Not Part of the Job [ORIGINAL]

25. The Son's Origins

When a gunshot rang out and Dr. Darrk fell to the floor, Batman immediately met the gaze of the woman holding the smoking gun. "Talia!"

She wore a shameful expression at the sound of annoyance in his voice. "I couldn't let him hurt you," she spoke.

It was like love at first sight. Talia adored his determination and Bruce found her incredibly attractive. But, she was the daughter of Ra's Al Ghul, and that was a forbidden relationship. She was nothing more than his enemy.

***

Talia knew her father set them up because he found Batman to be his potential heir, but she couldn't deny that her feelings were becoming genuine.

"We can't do this Talia."

Talia let her hands fall on his chest, averting her gaze to look out at the dark city skyline of Gotham City. "I know we have our differences, but I can't help but love you. You're the only man for me."

Batman cleared his throat before reaching a hand up and lifting her chin to meet her gaze. "I would be lying if I said I didn't feel the same way. But your father will always be standing in the way."

"Forget about him," Talia said as she pressed her finger against his lips. "No matter what he says or thinks, my feelings for you are real."

Hesitantly, Batman pulled her hand away and closed the gap between them, pressing his lips to hers. The kiss deepened as they began to strip each other from their clothes.

That night, they made love under the pale moonlight.

***

"Beloved, I am with child."

"You're pregnant?"

At first, the words struck fear into Bruce. However the more he thought about it, he began to calm down and imagine their little family. He could give a child something that he never had.

"That's wonderful. If it's a girl, we'll name her Martha. Thomas if it's a boy," he said as he crouched down and gently held his hands on her stomach. "We're gonna make it the happiest baby in the world," he said as he removed his cowl and pressed his cheek to the soft skin.

A smile made its way onto Talia's face. Seeing Bruce like this gave her the warmest feeling she's ever known.

"Of course."

***

Bruce treated Talia as if she were a thin piece of glass. He did anything in his power to protect her and his unborn child. This greatly worried Talia. She was afraid one day he would lose his life in the act of protecting them.

However the new behavior of her lover wasn't completely bad. He constantly spoiled her. Trips to Paris, romantic dinners, movie dates, it was bliss. Talia fell more in love with the man behind the cowl every second she spent with him.

"I love you," she spoke as they both rested on a bench in the beautiful city of Paris.

Bruce glanced down at her, his lips curling into a soft smile. "I love you too," he said before placing a hand on the baby bump, "And you as well."

Talia grinned at his words and leaned against his broad shoulder, closing her eyes.

***

"I lost the baby."

Bruce couldn't handle the sadness the news brought. "What?"

"I'm- I'm so sorry," Talia sobbed as she met his heartbroken gaze. Her tan cheeks were stained with dark streaks of mascara.

"I know you are, Talia," he said as he bit back the urge to cry. "Just... try to get some rest."

Talia felt her heart throb in her chest as she watched him leave the room without saying goodbye. This was the last time they would meet on their own terms.

Once Bruce was gone, Ra's walked inside the hospital room and placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "Good. Now he won't stand in the way of our new empire."

Talia slowly closed her eyes as a tear rolled down her cheek. All she was left with was regret and a tore up heart.

***

It was eventually true.

Originally, Ra's had convinced his daughter to fake a miscarriage so that Batman would stop risking his life for them.

Except now Talia was to the point where she couldn't carry her child to full term. That's where science had stepped in. Doctors immediately helped her save her baby by putting him inside an artificial womb so that he could finish growing properly. They called him the 'ultimate' child.

When her father discussed plans for his new heir, she knew telling Bruce would put them both in danger. So, she decided to keep it a secret. For his and their son's sake. Her duty now was to be a mother, which meant doing whatever it takes to protect her child. Nothing would stand in between them.

Talia adoringly studied the fully grown baby inside the tube as she placed a hand on the glass. "I will call you Damian," she said with a smile on her face. On the other side of this was a piece of the only man she'd ever loved.

"And you will rule this world."