17-year-old Emily Sterling loses her parents in a fatal car crash. She then moves with her aunt Matilda, who works as a clown with Haly's Circus. There, she meets the handsome and mysterious Jerome Valeska, and unexpectedly, falls in love with him u...
It has been several weeks since I stood up to Fish Mooney, but then again, who's counting? I left Wayne Manor and moved to another home. It's not your average home but a mansion. Bruce had insisted that I have a massive residence for my children to run around in and for us to have a training room so he bought it for us and he even had the whole place furnished, a maid and butler, a large swimming pool, and an armory with a training room. I have plans to extend for a secret room later.
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The good news is that this mansion isn't far from Bruce's and we can visit anytime we want. I finished unloading the kitchen, while Jerome Jr and Selina Marie were doing some workbooks on advanced mathematics and science at the kitchen table. To think, my children are geniuses. Within the last few weeks, they have grown; physically and mentally. Selina Marie and Jerome Jr. have risen to the size of 9 years old and the intellect of a 19-year-old. I know that the way that my children grow is weird, but because my DNA was regenerated when I gave birth to them, it also regenerates theirs as well. I decide to make a sandwich with chips for the kids. As I make their lunches, Selina Marie turns on the TV in the living room, and I hear, "We're doing everything we can to apprehend Jervis Tetch. Right now, he is wanted for the murder of four people by the use of hypnotism. We know that sounds weird, but those are the facts." I finished cutting Jerome Jr's sandwich when he asks me, "Mom, are you going to go after him too? Every bounty hunter will be looking for him now." I look up and say, "Who told you that?" "Uncle Oswald, when we were visiting him yesterday." I sighed and said, "I need to get you and Selina Marie some new role models." Jerome Jr. laughs and says, "Mom, you've taught us well. We can handle ourselves, and we want to join you. Stature-wise, we are small, but we make up for it because we inherited your intelligence." I hug my son and look at him in his eyes. He has his father's eyes. "I lost your father, and I don't want to lose you or your sister. I've worked hard to have the kind of life I want for you both and I-" Suddenly, I hear knocking on my front door. Both kids hid behind me as I grabbed my gun from my holster. "Who is it?" "It's Zsasz. Let me in!" I rush to the door, and there was Zsasz, covered in blood. I gasp. "Look, I didn't kill anyone. Some dumbass shot me under Tetch's spell. I tried running, but that guy he had kept shooting at me." Zsasz fell forward, and I caught him. I scooped him from under his legs, and I carried him to the living room. Selina Marie went to grab the first aid kit, and Jerome Jr. locked the door and barricaded it with the breakfast nook table. I place Victor on the floor and open his shirt. He was shot in the lower abdomen. It'll be tricky, but I can save him. Selina Marie hands me the bandages, alcohol, peroxide, and tweezers. It doesn't take me long to extract the bullet, but Victor's screaming doesn't help me either. "I told you to put the gag in your mouth!" I shout to Victor. "Unless you're on top of me, then I won't! OUCH!"He screams.
An Hour Later
I finally was able to stitch Victor and get him walking again. He was feeling jittery from the loss of blood, so I offered to make him something to eat and drink. I made him a sandwich and handed him a soda. "He's taking the whole city, Valeska. We need you. I need you. This job is now too tough for me. I need your help." I shake my head and say, "My kids need me. I won't succumb their life to only knowing the names of different babysitters and governesses while they have to watch me leave the house to go and fight a battle every fucking night. Victor looks at me and sighs. "We need you, Valeska. You're my best fighter, and I know you won't get swayed by his talk. You can see through the bullshit, and that is why I like you so much." I set the dishes in the sink and stare outside the window. I see Selina Marie and Jerome Jr. playing with their jump ropes. My heart sank, knowing that Victor is right. I know that my parents would want me to protect my children, but they would also want me to protect the city that they will be raised in. "What do you need?" I ask. Victor smiles.
Later That Night
I packed two gym bags and tossed them in the back of the car. The children were going to Bruce's place to crash, so they packed two bags as well. Victor got in the driver's seat and we headed to Wayne Manor. Alfred was waiting for me outside. As Victor is parking in front of the Manor, Alfred walks up to the car. Victor talks to Alfred and I talk with the kids. "You'll be with Alfred and Bruce until I'm done dealing with the nuisance that terrorizing the city. I know I make these promises, and I love you both. I want us to be safe and secure. That is why I do this. I don't want to be a bad mother to you both, but I need to make sure you are protected. When this over, I'll be with you. Okay?" Both the kids nodded their heads, and Jerome Jr. says, "Mom, a bad mother is someone who leaves their kids to go and revel for trouble. Someone who wouldn't go to the ends of the earth to protect their children. You protect us from the bad guys in the world. If that doesn't make you a good mom, then I don't know what." I smile and hug the children. I kiss them on their foreheads and send them with Alfred. They wave at Victor and me as we drive off. Tears are rolling down my face as I wave goodbye to them. I don't like to sob uncontrollably, but I feel like I'm about to. I know that this is a temporary goodbye, but still, when I am away from them, my heart aches, knowing that I cannot be there for them. I know that what I am doing is for their safety.
An Hour Later Victor and I arrive at a dilapidated building. We get out of the car, and Jim and Harvey meet us. I don't say anything, but I look at Victor. "We need them as well, so don't give me that look." I sigh softly, and we walk over to Harvey and Jim. "Hello, Victor. Emily." I nod my head. "Jim." Victor chuckled and said, "Just kiss already. The air is so tense here that I can cut it with your dagger." Harvey tries to stifle a snicker and Jim rolls his eyes. "Let's get going. we have a long night ahead of us." With that said, the four of us walk towards the building, not knowing what is ahead of us but are willing to do whatever it takes.
