New Earth: Batwoman

Chapter 31

The following day found Kate taking her mother to rehab.

"I really wish this wasn't necessary." Kate said as she pulled into the parking lot of the facility.

"I know Kate. So do I. But this is what's best. This way I can get the help I need and you can put your full focus into protecting the city and running your company. And you can visit me whenever you want and soon we'll be together again." Gabi said as she hugged her daughter.

"I promise I'll visit as often as I can. I lost you once. I can't lose you again." Kate said as Gabi smiled.

"You won't lose me again." Gabi said as she and Kate hugged before getting out of the car.

After checking her mom in and helping her move in, Kate got back in her car and actually had to wipe a few tears from her eyes as she noticed her phone ringing.

"What is it Luke?" Kate asked.

"We just got a little visit from Magpie." Luke said, getting Kate's attention.

"Of all the times for her to decide to show up, it's when Bruce is town. Did she take anything?" Kate asked, hoping in vain that the answer would be no.

"You already know the answer to that. She took the necklace. Again." Luke said.

"Crap. Does Bruce know?" Kate asked.

"Oh he knows and he is pissed." Luke said.

"Great, just great. Can you please try and keep him from suiting up until I get there." Kate said.

"Don't worry, he's agreed to wait. For now, but I don't know how long that will last. Especially since he knows where the suit we didn't turn into yours is." Luke said.

"Okay, here's the plan, call Helena, tell her to get her ass back to Gotham now, this is an all hands on deck situation, not to mention I'm sure she'll want some quality time with her dad. I'm going to stop at the Crows, tell Sophie what's going on and to make finding her a top priority." Kate said.

"Copy that." Luke said as Kate hung up, wondering why this had to happen now. Why couldn't Magpie wait until after Bruce had left again to pay Kane Tower a visit.

"Kate, what a surprise." Sophie said when she saw her boss enter Crows HQ.

"Sadly, this is not a social call." Kate said.

"Okay then, what's going on?" Sophie asked.

"After I dropped my mom off at rehab, I got a call from Luke, saying that Magpie broke into my office and stole my aunt Martha's necklace." Kate said.

"Okay, if finding her wasn't top priority before, it is now." Sophie said.

"Great, especially since her timing could not be worse." Kate said.

"Meaning?" Sophie asked.

"My cousin is in town." Kate said.

"Wait, Bruce Wayne is back in Gotham?" Sophie asked.

"Yes and he'd like to keep it under wraps for the moment, since he came here to see my mom after I called and told him about it. And he knows that his mother's necklace was stolen and he is not happy about it." Kate said.

"Okay yeah, I've heard the stories about what an unhappy Bruce Wayne means, so we'll get to work on this immediately." Sophie said.

"Thank you. I need to get back to Kane Tower." Kate said as she headed out of the building.