Wolverine is a bigger waste of space than I first thought.

The Outlaws are busy taking down Weapon X. They seem to be able to handle it. So I decide it's time to go down to the Batcave and do some research on this Serial killer Shi is after. Unfortunately I'm greeted by this. Disgusting I keep telling them to leave that in West City. Also what is that thing in the corner going "woot" ? Looks like I need to fumigate the Cave again. Well there's only one response to that, give Robin two hours extra training for introducing Vincent to Cassandra.

The problem he'll take out on Superboy giving him extra training for no reason, then Superman Will come here all mad, then again that will at least get him out of the funk he's been in lately. I'm supposed to be the brooding one dammit.

“Vincent! Go home!" I order in my authoritative voice.

After grunting a little, he finally leaves. Oracle whispers in Cassandra's ear. "How many times did I tell you not to make out here the Boss can see?"

“Richard!” I yell "You're training with Batgirl today."

“But holy chivalry Batman! She's a girl!"

" Yes I think that's why she's called Batgirl." I respond.

They go up to the ring and start sparring. I'm hoping that this will jog some of Richard's memories , or maybe at least some of his advanced fight training will instinctually come back to save him from Cassandra's onslaughts.

I hear a lot of girlie screaming I turn and Cass has him in a triangle choke. Well that isn't working so far, but I should let the fight go for another fifteen minutes and see if any sign of Nightwing ever shows itself.

Before I can observe anymore an alarm goes off and the Bat Computer shows me camera footage of Wolverine cutting down some penguin thugs and calling me out. Sigh. I forgot all about him and his little emotional breakdown.

Not that I usually involve myself in mutant pathos, but this is effecting my strike team and their abilities, so I'd better go see Logan and let him know that his paranoia about me and Ana is unfounded.


I drive the Batmobile to the scene. Yes I'm finally buying gas for it, my other mode of transportation the Whirly -Bat was ... well just stupid. It’s petty much a lawn chair with a propeller on it. Though Alfred is still refusing to fill it. Luckily I have one of the Teen Titans do it now. I've finally found a use for them: manual labor.

I drive into Logan to catch his attention, I wonder which titan I'll force to buff out the claw marks in the paint job? Beast Boy looked pretty lazy last time I saw him.

Anyway I announce. “Logan I don't batarang your enemies please don't mutilate mine."

He jumps me.

Not that I didn't expect this. I throw a batrang that explodes and covers him in powder. he falls on the ground rolling around. “What the flamin' hell is this crap? AAAGH!"

" Itching powder.” I let a smile come over my face for a second. “I know your healing factor will fix you up soon enough, but listen to me you idiot I am not dating Shi. I was recruiting her for my strike team that's all we're only professional. Use your senses you can tell I'm telling the truth."

He gets up and stares at Me." yeah but maybe ya can fool my senses?"

" Possibly," I shrug. “But why would I? I have been dating Wonder Woman. I'd rather not be knocked from Gotham to New Jersey thank you very much."

He glares. “Yeah I do smell 'er on ya. Dammit! I've been suckered."

“By who?" I question.

“I dunno some punk I ain't ever heard Azreal or somethin' He sent me pictures of you and Ana."

Jean Paul! That's it! He's had a beating coming to him for along time now. It's time for me to give it to him. “You should know not to trust pictures in the age of Photoshop."

“Yeah, I guess bub, maybe I was just lookin' fer a reason to breakup with Ana." he growls.

" Why?" I have to say the way Logan looks, and smells he was lucky to get Ana and not dating his hand.

“They all die on me bub, either from old age, or slaughtered by someone."

Well that I can understand, though more often in my case they go crazy, or evil. “Someone once told me not to be afraid of Death so much that I stop living."

Logan shakes his head. “Who told ya that?"

"Superman, though he was exposed to a color of Kryptonite that made him act as if he was drunk at the time."

He laughs. “Drunken boy scout I'd pay to see that."

"Hh. It's not as amusing it sounds. “I have no idea what Logan decided to do about the whole Shi thing, but since he left Gotham without more incidents it's none of my business any more. When I return to the Cave I find Richard still getting beaten.

“Oracle? Why are they still sparring? it's been much longer than fifteen minutes."

“Oh really I hadn't noticed.” She gives an evil grin. I'm thinking this has something to do with Barbara's relationship with Nightwing I decide it's better not to pry, and tell Cass to take a break.

I notice she left an envelope on the conference table with something scrawled on it. I open it and see.


I have never wanted to see her like... that. I look at the envelope and again and finally decipher the scrawl as "for Vince." Fine. Robin gets five hours extra training for introducing those two. Also there’s that thing again. I’m defiantly getting the cave fumigated.