#24: Would You Like Fries With That? (Burchette / Myrik)

I’m breathing, was his first thought. Everything inside of me hurts, like I have frostbite on every organ of my body, but I’m breathing… How? I should be dead. Insides… frozen. What happened?

He opened his eyes to find two kids looking up at him. She was blonde, about thirteen or so, but not familiar. The boy was closer to him, dark hair, and dark eyes… eyes showing much concern. Dick?... Jason?!...

“It’s alright, Batman,” the young man said, emphasizing his name, “I think you’re okay. I’ve got you hidden, at least for a bit, in a wooded area, but I don’t know how long you’re going to be safe here.”

Batman began to shake, feeling some kind of after-effect of what Freeze had done to him. He looked at the young man again, as his eyes became more focused, and his brain registered who was talking to him: Tim Drake.

“Wha… what… happened?” he asked between chattering teeth.

“You died,” the young girl exclaimed excitedly.

“Stephanie,” Tim admonished, then turned back to the hero. “She’s right though, we think you may have been dead, or close to it. It was pretty chaotic, people running all over the place, shouting in hysterics. Mr. Freeze seemed to have you dead to rights; your skin was completely blue. No visible sign on the outside, like his normal M.O., but whatever he was doing to you when he touched you, was killing you. We thought you were a goner, then the short guy with the umbrella appeared.”

“Pe… Penguin…?”

Tim shrugged. “I guess. I’ve seen his picture in the paper before, runs that nightclub. Anyway, the short guy seemed angry, was trying to convince him that...” Tim hesitated as he tried to remember the exact words he heard. “He said that the diamonds had already come in and that he was allowed to give him some, if he joined the new Gotham Cartel and brought you back. Said that the Cartel had an agreement and someone called Black Mask would end your life when he saw fit to. Then Freeze placed his hands back on you again and the color began to come back. Whatever he did, I think he reversed it.”

The Dark Knight was shaking all over, and no matter how much willpower he was using, no matter how much control he was trying to maintain, it wasn’t working. The information Tim had given him was confusing. Penguin had saved his life? Black Mask was alive after all? He had to get back to the cave; had to get help from Alfred. He might actually have internal damages.

How was Fries able to do what he did? It was a control that the tortured scientist had never displayed before. Of course, Freeze was supposed to be dead… another question that needed answering.

“Have to… have to… stand up.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea, yet,” Tim said, cautiously. “You still don’t look like you’re doing so well.”

“But he can’t stay here, Tim,” the girl named Stephanie exclaimed. “There are cops all over the place. We’ve got to help get him out of here.”

“Do it… myself,” Batman muttered as he moved to sit up. This began a coughing fit that lasted for several seconds, and for a brief moment, he actually thought he was either going to pass out again, or throw up.

Tim knelt down, resting his hand on the man’s shoulder. He turned to Stephanie and whispered in her ear; she nodded, and then ran off. “What can I do to help get you out of here?”

Batman had already hit the home beacon on the car. “Help me… help me get… get to my… c-c-car,” he stuttered, angry and slightly humiliated at having to need the help of a child.

Without another word Tim nodded, putting Batman’s arm over his shoulder and straining with every muscle to help the man and his body armor to stand. It was a shaky attempt, but it was finally accomplished.

“The car will m-m-meet me… on Twelfth,” the caped crusader said as he stumbled towards the edge of the park.

“Okay, I’ll ditch Stephanie and meet you back at the cave.”

It startled Tim how a man who seemed on the edge could suddenly gain the sheer willpower to swing around and grab him by his sweater, pulling the young man so close to his face that he could actually hear Batman swallowing.

“Never mention that in public, again! Just get me to the car and then turn around and walk away… Leave me alone!”

The young man’s first instinct was to let him go, just walk away and let the jerk crawl to his car. He took a deep breath, though, realizing that this one man had done more for the people in this city than almost everyone else put together.

“Sure… sure,” he said as he helped the man towards the awaiting Batmobile.

Both Detectives Montoya and Allen met Commissioner James Gordon and Detective Bullock at the body of one of Carmine Falcone’s men. Gotham’s own CIA crew was already on the scene, and both detectives had been questioning witnesses.

“What have you got?” James Gordon asked as he pulled his trench coat tight; the cold autumn night air was exceptionally bitter for him on this evening.

Crispus Allen spoke first, “It was the False Face Gang. They came in, guns blazing, aiming for Falcone; might have taken him out, too, if it hadn’t been for a little protection that Falcone had called Mr. Freeze.”

Bullock spat on the ground. “What the hell is Freeze doing protection work for? That’s not his M.O. at all.”

Allen shrugged. “No idea. We’ve got one witness, a young girl, who says that Batman showed up and the two of them fought. She said that Freeze had him dead to rights, but then somebody showed up and stopped him from killing him.”

“Really?” Gordon said as he gave a silence thanks that his cowled friend was alright. “Did we get a description of this person?”

Crispus nodded. “You won’t believe it when I tell you; Oswald Cobblepot was Batman’s savior.”

“The Penguin!” both Gordon and Bullock exclaimed at the same time.

Montoya stepped in. “That’s what we were told. Falcone and most of his men got away. Two dead, and one by the hands of Freeze.”

“Did you find the brother to Karen Walker? He works for Falcone. Was he here?”

“No idea,” Renee sighed. “By the time we got here, everything had gone down and all the main players had vanished.”

Bullock cursed under his breath and Jim Gordon paced for a few minutes. “Alright,” he finally said with a sigh, “I’m putting Bullock in charge of this case. You two keep searching for Walker’s brother. Check out every dive and hangout that Falcone’s men frequent. Black Mask, Falcone, Penguin, and the Walker murder… they’re all connected somehow; I can feel it in my bones.” With that Gordon turned and walked away from them.

Renee and her partner watched them leave. She wanted to comment to Crispus, verbally make the observation that not only did their Commissioner look like hell, but she could have sworn that she detected liquor on his breath; however, she was still new to Gotham’s MCU, and she wasn’t about to make waves. She had heard the rumors that he had been served divorce papers. She knew that Commissioner Gordon and his wife had been separated ever since the attempt on her life and the attempted kidnapping of their baby boy, so, instead of mentioning it to her new partner, a man she was really beginning to respect, she kept her mouth shut and focused on her case.

Carmine Falcone and one of his lieutenants, Danny Tate, sat in Carmine’s study and listened on the speaker phone to the soft sound of the silencers as Falcone’s men took out several of the guards that had been on Cobblepot’s ship that had just anchored.

Although he hadn’t heard from Freeze, the reports that he was getting from the news were positive. It was obvious that word had gotten out, and Falcone now had a major player of his own in the game. Someone strong enough to have taken down The Batman.

“Hey, boss,” came the voice of his man Lenny. “We’ve taken out all of the guards and are working our way down to the bottom compartments.”

“Good. Keep your eyes open and don’t screw this up. My people tell me that you’ll find the diamonds at the very back of the last cargo hold, in a box marked fragile, crystal.”

“On our way down now, boss.”

The next sound that Carmine heard could have almost been mistaken for a huge clap of thunder. Even with the speaker on low, it made both men in the room jump. Then the phone went dead.

Falcone jumped up swearing. “What the hell was that?”

“Boss!” his lieutenant shouted, looking through the window of the office on the top floor of the Kane Building. “You better take a look at this.”

The mob boss moved to the window quickly and gazed out, to see the final seconds of a huge fireball that was coming from the piers; then, the huge reddish-orange glow that followed.

“Son of a bitch! They knew we were coming!” Falcone screamed as he grabbed a lamp off the nearby table and threw it against the wall. “Ten of my best men are dead! #@%$ dead!”

Bruce Wayne’s eyes flew open and he found himself staring up into a bright light. He was lying on his own examination table; he could feel the coldness of it on his bare back. He looked to his right and saw Dr. Leslie Thompkins walking up to him; behind her was the boy.

“Glad to see that you’re finally awake, Bruce,” she said with a gentle smile, and patted him on his shoulder. “We were worried for a while.”

“How long have I been out,” he asked hoarsely, realizing that he was connected to two separate IVs.

“Going on thirty-six hours,” she replied as she pulled out her pen light and flashed it into his eyes. “I was just discussing with your young friend here that I was afraid we were going to have to transport you to the hospital. Your body has taken an awful beating.”

Bruce’s mind was beginning to whirl. He had been out over a day and a half. Obviously there was still no sign of Alfred, or he would have been there for him. The inside of his body felt warm for the first time, but his lungs still hurt. Then there was the boy…

“What are you doing here?” He barked this out with more anger than he actually felt.

“Stop, Bruce,” Leslie said instinctively. “If it wasn’t for Tim here, you’d be dead right now. He found you, and then found my number. You’re lucky he called me.”

Tim hesitantly stepped forward. “I just wanted to make sure you were alright, so I found the hidden entrance again in the back of your estate. When I got here, you were barely breathing. I searched your computer until I came across Dr. Thompkins’ phone number and risked the call. I’m sorry.” The last two words came out hurriedly.

Bruce turned away from him. “No, I’m sorry. Thank you.”

Leslie smiled. “Where is Alfred, Bruce? Tim and I searched everywhere in the mansion, but he isn’t here.”

“I don’t know. He was helping me with some… some surveillance,” he glanced back at Tim when he said it. “Then I fought Freeze and when I got back here, he was nowhere to be found.” With that, Bruce began to get up.

“I don’t think so,” Leslie said sternly, trying to keep him from sitting up.

Bruce gently pushed her arm away. “I know what you’re trying to do, Leslie, and I appreciate it, but you also know I can’t just lie here. Alfred is in trouble, and I’ve got to find him.”

A look traveled between them and then she sighed and stepped back as he sat up. “Please be careful, Bruce,” the doctor said. “You’re not in great shape, and it’s going to take a while for your lungs to heal. You’re bordering on pneumonia here. Your system took a heck of a jolt.”

He nodded, but said nothing as he stood up slowly. “I’m going to call…” he stopped, looking at Tim, “… Nightwing. I’ll call in Nightwing for help. He would want to be here.”

“I want to help, too,” Tim said as he stepped forward again.

“No,” Bruce answered. “Listen, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, and I promise it will not go unrewarded, but you’re in the middle of a world that is alien to you.”

“Mr. Pennyworth is my friend. He’s actually one of the few friends that I have. I owe him. There’s got to be something I can do… please!” Tim hated the sound of his voice as he pleaded to the billionaire playboy, but he couldn’t help it.

Bruce thought it over for a moment and then sighed. “You can stay here with Doctor Thompkins if you want. Wait to see if Alfred comes back or tries to contact the house or the cave. I take it you’re pretty good with computers?”

Again he couldn’t help himself and Tim nodded as a huge grin crossed his face. “I’ve never seen anything this advanced, but if you show me what to do and what to look for, I know I can do it.”

For a second Bruce’s mind flashed to the face of Jason Todd, then of Dick as Robin, after being beaten severely by The Joker. This wasn’t a good idea, and he knew it, but he did need help, at least until Dick could arrive.

“You better be a fast learner.”

Carmine Falcone was glaring at Victor Fries from across the room. “I don’t know if I should thank you, or kill you,” he snarled.

Victor arched an eyebrow. “I suggest thanking me, since killing me would be near impossible for you. I don’t see what the problem is; you wanted me to keep you alive, which I did. You told me you would get the diamonds for me, and I got them. Seems to me that both ends of the bargain were taken care of.”

“You let Batman live! Not only did you let him live, but you did it ‘cause that boss wannabe, Cobblepot, told you to!”

“I did it because I believe that Batman could be an asset to you. As the Penguin stopped me when I was walking away, trying to bribe me with the diamonds to bring him back to life, it occurred to me that whoever wants you dead, will have Batman on their trail. So it’s obvious that by keeping the man alive, you’ve actually received extra protection, from a very unlikely source.”

Falcone paused, considering the logic for a moment, than begrudgingly gave in. Freeze was right. “How come you didn’t tell me the diamonds were already in Gotham?”

Before Freeze could answer, the shattering of glass startled them both, as the Dark Knight made his entrance. He landed on the floor, rolling with the fall and then coming up as Freeze went for his gun.

“Not this time, Victor,” Batman growled and threw a batarang that landed at the villain’s feet.

Mr. Freeze was about to comment at the horrible miss, when the weapon exploded and Fries was thrown across the room, his clear helmet smashing into the wall. He struck his head hard enough against the protective covering that kept him trapped, that he fell to the ground unconscious.

Falcone pulled out a colt and backed away. “What… what do you want?”

Batman fought off the sudden urge of a coughing fit; it would be a sign of weakness that he could not afford at this moment.

“Information. I want to know who all the players in this game are, and why you seem to be the central pivot to this entire mystery. You know that gun isn’t going to stop me, and if I wanted to haul you in, I’d have done it already. So the question is, do you want to do this the easy way, or the hard way. The mood I’m in, I’m hoping for the latter.”

Across town, Oswald Cobblepot was at his desk, counting the evening’s earnings. As always, when he was doing the books on an exceptionally good evening, he would make the squawking sound of excitement. The only thing more enjoyable to him than money was power, and right now, Oswald had both.

There was a knock at the door and one of his guards stuck his head in. “Hey boss, Mr. Dent is here to see…”

He never got the sentence out as he was grabbed by his tie and punched in the face. He went flying into the room, and then Two-Face and two of his men entered, right after him.

“I told you to call me Two-Face, you idiot,” he growled as he came into the office.

The Penguin let out a squawk as he opened his desk drawer and began to shovel the money in as quickly as possible.

“Oh relax, Cobblepot, I’m not here for your nightly earnings,” Two-Face said in disgust.

“Then what do you want?” the lounge owner demanded as he shut the desk drawer and stood up, putting his hat on as he rounded his desk.

“All of it, you imbecile,” the scarred man said as he snapped his fingers and two more of his men came in, both carrying old-fashioned tommy guns. One of his goons handed Harvey one of the weapons.

Oswald began to back away slowly, his monocle falling from his eye. “What is this? What are you doing?”

“Taking it all. I’ve got Maroni’s businesses, and now I’m going to take yours and what you acquired from Rupert Thorne; after that, Black Mask and then Falcone. Why the shocked look, Penguin? Did you actually think that I would just take a small piece of the pie when the entire city is out there, ripe for the picking? When this is all over, there’s only going to be one boss in this town, and the irony of that is, it’s going to be this city’s greatest ex-District Attorney.”

“You are mad,” Oswald said, still backing away and towards his bar… towards his umbrella rack.

“Am I?” Harvey said suddenly, a look of concern on his face. He reached in his pocket and pulled out his coin. “Let’s see.” He flipped it into the air and snatched it as it came down. He turned his hand over, palm up and opened his fingers to see the scratched side of the two-headed coin. “Well, I guess you’re right… I am.”

It all happened at once. Penguin leapt the last few feet for one of his umbrellas, but Two-Face was already letting go with the weapon, spraying bullets everywhere. One, two, three, four, struck the short crime boss in the back as he reached the rack. He groaned as he fell forward and onto the floor, his hand still clawing for an umbrella, then he stopped moving all together and his blood began to pour out of the multiple wounds, blanketing the white marble floor with a crimson red liquid.

Two-Face sneered as he walked up to his dying partner. He aimed the gun at Penguin’s head as he heard the sounds of bullets right outside the door. He turned as several agents burst through, automatic rifles drawn and pointed straight at him.

“Freeze, pal! You’re under arrest!”

“Am I really?” Two-Face replied in a mocking tone. “Then I guess I’ll come along quietly.”