The Aster {Book 1 & 2} (Batman/Joker/Robin/Batgirl story)

2.7. Research

The mansion seems empty when I get back, even Alfred isn't there to greet me when I get in.

There's a small fire smouldering away in the grate in the immense gothic living room, so after going to apartment and grabbing my laptop and a blanket from, I throw on another log and curl up on the couch.

All I can worry about is Harley,  but I have to put that aside right now. I'll go back to the house tomorrow and see how she's doing.

I open up google.

Johnny Garner.

Over two million results. Great.

Johnny Garner Metropolis.

That's more like it. Several old news articles flash up. I try my luck and click on the first one. The headline blares in bold capitals, almost jumping off the screen at me.

Missing Metropolis boy rescued by Superman from bizarre torture chamber.

Metropolis police have announced that missing boy, John Garner, 9, who disappeared from a shopping centre two weeks ago has been rescued by Superman. Sources close to the police have revealed that the boy was rescued last night by Superman from a torture chamber like laboratory hidden in an abandoned office building. Two suspects' bodies were also recovered from the building, it is believed that they committed suicide to evade capture.

I glance at the date of the article. Nearly ten years ago. That fits with how old Johnny is now.

The boy was rushed straight to the intensive care unit of Metropolis Hospital after reportedly being the victim of extensive bizarre experiments and torture. Conspiracy theories are already circulating that a secret government agency is behind -

"Meredith!"

I slam my laptop shut, almost jumping out of my skin.

"Barbara," I laugh nervously. "You scared the life out of me."

She smiles apologetically and sits down on the other end of the couch. 

"I thought you'd like to know I've tracked down Dick."

"You have?" I sit bolt upright, that's actually something I really want to hear.

"He sent me a message this morning saying he was okay, I traced it back to the location it was sent from - an apartment building in the city. I called the landlord and he told me he rented out one of the apartments this morning to a young guy named Richard Grayson."

Barbara's logic and detective skills never fail to impress me. They also scare me, scare me a lot. Knowing she has the know how to trace my location to anywhere in the city just by a simple text is more than unnerving.

"At least we know he's safe."

I guess my lack of enthusiasm takes her aback.

"Things aren't awkward between us, are they?" She asks cautiously, I can tell she's trying hard to read my body language.

"You had sex with my father, why would things be awkward?" I try to keep the dryness out of my voice. Not that I can talk. She just found out I'm having the Joker's kid. But still.

"Yeah," she laughs awkwardly, looking away from me and fixing her eyes on the fire.

"You know," I try to cover my prying with a gentle tone of voice, "there's nothing to stop you too having a relationship if you want it."

"Oh, no," she shakes her head. "It wouldn't be possible."

"Why not?"

"Batman, Batgirl..." she frowns. "A relationship would make things too complicated. More than the sex has made it, if that's humanly possible."

I reach out and give her arm a small squeeze. Call it an apology in advance. I know any second she's going to return the questioning and ask about the Joker and I'm not gonna answer.

"You know where Alfred is?" I ask quickly.

"Last time I saw him he was upstairs," she says, her voice sounds a little disappointed that our conversation is ending.

I mouth my thanks at her and get up, I have to wait a moment as dizziness hits my mind. Damn, am I ever gonna learn not to stand up too fast?

After a second it passes and I carefully remember to pick up my laptop as I leave. Do not want Barbara looking through my search history, especially my attempts at researching the Joker's origin.

Once I get to the top of the stairs I stop and listen. Somewhere in the distance I can hear clattering, scraping, like someone is moving furniture around around. Johnny?

I tiptoe across the landing to a doorway which leads up to another wooden spiral staircase, keeping focused on the noise with every move.

The mansion is like a maze, even in the months I've lived here I've still not figured this place out, it's like a damn maze.

I finally find Alfred and the source of the noise in a fourth floor bedroom, or at least what used to be a bedroom. Everything's draped over with white sheets, the air is musty, I doubt anyone has been in here for years.

The wallpaper catches my eye. Little yellow ducks with white lace ruffles around their necks. It wasn't a bedroom. It was a nursery.

"Hey, you shouldn't be doing that!" I rush forward to help him as he struggles to lift a large wooden cot.

I help him get it over to the doorway before we set it down, both puffing for breath.

"Oh Alfred, I think we're both a bit too decrepit to be doing this," I wince as the baby kicks me right in the guts.

"I thought with the little one being due any day now we ought to bring the furniture from Master Bruce's old nursery down to your apartment."

It's funny to think of Bruce lying as a baby in here. Before his parents were murdered, long before the idea of Batman ever existed.

"Are you sure he won't mind?" I ask skeptically. Bruce is so touchy when it comes to anything related to his past or his parents, I don't know if he'd like the idea of my baby having the things that his mother picked out.

"I'm sure he won't mind, and if he does, I'll speak to him myself."

"Thank you so much, Alfred," I smile.

"No need to thank me, Miss Meredith."

"There is. For everything," I say and I really mean it. I know I don't need to go into it more, he knows what I mean.

"And I'll repeat - no need to thank me Miss Meredith," he smiles reassuringly.

"Come on then," I grin. "I'll go and find Johnny and get him to help us."

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Thanks so much for reading !! Next chapter is scheduled to be exciting so stay tuned!! Xx