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bradygirl_12Author: BradyGirl
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Marcus Haversham, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Selina Kyle, Steve/Diana, Medea, Jim Gordon
Genres: Romance, Drama, A Touch Of Mystery
Rating (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
General Summary: When Queen Hippolyta sends a precious Amazon artifact to America with an Amazon guard, both cause Diana and Steve no end of trouble.
Chapter Summary: The Gotham contingent makes a discovery.
Date Of Completion: April 3, 2008
Date Of Posting: June 11, 2008
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 981
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Notes: Dedicated to our hardy band of Steve/Diana fans! :)
Special thanks to
jen_in_japan , whose enthusiasm for this project kept me going with a smile on my face. :) All chapters can be found here.
IX
GOOD TASTE
Great beauty
Should always
Be adored.
Malcolm Atterby
Art Critic,
The Daily Planet
2001 C.E.
Jewels glittered under the lights of the chandeliers as the guests danced and mingled.
Marcus Haversham enjoyed playing the host, his mansion abundant with good wine, good food, and wealthy company. He was a robust man dressed in white tonight, his thick white hair framing a ruddy face. A man of appetites, but also of refinement, as his taste in art was exquisite.
Bruce and Dick were talking by the buffet table when Selina appeared, dripping in jewels.
“I see the Waynes are well-represented.”
“Hello, Selina.” Bruce touched his champagne flute to hers. “Couldn’t resist a Haversham party, eh?”
“Marcus does throw a good bash.” Selina winked. “He fancies himself a great collector.”
“He does have excellent taste.” Bruce gestured to the Greek statuary by the wall.
“He does love the classical period.” Selina’s emerald eyes glittered.
Bruce’s eyes widened, then a small smile spread over his face.
Dick looked at Marcus, the man holding court by a priceless full-length statue of Apollo. “Looks like some after-party reconnaissance is called for.”
“Absolutely, Dick.” Bruce sipped his champagne.
Selina grinned.
& & & & & &
Three graceful figures stole across the lawn of the Haversham estate, two blending in the moonless night, the third implausibly so.
The curvaceous figure and slender one who was quick and daring leaped up onto the veranda, the slender one trailing ribbons of light for a space of a second, then disappearing into the shadows.
The Bat loomed up behind them, and they entered the old-fashioned drawing room silently.
The trio fanned out, searching each room but unsuccessful. They met back in the drawing room.
“It has to be here!” Robin hissed. “Haversham would want to look at it every day.”
“I agree,” said the Bat softly. “Marcus is not the type to store it away. The reason he stole it in the first place was to enjoy it, not just possess it.”
“A man after my own heart,” Catwoman purred.
Robin grinned while Batman shook his head.
All three heard the voices right away and melted into the shadows.
Marcus Haversham burst into the room, hair awry. He was still wearing his tuxedo, his barrel chest heaving with indignation.
“Honestly, Pringle, I paid enough for the construction!”
The older man shrugged. He was dressed in a brown suit, thinning brown hair mussed as he scratched his head.
“We have to check, Mr. Haversham. The treasures within…”
“I know, I know.” Marcus walked over to the bookcase and pulled out a volume, the bookcase sliding open.
It was like an Egyptian tomb had been opened, except Greek-style. Precious vases, statuary, weaponry…and Hera’s Chalice.
The beautiful cup was set on its own dais, sparkling under the muted lighting.
“So beautiful,” said Marcus in an awed tone.
“Yes, because it’s blessed by the Amazon’s Gods.”
“Goddesses, actually.”
“Yes, Goddesses.”
“It’s the crowning achievement of my collection!”
“And ill-gotten.”
Marcus and Pringle spun around in shock.
“Batman!” Marcus cried.
“And family.”
Catwoman and Robin flanked Batman.
Marcus frowned. “You’re trespassing!”
“And you’re a thief.”
“A collector.”
“The Amazons wouldn’t consider you such.”
“I needed a centerpiece for my collection. Beauty is fleeing in this life.”
Marcus was stepping back, and suddenly the bookcase began to close.
Catwoman almost made it inside but had to hop back at the last second.
“He has an escape route,” Robin said.
Batman nodded. “Catwoman, around the back. Robin, the roof. I’ll check underground.”
All three sped off.
& & & & & &
Catwoman tackled Pringle, shouting for help from Robin, who swooped down from the roof and chased Haversham.
“Whoa, there!”
Marcus tussled with Robin, his strength allowing him to put up a good fight, but Robin pinned him down. Bat-cuffs finished the job.
“Very nice, Bat-boy.”
“Thanks, m’lady.”
Catwoman grinned. “We’ve got ‘em both. Now, Mr. Haversham, since I don’t see you as a second-story man, who stole Hera’s Chalice for you?”
Haversham sneered, “Like I’ll tell you, bitch!”
“Hey, watch your language around a lady,” Robin admonished.
“It would go well with you to talk,” Catwoman said.
Haversham’s eyes gleamed with fanatic fervor. “My collection is my life! I preserve beauty! Surely you, Catwoman, can understand that.”
Catwoman smiled. “I do, but I don’t think the Amazons will appreciate your…collecting.”
“I’m not afraid of Amazons!”
“You should be,” Robin smirked.
Batman appeared. “Wonder Woman will be appreciative.”
“Take care of the thieves, boys.” Catwoman sashayed away, Batman and Robin exchanging a grin.
Inside the study, Catwoman picked up the phone. “Diana, good news. We’ve got Hera’s Chalice back.” Catwoman smiled. “A pleasure. Come to the Gotham P.D.”
& & & & & &
“Excellent work, Catwoman!”
Medea’s praise rung out in the busy police station.
“I had a lot of help.” Catwoman gestured toward Batman and Robin.
Medea dismissively waved her hand. “You are the jewel expert. Beauty knows beauty.”
Diana smiled as Selina purred.
“Thank you so much, Catwoman. Whom do you have locked up?”
“One of Gotham’s most prominent billionaires, Marcus Haversham. Unfortunately, he won’t give up who stole it from the museum.”
Diana smiled, uncoiled her Lasso, and disappeared into the holding cells. When she emerged, she shrugged. “He really had no idea who stole it. His assistant, Pringle, obtained it, but named a petty fence here in Gotham, one Mr. ‘Fingers’ Mulroney.”
Batman bared his teeth. “We’ll have a talk with Mr. Mulroney.”
“At least we got the Chalice back.” Diana approached Batman, Robin and Jim Gordon. “Thank you, gentlemen.” Hera’s Chalice glittered on a police sergeant’s desk.
“Glad to help, Wonder Woman,” Batman said.
“I will take possession now.” Medea strode forward and picked up the Chalice.
Jim raised an eyebrow. “Certainly, Ms…”
“Not Ms. Just Medea.”
Diana smiled serenely.
Hera’s Chalice was back in Amazon hands.
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no subject
Date: 2008-06-12 01:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-06-12 01:15 am (UTC)*snickers* Glad you caught that little tidbit! ;)
no subject
Date: 2008-06-12 05:05 am (UTC)Thank goodness the chalice is back in the right hands, but man, Medea needs to scale it back. XD I don't think Bruce appreciated the brush-off so much. :p
Bravo!!
no subject
Date: 2008-06-12 06:15 pm (UTC)She's the best! :)
Thank goodness the chalice is back in the right hands, but man, Medea needs to scale it back. XD I don't think Bruce appreciated the brush-off so much. :p
LOL! You mean Bruce isn't as accomodating as Steve? ;)
no subject
Date: 2008-06-12 03:55 pm (UTC)And it was nice to see Dick as the happy Robin again! *is nostalgic* =D
no subject
Date: 2008-06-12 06:17 pm (UTC)I figured that they could work very well together. :)
And it was nice to see Dick as the happy Robin again! *is nostalgic* =D
*laughs* Bruce and we all need a happy Robin! :)
no subject
Date: 2008-06-12 06:25 pm (UTC)It's always fun to see the Gotham gang working together! :p
Yay, I'm really glad they found the chalice, but I'm still desperate to know who stole it!
I hope there is more soon! :D
no subject
Date: 2008-06-12 06:45 pm (UTC)It's always fun to see the Gotham gang working together! :p
Great fun! :)
Yay, I'm really glad they found the chalice, but I'm still desperate to know who stole it!
I hope there is more soon! :D
Yes, they still don't know who did the deed, do they? ;)
no subject
Date: 2008-06-13 01:11 pm (UTC)I'm glad "Catwoman" got the Chalice back, lol! With maybe just a bit of help. :)
no subject
Date: 2008-06-13 04:58 pm (UTC)It is at that! :) At least you can understand villains like that. :)
I'm glad "Catwoman" got the Chalice back, lol! With maybe just a bit of help. :)
Just a tad! ;)