public opinion but I do feel a bit protective of him and I have to ask this.” She saw the young woman’s shoulders stiffen for whatever blow was going to follow. “Does Bruce know you are a witch?”
Pale brown eyes widened in perceptible shock. “What!?!”
“Don’t what me young lady! I have eyes and ears! Some of what you’ve done could never have been done with just science and technology; if it could have it would have been done years ago!”
Gold eyes narrowed slightly. “Perhaps new scientific discoveries have been made. New technology developed.” She evaded half-heartedly.
Stella smiled tolerantly. “Mia-child, I’m a squib myself. Luckily my mother was a half-blood who sent me to my Muggle grandparents when I didn’t receive a Letter. I was more fortunate than other squibs I know because I had family who were willing to sponsor me into a different world that would not out-right reject me. My grandfather was a senior partner in the law firm my future father-in-law retained. I met my husband at a business function celebrating the opening of a new steel mill on mainland Gotham.”
The perfect mask cracked fractionally. “You’re a squib.”
“That I am.”
“How long have you known? That I’m a witch?”
“The night you first tangoed with Bruce in public.”
“How?”
“Your clothes. You transfigured your outfit into something more suitable for a tango. Those who don’t know of magic would have ignored it and assumed the dress was designed to be worn in two styles but I know better. For something so smooth, quick, and seamless it had to be a transfiguration.” Stella explained. Then her black eyes narrowed. “But I never saw you use a wand so I made some discreet inquiries.” Mia’s heart sank. “Hermione Granger was exiled from Wizarding Britain, her wand was snapped and her magic bound. Charge, using Necroscope powers. But that didn’t quite make sense. Necroscopes snap and go on killing sprees within a year. You have been in Gotham for much longer than a year and you’re more than sane; in fact much more intelligent and capable than most of my sons senior management team.”
Mia’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want? If you expect me to break my engagement with Bruce you can jump off a cliff because I’m not going to leave him!”
Stella restrained a smile. “I want Bruce to be happy. Does he know?”
The younger woman struggled silently for a few brief seconds before answering. “Yes. He’s known from the start.”
“Since you started working for Wayne Enterprises? Since you arrived in Gotham?”
“No.” Mia chewed on her lower lip before continuing. “Since I started working on a private special project for him.”
“Something involving magic. Something about Gotham.” Stella deduced shrewdly. “Something that has caused this Change in Gotham.”
“Yes.” Mia admitted grudgingly.
Stella considered the information and nodded smartly. “All right. Let us get moving. Do you have a preference for a wedding gown or are you going to customize your dress using transfiguration? I know a good event planner in Salem, a half-blood and very discrete…”
She stopped and turned around when she realized the younger woman was not with her.
“Mia?”
“That’s it? No threats or blackmail or scorn or fear?” The younger woman could not hide her confusion and uncertainty.
Stella smiled. “Mia-child, those same enclaves and laws pushed me out of the world I was born in. My childhood friends treated me like a pariah simply because I didn’t have a strong enough magical core to do wand magic. I’ve seen them treat many other good men and women with the same scorn for conditions they could not control; like being a Muggleborn, vampire, or werewolf. Why should I care to follow their example in prejudice?”
She hugged the crying young woman, bringing the teary face to her shoulder. After several minutes the brunette lifted her tear-streaked face and smiled shakily.
“You’re the second one born to an enclave who knows and has accepted me.”
“Really? Who is the first dear?”
“Her name is Luna Lovegood. She moved from the British enclaves to Gotham.”
“Really? I was under the impression that wand-users avoid Gotham. Something about the city makes it uncomfortable for them.”
“That is true but the situation is changing. Luna is a little odd but a dear friend. Dick is driving her up today for tea. I’ve asked her to be a bridesmaid.”
“I look forward to meeting her. Are there any other particular friends and guests I should know about?”
“Many but just one that might be a real shock.”
“Who?”
“Ivy. You may know her better as Doctor Pamela Isley a.k.a. Poison Ivy.”
“WHAT??!!??”
Luna studied the effect of her own dress, scraps of variegated green fluttering as she moved. Luna had insisted on the unconventional design and Hermione had asked the seamstresses to prepare the dress in hues of green since it was Ivy’s favourite colour.
Luna smiled as she watched Ellen MacPherson, a half-blood event planner and a friend of Stella Vandermeer, put the last finishing touches on Hermione’s makeup and hair and pin the delicate lace net in place, securing it with the wreath of tiny jasmine blossoms and baby’s breath. Then she pulled out a wand to do some minor transfiguration adjusting the fit of the dress, a charm to help the robes float properly.
Inwardly she savoured the knowledge. Sure, her more pureblooded relatives could gloat about the pureblood magical weddings they had planned but none of them could claim to have dressed a bride in acromantula silk wedding robes. Few families could afford the expense for one-time only robes since the rune designs embroidered on wedding robes were custom designed for each couple.
The diamante pins used secure the antique veil and wreath were Vandermeer heirlooms. Something borrowed and old. The bride was wearing chandelier style gold-and-sapphire earrings, a gift from the groom’s eldest fosterling Richard Grayson. Something blue and new. The only odd note in the outfit was the necklace. It was a twenty-four caret braided chain with an odd flat oval pendant encrusted with gems and etched with rune designs that looked Egyptian but not antique. Ellen had never seen anything like it.
It was a bit odd though, the blend of magic and Muggle, how the Muggles were quite comfortable with magic, and that female Rogue Poison Ivy was one of the guests. She just hoped Poison Ivy would not use any of her toxins on the guests. This was her big break and she was not going to tolerate anything messing it up!
“You look wonderful Mia.”
Hermione smiled hesitantly. “Thank you Lucius.”
“No thank you. For all you’ve done. For all you will do.” He tilted his head to one side. “If Thomas Wayne were here he would be thrilled to welcome you into the family. So would Martha. You are very much like her. Strong and capable.”
She chewed on her lower lip but the coral colour did not fade. Magical make-up. Lucius knew if they could market it to non-magical Wayne Cosmetics Division would make a fortune. Truly budge proof and smear proof.
“I’m worried.” Hermione admitted softly. “I’ve steam-rolled through but deep inside I wonder if I’m fooling myself, if I’m doing the right thing! I mean my parents were dentists! Bruce is practically American royalty!”
“Stop it!” Lucius softened his tone and patted her hand. “Don’t worry about public opinion and the rest. The only one who should matter is Bruce. Has he ever indicated he felt differently?”
“No.”
“Then don’t think about it. Alfred likes you. So do Tim and Dick. Bruce is not the type to let the opinion of other people influence him.”
She visibly relaxed, remembering something. “You’re right.”
“I know I am. Now come on. We have a wedding to get to and I have a very beautiful bride to give away.”
She ignored the watchful discreet eyes of the more law-abiding guests. It was odd that most of them were Not high-profile politicians, business people or society elite. They looked like ordinary folk, academics and researchers. There was Commissioner Jim Gordon and his daughter Barbara. The Commissioner looked as though he were biting his tongue. His daughter looked ready to blow a fuse like a stereo-typical red-head.
Ivy glanced at her watch-cum-tracking-bracelet. It was almost time. She stood up and did a quick circuit through the ballroom, awakening the potted plants, forcing them into full bloom to create a riot of white blossoms among green; magnolias jasmines, roses, and lilies. She paid close attention to the jasmine vines growing on a trellis creating an archway just inside the open French doors leading out into the formal gardens behind the manor house.
Then the music changed into a Wedding March.
When the music softened William was ready to speak.
“Welcome friends, family, and allies. We are gathered here to celebrate the union of Bruce and Mia. Many of you have important commitments but you are here to offer your support and share in this commitment they are making to each other. So welcome, one and all. Bruce and Mia thank you for your presence and ask for your witness and support for their decision to enter this lifelong commitment to each other.
“Marriage is one of the most challenging of human relationships. A piece of paper and a pair of wedding rings do not make a marriage. Neither does living under the same roof or sharing the same bed. Only two people committed to each other can make a marriage. Through love and acceptance, patience and dedication, through talking and listening, helping and supporting, forgiving and believing, through stubbornness and tenderness, laughter and tears. You learn to forgive and forget, appreciate similarities and differences, hang onto the important things that matter and let go of the rest. This ceremony is only a witness to affirm of your Choice to be together as life mates and partners, as long as you choose. In the end Marriage is what you make of it.”
“Do you, Bruce, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do.”
“And do you, Mia, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do.”
“And all those assembled here, do you support and affirm these two should be married here today?”
Majority of the audience answered in unison. “We do.”
The elderly shaman could clearly see the determined expressions from the front rows on both the bride and grooms side. Alfred Pennyworth, Timothy Drake and Richard Grayson. Stella Vandermeer, Luna Lovegood and Pamela Isley. It was good to see there were people rooting for Bruce and Mia. They would need it in the coming months.
“At this point Bruce and Mia are going to be making their vows to each other. But before you do that I would like to remind you on the nature of love required for a deep enduring relationship. Love requires truth, trust, respect, and hope. It requires intimacy, passion and commitment. Be honest in the vows you make, keep them because you cherish each other and what you share… then your life will have purpose and joy, you will help each other grow and become much more than what you were before. Now please read the vows you wish to make to each other. When you have made your vow place the ring on your partner.”
Bruce reached out and took the smaller gold band resting on a shallow tray lined in black velvet resting on top of the pedestal. Gently he lifted the left hand of the woman standing before him with his even as he spoke his vows.
“Mia, I take you to be my partner, loving what I know of you and trusting what I do not yet know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, to get to know you better, and to find more to share with you. You crept into my heart and hijacked it when I wasn’t looking and that only makes me want to thank the Higher Powers that arranged for you to cross paths with me. I only ask that you never give up on me because I do love you. I give you this ring as a token of my love and devotion to you. I pledge to you all that I am, and all that I’ll ever be. With it I give to you my mind, body and heart.”
A faint breeze stirred the air as the groom slipped the ring on the bride’s finger. Her hand moved to secure his and bring it to her lips and brush a kiss against his fingers before she let go. Her eyes shifted only for the brief second it took for her to pick up the remaining wedding band. Then they were meeting his, firm unflinching and direct.
Her voice was steady as she took his hand and spoke her vows.
“Bruce, from this day forward I promise you this… I will laugh with you in times of joy and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams and support you as you strive to make your dreams reality. I will try to understand and trust you completely. Together we will face all life throws at us and uncover the good in the bad. I will remain faithful to our vows, for better or for worse, in times of trouble and peace. With this ring I pledge to you all that I am, to be your equal partner in an honest relationship, to love and respect you, for always.”
An almost imperceptible golden halo surrounded the couple, more concentrated around their hands unseen by the audience before it sank beneath the skin.
William smiled pleased by the visible evidence of a bonding without any of the preparations and rites the old clans used to force one. “By the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss each other!”
He smiled as he watched the couple fall into each other’s arms and kiss deeply, passionately. And when they finally parted they only had eyes for each other, conversing silently, wordlessly. Was it Legilimency or a magical bond? Or were they just so familiar with each other they didn’t need the words?
William did not feel the need to wait for them to come to the present.
“I present to you Mr. And Mrs. Bruce Wayne.”
Then the slim fey-looking moonlight witch stood up and stepped over to the couple still looking in each other’s eyes, smiling slightly.
“Congratulations Bruce. Mia.” She giggled a light airy sound. “I hope you made arrangements for a long honeymoon some place with house elves or room service. It will be a few days before your bonding stabilizes enough for you to spend time apart.”
That was enough to set off a round of relaxed laughter from the audience who thought the bride’s friend was joking to break the tension. The sound brought the couple to the present as the other witnesses stood up and began moving to the front to greet the newlywed couple. Starting with the family members in the first row.
Tim Drake hesitated when it was his turn but did not resist when Mia drew him close paying no heed to the whimpers of protest from the mage attendees when she crushed and creased her expensive acromantula silk robes.
“You are one of my own Tim. The little brother my own parents never gave me.”
William Hawk Eye smiled broadly. Mia would treat her own children with the same firm affection, paying no attention to cost or image. He looked forward to the future. The Child of Change was working her magic. He could feel it more than an hour outside Gotham City. The taint was being diluted and thinned. The dark energy was being replaced with fresh, neutral potential. Mentally he made a note to talk to Bruce and Mia about buying into whatever consortium they had set up. Property leases would be quite a lucrative commodity in the next decade when the rest of the world woke up and realised just what was happening in Gotham.
He sipped his coke, he was not old enough to drink alcohol in public, and thanked the higher powers that Mia decided to move to Gotham, stand her ground against Batman, soften her defences against Bruce, give him a second chance when she found out about his nightly activities, accept the risk of a romantic relationship. And most of all he loved her for accepting Batman as well as Bruce Wayne, for not trying to ignore the darker aspect. She was not interested in donning a suit but she was more than willing to do the background research and data analysis many of their cases required. Even when Batman was seriously injured she never asked Bruce to put down the mantle. She simply redesigned the suits to add some additional magical armouring against hollow-point bullets and zero-bulk cushioning for blunt trauma. Her unflinching determined stance and persistent actions helped Bruce move past the childhood trauma of losing his parents. He had never truly healed from the loss, but Mia had showed him the best way to honour the dead was to Live, to remember the good times not just the bad.
The music changed into a number more suited for slow dancing. Tim looked around the parquet dance floor. Bruce and Mia were already dancing. Dick was taking Babs out for a spin. Chelsea Tellier from Biology class was here with her parents and elder sister. It didn’t look as though she had a date. Maybe she’d be interested in a dance.
Heaving an internal sigh of relief he joined the group.
“Anyone else getting the evil eye from his date or is it just me?” He asked jokingly.
Ted Kord smirked. “Just you Queen.”
That made everyone laugh.
Dick Grayson. “You’ve been dating Dinah forever. Of course a wedding and reception will make her act off.” He shuddered. “I don’t even want to think of how Barbara is going to act at family dinners. She doesn’t like Mia.”
That made several individuals tense. “She doesn’t? Any particular reason why?” Oliver asked casually.
Dick made a wry face. “Two Alpha female syndrome.” He responded in dead-pan tones. Everyone was silent for a few brief seconds before laughing. When the laughter died out Dick continued in more earnest tones. “No, really. Babs is not used to other females having a big influence in the Manor. I mean all the ladies Bruce dated were either casual or not interested in taking charge. Mia is neither. And it doesn’t help that she is English and that Alfred loves her. Babs is feeling a little betrayed.”
“That everyone is favouring the interloper.” Lucius Fox surmised. He had been drawn in by the male laughter. “But I don’t see why she should be. Mia listens to other views and she’s more than proven herself.”
That perked up a few interested ears. Proven herself? How? Why?
Dick shrugged. “I don’t know how ladies think Lucius. Just when I think I’ve figured them out they go and do something different.”
Ted Kord glanced at the stars of the event. “Bruce has changed.”
Dick coughed as the champagne he was drinking went down the wrong pipe. After a few seconds he felt able to speak.
“That is an understatement Mr. Kord.” His expression was distant for a few seconds before he returned to the present. “Mia is good for him.”
The explanation was incomplete. Dick wanted to say so much more about just how his adopted father was healing and changing for the better since Mia came into his life. About the understanding and warmth and acceptance all of them found in Mia. About her sheer bull-headed stubbornness on few issues. How she never flinched from a situation or facts no matter how distasteful. About the contrast between her ruthlessness and her compassion, her willingness to give everything she was for what she believed. How she stood up to Bruce and Batman in ways no other could, forced him to listen with a blend of pragmatic logic and emotional blackmail. The way Bruce was healing and letting go of the pain, old losses, accepting changes. Mia embodied iron wrapped in velvet. If she chose to go bad she would be almost impossible to stop.
But he did not. It would be betraying their trust.
From the expressions on the faces around they must have comprehended a fraction of what Dick was not saying.
Oliver Queen could not entirely mask the tremor in his voice. “He loves her then.”
“And she loves him.” Lucius added mildly.
“It wasn’t entirely smooth sailing.” Dick added. “There was some friction over secrets but once they moved past that it was very clear to all of us Mia would always be a part of Bruce’s life. Marriage simply formalizes things.”
Ted Kord made a soft comprehending sound. “Bruce is very lucky.”
“I don’t believe it will last.” Oliver scoffed. “Love eventually fades and outside pressures can undermine even the strongest relationship.”
Dick laughed. “Generally speaking I would agree with you Mr. Queen but Bruce and Mia are not your usual couple. The pressures you’re talking about? They’ve already gone through that. And both of them are some of the strongest, stubborn, and loyal people I know. They won’t let anything affect them once they’ve made a decision.” He sipped his champagne. “Mia doesn’t have any family and even fewer friends. Once she makes a commitment it would take something very serious for her to change her mind.” He inhaled deeply. “She loves him. She would forgive him almost anything.”
“Even murder?” Oliver challenged disbelieving.
“Even murder.” Dick turned serious. Seeing their expressions he explained. “If he went to her and said he killed someone the first question she’d ask is what did the one he killed do. Did he or she hurt or threaten others; were there extenuating circumstances? She’d hire investigators and pull strings and investigate herself. She’d insist on personally talking to any witnesses.” He made a face. “She has… ways of finding out the truth. And she takes her vows very seriously. Once she makes a promise it will take a lot more than criminal charges or even breaking faith for her to turn away.”
Everyone relaxed after hearing the explanation.
Oliver was very quiet before he spoke. “Ted is right. Bruce is very lucky to have someone like her in his corner.”
“Mercy, have a Level 3 background check added to the file on Mia Wayne nee Granger. I want to know more about her.”
His ever present bodyguard-aide pulled out a tablet and made a note. “Do you want me to send someone to London?”
“Yes. Try to find more about any schooling or teachers she may have had.”
“May I ask why sir?”
Luthor turned to his bodyguard-assistant with sharp calculating eyes. “I know Bruce Wayne. He is a playboy content with letting other people take charge. Yet in the last few years he has acted contrary to his profile by becoming directly involved. All of those changes started after his wife started working directly under him.”
Mercy blinked. “Maybe he wanted to impress her.”
“Perhaps.” Luthor allowed. “But I think it is more than that. Bruce created the Eos Trust for her. She might not be a trustee but she has influence over the projects. I believe she is the driving force behind many of the non-profit and for-profit activities of the Trust. And her methodology intrigues me. The Eos Trust urban renewal projects are having a positive economic and social impact in Gotham City, increasing growth and property values. If I can figure out what she’s done in Gotham and duplicate it in other depressed cities I can make a fortune.”
Mercy hesitated. “Mr. Luthor, you have a fortune.”
Luthor’s expression was tolerant. “Bruce and his wife made more than money with their projects… they’ve earned goodwill and positive press. If Bruce wants to be a senator there is nothing that would stop him.” His eyes flashed. “I want that goodwill Mercy.”
The bodyguard was silent for a minute. “Mrs Wayne might be a real estate genius but she doesn’t have any formal education in business. She might have held a similar position in Europe as an employee or assistant to a businessman, a real estate magnate who taught her what she is applying in Gotham.”
“Exactly. I want to know who taught her and to make a better offer to the best of his current batch of protégés. Vice President in charge of Urban Renewal Projects sounds quite impressive, don’t you think?”
With the ease of much practice he found a partially screened nook and observed the couple with all of his hyper senses, including super-hearing and x-ray vision. Clark knew Bruce Wayne was Batman and he knew how fiercely protective Batman was about hiding his civilian identity, to protect his family and friends. Bruce Wayne was an expert at misdirecting and manipulating others but it seemed as though he had met his match in his bride, Mia Granger. To marry someone he had to love her dearly. And since Bruce was not the sort to put innocents into danger she had to know about Batman. And according to his research they had been employee-employer and friends long before they became romantically involved. And yet in all that time Batman still continued on his activities to clean up Gotham.
Clark desperately wanted to know how they met, how she reacted to the knowledge, how she lived with it each day, what she felt and why she was willing to make a commitment to a man whose devotion to an ideal made him risk his life each night he went out. But the oddest thing was the way she had made him feel when they were introduced; the way she looked at him with those cool gold cat-like eyes, judging him on some unknown scale before she had smiled and accepted his hand. The touch of her skin set off a frisson; every instinct screaming that she was dangerous and potentially lethal though there was no physical evidence of it. Nothing but the knowing light in her eyes as she glanced at her husband and communicated Something with him silently. Bruce had smiled faintly made non-committal comments that could be used as a quote before introducing his new wife to the next person in line.
Mia Wayne was dangerous and powerful. In what way Clark did not know but he was determined to find out. If she had somehow hypnotized and tricked Bruce into thinking she was a friend when she was really a threat Clark wanted to know. But deep down his gut told him she was only a threat to anyone who dared to harm those she cared for. There was a warmth in her eyes and smile when she looked at Bruce, the way she reached out for him and drew him into her conversations, making him laugh and smile with more genuine positive emotion than Clark had ever seen him display.
“Hmmmph. I don’t see why Bruce Wayne wanted to marry Her. He could have done so much better.”
Clark turned to the dark haired woman dressed in a sleek purple gown standing next to him. “What do you mean Lois?”
Lois Lane waved at the couple in question in the center of a lively conversational circle.
“Mia Granger is a Nobody. She’s the daughter of British Dentists! She has a degree in Library Studies!” Lois spoke scornfully. “And now that she’s married a billionaire she is going to resign from her job to be a stay-at-home wife?!?”
Clark stiffened. “Lois, my parents are farmers and my mother would be considered as a stay-at-home wife. But on a farm the female head of the household does just as much work as the male head.”
Lois blinked. “Come on Smallville, your parents are farmers! What kind of household chores would a billionaire’s wife have to do? Bruce Wayne can afford a maid-service!”
Clark bit his tongue. Plenty if she is helping Batman on the researching front of crime fighting and investigating. Instead he responded mildly.
“She did a lot of volunteer work before she started working directly for Bruce Wayne. Since then she has been involved in setting up many community groups and campaigns in several non-profit groups. Now that she doesn’t have to work a regular nine-to-five job she will probably devote more time to her non-profit group and committee work. I would not be surprised if Bruce Wayne decides to let her take an active role in running the Martha Wayne Foundation.”
Lois snorted. “So she’ll sit on committees that do nothing just like dozens of other bored socialites. And host fund raising events that spends a dollar for every quarter raised.”
Clark shook his head. “Have you heard about the Eos Trust Bruce Wayne created?”
Lois frowned. “Yeah. It’s financing eighty percent of the first-wave of urban renewal projects in Gotham City. It is a completely private entity that is not subjected to any of the usual oversights. There was a lot of flack raised when Bruce Wayne pushed for Poison Ivy’s parole. She’s currently working as a green space designer for the Eos Trust. He must have burned a lot of favours arranging for that to happen.” She made a soft sound. “It’s odd that Poison Ivy has not escaped or tried to cause any damage since. I mean she’s usually so against any activity that involves changing land features.”
Clark smirked. “Three weeks before Poison Ivy was paroled she had visitors. Bruce Wayne and Mia Granger. She spent thirty minutes talking to Ivy before arranging for a supervised excursion outside New Arkham.”
Lois perked up smelling a story. “Supervised? By whom?”
“Batman.” Clark’s voice was smug. “My sources tell me whatever Ivy was shown or told during that excursion made her do a complete one-eighty. She’s been a model parolee ever since she was released into Bruce Wayne’s custody. Currently she’s living near the Old Gotham projects in a townhouse complex owned by the Eos Trust. Her roommate is a Luna Lovegood, an old friend of Mia Wayne.”
Lois made an indistinct protesting sound. “What?” She sputtered.
Clark spoke casually. “I did some more digging. The Eos Trust has a single beneficiary. Mia Wayne. She does not have any formal power as a trustee but Bruce Wayne gave her veto rights over the first-wave of urban renewal projects long before they started dating. Anyone involved from social workers, city employees, and designers to engineers, construction workers, and suppliers know she has a very large unofficial say in the decision making process.”
Lois stared hard at her partner. “Why?”
“I don’t know for sure Lois but I do have some speculations. I think Mia Granger must have had some unconventional theories on how to combat some of the poverty and social problems in Gotham. Bruce Wayne must have heard about it and was intrigued enough to finance a test run.”
“The Eos Trust.” Lois whispered.
“Yes. I don’t know how exactly the Trust operates or what criteria and goals they have but it has definitely had some positive effect on Gotham. Statistics show criminal activities in Old Gotham started falling three months after she moved to Gotham. Six months after the Trust was opened and she started working directly for Bruce Wayne the deceleration started increasing even faster. Since the New Year the growth trend has been flat. Oh crime is still a big problem but now it looks like the GCPD and Batman are actually putting a dent into it. There are fewer criminals trying to take over top-tier slots vacated due to arrests. It is mainly existing factions absorbing and consolidating the criminal elements.”
Lois made a disparaging sound. “There’s no definite correlation. You cannot prove the effect is linked to one particular cause, the Eos Trust.”
Clark nodded solemnly. “You’re right. I cannot. In fact Bruce Wayne and his wife have been very careful to never say so but many local residents and community activists are quick to name her as a key factor instigating many of the recent changes; a catalyst for rebirth. A few of the older residents who remember Thomas and Martha Wayne are pleased and happy with the changes; the prodigal son who has finally grown up and is taking a more active role in guiding Gotham like his parents. One who has settled down with a woman with a strong sense of social responsibility and become more directly involved other than writing a cheque or hiring others to make decisions.
“Bruce Wayne and his wife are stepping into the active community leadership role filled by seven generations of Waynes. Gotham City is healing and growing into what they remember and hoped for. Some reporters are calling it a Second Metropolis Effect. A few local politicians are trying to capitalize by claiming credit but too many know Bruce Wayne and the Eos Trust are the ones who took the first steps in the renewal. When no one was interested he underwrote the whole cost of redeveloping Old Gotham’s core. He pushed for a new prison to replace Old Arkham and bought out Trigate Island and a large chunk of Tricorner Yards.”
Lois raised an eyebrow. “Any ideas on his future plans?”
“Trigate is going to become a new community and retreat-resort. There is no word on Tricorner Yards though Mia Wayne, Pamela Isley and Luna Lovegood have been seen visiting the site.” Clark Kent glanced across the floor to where the couple were dancing.
Lois made an inarticulate sound. “He’s spending money like water.”
“He’s gambling.” Clark corrected. “And so far his gambles have netted him huge future profit margins.”
Lois stared at the couple swaying around each other. There was something in Bruce Wayne’s expression, a soft intimate warmth. And the way he held her… they were clearly very comfortable and unselfconscious with each other, they trusted on a level Lois had only seen in couples who were together or married for years.
Then she sighed. “Anything else on the bride?”
“Not much on her early years before she moved to Gotham, but her recent activities are not too hard to backtrack.”
“So a fluff piece.”
Clark resisted the urge to smile. “Weddings and receptions are usually fluff pieces Lois. If you want something more serious talk to Perry about investigating the Eos Trust.” Lois raised an inquiring eyebrow. Clark smiled sheepishly. “I tried myself but he said no. Wayne Entertainment owns a large chunk of the Daily Planet and Perry doesn’t want to print a piece unless there is clearly illegal or unethical activity involving the Trust.”
Lois made a soft sound. “I doubt that. The Eos Trust is a private entity; Bruce Wayne will have complete control over it as the main trustee and he would Never condone any activities that would harm other people. It would go against… his beliefs.”
Both did not say anything else. Lois because she had found out Bruce Wayne was Batman and was determined to not betray his trust to anyone, even her reporting partner. Clark because he knew Bruce was Batman and knew there was no way he could let Lois find out he knew without opening a whole other can of worms.
He watched her stretch, twist her arms and torso about. The action caused her thin tee-shirt to strain over her more expanded waist. In a few weeks her new preference for umbrella jackets would no longer disguise her condition. It had been difficult, restraining himself from shouting the news to the world that he was going to be a father. It had taken the combined efforts of Hermione Luna and Ivy to make him wait. The first trimester was the dangerous stage and it was too easy to induce a miscarriage in the early stages.
Her eyes were liquid gold and warm and full of light.
She came around his desk and settled on his lap to kiss him with all the pent up ardour generated by their week-long separation. Batman needed to track down some shipments from Intergang in Metropolis.
She raised an arch brow. “Successful hunting trip?”
He smirked. “Very. The Commissioner will be quite pleased. Several Gotham City Councillors will be retiring due to health reasons in the near future. Unless they wish to face criminal charges for fraud and embezzlement. How was your week?”
They then moved towards the settees around the coffee table. He watched her move the tea tray from the sideboard and set it down on the coffee table for their enjoyment, heating the teapot using magic before dropping in two small scoops of oolong to brew.
Mia then dropped onto the overstuffed loveseat with a soft sigh. Without invitation she reached out to help herself from the tea tray Alfred had left for Bruce.
“Keep your fingers off the peanut butter macadamia cookies,” Bruce teased as he settled down next to her and reached out to said cookies.
She wrinkled her nose and took a large bite out of her double chocolate chunk brownie. “I’m a chocolate girl who needs calories. It’s been a long day.”
There was a comfortable silence as Mia prepared a cup of tea and handed it to her husband before making one for herself. After a full cup of tea and half way into her second brownie she began talking.
“It’s been a productive day.”
“Oh, how so?” Bruce asked idly.
Mia hid a smile. Bruce had a very good idea of exactly what she’d done today. They didn’t live in each other’s pockets but tried to make it a point of keeping each other updated, if only so they could cover for each other if needed.
“Everyone I met agreed to serve on the school board – Stella, William, Judge Meeker. I’ve asked them to invite people who they feel can be positive contributors.”
Bruce raised a brow. “Judge Meeker?”
“He’s a latent magical, like Stella,” Hermione explained.
Bruce frowned then nodded slowly. “Confidentiality?”
“All three have signed contracts, NDAs enforced by magic. We need to figure something out if we want to bring purely non-magicals into the school board and administration.”
“Any ideas for staffing?”
“I’ve asked Pamela if she would be interested in teaching, chemistry and botany – potions and Herbology. I’m thinking of asking Harleen Quinn to be our counsellor.”
Bruce raised both eyebrows. “Harlequin?”
Mia frowned. “Doctor Harleen Quinn, not Harlequin.” Bruce opened his mouth then shut it. Hermione was pleased he was trusting her to listen and not interrupt. “She’s flexible, mentally and physically. It will be a good opportunity to separate her from the Joker. He’s her weak spot and the root cause of her lapses. If she is a school employee we can track and contain her if required, protect her as she needs. It’s not like anyone is going to be inviting other Rogues past the wards.”
Bruce nodded slowly. “Have you decided on a location?”
“Crime Alley. The abandoned high school, the first node we purified. We can use the leylines to power the wards and defenses.”
“A formal magical school will need to be registered with MACUSA and the ICW.”
“I’m not going to register it as a magical school. Not yet. In case anyone notices and reports us I’m going to submit paperwork to have it listed a partnership school with First Nations. The students will learn non-magical subjects with a magical flavour and traditional lore. The purely magical subjects are going to be special interest courses taught in the evenings and weekends, beginner intermediate and advanced for anyone under twenty.
“Do you have a temporary location in mind?” Bruce asked idly.
“The classes will be held in the new community center in Old Gotham. In a few years we should be able to open a permanent facility integrating two streams of studies with mortal and mage instructors and facilities. I want to build the school in Crime Alley on the node, to use the node energies to set up the required protections. Eventually, there will be an option for students to board in or to be day students if they live within easy travelling distance. Perhaps regular Portkeys running to and from a local meeting point for each suburban district. Supplies will come from local mortal businesses and from more liberal enclaves. Luna has agreed to be our liaison for the large purchases and setting up the necessary Gringotts vaults.
“William and a few of his friends will be teaching transfiguration and charms. An old student of his has agreed to make three visits a year to fit our students with suitable wands. Hopefully one of our students will learn wand-crafting or develop a suitable substitute for students. Wandless magic and blood runes are tricky and more likely to backfire in inexperienced hands. Stella has agreed to run the sessions on history, mage and mortal. She believes she can eventually find a teacher for electives like Arithmancy and Runes. Luna will be running sessions on Potions Herbology and Magical Creatures. Ivy will help set up the necessary facilities with Luna and maintain the greenhouse. Once Ivy is up-to-date on her magical education she could take over for Potions and Herbology. That will be a few years in the future if it ever happens of course.”
“How are you going to start off?”
“Just weekend and evening classes, beginner intermediate and advanced for anyone under twenty in the community centre. There will be a daycare facility for parents and young magicals. I want to teach them from the start that magic is a gift, not a right. When they are old enough for middle school they will learn both magic and science. I don’t have the time to work on it myself but if I can provide others the education and the tools…” Her eyes glowed with eager anticipation. “Technomacy is the wave of the future. Wayne is set to make a fortune in start-up loans and partnerships. And Gotham will benefit from the resulting economic boom.”
“You seem very certain.” Bruce spoke softly.
Gold eyes flashed and her chin lifted in a very familiar challenging fashion. “I am. In hundred years mortal society created an Industrial and Scientific revolution where progress accelerates each year. Even today physics and technology changes on an almost monthly basis with all the research and development going on. Oldbloods and the enclaves are more interested in maintaining status quo than encouraging development and change. It is mainly newbloods and halfbloods who are interested in exploring and testing perceived boundaries, those who are familiar with science and logic. Hopefully we will find few that are driven enough to ask What If and nurture that curiosity and interest. If we help with money and resources they will change the world.”
“How are you going to locate potential students? You’ll miss a few if you’re depending on humint and referrals only.”
“I’m hoping the city-wide warding net will be up and running by then. I will be able to detect magic using the nodes as amplifiers. It will eventually detect large-scale violence once the lingering energies fade from Gotham but for now it will just track magical energies. The Veiled Lady will be doing regular rounds to track down possible students and making the offers.” She tapped her knee with one finger. “The student populace will mainly be newbloods, possibly a few adult metas, to start.”
Bruce tilted his head. “You have a pretty good handle on how things are going to work.”
She inhaled deeply. “There is one thing I have not completely accounted for.”
“Money.” Bruce noted shrewdly.
She did not look away. “I’ve allocated a small portion of the Eos Trust’s liquid funds and begun running Arithmancy equations on the financial markets to make certain short-term investments. It is generating enough to cover half the first years operating budget but it is nowhere close to being enough for the initial outlay and subsequent expansions.”
Bruce tapped his lower lip with one finger. “What if I triple the percentage of liquid assets you can invest as you see fit?”
She considered the new data. “I could run the school with that and plan for Small expansions.” She allowed. “But the initial capital investment outlay is still too large. Buildings, facilities, furnishings, one-time equipment outlays.”
Bruce smiled. “Consider it a gift, an investment in our child’s future.” He touched her thickened waist.
“You don’t know how much it will cost!”
“And you forget how rich I am.” He cocked his head. “My annual income last year was more than a hundred million dollars. Even with Batman’s expenses a good chunk of it eventually gets reinvested. Consider this an investment in the future.” He smirked. “Besides, didn’t you say Technomacy is the next big boom? If we play our cards right Gotham will be the heart of a new Silicon Valley. Or are you retracting your claim?” He raised a challenging eyebrow.
Mia scowled. “Of course not! But it will take time.” She cautioned him. “Time to evolve and teach a new philosophy to jaded souls and to form the correct attitude towards magic and science. You will have to spend millions every year for at least five-ten years. It will take that long to turn out our first students and get them started on new fields of magical studies and perhaps advanced studies in a mortal university.”
Bruce chuckled and leaned forward to brush a kiss against her temple. “Waiting is something I am very familiar with. Waiting for information, for an opponent to falter, for the moment to pounce. I can wait as long as I know there is an end goal in sight.”
Jason stiffened and stared at the older woman. Dick had talked about her but Jason had mostly ignored him. He gave more weight to Alfie had been very disapproving in his measured reminiscences.
“What?” He asked flatly. Talia liked to play games.
She pouted, displeased by his quick acquiesces
“My Beloved is married,” she frowned faintly. “Ra’s al Ghul is most displeased.”
Jason scoffed. “You and your father are the only ones saying you and Bruce are married. There was no license, no announcement, and no reception.”
Talia glared. “You speak of the material trappings.”
“Marriage is a material concept joining two parties legally and socially,” Jason pointed out harshly. “Both sides have to agree or it’s not marriage, it’s slavery.”
Talia huffed. “My Beloved is married,” she repeated in harsher tones. “Even before he married he selected another son, one of similar social status to be Robin,” she added slyly. Jason stiffened. “Some of the Rogues seem quite fond of him. The Plant Witch. The Riddler.”
Neon green bled into his vision.
“The interloper is pregnant,” Talia hissed gloved hands clenching and relaxing.
Jason snorted. “So it’s not just me that he’s replaced.”
Talia glared. “I will not tolerate such betrayal.” Her expression calmed and turned sly. “Are you going to tolerate his betrayal? He’s forgotten all about you, replaced you.”
Green drenched everything he could see. Replaced. Forgotten.
Is it really betrayal if they believe you are dead? A little voice whispered in his mind but Jason ignored it, furious, enraged and determined to make everyone feel his ire.
Bruce Wayne is taking in a third son. Timothy Drake is a scion of Gotham society, the only child of Jack and Janet Drake of Drake Industries. Mr and Mrs Drake have confirmed it is an arrangement to ensure their son has proper supervision.
Bruce Wayne confirms he is formally adopting Timothy Drake who was orphaned when rebels attacked the archeological site his parents were supervising.
Billionaire Bruce Wayne marries Mia Granger.
The Gotham Wayne Family is growing. Bruce and Mia Wayne are expecting their first child, gender and due date not formally confirmed.
Jason carefully set down the phone and went through the League meditation exercises. He could not afford to destroy his base of operations. It was not easy hiding in this Gotham. It was different, off in subtle and huge ways.
Red Hood was baffled by the optimistic words from a seasoned hooker. He’d known Janice from when he was Robin and she was never positive. “And next week it will be down.”
The prostitute shook her head. “It’s different this time. I know it. I can feel it.” She stared Red Hood straight in the eye unafraid. He could see the hope in her eyes. “The Veiled Lady made promises and they’re coming true. Without guns,” she stared at the weapons holstered on each thigh pointedly. “A bit of violence but no guns.”
Red Hood scoffed. “How long has this lady managed to keep the peace?”
“Three years.”
Hood stared stunned. He hadn’t heard anything about a new faction. He had noticed it seemed quieter, with less resistance to his movements, but he hadn’t expected a completely unknown player. A non criminal?
“Is she a Bat?”
Janice laughed. “Oh no boyo. She’s a Matriarch.” She gave him a knowing look. “I know you mean well but if you keep going like this you’re going to cross paths and she ain’t the gentlest sort. Not like the Bat.” Hood scoffed but was ignored. “She has no issues killing anyone who attacks her. Most of the time nowadays it’s permanent maiming. And the Bat doesn’t even try to stop her.” Hood froze and stared. Pleased that she caught his attention she smirked. “Don’t believe me? Ask around? Jonny Sims was the last one to try and cross her. He hasn’t been out and about for a while but his girlfriend is the happiest she’s been in months. The Veiled Lady introduced her to Rhonda Mackinnon who runs a soup kitchen funded by the Wayne Foundation. Last I heard she was working for food and board while studying for her GED.”
“She works for the Foundation?”
“Nope. She’s a freelancer. Some of the locals know more about her but none of them are talking. They say she knows everything spoken and then some.”
Hood scoffed and turned away to launch his grapple. It was just some urban legend. Bruce was trying some new strategy to rehabilitate Gotham, but Hood knew better.
“Something is off,” she stated after a short silence. She waited until he stopped and turned, focused fully on her. “There’s a new player.”
Blue eyes narrowed. “Red Hood. But there is no indication he is a magic user.”
“He may not be the one causing the ripples,” she pointed out.
“Could it be a wand waver? Someone sniffing around?”
“The taint is still too thick. Luna is managing because she is under my personal wards. Anyone else will start experiencing symptoms after three-four days.”
“How long will it take for that to change?” Batman shifted focus.
Hermione thought hard. “Six months? Ten months on the outside. I don’t know how long it will take for someone to notice. It’s not like wand wavers visit periodically to test how bad the taint is.” She hesitated before continuing. “I’ve been asking around. Red Hood is Gothamite born, but not a known active magic user as far as my sources are aware. He vanished a few years back and anything could have happened between now and then.”
“Do you have a name?”
She shook her head. “The dead aren’t willing to share it, not yet.” She bit her lower lip. “I can probably track him down if I get a good sample. But I need five minutes within fifty feet of him.”
“No!” Batman ordered in sharp unrelenting tones. “Too dangerous.”
Hermione opened her mouth to protest then closed it. He was right. They knew nothing about Red Hood, only that he was becoming increasingly violent. It was targeted towards criminals right now but could change without warning.
“Will they warn us? If he’s going off the rails? Targeting innocents?”
“I’ll ask. I can’t imagine anyone saying no.”
Hermione looked away and bit her lower lip, chewing. She heard the chair roll back and soft whisper of heavy material sliding. Then there was a hand on her shoulder, gloved fingers under her chin forcing her to meet his eyes.
“You know something.”
Hermione inhaled deeply. “Yes.”
He stared down at her, silently willing her to speak.
“The dead were unwilling to speak and I was worried. So I consulted with Thoth.”
“Mia!”
“I know it was risky but I was careful!” she stressed. “I have good news and bad news and confusing news. It’s going to affect the whole family so I’d like to call for a meeting.”
“What will you tell me now?”
“He’s a scion of Anubis and very very angry.”
She looked away and remembered.
“How is this possible?”
“Some of the old Necroscope bloodlines still exist today, most so diluted without a boost.”
“Is he magical?”
“No. He can’t cleanse himself so it will need to be done for him. You cannot avoid this.”
“It will be done. Can you tell me anything else about him?”
“He’s gaining territory near the core node. He has hidden allies that may come into play when he is cleansed.”
“Who?”
“Your mate’s old teacher. The Demon Head.”
“Ra’s al Ghul?”
“Yes. He schemes like he has many times before, only this time it is directed towards Gotham. You cannot hide and deflect. You must make open claim to this land and force him back. He cannot be allowed near any of the nodes.”
“He’s not the type to just give up.”
“No. You cannot be gentle with him. He must understand the price he will pay if he interferes: his life.”
“Bruce will not like that.”
“I will leave you to figure out how to placate your mate.”
“Will you help?”
“Call and I will be there.”
“Is there a deadline?”
“Only events. They are moving fast and you do not control the narrative.”
“Then we should try to push it up quickly or delay it.”
“Pushing it up will be easier.”
“Why?”
“He is fixated on you and Timothy Drake.”
“Me? But why? What could Tim have done to him?”
“He is your mate’s second son.”
“Second…? Jason? But Jason is dead.”
“He is alive now. The Demon Head’s daughter used a tainted Lazarus Pit to revive him.”
“We can have it tonight, after they are back from their patrol routes.” Hermione blinked surprised. Bruce smiled reassuringly. “Dick is in Gotham visiting Barbara.”
“Ok. I’ll take a nap down here. Let me know when everyone is in.”
She allowed him to escort her to one of the small bedrooms set up for anyone who needed to crash after a patrol. She slipped off her shoes and settled on the bed, arranging the pillows for better support lying down. She gripped his hand and drew him down to sit on the bed beside her.
“Stay with me,” she whispered.
He stared at her puzzled and clearly worried by the tension in her expression, the tight grip on his wrist. “How bad is it?”
“Shocking is more accurate with the potential to have huge fallout,” she admitted. “Just hold me Bruce, I really need it.”
He shifted to lie down beside her and comply his mind racing. He clearly wanted to know what was worrying her so much but was holding back. Everyone would be available in a few hours and Hermione would share what she knew.
Her words fell like stone in calm waters, generating ripples and chaos.
Bruce inhaled sharply. “That’s impossible. Jason is dead!”
“Lazarus Pit.”
Tim frowned. “Doesn’t the Lazarus Pit have a time limit?” he asked hesitantly.
“Thoth told me Jason has a unique ancestry that neutralizes that limit. Lazarus Pits would work on him no matter how long ago he… died. But right now he is tainted, clinically insane. He cannot be held responsible for his actions no matter how violent they were.”
“He killed criminals!” Bruce yelled.
“He’s medically insane and needs treatment! A magical purification.” Hermione snapped back. “We need to capture him so I can do it.”
“How do we do that?” Tim asked hesitantly.
“He’s like a ghost,” Barbara hissed. “We only find traces after he’s executed his plans.”
“We’re going to lay a trap using bait.”
“What kind of bait?” Dick asked hesitantly having a vague idea of where this is going.
“Me.”
She waited until the ensuing yelling and protests subsided before speaking.
“You’re all compromised. Jason was a member of this family and this seems impossible, that he’s running around killing criminals,” her voice softened. “Let me take point on this. I didn’t know him personally and I’m more than able to defend myself.”
“Why you?” Dick wanted to know.
“He feels like he’s been replaced,” she touched the prominent curve under her breasts. “He’s not but that’s how he feels. The other alternative is Tim but I think he would suspect something if Tim makes himself a target. He would never expect a trap with me because I’ve never been on the field fighting crime like the rest of you.”
As much as they wanted to protest Hermione was right. She was more than able to look after herself and if she hesitated the ghosts that always accompanied her when she went into Gotham, they wouldn’t.
Bruce was the one to voice it. “Okay. But you’re going to be wearing underarmor any time you step outside the Manor until Jason is secured.”
“Of course.”
As minutes then hours passed Jason felt more confused. Why were the locals so friendly with her? Why was She so friendly with them? Mia Wayne nee Granger was a British expat, not a socialite, or even an American. From what Jason had researched and observed she had absolutely no fighting skills. She had been a by-stander in a few Rogue attacks and escaped mostly uninjured, including one with The Joker that ended with him in a coma. Jason was not completely satisfied with the police report but had let it go in favour of teaching Bruce a lesson.
The sun was almost setting when he watched her enter a small church, one that acted more as a community centre and daycare than a church, and talked to the pastor who nodded agreeably and let her into the main room used for services only. She sat on the aisle end of a bench and folded her hands on top of her stomach and closed her eyes.
Jason moved closer, out of her line-of-sight. He could see her more clearly. She was pretty, but not gorgeous, not like the women Bruce dated. She was definitely not a strong in-your-face type like Selina, someone who could stand up to Bruce. Jason frowned. Where was Selina? Why wasn’t she around to drive this weakling off?
Staring at the peaceful face Jason made a quick decision to teach her exactly what she got into by marrying Bruce. And if it made Bruce a little anxious so much the better. He moved until he was less than five feet away. That’s when it all went wrong.
Closed eyes snapped open and full lips curved into a knowing smile.
“Good evening Mr Todd.”
Before he could move or deny the name something zapped him in the chest and everything went black.
Batman emerged followed by Nightwing. Her husband moved faster and knelt beside the unconscious man to touch his face.
“Jason…” he murmured softly.
“He’s not the Jason you knew,” she reminded him gently. “He never will be.”
“He’s Jason.”
“And he’s probably suffered and experienced things we don’t know about. It changes a person B, you know that.”
“But you can help him.”
“Only to start him down the path. The rest is up to him.”
He nodded sharply and turned to Nightwing. “Let’s get him into the van.”
It didn’t take long to get to the pre-determined construction site; less than five minutes at legal speeds. The original consortium had gone bankrupt and the project had been picked up by the Eos Trust. Hermione was reviewing and modifying the plans before she would give the go-ahead to resume construction.
Hermione watched as they set up Jason silently. She had given clear instructions when they were discussing the plan – head north and feet south within a circle of salt set with haematite cardinal points for protection and purification. She knelt at the south point and focusing her power to begin casting. The salt crystals glowed with power sparking small bolts that grew strong enough to land on Jason.
Her eyes were glowing almost from within, like a cat. She was no ordinary human. What was she?
“Stop whatever you’re doing!” he shouted trying to stand but collapsing as his muscles began to spasm. “Stop it or I’ll kill you!”
She didn’t respond to his threat though he could see Dick wince and almost step forward, only to be restrained by Bruce.
White motes of light formed around her lower arms, more densely around her hands. She made a series of gestures and the pain went up a notch. He was burning. He was dying. His throat ached from all the screaming he didn’t know he was doing.
Then slowly the burn receded and with it the green that was always on the edges of his vision. Oddly enough he felt calmer than he had ever been in months, since he came back. Every bit of him ached like he had gone ten rounds with a full squad of ninjas.
The white light was fading now. Bruce was walking towards him, kneeling down. Jason was surprised he didn’t feel the urge to throttle his former mentor/father.
Gloved hands touched his cheek. “Jason?”
He wanted to say something but couldn’t. Black crept into the edges of his vision as he passed out.
“Is he healed?”
Hermione hesitated before speaking. “Purged, yes. True healing will take much longer.”
Nightwing huffed. “Let’s get him home and then worry about that.”
He shot upright in bed and groaned as the throbbing turned to pounding nausea. Alfie was there with a waste basket to catch his projectile vomit.
“Alfie…” he groaned, just like had many times in the past.
“There there Master Jason, it’s going to be all right.”
Would it? Would it really? Jason had killed and he felt no guilt though some regret over what Alfie and the others felt. Never for the killing.
“I’m not sorry,” he told Alfie determined to have his say. “I’m not sorry for killing them.”
“It is true you killed them but you weren’t clinically in your right mind,” a crisp feminine voice spoke in British accents. Jason looked at the door. Bruce’s bi— his wife. She eyed him critically. “My name is Mia Wayne. Just Mia is fine. How are you feeling?”
“Nauseous.”
“Do you see green edges?”
Teal blue eyes widened in shock. She crossed her arms under her breasts and gave him a hard stare. “Do you see green edges?” she repeated in a sharper voice.
“No.”
She accepted his answer at face value and studied his face intently before speaking. “You’re going to be hearing this a lot in the next few weeks, months: This is not your fault. You were chemically imbalanced, clinically insane ever since your resurrection. Talia did everything she could to destabilize you even faster.” Her expression and tone softened slightly. “I’ve purged the taint from you but it’s not a quick fix. It’s going to take time and therapy to readjust your mental outlook. But whatever happens from this point on is on your own head. Don’t rush decisions or actions.”
“My crew, my seconds.”
She blinked slowly. “We’ll send a message letting them know you are out of commission for a few weeks.”
“I was controlling the drug trade. No kids for trafficking or clients.”
She smiled faintly. “We’ll make sure it’s enforced during your absence.” Jason gave her a sceptical look. “The Veiled Lady will.” She stepped into the room and away from the door, giving way to Dick and Bruce who had been waiting behind her.
“Jason!”
Jason winced and braced himself for Hurricane Dick. He groaned, back hitting the mattress as Dick landed almost on him and rolled them over. Jason could hear Dick’s babbling but couldn’t focus on the words. All he could see was Bruce, his faint smile and the affection in his eyes as he sat on the edge of the bed and ruffled Jason’s hair.
“It’s so good to see you alive Jaylad.” His expression turned solemn. “We didn’t know about the League stealing your body. There were no signs of disturbance when we checked.”
Jason blinked.
“Talia said she found me wandering in the streets homeless. I dug myself out of my grave,” he whispered. “I was a robot until she tossed me into the Pits to heal me.”
Hermione snorted. “I wouldn’t believe her if she says the sun rises in the East. Trust me, there is no such thing as self-resurrection. And even those cases are really a patron deity doing the resurrection. You have not been marked by a Death God, not formally.”
Jason stiffened. “Formally?”
“Hmm. There is an ancestral marking. One great-great-great grandparent was favoured by Hela. It gave you the potential for a complete revival. Usually the Lazarus Pits need to be used within hours of dying. Otherwise the resurrection is similar to a zombie movie, mindless and violent.
Everyone froze. “What?” Jason couldn’t stop the squeak that escaped him.
Hermione ignored the shock. “I’m pretty sure that’s what Talia had planned, to use your rampaging corpse to demoralize and destroy Bruce. It must have been a nasty shock when you had a complete resurrection.” She caught Jason’s eye. “Don’t take this as a get-out-of-jail card. You’re going for therapy, even if you just stare at Dinah for the whole session. If you prefer someone else let us know.” She looked at Bruce. “I have some paperwork to take care of.”
Bruce nodded and dragged his fingers through Jason’s hair, faintly scratching the scalp with short nails. Jason couldn’t resist the urge to sag and fall into the older man’s side.
“I’m sorry Bruce,” he mumbled softly. “I was so mad. I thought I had been replaced.”
“No one replaces anyone in our family Jaylad,” Bruce murmured. “Everyone has their own place.”
“But Robin—.”
“I was going off the rails. Tim saw it and stepped up to keep me stable. I was much harder on him than I ever was with you or Dick, because of what happened to you.”
“And your old lady?”
“I will give you a thousand dollars if you call Mia that to her face,” Bruce murmured in careless, disinterested tones. And Jason knew to be wary.
“Eh, no thanks. She already knocked me out twice. Not interested in experiencing that again.”
He sat down on the loveseat and waited for her to finish. She capped and set down her pen before turning to him.
“How is he?” she asked as she rose carefully and walked over to join him.
They shifted wordlessly until she was resting against his side, one arm over her shoulder, other hand resting on her belly.
“It’s going to take time,” Bruce murmured. “I’m surprised he admitted vulnerability.”
“He’s still feeling raw from the purge. He’ll close up once he stabilizes.”
“I don’t know what would have happened if you weren’t here but it would have been bad. Very very bad. We would not have had the information or means to treat him correctly.”
“The situation still has the potential to blow up,” she warned in clinical tones.
His expression hardened. “Talia.”
“Yes. She was responsible for this. She primed your son and aimed him here, at you.” She shifted so she could meet his eyes. “She needs to be… handled.”
Bruce winced. “That will be problematic.”
“Let me look after this.”
“No! Ra’s is dangerous. If you gain their attention they will fixate.”
Mia snorted softly. “Do you think I don’t have their attention? Alfred told me about her… obsession with you. She’s not going to let go of you gracefully. I’m your wife and we’re going to have a child, things that she believes belong to her.”
“You’re making yourself a target.”
Mia sighed. “I need to do this with or without your support.” She paused and bit her lip. “Thoth has asked this of me.”
“What?! Why?”
“The Pits are magic and tainted. He does not want the League of Assassins, tainted beings within Gotham. The Al Ghuls must agree to be purged or they must leave and never return to Gotham. I have… permission and means to enforce it.”
Bruce blinked taken aback. He frowned and considered the information. “When are you planning to do this?”
“Not now. After the baby is born.”
“Talia is not going to wait that long,” he warned.
“I’m going to ask Dick and Jason to assist in creating Red Hood sightings and mayhem around Gotham. Hopefully she’ll believe he’s still setting up his plans and stay away.”
“You need to be prepared for her showing up early.”
Mia smiled thinly. “Of course.” Then her expression softened as she reached up to cup her hand around the nape of his neck, sliding fingers into the short dark strands and bringing his face down for a long kiss. “Can you delay starting your patrol tonight?”
“For you? Yes.”
Jason turned to Tim and spoke. “Why is Mia having the baby here? Wouldn’t a hospital be safer in case there are complications?”
There was a thunderous crash and a bright flash of light around the edges of the metal doors. Bruce clenched his teeth and answered.
“That’s why. Mia said she would slip during labour. Magical hospitals have wardings that would absorb such damage, a regular hospital and the manor doesn’t.”
“She couldn’t install them?”
Bruce shook his head. “They need to be built into the foundations, the concrete moorings. Hermione installed the wards into the Cave.” A half wry smile spread across his face. “If the manor is ever heavily damaged and needs significant repairs we will do the same on the upper levels.”
“If that was a lightning bolt it could have killed someone,” Tim commented matter-of-factly. “I think we should go in and check on Mia.”
“I am so glad about your concern for my health and safety,” Alfie commented dryly. All of them jumped. How did he get the bloody door open without making a sound? Alfie smirked and caught Bruce’s eye. “Leslie is cleaning up. Both mother and child are more than fine.” The thin reedy cry of a newborn wail caught all their attention. Bruce did not wait and rushed past Alfie into the labour room that had been set up when Mia announced she was not going to have the baby in a hospital.
Alfie looked at Jason and Tim. “She asked for you two as well.”
Tim was moving in a flash. Jason more slowly matching Alfie’s steps.
“Is she really okay?”
“Yes. It was relatively easy and quick labour for a first-time mother.”
Jason was glad. Mia was kind and blunt. She never held his past actions against him. She didn’t expect him to be the old Jason, only the best Jason he could be.
She stopped the moment she saw his expression. She softened and stepped back, allowed him to touch Mia’s cheek, cup their newborns head. She had to blink back tears seeing something she had never imagined she’d see.
“Mother and daughter are healthy and recovering,” Leslie rattled off a series of statistics and measures but she could clearly see Bruce was more interested in examining his daughter and discovering the details himself.
The little girl made a protesting sound, waving her fist and smacking her father in the nose. She was not interested in being interrupted during her first meal.
“Have you decided on a name?” Leslie asked.
The couple looked at her and nodded in unison.
“Maretta. Maretta Thomasina Wayne.”
Different with echoes of the past but unique. Leslie nodded and began recording the information for the birth certificate.
“Ow!” Mia was laughing too hard leaving Bruce to free Tim.
The baby yawned and scrunched her nose and sneezed once before dozing off.
“She’s tired,” Mia murmured. “It’s been a long day for her.”
“It’s been a long day for you too,” Tim blurted out.
Mia nodded. “Yes. But I’m used to handling exhaustion and sleep-deprivation.” She gave Bruce a teasing glance. “I’m still expecting you to help out around your patrols.”
“I’m going to scale back,” Bruce murmured running a finger across the baby’s hairline. “Shorter routes, fewer nights.”
Mia blinked clearly surprised. “You don’t have to.”
“I want to,” he insisted. “She’s not going to remain a baby forever. I want to be there as much as possible.”
Mia smiled, a fragile brilliant expression and nuzzled her cheek into Bruce’s hand.
Jason hated to do this but they needed the reminder.
“Talia’s going to find out and she’s not going to be happy.”
Mia’s expression hardened. “I’m counting on it.” She smirked. “In fact I’m going to need some assistance setting up the trap.”
“This has gone on far enough Talia,” Ra’s declared harshly. “Your pet has failed.”
Jason Todd was not a failure. In fact the inability of her agents to locate him was proof of his competence. She considered other reasons why Todd could be hiding. Did her Beloved suspect? Was he aware of the League incursions in Gotham City?
“The Detective knows.”
Talia shook her head. “There is no proof of that,” she protested.
“He knows,” Ra’s repeated harshly. “We must act now before he does.”
Talia remained silent knowing her father would give orders as he saw fit.
“We must secure leverage. His offspring would be most suitable.” Talia stiffed. “Yes, we must secure Maretta Wayne.” The Demon Head tapped the tips of his fingers together. “I will need to gauge her worth, her mother’s worth. It might be valuable to spare her if there is potential.”
Talia inhaled deeply. She could see all the ways this could go wrong but her father had spoken. She could not go against him.
“Do you wish to lead this mission?”
“You will be lead so choose your team wisely. I will be watching.”
Talia’s expression did not flicker as she bowed her head and stepped back. She had a mission to plan and lead.
He watched Mia cheerfully hug the volunteers and chivvy them off, helping the priest lock up the meeting rooms and close up.
“Thank you Mia, it’s really nice of you to visit. I know you don’t have a lot of time nowadays, not with a new baby.”
“I don’t have much time to spare but I’ll always drop in when I can Jerry.”
“Thanks again for the donation Mia, Mr Wayne.”
“Call me Bruce.”
“I’ll call you Bruce when you’ve volunteered hundred hours,” Jerry countered.
Bruce couldn’t argue with that opinion. He watched Mia wave the priest off and then move to the steps leading to the underground parking lot. Alfred was carrying Maretta and Mia was leaning against him, to anyone watching most of her weight was against him, one arm wrapped around his waist like his was around her. He knew the boys were hidden and waiting it was the only reason why he did not duck when his instincts screamed ‘Danger!’
When the ninjas attacked he was ready. Mia moved closer to Alfred and Maretta while he worked with Nightwing and Robin to neutralize the ninjas. Where was Talia?
A pain-filled scream answered his question. Tossing the last ninja aside he turned and froze. Talia was kneeling on the ground with Mia a few feet away her clenched hands held up defensively, glowing. There were heavy white streaks through Talia’s black hair. Her eyes were full of hate, her face lined heavily with creases as she staggered to her feet and away from Mia.
“Wow, Talia is really really old,” Robin muttered.
Green eyes widened as the now-aged woman stared at her liver-spotted hands in disbelief and then touched her face.
“What have you done?” she screamed.
Mia tilted her head to one side. “I have extracted payment.”
Talia stared at her fearfully as she got to her feet and stepped back. “Witch!”
Mia blinked slowly. “Correct.”
Talia glared at Bruce. “Do you know what she is?”
“My wife has been completely honest with me from the start. Much more than you or any other woman has ever been when interacting with me.”
Talia hissed like an angry cat.
“Do not worry Talia al Ghul. You will not die today though you might wish it.” Mia murmured softly staring intently at Talia before her expression hardened. “I know Ra’s al Ghul is hiding somewhere in Gotham. Call him here.”
Talia glared. “No.”
Mia made a gesture and Talia staggered, thin vaporous strands emitting from her body.
“Do you feel that burning Talia al Ghul? That is tainted Lazarus pit waters being burned out of you. Anyone tainted within my claim is experiencing that burning. Do you want me to burn every molecule of it out of you and your father?”
The defiance vanished and Talia pulled a cell phone out and speed dialed one of the few numbers saved on it.
“What?!?” Everyone could hear Ra’s scream. It was a sound of rage and barely hidden fear.
“Are you feeling your years Khalid Al-Bazra?” Mia called out in a taunting voice. There was pin drop silence.
“Where did you hear that name?”
Mia did not answer the question. “It’s amazing what one can find out if you ask questions and listen.” There was a pregnant pause before she continued. “The Dead have so much to tell me Ra’s al Ghul.” She stared at Talia and blinked slowly like a predatory large cat. “Bring the boy.”
“What boy?”
Mia glared. Ra’s couldn’t see it but Bruce could see the effect on Talia who quailed. “Bring the boy. If you don’t I’ll start purifying your blood, then your tainted pools starting with those in North America and then Europe and Asia.”
Talia cried out and released the cell phone when it shorted and sparked. Mia must have lost her temper. The device fell to the ground and cracked still sparking from the unseen energy discharge.
“Was that wise?” Bruce asked carefully.
“He will find out sooner or later that I am a Necroscope.” Talia cringed and backed away until she hit a concrete piling. Very uncharacteristic poor situation awareness. Bruce was more focused on his wife. “He tried to recruit us in the past and failed miserably.” Her expression turned savage. “He was the one to push for executions and bindings in the enclaves. Because Necroscopes can purify the Lazarus taint from anyone who uses it. When we cleanse we remove the benefits as well.”
Bruce glanced at Talia who was listening with a shocked expression. “You mean his strongest ace is now his greatest weakness.”
Mia smiled beatifically. “I didn’t know until I started asking questions.”
“He’s going to kill you. No one can stand against the Demon Head.” Talia proclaimed.
Mia smirked. “He can try and he will fail. And he will learn to stay away from me and mine or risk permanent death.”
Her garments shimmered and flowed into a white linen dress decorated with gold link chains and precious stone beading, a heavily decorative collar and headpiece. The power was overwhelming. His guards and agents cried out as they were forced to the ground under the weight of her power. Talia was kneeling, struggling to keep her head up. Ra’s was forced to his knees as well. The Detective and his chosen soldiers stood without effort — they were not affected by the power. She smiled knowingly. “They are mine.” Then her expression turned distant and her eyes glowed with white fire.
“We do not interfere in mortal choices with a few rare exceptions. Like this. Hermione Wayne nee Granger is my priestess, my Voice, my Hand on the mortal plane. She knows exactly what to do if it is required to remove obstacles. You were once a favoured child before you fell Akhmet. I had no agents so I watched as you wallowed in the lowest depths of violence and self-delusion. But now Hermione Wayne is my Hand and she will act to remove obstacles. Will you continue to make yourself one?”
Ra’s bowed his head. He knew the voice, the one who spoke. Thoth rarely moved and when he did the rules changed. “No my Lord.”
“Very well. I will leave you to negotiate terms with my Hand.”
The white fire faded from light brown eyes. Hermione Wayne glared down at Ra’s. “I want the boy.”
Ra’s stiffened. How did she—? No! “What boy?”
Small sparks burned in her hair, escaping the curly strands. “The one you stole from Bruce.”
The Detective stiffened. “Mia…?”
Ra’s scoffed. “I’m certain you already have Jason Todd. My agents lost track of him weeks ago. It’s clear now that you secured him and removed the Lazarus waters from him.”
She growled and raised her clenched fists, hands glowing with power.
“I want Ibn al Xu’ffasch. I want Damian al Ghul, I want my husband’s son.” She set one hand on the Detective’s arm to restrain him. “You will return that stolen child to us.”
Ra’s debated his options and gave a sharp nod. Damian was his heir but he could make other heirs.
“Father you can’t! He’s my son!”
Hermione Wayne lost her temper. She stalked over to Talia and kicked one arm hard enough for the bone to snap. Talia lost her balance and fell badly on the concrete ground breaking her nose.
“You see him as a tool, a place holder, leverage over Bruce, leverage to control the League. He is my husband’s son. My son!”
The Detective’s eldest soldier made a soft appreciative sound. “Is it wrong that I find that really hot? In only the most chaste, distantly admiring of ways!” he added quickly when the Detective glared at him. The priestess ignored both as she stalked over to Ra’s.
“Do we have an agreement?”
He hated giving in but he had no option. “Yes. Ibn al Xu’ffasch, Damian al Ghul is yours.”
“He will be Damian Wayne,” she told him sharply.
He could create a new heir.
“And Ra’s, I strongly recommend you destroy any and all genetic samples you retained of Bruce. I will be doing a blood location and purification ritual in the near future. It will involve transporting drops of bale fire to all locations not marked as acceptable. There will be minimal damage since my husband is careful about leaving DNA evidence.” She turned to the Detective. “It will potentially identify other children,” she added apologetically.
“I would prefer to know and take precautions needed,” he murmured.
She nodded sharply and turned to Ra’s. “This is my land.” Her voice was resonant and he could feel it in his bones. “My claim. My clan. You and yours will stay out of Gotham.” She smiled fiercely. “And I would strongly recommend you do not release your little engineered viruses or I will hunt you down and kill you without prejudice. I am fully entitled to do so as primary claim holder in a major metropolitan city.”
The Detective stiffened. “Bio engineered virus?”
“Yes. One of his many plans to ‘cleanse’ the earth.” She glared at Ra’s. “Where is the boy?”
“I need to order my men to retrieve him from the car.”
“Do so. But remember Ra’s, if Damian is hurt the one responsible will pay in kind. If he’s killed none of you walk out of here alive.”
“Come on young Prince, let’s not make her madder than she already is,” one of the junior assassins who was assigned as his bodyguard spoke. The others were too shaken by what they had seen and heard.
It was the junior assassin who escorted Damian out of the van and into the church underground parking lot. The scene had not changed much from the spy cams. His now-aged mother lay against a pillar cradling a broken arm against her side. His grandfather was standing now closer to his mother, keeping his father’s wife within his direct line of sight. Her hands were still glowing faintly.
She turned towards him and held out one hand, glow fading. “Come here,” she ordered. And Damian obeyed, moving to stand before her.
“Do you know why you are here?”
“Grandfather has made an agreement with you. I am to live with you and my father.”
“Did you know Bruce Wayne is your father?”
Damian shook his head. “No. Mother always called him Beloved, she never used his name. She said she would tell me once I had proven myself.”
She made a scoffing sound. “Your mother is the type to seek leverage, to use. She does not love unconditionally.” Damian opened his mouth to protest then shut it because he had clearly seen that. His mother visited sporadically and only spoke to him about training, or praised him for increasing his fighting skills. He had seen and heard enough from the servants to know it was not normal or typical. “Your mother did not tell your father about you because she knew he would not rest until you were safe, with him.”
“Gotham is not safe.”
“It’s safer than the League.”
Damian opened his mouth than shut it. His mother and trainers had never shielded him from the competition, backstabbing, and deaths — during training, in the field, or at base. In Gotham there were Rogues and common thugs, both could be handled with planning and precautions.
“Are you agreeable to living with your father and me?” she asked gently.
Damian nodded. He wanted to live and learn from his father, a great warrior.
His step-mother made a soft sound and gestured. His father’s servant stepped forward carrying his half-sibling. His step-mother took the baby and adjusted the blankets before bending forward so Damian could see the baby’s face. She was sleeping.
“This is Maretta. She is your baby sister. She is someone to protect. She is not a threat or competition.” His father made a harsh sound but Damian was more interested in his step-mother’s expression. “She is my daughter. Just as you are my son now.”
“I am supposed to be my father’s heir.”
“To which legacy? There are many and all requiring certain qualities. It’s highly likely Maretta will be heir to my magical legacy. It is very possible you will get other siblings who may choose to follow in your father’s night work or not. But what I do know is it’s always better to fight with allies at your back.”
Damian considered the information and nodded slowly. The League always emphasized independence and competition but no one could deny the synergy of a good team.
His step-mother looked pleased. “You can see if you have a particular aptitude by protecting your sister. She is much smaller than you and an extra set of eyes and hands is always appreciated.” She reached out and touched his cheek. “You can call me Mia, or Mum.” He was confused. Not Mother? She seemed to read his mind. “Talia is your Mother. I will not deny that fact.” She straightened holding Maretta close to her shoulder. “I will allow supervised visits provided you give sufficient notice. At least three days.”
His mother scowled and nodded sharply, rising to her feet. It was clear she was suffering the effects of age and old injuries that had been healed by the Lazarus Pits.
Mia turned to grandfather with a cool expression. “I trust there is nothing else to talk about.”
“Not at this time Matriarch of House Wayne. The League will leave Gotham within twenty-four hours. We will not interfere in your claim or clan.”
Mia nodded sharply. “Good. I hope we never have to interact again Demon Head.”
“Did you know?” His voice was low and harsh. Batman’s voice. Mia did not flinch.
“Not until I looked Talia in the eyes.” She met his eyes squarely. “I used Legilimency to make sure she didn’t have any back-up plans. When I saw Damian I couldn’t leave it.”
Bruce relaxed minutely. “No.” He looked at his newest son. He was observing quietly looking between each occupant of the vehicle. “It’s not going to be an easy adjustment.”
“It’s going to be like Jason when you first took him in. Worse in some ways. Better in others.” Mia pointed out. And then she smiled. “But he’s your son and I will not give up on him.” She reached out and covered Damian’s hand on his knee squeezing it with a warm comforting smile.
Something in Bruce relaxed. “And if it turns out I have other children?”
Mia shrugged. “I doubt it. The mother would have definitely approached Bruce Wayne for money. And I’d like to believe you were careful in your relationships.”
Bruce frowned and nodded. “Talia told me she miscarried.”
Mia’s lips turned down at the corner. “That is true. She didn’t tell you she had saved… samples. She did not even carry Damian. He was conceived using IVF and grown in an artificial womb using cloning tech.” Her look turned distant. “It would be a great boon for infertile or same-sex couples, but the potential for abuse and military applications is too high.”
That enraged Bruce “And you agreed to visitation rights?”
She did not flinch. “She is his mother for better or worse. If you deny contact he will grow to resent you.” She snorted softly. “She’s not used to making long-term consistent effort to build affection. Damian did not know she was his mother until he was old enough to start training.”
Bruce went still. “How old?”
“Four. She was just an observer until he turned seven.”
“Who raised him?”
Her expression was tight, forbidding. “The creche. There were other children – of assassins and hostages. It was a military-style life designed to churn out fighters.” She relaxed fractionally. “But that doesn’t matter now. Damian is ours.”
To be honest Alfred had been hesitant about taking Talia al Ghul’s child in. Alfred had a very good idea of what the boy had been exposed to and it made him a risk, but Miss Hermione had been determined to give him a chance. She had dragged him around the house exposing him to different activities and records to gauge his interest. It had been easy to figure out the boy was a kind one under the prickly defensive shell. He was very eager to meet young and innocent things: animals, babies, toddlers.
“What do you think Alfred?”
The elderly man blinked and stared. “Think of what?”
“Damian, going to school. Gotham Academy.”
Alfred hesitated. “He may have an easier time in a school with a kindergarten attached, where older children are allowed to interact with the younger ones.”
Brown eyes sharpened. “You see it.”
“Master Damian would handle interacting with younger ones more positively than his own age group or older ones – they would not be threat or competition.”
“True. I’ll see what I can find out. If we can’t find anything he can attend WIMS. I can talk to Eileen about letting Damian help out in the daycare.”
“That might be a wiser situation. We can arrange some kind of volunteering with an animal shelter as well.”
“When he gets more settled. It will increase his social circle.”
Alfred nodded. “How are you going to handle his… mother?”
Miss Hermione snorted. “She will try for a few months and give up when it ends up being too much work. She’ll try again when Damian is older of course but we’ll just have to make sure he has positive experiences and attachments with us.”
“And what about his… excessive competitiveness.”
“That can easily be channelled into sports, individual and team.”
Alfred laughed. “I foresee a lot of afterschool chauffeuring.”
“Not just you. I’ll make sure all of us help out with the driving. And we’ll use Portkeys whenever we can.”
Alfred smiled and nodded. He’d learnt it was no use arguing with Miss Hermione. She would do as she saw fit, dragging everyone else along with her. And he could not deny the good things that came when she acted.
