The Bat-Signal shone high in the Gotham City sky. Jim Gordon stood next to it on the roof of the Gotham City Police Department. The grizzled police veteran waited patiently for someone, anyone, to come. It had been like this for about a month now, and frankly, Gordon had grown tired of the constant surprise which member of the fabled 'Bat Family' would show up. He enjoyed his previous arrangement with The Batman himself, not this band of wanna-be heroes.
"Hello, Commissioner," came a voice. Gordon turned his head to see Nightwing step out of the shadows.
"How long were you standing there?" the weary police commissioner asked, before he half-smiled, "I hope it wasn't too long. Kind of creepy."
Nightwing didn't respond. He only stood there. Gordon rolled his eyes and continued, "Is there an update on the Maroni case I threw your way?"
"I have hard evidence that Salvatore Maroni is having two shipments delivered from Hong Kong. My sources have said that they were sent through a front company with ties to a prominent Japanese businessman. He is a member of the Yakuza," Nightwing spoke. He then tapped his ear, "All of the information you need to bust this shipment have been sent to your smart phone."
"Thanks. I'd ask you how you got it, but I really shouldn't know," Gordon said flatly. He learned long ago never to ask how Batman had attained his evidence against the crime lords and costumed freaks of Gotham. He then asked, "Is there anything else?"
Nightwing told him all of the other crimes and plots that he and his other associates had stopped in The Dark Knight's absence. After he was done, Gordon raised his eyes and his stern face softened.
"I have to admit I'm impressed. And thank you for being up front with all of this. Our mutual friend is rarely this forthcoming with his nightly watch over the city," Gordon complimented.
"Well, this is a unique time, Commissioner," Nightwing said.
"That it is," Gordon replied, wryly. His eyes never left Nightwing. He knew never to take his eyes off of Batman, because if he did, The Caped Crusader would disappear into the night until the next time he shone the Bat-Signal. He imagined he had taught this similar technique to his underlings, "Speaking of our mutual friend, I don't suppose you have an update on when he's coming back. It's not that I don't enjoy your, or your associates', company, but I really would prefer work with just one of you. There are some in the force that think my arrangement with vigilantes isn't becoming a police commissioner. Can you imagine that?"
"Nothing has changed. He is still handling business abroad. You saw what the League of Shadows did the last time they were in Gotham. Batman received a tip on the whereabouts of..." Nightwing explained, but was cut off.
"...the whereabouts of Ra's al Ghul and he wants to bring the fight to him," Gordon huffed, "I get it. I get it. Stopping that madman is important. Still..."
Gordon glanced up at the Bat-Signal for a brief moment, and when he looked back Nightwing was gone. He wondered how they all did that. The police commissioner managed a half-smile, though. The conversation was pretty much over with, anyway.
**********
"Dick, I don't think my father likes you," Barbara Gordon's voice came in through Nightwing's ear communicator.
"Really? How could you tell?" Nightwing asked sarcastically, flashing a smile before he jumped from one rooftop to the next. As he landed gracefully, his confident smile darkened, "He doesn't know, Barbara. I could read him and he really does believe that The Batman is off fighting Ra's al Ghul."
"Let's keep it that way," Barbara Gordon said, "I've tried to hack into the Bat-Computer, but I still can't get in. It's so strange."
"Yeah, all the old secret passages have all been caved in, too. It wasn't the most welcoming place for strangers, or even friends, before, but now, the place really is like a fortress. And then there's what Tim said he saw when trying to break in through the skylight window. That strange woman wearing the maid's outfit. That weird makeup on her face. And the fact that she was dusting a mannequin no less? Barbara, what is happening?"
**********
"He awakens, Lana-Doll," the raven-haired doll cooed out in a low, husky voice. She turned to her plasticine partner and smiled in awe.
"Yes, Lois-Doll!," the other doll's wide, mindless smile never left her face as she excited giggled out the words. She couldn't help herself as she ran her hands over his bare chest, and giggled as he struggled against his bindings.
"Lana-Doll? Lois-Doll?" Jimmy asked, completely exasperated at his current predicament. He looked desperately from one of the smiling, simplified face of the black-haired captor to the smiling, simplified face of the brown-haired captor. It couldn't be possible! As much as his mind tried to fight what he was seeing, Jimmy finally accepted the truth that was right before his very eyes.
It was impossible. It was horrific!
For a while he couldn't find the words, but they finally came, "Lois? Lana? Is it really you?"
His only answer was once more for the two bizarre creatures to giggle almost mockingly at his expense.
Suddenly, doors opened and in strode The Toyman, in all of his jesterish glory.