Chapter Text
They hadn’t heard her fall.
Black Bat was silent as she tumbled from the building. When she hit the ground, the snap of bone and the tear of flesh was followed by an unearthly yowl. Immediately, overlapping concern filled the comms as every Bat and Bird in Gotham wanted to know what had happened.
No one had worried when Black Bat went off on patrol alone. She was more than capable of taking care of herself. Likewise, no one had thought it odd when she hadn’t reported in on schedule. She didn’t like using the comms, because she couldn’t read the intent behind the words. Now, it seemed like a misstep. Where was she? Who had she been fighting? What had happened? How badly was she hurt?
“Silence.” Alfred’s normally calm voice cracked across the comms in the sharp snap of command. Softening his tone, he switched from the open comm to Black Bat’s channel. “Black Bat, report.”
Heaving breaths and strangled sobs had replaced the pained screams. Despite the prompts to respond, Black Bat didn’t speak.
Accessing her suit’s data, Alfred checked her vital signs and her GPS location. The information didn’t look good, but there wasn’t much he could do from the Cave, especially when she wasn’t responding. Switching back to the open comm, Alfred informed the others with what little he knew. “Suit data has Black Bat located in the alley behind Mass. Street between 5th and 6th. She’s injured, though the biometrics in the suit appear to be damaged, so I do not know the extent of her injuries.”
Spoiler was the first on the scene. Her stomach turned as she found her best friend crumpled on the ground. Black Bat’s leg was turned at an unnatural angle and a shard of bone pierced through the uniform. The black material was made even darker by the blood saturating it. The path of disturbed gravel and blood showed that Black Bat had tried to drag herself away from the scene. She hadn’t gotten far before the pain had been too much.
“Black Bat,” Spoiler spoke in a calm soothing voice. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t keep the slight tremor out of her words.
Black Bat hissed and howled. She lashed out like a feral cat as Spoiler approached. Her eyes were wide and wild. She didn’t see an ally approaching, only another threat. Spoiler could see the bruised lump forming along Black Bat’s temple.
Steph pulled back the hood of her cloak and removed her mask. “Cass. Let me help, please.”
Cass blinked at the sound of her name, but didn’t seem to recognise it as her own. Her chest heaved as she tried to breathe. Tried to think. In her hand, she clutched a Batarang and brandished it at Steph like a knife.
Despite the blade and knowing what her friend was capable of, Steph continued forward. Cass had been trained to fight with deadly efficiency. In the haze of pain, that instinct would take over. As Steph knelt at Cass’ side, she raised her open hands, showing they were empty.
Lashing out with the Batarang, Cass attacked Steph. The blade sliced through cloth and armour and left a shallow cut across Steph’s skin. Steph caught Cass’ wrist and disarmed the other woman. She shouldn’t have been able to do that. With her weapon gone, Cass tried to pummel Steph with her fists. Blood loss and pain made her movements sluggish and sloppy.
“Shh. Cass, it’s going to be okay. It’s me, Steph. I won’t hurt you. Shh.” Steph wrapped her arms around her friend, pinning Cass’ arms to her sides. Though Cass kept struggling, she was unable to free herself. Steph continued to intone softly, hoping the words would eventually reach her friend.
After what felt like a short eternity, Cass stopped struggling. She seemed to collapse into Steph’s arms, allowing her friend to take the burden of her weight. Tentatively, Steph released her hold and examined Cass.
The wildness had left Cass’ eyes though they were still clouded with pain and wet with free flowing tears. Her now freed hands twitched as she signed ‘Hurt’ over and over again.
“I know,” Steph whispered. Once again she wrapped her arms around Cass, though this time it was in comfort, not restraint.
That was how Batman found them when he arrived with the Batmobile. With practiced movements, he carefully lifted Cass from the street and placed her in the car. This time, Cass didn’t yowl as her leg jarred and sent waves of pain up the injured limb. She simply moaned and her head lolled to the side.
Batman flashed a quick glance at Steph. He noticed the cut uniform and blood. Before he could ask, Steph responded, “Go. I’ll be fine.”
The Batmobile roared out of the alley in the direction of Leslie Thompkins’ clinic. Alone, Spoiler replaced her mask and pulled up her hood. She made her way to the nearest safe house to attend to her own wounds and worry about her friend.