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Zatanna Zatara (giftofthemagi) wrote in modernage,
@ 2010-05-31 02:06:00

Entry tags:

{bruce wayne | batman}, {zatanna zatara}, ∴ scenes: completed

Who: Zatanna Zatara, Batman
Where: Shadowcrest Mansion, Gotham City, NJ → medbay, JLA Watchtower
When: 04/26/10 -- late morning, after this
Summary: After the Joker situation is over, Zatanna goes searching for the missing Batman. As luck would have it, she finds him in the first place she looks...

Zatanna wanted nothing more than to take a long, hot bath and lose herself in some music or a nice book for a good long while. She wanted to rest because her muscles ached and she was tired and most of all it had already been a terrible day and it wasn't even noon yet. Because the Joker had managed to kill dozens of innocents and got away with it. The jerk. (It was times like these she was sorely tempted to use dark magicks to give villains what they truly deserved.)

None of that was going to be happening, though. The words Barbara had spoken to her earlier still rang in her ears. Bruce was missing. Batman had stopped the Joker from bombing a mall and then vanished. That was not like him. Well, the not communicating well-- that was definitely like him. But not showing up again when the Joker made himself known that morning? Definitely not the man she knew.

Frowning, Zatanna decided her best bet was heading to the Watchtower. Oracle's resources were probably the best in the world but the JLA's would be a close second. And Babs was probably in a mood over the Joker's escape, which would be no fun for anyone involved there. (She didn't want to magic herself to him without knowing if that would be dangerous for her or him, and she didn't want to perform magic to locate him because it would only serve to make her more tired.)

For the first time in some time, Zatanna used the Watchtower teleporter. She appeared on the pad with her body tense. (She much preferred traveling under her own power.) From there, she headed into the monitor womb and punched in a few commands. Then she scrolled down to find Batman's last known location. It wasn't hard to find, since that location was in the watchtower itself-- the medbay more specifically.

Zatanna didn't even close her search screen; she just spun on her heel and rushed to check on him. When she reached the medbay, she saw Bruce lying in bed and her heart lurched. (Although, the fact that his cowl was still on made her smile absently.) She hesitated for a moment before entering and pulling a chair over to his bed. Then she sat down and began scanning all the medical information around. She wanted to know exactly how he was doing (and if she could help at all-- suddenly she wasn't quite so tired).

Plus, he'd sat for a long time beside her not so long before. She was happy to repay him, at least in part.

[Closed!]

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capedcrusade
2010-06-01 02:11 am UTC (link)

Thanks to the heroics of Superman, Batman was indeed recovering in the Watchtower medical bay. He'd been slightly exploded and exposed to freezing cold vacuum, but he'd live.

Bruce himself had been having vivid dreams. Something about being a Green Lantern in space and fighting a strange alien version of the Joker as infected by Parallax...

No. Wait. That was wrong.

Adrenaline flooded him as he remembered what had actually happened and his eyes snapped open. He was still alive. This time. His relief was quickly replaced by irritation as he realized he wasn't feeling any pain. That coupled with the rather hallucinogenic dreams probably meant he was on rather strong painkillers. Dammit. He hated having his mind blunted. It also made it hard to tell how injured he was.

He closed his eyes again, using a meditation technique to try to reconnect with his body.

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giftofthemagi
2010-06-01 03:03 am UTC (link)

Zatanna had been with Bruce for a while when he stirred. She'd sent a message to Oracle about his condition and had been inspecting her JLA communicator to figure out why she never received the message Batman apparently sent out. Looked like it'd been mystically fried-- again. (She really needed to figure out how to protect against that.)

At any rate, all of that flew from her mind when she saw Bruce open his eyes briefly. Zatanna took a sharp breath and watched him close his eyes again. She didn't want to startle him (even in his injured state, she didn't want him misinterpreted her actions because of disorientation), so she used extreme caution in handling him.

"Batman," she said softly, placing a hand gently on his arm. "Batman, are you--" Zatanna stopped before finishing that very stupid thought. Obviously he wasn't all right. She changed gears. "Can you speak? Do you need anything?" She teased her bottom lip a bit anxiously. (She didn't do sitting idly by worrying very well; she'd much rather help if possible.)

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capedcrusade
2010-06-01 01:06 pm UTC (link)

Zee. That either meant things were good or particularly bad. He felt weird. Sluggish. Like if he tried to move his hand, he wasn't entirely sure it would obey him.

He opened his eyes again, this time trying to focus on his surroundings. He was in the Watchtower medbay. Good, his message must have gone out. After a moment, he was able to train his eyes on Zee. She looked so worried. He felt the urge to comfort her, but didn't actually know enough of the situation to know what to say.

The clown. He'd teleported with the clown. Had he survived? Batman turned his head further to where the other beds were. They were empty.

Batman tried to speak, but his voice was rusty from disuse. He swallowed, then tried again. "Report," he managed finally.

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giftofthemagi
2010-06-02 01:38 am UTC (link)

Zatanna's mouth twitched into a frown. Of course he wanted a report. But whether he wanted a report on his condition or what was happening with the Joker, she couldn't be certain. She decided to let the Joker stuff alone for the moment and concentrate on him for the moment. (Not that that was much of a stretch for her. Yeah.)

"When you got here, Superman came to the rescue." There was something slightly amusing about that fact, although Zee couldn't be entirely certain what it was. (This looks like a job for Superman, popped unbidden into her mind momentarily.) "He set you up here and you've been resting ever since." Cowl and all.

Then she decided that was enough pandering to his wants; she was helping him, whether he liked it or not. "Ssalg fo retaw raeppa. Dna wats," she added as an afterthought. Zatanna held the cup out toward Bruce. "Here, you should drink something." She wasn't sure how steady he'd be or anything but the cup was only half full, and she was there to help (if he'd let her).

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capedcrusade
2010-06-02 02:05 am UTC (link)

On the list of things Batman needed, he was currently prioritizing water around nine. The first eight being different forms of information. Did the clown survive? How bad were the injuries at the mall? Is the Joker still out? What day was it? All were things he needed to know, but for now, water was the most available. He tilted his head forward slightly to take the straw in his lips and take a sip of water. That helped some with the sawdust feeling in his mouth.

Superman. He'd have to figure out a way to pay him back somehow. Not that they kept score. Not officially, at least, but Batman still felt indebted. And yet he was fine with taking water from Zee. That probably said something chauvinistic about him. He laughed a little at the thought, in spite of himself, but the laugh came out a cough. Just as well, he didn't want to have to explain it to Zee.

After he finished coughing, he tried again. "Clown. Bomb. Joker."

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giftofthemagi
2010-06-02 04:25 am UTC (link)

And they were back to business. Why was Zatanna not surprised? (Oh well, at least he'd taken a drink of the water. The cough worried her, though.) "It's all been handled." For the time being, she didn't add. "You can read the reports," or maybe speak with Oracle if he preferred, "once you're out of bed and back on your feet." Which, she hoped he realized, was not a suggestion to try as of yet. And if he didn't? She'd just have to strap him down or something. (Now there was a mental image.)

Right. Not blushing. Back to his well-being then. "Do you want me to twitch my nose to help you along?" It wasn't ideal but Zatanna had a feeling he'd be back on his feet before he fully healed, anyway. Better to patch him up more wholly, even if it did sometimes put a strain on the body. (His and hers.) "Or do anything for you?" Which, she realized belatedly, could be misconstrued-- Freudian slip perhaps?-- but shrugged it off. C'est la vie and all that.

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capedcrusade
2010-06-02 07:33 pm UTC (link)

Batman wasn't getting the information he needed. Zee's heart was in the right place—probably, unless she was keeping something from him—but not telling him what was going on was actually much worse on him than giving him bad news. Because now he was imagining the worst. The clown died, the bomb went off, the Joker was on a killing spree even now, maybe the boys were injured...

When she suggested reading the reports, he started shakily trying to get up. He needed to know how bad it was.

Then she suggested magical healing, and he hesitated. That usually wasn't his style. But there wasn't any real reason why it couldn't be. There was no virtue in injury. He'd need to be at peak condition to fight Joker, and if Zee was willing and able to heal him, why not do it?

Not to mention he was too wobbly to be much good just then. Dammit.

Batman relaxed back down into the bed and turned to look at Zee. "Alright. Go ahead."

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giftofthemagi
2010-06-03 05:26 am UTC (link)

Zatanna was a little surprised when Bruce agreed to let her help him heal. She knew that he didn't care for magic-- there were times she wondered if he even believed in it at all. But here they were, so she was going to do what she could for him. "Okay." She smiled down at him. "This may feel a bit strange." Tingly was the best word she could think of for her own experiences but maybe it'd be different for Bruce.

Her arms were spread wide as she centered herself. "Laeh mih!" she ordered. "Laeh namtaB!" A warm light engulfed his body and Zatanna could feel the mystical energy surging around them. She'd studied his injuries some and while she probably wouldn't have been able to fix him up upon his arrival (based on her very limited understanding of medicine), she could encourage his body to continue the process it was already taking part in.

The light dimmed to nothing and Zatanna sank into the chair where she'd previously been sitting. If she hadn't been exhausted before (and she had been), she certainly was now. (After this, she was sleeping for a week.) "How do you feel?" she asked, smiling tiredly at Bruce. Even with his cowl on, she thought he looked better. There was more color in his cheeks and his visible lacerations and bruises had cleared up.

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capedcrusade
2010-06-03 10:26 pm UTC (link)

"Strange," he admitted. Batman felt energized. Not rested, that was clear. More the frantic false energy of caffeine or sugar. He didn't hurt, but then he hadn't been hurting before, thanks to the meds.

The beep of the machines connected to him let him know his heart rate was up, but not dangerously so. His hands seemed to be obeying him a little more readily as well. Pushing the sheets down to his waist, he removed some of the bandages on his stomach to check his injuries. That seemed to be where the explosion had hit him the hardest. He wasn't sure, since he hadn't looked at them before, but the healing seemed further along than was implied by the bandages. Though he'd have a few new scars for his trouble.

"I think that helped. Thank you," he said, looking over at Zee. He took in her slumped form and circles around her eyes. It'd been a hard day for her too, clearly. "Want to go dancing?" he joked.

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giftofthemagi
2010-06-04 06:55 am UTC (link)

So, he thought it helped, huh? Typical. Zatanna rolled her eyes. Bruce and his never ending skepticism. It might be construed as offensive if she wasn't so used to him at that point-- and so damn exhausted thanks to being blown up earlier. "You're welcome," she said tiredly. (As if there was another way for her to do anything at that moment.) "Anything to help a teammate." Plus, it was Bruce. But never mind that part.

Oh, sure, now he asked her to go dancing. She'd huff about it if she thought there was a chance in hell he was in any way serious. Instead, Zatanna chucked and eyed him with faux-concern. "Batman, did you just make a joke? I forget-- did you get hit on the head during your recent injury?" Because, really, jokes were more Bruce Wayne's territory. She felt like when he donned the cowl and the gravelly voice came out that part of him usually disappeared.

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capedcrusade
2010-06-04 08:54 pm UTC (link)

He did. He just made a joke. "I'm on painkillers," he explained. "Strong ones, because for some reason I think it's a good idea to stand up." Slowly, he sat up and swiveled around in the bed until his feet were dangling off the side. Looking at them, he realized they were bare.

Actually, taking stock of the situation, he wasn't wearing a whole lot. Which made sense, considering the extensiveness of his injuries. Well, not counting the bandages. "I've been mummified," he commented, looking down at himself.

"Change of clothes?" he asked Zee. He had a spare Batsuit stashed at the Watchtower, but he didn't think that'd be very conducive to healing. Who'd have civilian clothes that would fit him? "I think there's some in Hal's old locker," he added.

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giftofthemagi
2010-06-05 03:03 pm UTC (link)

Zatanna rolled her eyes again and suppressed a sigh but didn't try to stop him. If Batman wanted to get up, then Batman was going to get up. Only the strongest magic would stop him and she wasn't up to such a feat. (Besides holding Batman against his will was probably up pretty high on the Worst Ideas Ever list-- man knew how to hold a grudge.)

"Two jokes in one day?" Zatanna made a show of widening her eyes and looking shocked. "Those must be some strong painkillers." Although just how seriously injured that meant he'd been didn't escape her, she decided to fret over it later. Batman could take care of himself. (Although Bruce had sat up with her and she was rather capable herself.)

Shaking her head, Zatanna sat up. "Sehtolc raeppa!" she muttered, waving a hand in Bruce's general vicinity. In her tired state, she could literally feel the energy zapped out of her for the effort but-- "As much as I'd love to see you in a cowl and severely outdated bomber jacket, I'm not sure I'd ever be able to take you seriously again."

Which reminded her-- "I saw Hal the other day, you know. He stopped by my place in San Francisco for a visit." Zatanna was curious to see what Bruce made of that. (Not because she had any delusions about his feelings for her but, rather, she was interested in his reaction to Hal after everything that'd happened.) "He seemed well but I think he misses the team."

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capedcrusade
2010-06-05 10:53 pm UTC (link)

A small pile of clothes appeared in his lap. Holding them up, they seemed to be a black karate uniform. A thinner fabric than the karategi he usually practiced in, but it would serve. He was hardly about to start throwing punches anyway. Batman put his arms through the uwagi and began to tie the belt.

No, he hadn't known Hal had visited Zee, and Batman wasn't thrilled to find out. He still wasn't entirely clear what had happened with the Parallax ordeal, and as such, wasn't convinced it was finished. Nor was he clear that the fault didn't lie somewhat with Hal himself. No, officer, it wasn't me, a yellow demon alien no one ever heard of before made me do it. Batman couldn't help but be skeptical.

"Does he want to rejoin?" Batman asked, not very pleased by the idea. Then again, it would be easier to keep tabs on him if he was around more.

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giftofthemagi
2010-06-06 12:06 am UTC (link)

Although she wouldn't have minded if Bruce elected to stay less clothed, Zatanna was glad to see he was at least satisfied with what she'd provided. It wasn't anything special but she'd wanted him to be comfortable and able to move easily, given his body's still tender state. Plus, it'd been kind of hard to take him seriously with the cowl on and not much else...

But onto Hal. "I don't know," Zatanna answered honestly. "I think he feels responsible for making sure Coast City gets the help and attention it needs with the reconstruction efforts." Which was, she imagined, rather time consuming. "I wouldn't mind if he came back, though-- I miss him." And he did wield the most powerful weapon in the universe, which was always nice to have around.

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capedcrusade
2010-06-06 02:35 pm UTC (link)

Coast City. Another thing to check up on. Wayne Industries had already pledged to reopen a branch office there, to help rebuild the economy. And they'd put in a bid on doing construction work for low-cost housing in the area. Some of the architecture work he'd financed in third world countries as part of Wayne Charities had produced ideas that he thought might translate into an urban environment. Inexpensive, but also low-impact on the environment, with lots of thought to community and human dignity. What would the psychological effect be of putting a poor population into a space that embodied respect for life, rather than the oppression of most slums. He didn't really know, and wouldn't for another 20 years or so, but he was looking forward to the results.

"I need to talk to..." Lucius Fox, he was going to say, but corrected it to "everyone." There was still the Joker and the Riddler and the mall. Rest time was over. Slowly but carefully, Batman detached himself from various machines and stood. The JLA control had access to most people he needed. He'd start there.

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giftofthemagi
2010-06-07 05:27 am UTC (link)

It was with a wary eye that Zatanna watched Bruce begin preparing to get back to it. (Shocking-- not.) Shoving her tired body out of the chair against its will and her better judgment, Zatanna moved over to the monitors. She switched each one off in turn, almost surprised by how quiet the room was without the constant steady beeping.

Zatanna was moving slower than her usual, so Bruce was in the process of standing when she turned back to him. "Whoa there, tiger," she said. She moved to his side, ready to help just in case he wasn't quite at a hundred percent yet. "Are you sure you're okay to be up and moving? I can bring a comm to you here, you know."

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