Batman/Catwoman Issue #0

Chapter One: Miscalculations and Misdemeanors

    Many years later at about 12:00pm on a Saturday, the sound of tennis balls echoed across the Gotham City Club courts. 

    Bruce Wayne, owner of Wayne enterprises by day and Batman by night, watched a middle aged man from behind the fence. The man was fairly tall and the lighter skin the passed his white shirt indicated he had a farmers tan. The matching hat he wore covered his head, but Bruce knew he had brown hair.

     Bruce could tell that the man played tennis often based off of his movements. "I don't know." He mumbled to his headphones that had a built in speaker. "This man seems too busy to be the one." 

    Alfred, who was on the other side of the speaker cleared his throat and checked a video footage. "The camera shows that this man entered the alleyway last, Master Wayne." 

    There was a sudden grunt from the tennis court followed by light cheering. Bruce looked up to see what happened, and realized he was meeting eye contact with the man he was watching. 

    "Oh, shit." Alfred heard his partner curse and he struggled to hold back his chuckle. 

    The man on the court raised his eyebrows in surprise and jogged over lightly to Bruce. He hopped over the hip height fence with ease- which Bruce took note of subconsciously- and smiled, his eyes creasing and showing his wrinkles. "Is that Bruce Wayne?" He chuckled in a dad-voice. "Well I'll be. I never knew you were in the club. You play often?" He motioned to his racket. 

    The mid 20 year old shifted his position, not wanting to be talking with the man he was watching. "Uh... yeah, I'm in the club. Sure I play." 

    "Is that so, Master Wayne?" Alfred muttered to the speakers and Bruce clenched his fist to stop him from making any unnecessary actions.  

    The man before him nodded. "Oh, Where are my manners?" He chuckled again, "I'm John Icner" he raised his elbow out to Bruce, since his hand held his racket and the other a water bottle. Instinctively, Bruce backed away and he cursed himself mentally for seeming so childish. He set out his friendly businessman smile and nodded, leaving John's elbow hanging. 

    "Pleasure to meet you." Bruce pursed his lips and decided to bait John. "I was watching you play tennis. You seem really good at it- do you play often?" 

    John showed a glimpse of disappointment as he retracted his elbow, and nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! I play often- say, why don't you play with me?"

    In all honesty, Bruce just wanted to get out of the situation. He already knew everything about the older man before him, so there was no need for his to stay. Ruefully, he sucked in the air and crossed his arms. "Sure we can play." He said, in a tone to end the conversation. 

    "Nice!" John talked, and started walking over to his court. "Come on then! My partner had to leave early anyway." 

    "Uh," Bruce was taken aback by the sudden situation, "N-no, I can't play now. I thought-" 

    "Nonsense! Come on, just a simple 6 setter. You're in good gym clothes. I have extra shoes and another racket for you." 

    "It seems you misunderstood the question." Alfred's voice chimed in the headphones. "Go and play, maybe you'll get more information about John. He could confess." Despite his monotonous tone, Alfred was happy to hear Bruce mingling with others. Sure it might be a potential criminal, but he was outside recreationally nonetheless. 

    Bruce, on the other hand, was not amused. He grumbled silently and walked over to the court. 

    'This is just business' he told himself before he spoke back to John.