A Kryptonian's Fixation

Bruce: Ivy's Warning

I made my way to Ivy's cell, listening to the crazed ramblings of the other Gotham maniacs. I had tried to talk with her when Clark first sucked in that weird gas, but she was knocked out cold and needed to be in the hospital wing for a few days, so I let her be. After that, I had bigger problems than a locked up insane Environmentalist.

"Batsy! Good ta see ya!"

I looked into the cell, raising an eyebrow to see Harley and Ivy laying in the same bed. It seemed they were reading the same book, though I guess it could've been given more privacy.

"Didn't know you two were a thing."

The two women looked at each other, before Harley laughed with a wide smile that would've put Joker's to shame. She sat up and summersaulted over to the bars.

"Sorry, Batsy, me and Ives are just BGCFFs!" She chirped.

I had no idea what that even meant. Sometimes there were moments that I could see the brilliant doctor that had helped many criminals get closer to reforming, and then there were these moments. Moments of when I have no idea what she was talking about and could see how easy it was for the Joker to manipulate her.

"Best Girl Criminal Friends Forever. Come on! It makes sense, right Ives?" The blonde whipped around to her friend, who had gone back to her book.

"Yeah sure." She hummed in the most uncaring way possible.

Harley huffed, pouting at her cellmate in what could've been a cute manner had she not been crazy.

"Ivy, your attack." I had stalled this enough.

The chlorokinesis woman glanced up from her book before groaning. Finally, she placed the book down and walked over to me. Joker's girl hmphed and walked over to her bed, flopping onto her belly.

"What about it?" She leaned against the wall with her arms crossed.

It seemed she wasn't even bothering to try and lure me in with her feminine charms. It never worked anyways, being a playboy kind of works against her in that regards. Not that she or Harley would ever know.

"Why did you attack? I thought you were reformed."

She scoffed, narrowing her eyes.

"I was till good ol' Brucie decided to partner with the world's largest oil rig." As she spoke, she pushed herself up and closer to the bars, venom spilling with every word. Her green eyes shown with pure rage along with a hint of betrayal.

It seemed after this, I had to look through some reports. I know I didn't agree to anything about oil rigs. For now, her attack.

"And the plant gas?"

She scoffed again, relaxing against the wall.

"Worried about Superman?"

I didn't say a word, letting that speak for itself. She shook her head, smirking a little.

"Hey! Ives, shoo 'im away! I wanna play board games!" The bored clown shouted, showing a slightly beat up Scutes and Ladder's box.

"Alright, I'll be done in a sec." Her smirk had fallen into a slight smile, her eyes softening just ever so slightly. She then glanced to me. "It seems we're in the same boat, Batman. Now, I'm not going to say anything else."

I frowned. Ivy flinched a little but hurried over to her cellmate. Now that I think about it, every time Harley is in jail, Ivy soon follows... It's odd, but it was beginning to make sense. Even what she had just said.

"I don't want either of you attacking the city again." I turned away from her and was about to walk away but stopped. "I'll deal with the oil expansion in return for proper information next time."

I got five steps to the elevator when Ivy's voice called out.

"You better not let Superman know you're still digging... That gas was meant specifically for you."

Meant for me? Now what did that mean? I understand she wasn't expecting Superman to be there, or for me not to show, but how could she get the gas to be made specifically for me? Perhaps I was leaving my DNA in too many places, I should start being more careful of that.

'If that gas was meant for me, then what will it do to Superman? There was nothing strange the last time he had gotten checked... But that doesn't mean it couldn't have been a dormant virus. What about the first part of her words, why not let him know?'

"Good evening, Master Bruce. I take the meeting with Miss Pamela was informative?"

I cracked a small smile seeing my old butler. He looked much better than he did before. I should make him take vacation time more often, he is an old man he'll need time to himself.

"Not completely, but it is something." I mumbled, letting whatever smile that was forming on my face disappear.

Alfred nodded, moving up the steps to where the main bat computer was.

"I made tea and biscuits; they should still be hot. I have also made sure that Master Dick is in the training hall." He motioned with his head to the side.

I nodded, pulling my cowl down as I followed him. I should take Dick out tonight; it has been a while since we had done a duo patrol.

"I'll call Master Dick to inform him. Do make sure you have something to eat before your patrol, Master Bruce." Alfred gave me a mock glare before marching on his way to get the boy.

I chuckled under my breath as I slowly sipped the tea and took a few bites of the cookies that were made to go with it. I really did miss Alfred's cooking, though I should get some of his feedback just so I can improve.

"Alfred says we're going on patrol!" Dick shouted happily, rushing in fully suited.

I felt my lips twitch at the ends into a smile. He's doing better than he was when I first got him. That's good, that's what I want. I can think about what Ivy meant later. So far everything's seemed normal, it can wait a bit longer.

"Come on, we have a few criminals to put away." I drawled, pulling the cowl back on.

"I'll hold down the fort, Sir."

I gave my most trusted butler a nod before rushing down the stairs after my excited ward. I'll have to teach him to conceal his excitement, but later. He's still a kid after all.