New To The Family

Chapter 13: Hostage Situation

"But this isn't fair!" Helena raged. "I'm part of this family, I should get to help!"

Selina sighed. She couldn't blame her for being upset. The girl had been trapped inside the mansion for the better part of three weeks now, ever since Catwoman's picture had appeared in the Daily Planet. True, the mansion was enormous, but still, she must have been getting cabin fever by now.

"I'm sorry, sweetie. I know it's tough, but we don't want anyone to-"

"Don't give me that!" she shouted, pulling at her hair. "I get it, if they figured out we're here, then I'm in danger. But they don't know for sure."

Pulling on his Batman mask, Bruce spoke. "You're right, they don't know for sure. Which is why you need to stay hidden."

Helena pointed at her mother, now in complete Catwoman costume. "Then shouldn't she stay hidden too? How come she gets to go, but I have to stay?"

Placing her hands on her hips, Catwoman gave her daughter a stern look. "Because I'm not the one they're after. If you go out, there's the biggest risk that you'll get caught. And if your father or I end up getting captured, then at least you'll still be safe."

"Damn it! This sucks!" She kicked her father's chair in frustration.

Catwoman glared at her. "Watch your language, young lady."

Helena returned the glare and flopped herself down in the chair. "What are you going to do about it? Ground me?"

Damian, now dressed as Robin, couldn't help but smirk. "She's got a point."

Though things had improved somewhat between the two, Damian still remained hostile towards both his sister and her mother. Helena took what she could get though, and hoped that things would continue to improve, but her own sour attitude from being confined made her snappy, which didn't go well with her brother's grumpiness.

As glad as he was to see his children getting along, or at least not being at each others' throats all the time like they were before, Bruce didn't want his son helping his sister out in this instance. "I don't want to hear any more about this. You're to stay in the mansion until your mother and I say otherwise. Is that understood?"

Grumbling, Helena leaned over the side of the chair, her head hanging over the armrest. "Yes, warden."

"Helena..."

"I heard you! I heard you! Geez."

Batman nodded. "Good. Behave for Alfred. We'll be back soon."

Catwoman waved to her. "Watch us on the news."

Rotating in her seat, Helena turned her attention to the computer screen. With a push of the button, she brought up the news. There was a report on about a hostage situation in progress, the ones responsible demanding that Batman come and face them. The Dark Knight, Catwoman, and Robin were answering the call while Nightwing had returned to Titan Tower a few days prior.

Helena sighed as she stared at the screen. "Say hello to the outside world for me. I'll just be here, wasting away."

Robin humphed as he climbed into the Batmobile. "Guess the Huntress is now the hunted."

There was that hostility that still remained. Helena flipped him the middle finger without even facing him, making her brother scowl. He let it go though as the other two climbed into the vehicle and the top came down. Helena turned around in the chair and watched as it sped off.

With a sigh, she slid back down in her seat. She went back to watching the news as the reporter went on and on about what was happening with the situation, asking where Batman was. Helena practically rolled her eyes. Criminals were always so predictable. Well, most were anyway. There weren't many that would actually demand Batman come, but she figured it was a display of power. Some idiot criminal probably wanted to make a name for themselves by taking out Batman, or face off against him to prove how big and bad they were.