~Cats + Bats~

Chapter 05

Since the Batmobile was taken, Batman climbs onto the Batcycle, racing towards the warehouse, with the Justice League following quickly behind him on their own vehicles.When Batman reaches the warehouse, he hops off of the motorcycle and storms his way into the warehouse, only to see the Joker greet him in a spotlight.

"Aw, Bats. Showed up to save your girl?" he taunts.

"Where is she?" Batman demands.

"Harley, sweetheart? Bring her out." Joker smiles viciously. "I think you'll like what we did to her."

Harley bounces in, dragging Catwoman behind her on a chain. Catwoman has bruises all over her body, she's gagged and covered in blood. Her eyes no longer have that playful glint in them. Now her eyes are dull, frightened. She's scared, she wants to cry but refuses to right in front of the Joker and Harley.

"Don't touch her, B-Man. Mr. J said I can slash her to bits. How sweet is he?" Harley chirps happily.

The Justice League advances on Harley, leaving Batman behind to face the Joker. Something shiny catches the moonlight. A blade. Typical. Joker smiles.

"Be careful, Batboy," he taunts.

Batman lunges at Joker, swinging a fist to his face, but Joker dodges it easily, taking the chance to drive the knife into Batman. Batman stumbles back a bit, but advances once more, only to get another knife wound. It continued on until Joker's knife was dripping with blood.

"I need a little help over here!" Batman calls out.

The Justice League sends half of its members to help Batman. Struggling to press the two villains into a corner. As the battle presses on, Batman notices Catwoman crumpled on the ground. Blood soaks through her suit, staining the ground beneath her.

"Stay here! I'm going for Catwoman," Batman yells.

He runs over to Catwoman, and tries to find where all of the blood is coming from. "Listen, there's a lot of blood everywhere. But I need you to keep talking to me. What's your name?"

"What?" Catwoman murmurs. "Felicia... Felicia Hardy... Bats, you came."

"And I'm staying right here," Batman whispers in return, placing a gloved hand under Catwoman's head, pulling her up slightly for a kiss. Catwoman notices the blood from Batman's knife wounds and pulls away, wincing from her own wounds.

"You're bleeding... You need help..." she groans quietly.

No," Batman insists. "I'm staying by your side. I'm okay."

"No. You can... You can carry me."

Gradually, Batman takes Catwoman into his arms, carrying her out of the warehouse as quickly as he can. He helps her into the Batmobile, and gets in himself, driving back to Wayne Mansion. Doing as Batman asks, Catwoman keeps talking.

"Bats?"

"Yes, Felicia?"

"Thanks for finding me," she murmurs.

Batman smiles and replies in return, "Anytime."

When he slams his brakes in front of the Wayne Mansion, he helps Catwoman out, and sets her down on her back onto a table. Calling out for Alfred, he already comes out holding medical supplies, as if it was a habit.

"Alfred, I need you to tend to her," Batman orders as nicely as he could.

"Yes, sir. But with this much blood gone, it is possible that she will not make it."

Batman slams his fist onto the table, causing Catwoman to wince in pain. "Don't say that, Alfred!" he argues.

"Yes, sir." Alfred tends to Catwoman, removing her garment when needed, applying the stitches along her side. With each prick against the skin, Catwoman winces, wanting desperately for it to be over. When Alfred finishes, he gives Catwoman some medicine to subdue the pain. Alfred then turns to Batman.