7 A Place to Call Home

Barbara pulled out a phone and began to contact Batman aka Bruce Wayne.

Back at the Batcave, Batman was busy on the computer, going through every database in search of Penguin. He had failed yesterday to apprehend Penguin, leaving the menace in hiding somewhere in Gotham.

Digital globules of light illuminated his surroundings, albeit small. Not enough to let anyone see beyond his chair which was layered in darkness. His cave held a myriad of sophisticated toys and gadgets that no ordinary people can get their hands on, not even small governments. Perks of being a billionaire.

The Cape Crusader still didn't know why Penguin was bringing in massive loads of illegal weapons into the city. Perhaps, he intended to sell them to local gangs; worst case scenario, Penguin was planning to start a gang war. Luckily, Batgirl and Robin stopped the armored truck, which contained the cache of weapons, from falling into Penguin's hands.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the only cache of weapons Penguin had. Penguin had brought in more weapons from different routes, something he just found out recently; the one from Port Adams was just a distraction. Batman pried that intel out of Penguin's goons. It was either the intel or his legs. The goon was smart enough to choose the former.

But, that didn't mean that he knew where Penguin was hiding. Of course, Penguin's pawns had no way of knowing where his location would be. Batman would have to find that out himself. Trackers, hidden microphones, spy cams; he would use whatever to get to him.

"Perhaps, you should catch some rest, Master Bruce," Alfred sauntered towards Batman with a plate holding a glass of tea. A personal butler of Bruce Wayne, a life-long friend and a surrogate father. The one who 'reluctantly' aided the boy to become who he is today.

"Not now, Alfred," Batman didn't bother to take his eyes off the screen. "Something's not right- I need to know what Penguin's up to."

"You haven't gotten any shut-eye since last night. I worry for your health," Alfred handed him the glass of tea. "It could lead to unwanted hallucinations; who knows, you might just end up chasing the Joker dressed in nothing but a leopard-print thong, sir."

Batman took the glass and gave it a sip, "Appreciate the unnecessary image, Alfred. It's just- lately, there's been a massive spike of gang activity across Gotham. Murders, torture and gang violence just to name a few."

"Indeed; I can sense the tension building up between these gangs. Over territory, perhaps."

"Hopefully, it doesn't broil into an all out gang war; that's the last thing we need."

"And you think that Cobblepot has something to do with it?"

"I'm not sure," Batman leaned forward over his desk, rubbing his chin. "But, I'm sure he's taking advantage of it; selling his weapons to whomever he pleases."

"Let's hope that's not the case," Alfred added.

Then, a call rang out through Batman's earpiece. It was Barbara, he noted. There were only a few people that had his number. They could be counted on one hand. He tapped the device and answered, "What is it, Barbara?"

"Gosh, not even a hello?" Barbara pouted over the phone.

"I'm busy. Is there something wrong?"

"Straight to the point as always," Barbara sighed out. "But listen - I have to tell you something, and it's going to sound crazy. Just hear me out, okay?"

"I'm listening."

Barbara glanced over at Bruce Lee just across from her. He was leaning against the wall, waiting for her to finish the conversation. Then, she let out a deep exhale. Let's just hope that Batman would believe her, "Okay, so I met this guy - name's Bruce -found him being interrogated along with Catwoman by Two-Face."

"Catwoman?" Batman repeated. "What did Two-Face want with them?"

"You know, typical Catwoman mischief. Stole the guy's big wad of cash, and he wanted it back. Bruce got entangled in their little mess since he helped her escape from Two-Face's goons - without knowing the whole situation, of course."

Batman furrowed his brows, leaning back against his chair. What was Dent planning to do with that money? Was it tied in with Penguin? A guess, but one that shouldn't be ruled out.

"What did Two-Face plan to use the money for?"

"I'm not sure, I plan to ask Catwoman when I find her later, but that's not what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Then, what is it?"

"It's the guy - Bruce - that I was talking about; and you're not going to believe me, but he... he says he's a time-traveler. From the past."

There was a pause between them. Barbara could feel the suffocating silence from over the phone. Batman may have seen a lot of things, even he may have thought Barbara had gone bat-shit insane.

"What?" Was the only answer he could give her. Who could blame him? It's not everyday you hear about time travel, let alone an actual 'time-traveler'.

"I know it sounds way out there, but-"

"If this is a joke, then it's not funny," his mouth drooped to a frown, interrupting her. There were important matters that he had to focus on, and there was no rhyme or reason to be joking around like this. A typical attitude for the world's greatest detective.

"Does it sound like I'm joking to you?"

"I don't have time for this, Barbara; call me when it's something important."

"No, wait! Bat-!" Batman immediately hung up on her, not wanting to deal with her antics any longer.

"Is something the matter, Master Bruce?" Alfred asked.

"It's Barbara. I think she's turned into the Joker; says she encountered a time-traveler," he answered half-serious, half-jokingly.

The butler raised an eyebrow at that, "I believe it's finally time for you to head to bed, sir."

The chair creaked as Bruce Wayne turned around, eyeing his butler. Then, a tiny smile played his lips, "Maybe you're right."

Meanwhile...

"Ugh, he didn't have to hang up on me like that!" Barbara tossed her phone aside and threw her head back on the couch, staring at the ceiling in frustration.

"Let me guess," Bruce pushed himself off of the wall. "He didn't believe you."

"Probably thinks I'm insane now," she added.

"I'd probably tell you to see a doctor, too," Bruce Lee joked.

"I should be telling you that, Mr. Oh-I'm-a-Time-Traveler," she rolled her eyes at him.

"But, I appreciate your help, Barbara. I really do," his face creased with a sad smile. He resigned himself to reality, knowing that he won't be able to go back to his world, his timeline. "But, I think it's time for me to face the facts. I'm probably going to be stuck here."

"Bruce..." her voice grew lower. It was unimaginable what he must be feeling right now, away from his friends and family.

"No, it is alright. I do not need pity. What I need now is a new beginning; somewhere I can start fresh."

"I could help you with that," she said. "You probably need a new I.D. and a place to stay since you lack money, right?"

"How are you supposed get me a new I.D.? I don't exactly exist in this world."

"A crimefighter has her resources," she winked at him.