Rogue9a
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Batman The Long Halloween: VI Valentines
Batman
The Long Halloween
Part VI
Valentines
Based off the Comic Book miniseries The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale
Gotham City
Valentines Day
Barbra Gordon wasn’t pleased; her father was blowing it with Sarah, rather then spending Valentines Day with her, he’s off with Harvey Dent to talk to Bruce Wayne. She had been trying to get him to go on a date with anyone ever since his wife moved back to Chicago with their son. She had even told him that she would be at a party so he could have the house to himself. She knew that both Jim and Sarah would be slightly distracted, being that it was a holiday and Holiday had yet to be found. Even Batman wasn’t able to break that riddle but it wouldn’t hurt to have fun with someone his own age. She had been fibbing a bit, yes there was a party and she did go to it, she snuck out a back door and made her way back to her hide out where she was now. She had dressed in her newest Bat suit, all black with a solid yellow Bat across her chest. The Cape and Cowl lay on the table in the middle of the room as she worked on the computer. It was still early yet, not even 8 o’clock yet, while dark she didn’t tend to go out until nine o’clock. She had two hours of patrolling in before Batman arrived on the scene from where ever it was he came from. While she waited she looked through the files of some of Gotham City’s leading citizens and members of the Mob scene. Looking for who Holiday might be anyone who would have something to gain by taking out members of the Falcone crime family, but no one really stood out, there was Sal Maroni but this kind of thing didn’t fit with what she knew about him. Even Harvey Dent and Jim Gordon stood to gain, but she couldn’t believe they would resort to murder and they had alibis for most of the murders. Slipping into the rest of her outfit she left her hide out to start patrolling the streets.
*****
Bruce Wayne checked his watch again; Selina had stepped out to use the rest room leaving him alone at the table he had reserved. He had hoped to be out of the restaurant before 9 o’clock, but it didn’t look like it would happen. On the plus side, with him detained Gordon and Dent wouldn’t be able to talk to him just yet. Dent had left an official message wanting to ask him about his ties to The Roman, Carmine Falcone the Monday after New Years and had been after him since. It didn’t take long for him to figure out what Dent was talking about, and how he found out; its clear Falcone was trying to get him out of the way so he could use the bank to launder his dirty money. If he could make up some connection between the two of them, then Dent in his increasingly bullheaded attempts to get Falcone once and for all will go for the bait and get him out long enough for the Bank board to vote once again on letting the Falcone money in. Seeing Selina walk into the dinning room cleared Bruce’s mind and he welcomed her back to her seat, just in time for the final course was laid out on the table.
“You looked like you had something on your mind,” Selina asked as she took a bite out of her cheesecake.
“Just business,” Bruce replied cutting a piece of his cheesecake off and moved it towards his mouth.
“You sure it has nothing to do with the Police,” Selina took a sip from her wine glass. “It’s all over the news.”
“I really don’t know what they are talking about,” Bruce’s look darkened slightly.
“Having ties to the Falcone Family isn’t anything to be embarrassed about,” Selina purred after taking another bite of her dessert. “Dent’s just looking for anything to take down The Roman.”
“He doesn’t like the idea that a man tied to the Falcone’s campaigned for him,” Bruce sighed. “Feels like he owes something to Mr. Falcone.”
“It’s not like you’re owned by Falcone,” Selina finished off her cheesecake. “You have been blocking his attempt to get him money into the Bank.”
“He’s become to bullheaded,” Bruce knew this was true, ever since Falcone got away with almost killing him in October on Halloween and destroying his house in the bombing Harvey has been obsessed with getting him. Ignoring things that wouldn’t help get The Roman. Other cases have been falling to Assistant District Attorneys, like his child hood friend Rachel Dawes. Innocent people had fallen under the scope of the investigation. Bruce couldn’t be sure but he was certain the Falcone’s were leaking false information into the DA’s office to distract Dent. Paying the check Bruce walked Selina back to her car in the private lot that served the restaurant.
“I had a really great time Bruce,” Selina smiled as Bruce opened the car door.
“I did to, shame we had to let the Falcone-Dent War enter our night,” Bruce made sure to smile that smirk that lit up the tabloids.
“It’s a shame we have to end the night,” Selina passed a finger over Bruce’s chest.
“Yeah,” Bruce made sure to sound disappointed. “But I have an early day tomorrow.”
“As do I,” Selina sighed making a big show shrugging her shoulders.
“I’ll see you soon,” Bruce leaned forward and kissed Selina firmly on the lips.
“Call me,” Selina got into her car and drove off into the night.
Watching as her car rounded the corner, Bruce ran off to his car and drove off to a hotel where several of Hollywood’s leading ladies were staying as they toured to promote their film. Making sure the press saw him enter the hotel he went up to the Penthouse that he had owned since his return to Gotham City. There would be enough evidence that Bruce Wayne spent the night at the hotel and rumors would fly that he had spent it with Selina Kyle or one of the actresses if not all of them. Just enough press to cover his tracks. Once in the Penthouse he darted across to the hidden elevator that went down to the sub basement where he had put the Batmobile earlier that day. Slipping into the Bat suit as the elevator descended, he was just slipping on the cowl when the doors opened allowing him to get to the Batmobile and out into the night.
*****
James Gordon looked at his watch as he waited with Harvey Dent outside the front doors of Wayne manor. It was just before 9 o’clock, he really found all the evidence against Bruce Wayne hard to believe, but there it was in black and white. Mr. Wayne had to answer for what appeared to be connections to the Falcone crime family. As he waited his thoughts drifted to Barbra, she was positively annoyed when he told her he was going to go see Bruce Wayne that night. When the door finally opened an older man stood behind wearing a black suit with a white tux shirt. Alfred, Wayne’s butler and anything else that might be needed, when Thomas Wayne died Alfred became the father Bruce needed while he was in Gotham City. When Bruce left he had stayed behind to care for the house for when he returned.
“Its Cold, could we do this inside,” Harvey stepped towards the open door.
“What the District Attorney means Alfred, is Mr. Wayne home?” Gordon stepped in.
“I’m afraid not, you’re welcome to wait but…” Alfred stepped back to allow them in.
“Well,” Gordon wasn’t sure if they should wait
“Sure,” Harvey interrupted and stepped into the manor. “Nice dump.”
“You’ve never been in Wayne Manor before?” Gordon asked as he followed Harvey in.
“I was invited to one of his costume balls once,” Harvey confessed. “But like I told Gilda I don’t dress up in a costume for anyone even a billionaire like Bruce Wayne.”
“That’s a shame,” Alfred sighed. “The masquerades are quite amusing. If I may say sirs, since its Valentines Day I should tell you that it’s likely Master Wayne wont be home for quite a while.
“Harvey, you want to come back later,” Gordon looked over at Harvey who had gone over to an old painting of the Wayne family before Thomas and Martha were killed.
“So that’s Bruce’s old man,” Harvey commented. “So Alfred, you wouldn’t happen to remember anyone with the name Falcone coming by to see this Doctor Wayne.”
“As I was saying,” Alfred ignored the comment. “It being Valentines Day you two must have other obligations. Mr. Gordon how is Ms. Essen, We haven’t seen in her a while.”
“Sarah,” Gordon remembered that he forgot all about getting Sarah something for their first Valentines Day together. “Harvey, did you remember to get anything for Gilda.”
“No and she’s going to kill me,” Harvey’s thoughts turned to his wife at home.
*****
The Roman, the very title struck fear in the hearts of men everywhere, the only person feared more was the Batman. At the moment though he was alone in a cemetery, his guards remained at the cars he wasn’t a feared crime boss here, but a grieving father. Stopping at his youngest son’s tombstone he kneeled to say a silent prayer. Alberto Falcone had been shot and fell overboard on New Years day, with his body washing up 6 days later a victim of the so called Holiday. Brushing the snow off the stone he places a single red rose at the base and rose to his feet.
“Was it worth it,” a dark voice called out from the darkness.
“Who’s there,” Carmine pulled out a pistol from under his jacket.
“Is it?” Batman stepped forward to face Falcone.
“Is what worth it?” Carmine kept his gun pointed at Batman as he wondered where his guards were.
“The Price?” Batman continued.
“What the hell are you yapping about you masked freak,” Carmine had a famous temper that most people tried to avoid but Batman seemed to be trying to get him to go off.
“Your Son,” Batman stood unmoving, had Carmine not known better he would have assumed he was just a statue.
“My Son was never involved in my business,” Carmine’s voice cracked. “Alberto was innocent.”
“How many innocent sons have you destroyed Carmine,” Batman pressed further.
Nobody talks to me that way,” Carmine pulled the hammer back on his gun.
Batman didn’t move as Carmine started to pull the trigger, the only moment he made was in response to the bolo that had suddenly clipped Carmine’s arm causing him to drop the gun. Batman knew full well where the bolo came from; it could belong to only Catwoman. Spinning around he saw her leaping away from the two of them. This wasn’t the first time he had seen her near the Falcone’s, every time he is near Carmine she has popped up. It had been a while since he saw her though; it had been Halloween, when she had led Batman to a warehouse full of Falcone Money which he and Dent had burned setting Carmine back months if not years. Running after her he caught up with her before the edge of the graveyard, almost as if she wanted him to catch her.
“You’ve been gone,” Batman grabbed her from behind.
“That your way of saying thanks for saving my life,” Catwoman replied.
“You don’t think I could have taken the gun before he fired,” Batman struggled to hold her.
“Jealous,” Catwoman took her free hand and ran the claw across his cheek.
“You should have stayed away,” Batman released his hold as he got away from the claw. “Why are you here?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Catwoman purred.
Before Batman could press more the sounds of gunshots rang out from behind them. In all the activity Batman had almost forgotten Falcone’s guards. They had most likely been sent by The Roman after he left him at Alberto’s grave to chase after Catwoman. Turning to face the men he could almost feel Catwoman sneak away. Pulling a batarang out of its pouch on his belt, he tossed it at the lead gunmen striking him between the eyes knocking him to the ground where he didn’t move. The second gunman continued to run and shoot at Batman ignoring his partner who was laid out, using the man’s momentum against him Batman stepped to the side and hit the man in the back of the head as he went by. Knocked off balanced he fell to the ground dropping his gun and rolled back to his feet. Watching the man carefully he waited for him to make his move; no unarmed he charged head first. Standing his ground Batman caught him with a hammer blow to the back driving him into the ground where Batman followed up with an open handed blow to the head knocking him out. With the men taken care of he turned back to where Catwoman had exited knowing he would never be able to find her he left the graveyard and went towards the Batmobile.
*****
The Restaurant was packed as it so often was on Valentines Day, from the kitchen Salvatore Maroni watched as the regulars ate away in the comfort they could only find at Maroni’s Italian Restaurant. Behind him a nerdy looking man fumbled a bundle of cash that Maroni had just handed him. The nerdy looking man looked innocent enough but he was a long time member of the Falcone crime family. He had gone to school with Alberto Falcone and gone off the law school. Now he was working in the DA’s office, helping push Falcone’s pet project through. Maroni didn’t care what he was doing though; he had his own game plan.
“Mister Maroni this is too much,” Vernon held the bills in front of him.
“Nonsense, any friend of Sal Maroni deserves it,” Sal slapped Vernon on the arm. “You are a friend Vernon aren’t you?”
“Of course Mr. Maroni, but,” Vernon stuttered.
“Call me Sal, You have a date tonight, want to have some dinner,” Sal put his arm around Vernon’s shoulders trying to lead him to the dinning room. “My treat.”
“Mr. Maroni, Sal, My boss, Mr. Dent is targeting you,” Vernon slipped away from his grip. “He thinks you are the weak link, he feels that you can bring about the downfall of the Falcone family.”
“He does, does he?” Sal patted him on the back. “Come have the Veal it’s the best in town.”
*****
Outside the restaurant in a single car a group of man sat ready, they had been put on guard by Maroni after the Joker broke in and killed Maroni’s right hand man back during Christmas. Because of the cold night the 4 men had decided to use one of the cars the Maroni family owned to watch the place. If anything happened Maroni had enough men inside to keep anything from getting out of hand. As the men discussed the Holiday killings and who Holiday might be, one of the men peeked into the rearview mirror to see a figure approach the car from behind. Before he could even utter a word gun shots rang out striking the men in the car. One more quick shot and the car exploded in a ball of flames shattering the front window, sending the patrons to the ground. Running out of the kitchen, Maroni looked at the scene before him and made his way out side to see what had happened, in front of the building the flaming wreckage of one of his cars as well as the remains four of his men inside the burning car. In front of the car sat a heart shaped box of candy, a gun several shell casings and a shot out rubber baby bottle nipple.
*****
Entering the darkened house, Harvey Dent snuck up to the bedroom carrying a heart shaped box of candies and some flowers. Entering the bedroom he approached the bed to find his wife laying in bed with her eyes shut; stripping off his clothes he joined her in the bed placing the candy next to her on the pillow.
“Harvey, what time is it?” Gilda asked softly.
“It’s late,” Harvey pulled the sheets down. “Happy Valentines day honey.”
When Gordon drove up to the house he was surprised to find the lights still on, checking the time it was almost 1 am no one should be up, unless Barbra was studying for something. He would have been home sooner but he had to stop at the latest Holiday killing, in all 8 people had died. Four of them in a car parked out front the other four were sitting near the window when the shooting started and were either hit by stray bullets or killed in the explosion. Locking the car he walked up to the front door to find Barbra dressed in her bed clothes wearing the same look she had when he left.
“You’re up,” Gordon placed the briefcase next to the door. “It’s kind of late.”
“It’s a weekend,” Barbra replied. “So you get to talk to Mr. Wayne?”
“He wasn’t home,” Gordon plopped down into the chair he claimed as his.
“Imagine that, a billionaire playboy not home on Valentines Day,” Barbra laughed. “So you didn’t get to spend Valentines Day with Sarah for nothing.”
“She’s on the job, she knows what its like,” Gordon said trying hard to believe his own comments. “Hey it’s not like you’re one to talk though spending Valentines Day with no one.”
“I went to a party,” Barbra playfully pouted. “And when did you want me to have a boyfriend?”
“Good night Barbra,” Gordon finished the chat.
“Good night Dad,” Barbra kissed him on the cheek and ran up to her bedroom.
Arriving at the Batcave just as the sun was rising; Batman put his gear away and headed up to the manor where he found Alfred waiting at the clock entrance. He could tell from the look on Alfred’s face that he wasn’t a happy man. Alfred had gone to bed soon after Dent and Gordon had left and woke up in time to great his boss. Once Alfred informed him of what had happened, his thought turned to where Harvey Dent was getting his info. If things didn’t calm down soon, Dent would become a problem he would have to deal with, he had become more focused on getting Falcone he was willing to chase any lead even if it doesn’t mean anything. He was Obsessed with taking Falcone down and he knew all to well what obsession can do to a man.
Coming Next Time….
-Gordon and Dent come closer to getting Bruce Wayne
-A Falcone returns to seek revenge
-News of a new vigilante brings Batgirl into the Slums
-Poison Ivy distracts Batman and Catwoman with a twisted game
-Maroni feels the sting of Holiday
Last edited by Rogue9a, 5/28/2007, 12:47 am
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5/27/2007, 1:07 am
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Rogue9a
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Re: Batman The Long Halloween: VI Valentines
Fixed the error, hope you find time to reread it soon.
I'm working on the next story now.
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5/28/2007, 12:48 am
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Denikasgranny
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Re: Batman The Long Halloween: VI Valentines
Very good. :wow:
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5/29/2007, 8:13 am
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Rogue9a
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Re: Batman The Long Halloween: VI Valentines
thanks Working on St. Patrick's Day now
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5/30/2007, 1:21 am
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I'll re read it soon....... ;)
