Catgirl: Young Justice BOOK 1 (COMPLETE)

CHAPTER 45

|Wayne Manor
|August 18 2010, 19:42

"We have a contract, Katherine.", Bruce narrowed his eyes across the dining room table, "You can have your freedom when you're not with the team, but you need to show for team activities."

"First off, that wasn't how the contact was worded, so, no, I actually don't have to show for team activities. That was more of a request than a requirement. As long as I show for official missions, which I have been doing, then I'm fine."

"You haven't been active during most of those either."

Dick awkwardly cut up his steak, trying his best to ignore the arguing between Katherine and Bruce. As far as he was aware she was staying full time at Wayne Manor. He didn't know about The Flea, or that fact she was splitting her time there, but he was more than knowledgeable when it came to what she was doing as Catgirl, and Batman wasn't happy with her slacking either.

Of course, Dick warned her about this, but she didn't listen. Katherine was never one to take anyone else's advice.

"Oh, I'm so sorry I can't force myself awake for ridiculous amounts of time- it's not my fault I was designed to play the much shorter role of a villain- I'm not made for the 24/7 job of a hero!"

"You would be able to stay awake if you took proper care of yourself!", Bruce shouted back, "If you slept the recommended 16 hours you needed then you would be more than capable of completing a mission! Instead you choose to sneak out! You waste so much energy that by the time you are needed you're more of a liability than an asset to the team-!"

"Master Bruce.", Alfred sharply cut in, appearing from the kitchen, "What would you all like for dessert?"

"I'm full." Katherine stood up from the table and started to leave.

"Where are you going?", Bruce also got up. "Katherine!", he raised his voice again upon being ignored by her.

Dick stayed seated, uncomfortably glancing at Alfred for some help. Alfred subtly nodded and decided, "I'll go into the city to get some ice cream. Katherine, would you be so kind as to help?"

Katherine stopped walking towards the door to look at Alfred reluctantly, "Can't Dick help you? It's his house."

"Master Dick is awfully busy catching with his studies right now. I wouldn't want to waste his time-"

"Then you surely won't mind not wasting mine either.", Katherine coldly responded, zipping up her jacket then looking back at Bruce, "And I'm not with the team, so sit."

Dick watched Bruce, stressed at what he would react with. Katherine was fearless, and not just because knew she made sure to design the contract so he wouldn't be able to completely control her and she could move freely when off duty.

Now Bruce was realising how she could use that to turn the tables and have control over him.

This couldn't end well.

"No.", Bruce stayed standing, "You might not be with that team, but right now you're with this one."

"I'm off duty.", She glared, "The only reason I was here at all is to prove to you that I'm loyal to the team and as much as I hate you all, I'm loyal to The Justice League too. As long as they continue to give me that second chance, I won't go back to crime. You have my word."

"Your word doesn't mean anything if you can't prove it."

"Your idea of me proving it is by keeping me prisoner, which is what I was supposed to be avoiding with the contract.", Katherine reminded him. "If you don't trust my loyalty to the heroes, make me prove it on the field, where I'll have more than enough opportunities to go back to my old ways. Keeping me here wastes both my time and my skills. Surely 'The World's Greatest Detective' has figured that out."

"Fine.", Bruce sat back down, "I'll arrange a mission. Depending on how you do, I'll consider giving you more trust- if it's earned."

"Great idea.", Katherine accepted the compromise with sarcasm, "Let's make The Dynamic Duo a trio, 'cause that went so well last time."

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Word Count: 680

A/N: When I originally published this chapter I said I had just finished writing this book's drafts. Anyone else wish they could've kept their pandemic productivity without keeping the pandemic? Me too.