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Place: Arkham Asylum

Time: 9:45 p.m.

Narration: Someone kidnaped Nora Fries. Less than an hour ago, there was an explosion at the Arkham Penitentiary. Whoever planted the explosives wanted to let some of the more dangerous inmates loose. It was just a distraction. They managed to plant more explosives near the Medical Facility and took off with their real goal. Whoever it was had access to very high explosives in order to breach the facility walls. Also having access to transportation in order to take the cryo-tube holding Nora in one piece. Whatever they're motives,  or possible someone who paid them to do this, they picked the wrong man to anger on today of all days. Because now, Victor Fries aka Mr. Freeze, will want a reckoning.

I'm  looking over the scene of the blast site near the medical Facility. Gordon and the rest of the guards are dealing with containment of the situation. Most of the inmates have been put back in their cells. Some have been seriously injured of bodies in the blast. Cash noted how sorry he was none of the super-criminals did. The Warden is dealing with some of the press that have come for a story at the gates to the island. Meanwhile, Victor is grieving over Nora's capture. I keep looking back to where he's sitting; staring at his snow globe sculpture of Nora. I can understand what he's going through. The pain of losing someone you love. Knowing that they might be in the hands of some monster ready to end their lives in an instant. We're more alike than we both realize.

********************

Gordon: (Looking over tire tracks outside of the building with Harvey Bullock nearby.) Any reports on the truck?

Bullock: Not a thing, Commish'. They got the hell outta dodge as fast as they could. Are cars didn't even get a chance to purse them before the call came out.

Gordon: (Walks over to the bodies of the two dead guards from the gate.) Both shoot in the head. No one even heard the shooting.

Bullock: Examiners say it was a silencer, given the make of the bullets.

Gordon: Same goes for the two guards that were in the labs.

Bullock: How come they didn't find the iceman when they broke in?

Gordon: Batman said he found him knocked out behind on of the machines. They probably only had enough time to get his wife out before anyone came back.

Bullock: I still don't see why you let Batman hear, Chief.

Gordon: He was hear because he helped Fries find the cure. And right now I don't feel like getting into this debate with you, Bullock. (Looks to see Batman still inside the med-labs.) Go handle the crowd control with the Warden.

Bullock: Yes sir.

As Bullock walks off, Gordon goes to where Batman is.

Batman: (Examining residue near the blast sight.)This was very precise explosive, Jim. Strong enough to blast through the reinforced walls without causing any damage to the interior. Much more different from the ones used at the penitentiary.

Gordon: Guess thy didn't care who got hurt, just as long as everyone was busy over there. (See's Freeze looking at the snow globe.) How's he doing?

Batman: He hasn't said anything since he told me what happened.

Gordon: He's lucky the cure was still intact.

Batman: But that doesn't matter, now that Nora's gone. I need to find her, Jim.

Freeze: (Walking over to Batman and Gordon.) Batman, I'm coming with you.

Batman: No, Victor. You're safer here. I'll find her and—

Freeze: No! I've come to close to bringing back. And now she's in the hands of someone who would see her frozen forever. I won't let that happen. As much as I trust you, I can't relay solely on you to bring her back in one piece.

Gordon: But what about the cure?

Freeze: I'll leave it here for safe keeping. I won't risk it being destroyed. (Looking to Batman) Please, Batman, just for this once. Either you let me help you, or I find her on my own. Either way suits me.

Batman: (Ponders on this for a moment.) Jim, talk to Warden Sharp. See if he can give him amnesty.

Gordon: What? You can't be serious? (He sees Batman give him a very serious look.) Alright, but anything happens it's on your head.

Freeze: (Watches as Gordon walks off.) Thank you, Batman.

Batman: I'm putting my faith in you, Freeze. Don't make me regret it.

********************

Narration: It took some hard persuasion, but Sharp finally agreed to have Freeze 24 hours of temporary amnesty. Also, at my request, he was granted the use of his suit and freeze-gun. I know I'll probably need his help dealing with whoever's behind this. I can already tell that this was a hired job. Someone put a lot of effort into having the right people present in executing this plan. Demolition experts, marksmen, transportation, and someone with the same know-how in cryogenics in order to keep Nora in her suspended animation.

I'm sitting outside the remains of the Penitentiary, waiting for Freeze. Jim's with me as well as Bullock. Both don't like the idea, but I'll admit, I feel like I'm given him the chance I never had. Finding the ones responsible for crime extremely personal to you. I just hope he doesn't take things too far…before I have to stop him from going that far.
Batman is standing next to the bat-mobile while Gordon and Bullock are waiting nearby with a police car.

********************

Batman: (Using his communicator to talk with Oracle.) I'm sending you the information now, Oracle. Let me know if you find any match with the tires.

Oracle: Will do. But let me ask: do you have idea who it could be? Maybe Ra's sent the League to get back at you.

Batman: No his M.O. Besides if this was Ra's work he would have taken the cure, not Fries' wife. I have a few leads I'll need confirm before anything else.

Oracle: Alright. I'll let you know if I find anything.

The doors of the penitentiary open and Mr. Freeze walks out now in his suit. The glass covering is up so he can speak normally. In his right hand is his freeze-gun.  Four guards escort him out and keep their weapons aimed at him.
Bullock: (Seeing Freeze and speaking to Gordon.) Think the bat's got enough room in his car?

Batman: (Nods to Freeze who nobs back. He looks to Gordon.) Signal if you find anything.
Gordon: Will do, Batman. Good luck.

Both Batman and Freeze manage to fit in the bat-mobile, much to Bullock's surprise, and they drive off.

Batman: I hope you're aware of how I do things, Victor.

Freeze: I understand. But do not think you can order me like those children you run around with. This partnership is only to find Nora.

Batman: Very well. Just stay under control. Have you looked over the evidence.

Freeze: (Holds out his arm so a holographic interface to show some of the evidence.) Yes. The explosives are of a special design. Same for the tires used on the truck to help it escape easily without being slowed by the terrain on the island.

Batman: The tires could have been made by any number of manufactures. But the explosives were a unique brand. Someone with a hand in pyrotechnics as well as a knowledge of the workings of both the Penitentiary and the Medical Building could have made the right combination to blow both buildings.

Freeze: Why does that sound like someone we both know?

Batman: Garfield Lynns. Firefly. The only one who fits the description perfectly.

Freeze: Yes. But I hear he's still in hiding after his recent break out.

Batman: True, but I think I know who to ask. I just hope she's in she's mood to answer.

********************

Place: Apartment of Selina Kyle aka Catwoman

Time: 11:32 p.m.

Catwoman jumps down to the fire escape outside her window. She opens it up and crawls in. and walks over to one of the nearby rooms. She peeks in to see Holly Robison, sleeping in her bed. She walks back towards the living room and tosses her headpiece and goggles on a nearby chair. She don't notice Batman in the room until he speaks. He's standing near the kitchen area.

Batman: You're supposed to be on parole.

Catwoman: (Jumps for a moment before seeing him.)I was just going out for a jog around the rooftops. Surprised I didn't find you up there tonight.

Batman: I have important things to do.

Catwoman: And what could be more important than me in your life, lover? (She walks over and rubs her finger on his chest.)

Freeze: (Come out of the shadows near the door to Selina's room.) The location of Garfield Lynns for starters. (He sees Catwoman jump and move back at the sight of him.) Do not worry yourself, Miss Kyle. I am here as a temporary comrade of your "lover's".

Catwoman: (looking at Freeze but talking to Batman) I'm afraid to ask what Firefly did to make this happen…

Batman: We think he was involved in the explosions at Arkham tonight. He wasn't alone. Whoever else was with him managed to escape with Nora Fries' body.

Catwoman: Is that what happened? I mean I heard about the explosions, but they…really took her?

Freeze: Yes, they did. And we need to find Lynns, immediately.

Catwoman: (Looks at both Freeze and Batman.) Well, I talked with Ivy before she got put back in Arkham. Word from her grapevine is that he's hiding out in some run-down complex near Bowery.

Freeze does not answer but only walks out of the room with haste.

Batman: Thank you, Selina.

Catwoman: (Stops Batman before he runs off.) Are you sure about this? Bringing Freeze along?

Batman: It was either that or have him kill half the city to find her.

Catwoman: And how many is he going to kill while under your watch?

Batman: I won't let him. He knows what's at stake just as much as I do.

Catwoman: Fine…just be careful alright, Bruce. (She pulls him close and they share a kiss for a moment.) For luck.

Batman nods and then walks out of the room. Later Freeze and Batman are getting into the bat-mobile.

Freeze: You took some time before leaving.

Batman: Just saying goodbye. Nothing more.

Freeze: So you say. But I know a man with love in his eyes when I see it. (Batman gives him a look before truing his head back.) Hold on to that love, Batman. For all you know, tomorrow the cold chill of reality will sweep in, and she'll be gone.

********************

Place: Bowery Complex

Time: 12: 43 a.m.

Garfield Lynns aka Firefly makes his way into the complex. He is out of his costume and is wearing a large jacket with the collar turned up. He makes sure no one is watching as he opens the door and walks up the stairs. He reaches the door to his room and opens it. The minute he walks in it slams shut, with Batman standing there.

Batman: Long night out, Lynns?

Firefly: Dammit! (He reveals he is wearing a small flamethrower on his wrist and points it at Batman.) When I'm done with you, I'm gonna find whoever squealed me out and—AHH!

He's stopped when a blast of ice freezes his whole hand in a block of ice. He looks to see Freeze standing there with his ice-gun.

Freeze: That was a warning shot. Next will be your legs. Then your Face.

Firefly: What the…? Freeze? (Looks at him and Batman.) You two are working together now?

Batman: Where were you tonight, Lynns?

Firefly: Playing poker with Scarecrow, the Joker and Donald Trump.

Freeze: (Walks over and knocks Firefly to the ground. He then brings his boot onto his frozen hand.)I am not in the mood to be tested.

Firefly: (Starts to feel Freeze put some pressure on his hand.) AHH! STOP! STOP! (Freeze starts to take some pressure off.)

Batman: We want answers, Firefly. I can only keep Mr. Freeze from going so far.

Firefly: What…what do you want?

Batman: The attack on Arkham earlier tonight. What do you know?

Firefly: N…nothing. I wasn't there. (Freeze puts pressure on his hand.) AHH! OK! OK! (Pressure taken off.) I met this guy, alright. Didn't know who he was, but he asked for my help. Wanted me to make explosives that would help him get into though the med labs without busting everything up.

Batman: And with you being there so many times, you knew the right mixture.

Firefly: I didn't know what they were going to do. I was just trying to stay under the radar for a while. They paid me a whole lot of money.

Freeze: (Puts more pressure on his hand.) Was the price worth the life of my wife, Lynns? Where did you meet?

Firefly: A..AT THE STACKED DECK! GOD PLEASE STOP! MY HAND'S BREAKING!

Batman: (Looking to Freeze.) That's enough, Freeze. (Freeze isn't listening.) Victor! (Freeze keeps his boot on Firefly's hand for a moment longer before taking it off. He walks off without a word. Batman looks down at Lynns.) I already informed the authorities. They'll be here in ten minutes and make sure to get your hand looked at. Consider yourself lucky.

********************

A few minutes later, both Batman and Freeze are heading back to the Bat-mobile.

Batman: You could have broken his hand off. I told you to stay under control.

Freeze: It was the fastest way to get the information we needed. He's more lucky then you thought, Batman. I could have killed him even after he talked.

Batman: You don't find that unnecessary, Victor?

Freeze: Where my Nora is concerned everything is necessary. Now let's get to this Stacked Deck with all haste.

********************

Narration: I stop for a moment. They way Victor thinks reminds me too much of how I felt the night my parents died. Nothing else was on my mind except want to see the man who shot them die in my hands. But I soon realized revenge was not the answer. If I could see it, I can only hope there's a chance for Freeze as well.