SEL Chapter 23

Rank puddles stand in deep holes in the cracked pavement. The damp bricks are covered in mold, and although lights are on in these buildings, so little of it reaches the ground. The Waynes were shot in an alley not so different from this one.

Cheshire accepts the bag without a word, all wariness. She’s past the point in her career where she needs to count the money that’s handed to her. It’s just not good business to try to short someone like her.

The bag man hurries back to his car and climbs in. Cheshire is bathed in the red of his taillights as he drives away.

It’s cold. Cheshire raises her collar and turns to go. The ride that she called for is waiting. She’ll be at Gotham International in half and hour on her next job by this time tomorrow.

There’s a sharp whistle and she feels an agonizing impact in her right shoulderblade. Cheshire doesn’t stop to consider the arrow protruding from her back; she whirls to face her attacker. A heavy purple boot shatters her sternum as she takes an aerial kick full in the chest. Cheshire slams into the dumpster behind her hard enough to leave a dent.

Dazedly, she tries to catch herself, lifting her head in time to see the silhouette of Helena in full Huntress regalia.

Helena sends blood and teeth flying across the dark alley with a single punch that drops Cheshire facedown in a puddle, motionless.

Sirens approach, and red and blue lights flashe on the walls of the alley.

Helena rolls her eyes, then bends to grab Cheshire by the hair. She jerks her onto her side so she doesn’t drown in the puddle, then turns away and catches herself.

“Almost forgot,” she mutters and turns back.

Cheshire’s hand lies still, nails gleaming. Helena stomps on it hard, crushing every bone in her fingers. Then she picks up the fallen bag of money and walks back to her bike.

SEL

“I thought this is what you wanted,” a grumpy, bleary-eyed Pamela Isley says, arms folded.

Sweat drips from Aki Aramaki’s face as she stands uncomfortably in Isley’s domain. Isley is wearing a nightshirt that leaves her legs bare, and that sight is making it hard for Aki to concentrate. This isn’t like her.

“I thought I would have a big dick. You never said anything about not being able to think clearly,” she says through gritted teeth.

“The increased libido is well-documented at this point,” Isley says with a shrug. “This formula is supposed to be an improvement over Seed. Bigger dicks. Less recovery time. More pleasure. I told you it was rough. I told you that it wasn’t ready. You didn’t listen. And that conversation happened on the record, so don’t get any ideas. I don’t have a problem with what you’re trying to do, but I hope you aren’t thinking that there’s some sort of power differential here.”

Aki’s temper flares, but she controls herself. There most certainly is a power differential. Isley is a prisoner. Aki is an executive.

“Do you want me to reverse it? Because I can and I will if you want. Or you can help me collect data, and we can develop a commercial product that will make you the Messiah to Waynetech shareholders. You came to me. You make the call. But don’t stand there looking like you want to talk to my supervisor. I am the supervisor.”

“I have to function,” Aki says shakily. “I have to have my head clear.”

“I’m sure your wife can help you with that. What?” Isley’s eyes narrow. “Did you think she wouldn’t find out you had done this? Do you not have a sex life?”

Aki seethes, keeping her hands firmly in place. Her aching erection is trapped in her jeans and under her coat, but it feels so big that it can be seen from space.

Isley frowns. “Oh, I see. It’s not the dick. It’s the rest of it. You don’t want her seeing you like this. You have to be in control.” She snorts. “Well, good luck. Let me know if you need the antidote. And don’t look at me like that. Who wants to have sex with someone who’s afraid of being ****? Take care of it yourself. Or what? Is that beneath you?”

Yes, actually. There’s something humiliating about the idea, but not as humiliating as Viti seeing Aki in this state. Or at standing here and taking this from a notorious criminal. Reversing course would mean admitting defeat. Aki will do whatever it takes. She’s going to outperform Barbara Gordon in business, and now that she has this thing, she’s going to outperform her in bed too. Dominance will be re-asserted no matter what it takes.

SEL

It’s a pretty night in Gotham, although much too cold to be riding a motorcycle around in a costume. Helena pulls off on the Elliot Bridge and admires the skyline under the dark sky. It’s late. She has papers to grade. Riley Beaumont is fine after getting the antidote, and Cheshire will be well on her way to Blackgate by now. So far, so good.

Still… Cheshire wasn’t behind this attempt to influence the election. It was the Penguin. Cobblepot doing bad things is hardly new, although this particular thing, this particular way does get under Helena’s skin. And the nice thing about Oswald is that he’s easy to find.

Deal with the Penguin?

Or go home and grade papers?