Mystery man POV

Wearing another of my warrior masks I have several people locked in cages. They want a job at my company they have to fight for it. "How long do we have to stay here?" One of people asks with fear in his voice.

"That is entirely up to you." With that I turn and walk out of the room.

Jim POV

Today Bullock and I are going to go speak with this Sionis guy. The victim has his business card in his pocket. Perhaps he can tell us who the victim is and maybe even who our killer is. We walk in and all of the male employees are dressed exactly like our victim suspenders and all. "Something tells me we came to the right place."

"You think?"

"Mr. Sionis will see you now."

"Richard Sionis."

"James Gorden this is my partner Harvey Bullock." I reply shaking the guys hand.

"What can I do for you Detectives? I don't have much time." Sionis said glancing at his watch.

"Do you know this man? Coleman Lawson, He might have interviewed for a job."

"Sorry no."

"Any of your employees miss work yesterday? Any of them show up with an injured right hand?"

"I don't take roll call Detective."

"Do you mind if we check?"'

"Perhaps if you could tell me what this is about.."

"Coleman Lawson was killed two nights ago. The man who did it had your firms card in his pocket."

"Well there's a thousand ways he could have gotten that."

"What's with all the warrior baloney?" Harvey asks as he unsheathes an old knife.

"It inspires me. High finance is tough business." He replies as he re-shesathes the Knife. "In order to succeed you have to be a warrior."

"No you don't. You have to be a good business man. Warriors fight wars. It's different. So you fancy yourself a killer? Have you killed people Mr. Sionis?"

"Only metaphorically."

"So all this is just Juvenile play acting."

"Exactly. Thus speaks a man who has seen actual combat. You've actually killed people for real haven't you. True killers are easy to spot."

"Yes they are. Why all the masks? A shrink would say that you are hiding something."

"To the contrary. A mask hides the face but it frees the soul. A mask speaks the truth." Sionis said as he ran his hand over a nearby mask.

"Deep."

"How come so many of your employees have scars and injuries?"

"Our touch football games get very rough."

"Your a liar Mr. Sionis."

"Such fire. You must miss the battlefield desperately. I imagine killing gets quiet addictive." Mr. Sionis replies trying my patience.

At bid statement I grab him by his tie and pull him close so that he's inches from my face. "You murdered Coleman Lawson didn't you?"

"Prove it." He replies arrogantly.

"We will."

"I'd give you the good cop routine but it's not in my tool kit." Harvey states as we

As I start heading out I step in a puddle and realize that it's blood. Following it I find myself in the men's bathroom where a young man is standing near the sink. "GCPD. Turn around slowly. Let me see those hands." As he does I notice he simply has a bloody nose. However, another man exits one of the stalls and he has a bandage on his right hand. "Don't move!" I call to him but he rushes me and hits me. Just as he is about to make an exit Bullock enters the restroom.

He sees me on the ground and says smartly "you should have waited for me. Most killers leave their prints at the crime scene but no, you left your whole thumb in the dead guy's mouth. You've got style. I like you kid." Harvey states.

"This is your last chance. Once we walk out that door it's over." I say pointing to the exit.

"It was self defense." The man replies.

"Of course it was. Wasn't that I what I said Jim? Didn't I say it was probably self defense?"

"Talk." I reply coldly.

Harvey POV

"Gorden's getting the rest of his statement. Apparently it was part of the hiring process. Sionis told the top three candidates to fight it out. They weren't supposed to fight to the death but...."

"This is unbelievable."

"They all sign confidently agreements so they are accomplices to whatever happens."

"Do we know where the fight was held?"

"Some old office building. The windows were boarded up and he was taken there blindfolded."

"Yes Ed?"

"Printer toner."

"Do you know what he's talking about?" I shake my head no.

"The medical examiner's report said that it was Black ink. But I did my own examination and it was printer toner. Also, I found staples in his shoulder and found graphite chips between his ribs. Your man was killed in an office."

"Yeah, we are kind of past that Ed but thanks."

"Is there something else?"

"Yes. It made me think of a case from a year ago. Young man, business suit, esophagus lacerated from index cards shoved down his throat. I also did some digging...."

Essic's cuts Ed off. "How many other bodies killed using office supplies?"

"Four... In the last three years."

"Get that man to sign a confession, now!"

"I think we have a problem." I motioned towards what seems to be a lawyer.

"I explained to Detective Gorden as council for Mr. Adams I advise him against speaking further. Also, any statements he had made will be considered having been made under duress."

"Uh-huh. And how much is Sionis paying him to take the fall?" I demand irritatedly.

"Good day." The snotty lawyer said placing a folder on a desk.

"He showed up before Adams could sign his statement. We have got to figure out where Sionis is staging these fights."

"I'll run all the buildings he or his company owns in Gotham."

Jim POV

"Does this make any sense to you?"

"No but how it any worse then the Goat or the Balloon man." I reply.

"When did this become normal for this city? What changed?"

"Maybe nothing. Maybe it was always just below the surface only needed a spark."

"Like Thomas and Martha Wayne being killed? I'm not blind Gorden. I know your still looking into it. But how could their deaths cause all of this? Why were they so important?"

"I think it's what the represented. A different Gotham, decent, hopeful. Whatever it was, it's gone now."

"When Zazz came for you I should have stayed."

"I told you to go."

"That doesn't matter. I should have stayed. Now let's get this guy."

"Yeah."

"Take a look at this Sionis owns half of Gotham."

"Alright, we will split up. Focus on the buildings that are abandoned or under construction first. This SOB is not getting away."

"I'll say one thing, he has your number."

"What are you talking about?"

"Sionis. You may not have put down Cobblepot Jimmy boy, but you do have a demon in you. You can call yourself a soldier, but all this fighting Falcone, fighting other cops, you love it. So when find something that seems remotely possible call me." Harvey replies.

I am about to say something in reply when my phone rings. I answer it say a quick hello to Barbara and then quickly hang up. Soon I'm my an abandoned office building. As I enter I hear chains rattling. Upon examining the cause I find three cages with men in them. "Is anyone else in here?" Before they can answer I find myself being tasered.

"Detective Gorden, wake up. Wake up!" I look around to see the men who had been locked in the cages now surrounding me each wearing a black mask which only revealed their eyes. "So, three of you applied for a position at my firm. I explained then you can use anything here as a weapon. And the last man standing gets the job. However, tonight is special. You see the man without the mask whoever kills him is the victor."

I watch as the men pick up different office objects to use as a weapon. " listen to me, I'm a cop. So far none of you have broken any laws."

"Let the games begin." With that an alarm bell sounds.

"One last chance nobody move."

"Oh, and I'll throw in a million dollar signing bonus." Sionis says over the loud speaker.

"Ah Crap." I reply as I begin to fight my way past these men.

Harvey.

"Alverez I need help checking these addresses. Gorden might be in trouble."

"Busy." Alverez replies uncaringly.

"I'll remember that the next time your wife calls you putz."

"Collins listen up man, can I get some help?" Collins barely acknowledges my request. Now I'm getting angry. " Now Listen up you SOB's so you don't like Gorden. Fine. He can be a total Donkeyhat but he is still a cop! And not one if you, not one, stood up when he needed it. That ain't happening twice. I need help checking these addresses. NOW!"

"Give me a couple." Our boss replies holding out her hand.

Alverez get out of his seat and walks over to me. "Ok. But you'll cover with my wife right?" He asks as I hand him a stack.

"Yeah." Soon several of my co-workers are checking the addresses.

Jim POV

Soon, I have taken down the three men assigned to try and kill me. As I am trying to catch my breath I hear the unsheathing of a sword. "I knew you had a killer in you. So where are your brother police? Did they abandon you?" The man in a black mask who I know to be Sionis says mockingly.

"I don't need them." I reply.

"Looks like I'll have to give myself the million dollars." Sionis says as he continues his attack. Eventually, though, I am able to get the upper hand. I hold the saber over Sionis's head and give him a cold unfeeling gaze. After a few minutes of standing over his unconscious body I jump down off the desk and drop the saber to the ground.

"Jim?" I hear Essen's call me. Just as I turn my attention towards her I hear her worried call. "Jim? Jim?" I hear her exclaim as she rushes towards me her gun in her hand. Instantly I turn around and deck Sionis who had used the opportunity to pick of the saber and try to kill me.

A little while later I am sitting at my desk looking at the mask Sionis was wearing. "Alverez and Collins are bringing in Sionis's minions. Pansies tried to rabbit when they saw you cuffing their boss. Are you Ok?"

"Essens told me that you made a speech."

"I wouldn't call it a speech."

"Said you called me a donkeyhat."

"I did call you that."

"Thank you. For having my back. Now and before."

As we shake hands Harvey replies "just try not to be such a pain in the neck. Makes my day harder."

"You know you were wrong. What you said earlier. It's not that I love fighting, but I'm not afraid to either. And if we don't fight for this city who will? I'm not going to stop Harvey. Falcone, the Mayor, every cop I know that's dirty, I'm going to get them. You should know that."

"Go home Jim." Harvey replies and then turns and walk out.

I call home but only get the answering machine. "Hay it's me. I'm coming home soon. Everything is going to better I promise. I love you."

"Gorden, you got a minute?"

"I'm getting ready to leave can it wait?"

"Some Uni's brought in a perp claims to know you."

"Oh yeah? What's the charge?"

"B&E some fancy store uptown. Pretty professional job too. The kid didn't even trip the alarm."

"Kid? Boy or girl?"

"Girl. Said to ask if you'd been down any sewers lately."

I wince as I realize who he is talking too. "Hay Detective. Miss me? Upon arriving home I call out to Barbara receiving no response. "Wow nice crib. You must be one rich cop."

"It's my girlfriend's place."

"Where is she?"

"I don't know. Barbara?" It's then that I spot a note addressed to me.

"So what? I get to stay here alone?" I don't answer her instead I pick up the letter and begin reading it.

Dear Jim,

"I thought that I could be brave for you but I can't. Everyplace I go I see Falcone and Zazz. I'm nervous and needy and screwed up and I know that's not what you need or want. So I'm going away for a while to get myself together.

While I'm answering my phone Selina takes the note and reads it. "Sounds like you're girlfriend's not coming back huh? Why she worried about Falcone?"

"That's none of your business."

"So what happens now? Are you going to get the charges against me dropped?"

"I will. But your my only witness to the Wayne murders."

"You going to cuff me to a drainpipe again?"

"No. I'm not going to hold you against your will. GCPD, Juvi, you'd just break out."

"So I do get to stay here?"

"No. I've got someplace else in mind. That's the sketch artist. I need you to describe the man who shot the Waynes."

"Wait, where am I going to stay?"

"Wayne Manor."
-----------------------
Bruce POV

"She says that this is the guy who killed your parents. She said she saw the whole thing. Does he look familiar?" Detective Gorden asks and I shake my head. "How about you Bella? Does he look familiar?" Bella shrugs.

"So you want us to what? Let her live here with us do you? A common street criminal." I notice that at this Bella frowns.

"She's hardly older then Bruce. She's just a kid who has seen too much. This is for her safety. The GCPD is full of moles."

"Right. How long would you have us put her up then?" Alfred asks.

"I don't know."

"No. The answer is no. Her being here will put Master Bruce and Miss Bella in great danger." Alfred replies.

"Alfred." I reply sternly.

"Master Bruce, she's the witness to a murder you do understand that, don't you?" Alfred questions me.

"She's also the best chance we have at finding who killed our parent's. Isn't she?" I asked turning to Gorden.

"Yes she is."

"Then she can stay, as long as it takes." With that I stand and face Alfred with a look of determination. "I've made my decision."

"Yes master Bruce." Alfred replies as he watched me leave the room.

Bella POV

"Look. I know this is asking a lot, but I'm doing all that I can. Montoya and Allan and I are meeting with a ADA they trust this afternoon."

"Oh. A trustworthy lawyer. In Gotham?" Alfred says sarcastically and I giggle.

"Look, if we find this guy we will need her. She will have to testify. Go before a judge . It won't be easy. Witnesses back out all the time. The ones that stick it out do so because they care about the victims."

"We will do our best to be nice to her then won't we." Alfred replies with a hint of sarcasm again I can't help but giggle once more.

A little while later, Gorden brought the eye witness to the house. I watched as she played with a expansive vase. "It's from the Chinese Dynasty. It's 500 years old." Bruce stutters and I smile. "Hi. I'm Bruce Wayne and this is my baby sister Bella."

"Me is not a baby." I replied with a frown and Bruce laughed.

"The name is Selina Kyle but my friends call me cat."

"It was nice to meet you Kat."

Harvey Dent POV

"Kid you screwed up big time. But your still young you deserve a second chance. So I have a bet for you. You call heads or tails. You lose you go to jail. You win we let you go."

"Bet."

"Hold on. There's a catch. You have to make a promise to God right now that if you win, your going to take this as a sign from Him. A sign telling you that you need to back to school and get your life straight. Can you promise that? Do you promise that?"

"Yes sir."

"Okay then. Call." I reply flipping the coin in the air and placing it on the palm of my hand with the other hand covering it.

"Heads."

I reveal the result which is indeed heads. The kid smirks. "Walk away kid. Somebody up their loves you."

"Hay Harvey."

The kid looks nervous at the approach of the officers. "Go. Remember your promise."

"Jim Gorden GCPD. I've heard some good things about you councilor."

"Harvey Dent. Likewise about you Detective."

"That was some trick with the coin. What if the kid guesses wrong? You gonna send him to jail?"

"Teenagers they nearly always call heads. I don't know why. It's a rare coin." I reply showed Detective Gorden that my coin is a two headed one. "Whatever works right?"

Bella POV

I watched as Bruce and Alfred spawwed (sparred). I frowned. It wasn't faia (fair). I wanted to leawn (learn) how to fight too. "Whatcha doing?" Kat asked.

"Alfred is teaching me how to fight. Ow that hurt."

"Well it's supposed to isn't it. It's just as important to learn how to take a punch as to how to throw one." Alfred replies.

"Why?" Kat asks.

"In case something bad happens." Bruce replies.

"Cause you live in a pretty dangerous neighborhood." Kat replies sarcastically.

"Not here. In Gotham." Bruce replies in response.

"People don't fight with gloves in Gotham." Kat states.

"How is your room? Is everything to your liking?" Bruce asks changing the subject.

"Yeah it's fine. I am a bit hungry though." Kat replies.

"Yeah well, breakfast was at 8:00. Which you slept through. So there's that. Lunch is at noon." Alfred replies.

"There's plenty to eat in the kitchen. Alfred would be more then happy too...." Bruce replies but Alfred cuts him off.

"No he wouldn't because this isn't a bloody hotel now is it?" Alfred replies sarcastically and I shake my head stifling a giggle.

"That's alright old man. I can figure it out." Cat replies and I can tell that this irritated Alfred.

"You can watch that attitude you cheeky little minx." Alfred calls after her and Bruce hits Alfred in a scolding manner.

"Be nice to her Alfred, she's our guest!"

"Well, I'm terribly sorry Master Bruce. I didn't know you fancied her." Alfred replies and I giggle as Bruce's cheeks turn red.

"What do you mean? No." Bruce replies.

"Well it's nothing to be embarrassed about it's only natural isn't it? But you watch her. She's a lairy one. All right, left, left right." Alfred replies.

"You know about girls Alfred?" Bruce said.

"Slight more then you. And she, Mate is trouble with a capitol T." Alfred replies.

"Bwuce (Bruce) and Kat sitting in a twee (tree) K I S S I N G. Fiwst (first) comes wove (love) den (then) comes mawwage (marriage) den (then) comes Bwucy (Brucey) pushing a baby cawwage (carriage)." I sing my eyes sparkling in amusement. As I let out another giggle.

At this Bruce pauses and frowns at me. "That's not funny Bella. Alfred tell her that it's not funny!"

"Good morning. How did you sleep?" Bruce asks Kat as she peeks at the breakfast Alfwed has made us.

"Your house makes noise." Kat complained.

"It's old. You didn't come here with much if you want Alfred can buy you some clothes." Bruce offers.

Kat shakes her head no. "Pass."

"Detective Gorden says you live out on the streets." Bruce states.

"Yeah, so?" Kat replies a hint of irritation in her voice.

"What's it like?" Brice asks curiously.

"Not as nice as here." Kat replies with a shrug.

"Do you live alone?" Brice asks trying to make small talk.

"Are you going to ask me questions all morning? Aren't you supposed to be in school or something." Kat replies avoiding answering the question.

"I'm developing my own curriculum. Let's me move my own speed and focus on areas that interest me."

"Why? Your a billionaire what's to learn?" Kat asked.

"That's a strange attitude." Bruce replied. "So where are your parents? Are they alive?"

"Umm. Sure they're around." Kat states.

"Where?" Bruce asks.

"What's that to you?" Kat asks.

"Nothing I just thought..." Bruce replies but Kat cuts him off mid sentence.

"Yeah well you thought wrong!" Kat replies angrily though me understand why. "I'm not an orphan. I got family all over." With that she gets up brushing past Alfred

"How woud (rude.) I state watching her leave.

Alfred POV

"This is detective Gorden."

"Detective it's Alfred."

"Alfred is everything ok? Is Selena alright?"

"Well she's safe..."

"I sense a but coming."

"I'm afraid that this isn't going to work out. She's a tough nut, this one."

"Well look, we need her help if we have any chance at catching the Waynes killer. Just hold onto her for now, I'll be out to check on her as soon as I can."

"We shall patiently await your arrival detective."

Bella POV

"You twying (trying) to leabe. Why?"

"I ummm."

"If you want to go somewhere we can call you a taxi." Bwuce says as he enters the room.

"You move quiet."

"So do you." Bruce replies as Kat closes the window.

"Are you leaving?" Bruce asks.

"I'm thinking about it."

"I'm sorry if talking about your family upset you." Bruce says.

"I wasn't upset." Kat says shrugging.

"You seemed kind of upset." Bruce replies.

Kat ignores his comment and picks up a picture of mommy. "That's your mom huh?" Bruce nods. "She looks nice."

"She was. You saw her the night that she was killed."

"Uh-huh."

"And you saw me. What I did. What I didn't do." Bruce replies a hint of embarrassment and regret in his tone.

"What are you talking about? What could you have done?"

"I don't know, something."

"Your dreaming kid. A gun is a gun. My mom is in show business."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. She sings and dances and does magic tricks. Gets paid like millions. But thats just a cover. Really she's a secret agent for the government." Kat says.

"Wow." Bruce replies and me shake me head.

"Yeah. She's on a secret mission. But when she's done she's coming back to get me."

"That's good." Bruce replies.

"Yeah. Did you ever kiss a girl?"

"Umm no."

"Do you want too?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Just curious." Kat replies.

It's time for your studies Master Bruce, Ms Bella."

"Thank you Alfred." Bruce replies

"Your welcome to join if you'd like Ms Kyle." He tells Kat.

"Right. I'll see you later." Kat replies.

A little while later, Bruce and me are holding our breaths under water. "You are the strangest kids I've ever met." Kat says as we come up to breath. Bruce checks de time. "Why are you doing that?"

"Training."

"Oh. Like the boxing. So if anyone hits you with a diving board you will be ready huh?" Kat asks sarcastically.

"Yes. I mean no. I'm developing self discipline and will power."

"Me too." I reply.

"Why?" Kat asks.

"So I can be strong. As for Bella, she just likes to copy me."

"I get you. But it won't work. Not on the streets not in Gotham." Kat weplies.

"Why's that?" Bruce asks confused.

"Because out there on the streets, it's not enough to be strong. You got to be mean. You've got to be ruthless." Kat replies and me nod. She's right. "Do you know what ruthless means?"

"Of course I do." Bruce replies.

"Yeah, well you ain't. Your a nice kid and so is your sister."

At this I scoff. "You don't know me."

"Five minutes on the streets you'd be mincemeat."

"You think me not know what it's like out on the stweets of Gotham? You is wong!" I hiss at her my eyes flashing in anger. Kat ignores me and walks away.

A little while later, we is all eating lunch. Kat tosses the bagel she has at Bruce and I stifle a giggle. "Why did you do that?"

"Bet you can't hit me." Kat replies.

"Oooo."

"I could. Why would I want too?" Bruce asks.

"Try."

"Why?"

"Hit me and I'll let you kiss me."

At this I giggle. "Bwucy and Kat sitting in a twee. KISSING. Fiwst comes lobe then comes mawwage then comes Bwuce pushing a baby cawwage."

"Don't start that again." Bwuce moans and I giggle again as Kat tosses another piece of bread at Bruce. Instantly the two of them are in a food fight.

Alfred POV

I hear things breaking in the other room and am shocked to see Master Bruce and Ms Bella laughing as they toss bread at Ms Kyle. "Good-morning Alfred. I've been trying to get out there. Is she behaving herself?" Detective Gorden asks.

"Well not really. No. But that's alright."

"It is?" Detective Gorden replied a hint of surprise in his voice.

"Yes well she's a breath of fresh air one might say." I reply.

"Glad to hear it. I'll be out there as soon as I can." Detective Gorden replied sounding a bit confused.

"Very good sir." I reply.