Chapter Text
Edward watches Bruce load Langstrom into the Batmobile. He’s run every test possible on him and deemed him able to continue treatment in a hospital setting. Langstrom had experienced two more fits, with the probable cause being frontal lobe damage from oxygen deprivation due to the Man-Bat’s respiratory system being underdeveloped. Bruce had pulled out an anti-seizure medication from somewhere , and so far it appears to have halted them.
Francine will meet them at the hospital. She’d had no idea about the private investigation. Kirk had cried when she’d told him that her trust in him had never wavered.
Barbara leans against a sleek black submarine to Edward’s left. She’s wearing her suit, as she has every time she’s interacted with Langstrom. She doesn’t have a voice to go along with it like Bruce, but she holds herself differently; back straight, chin up. Heroic.
“Are we calling this case closed?” Edward wonders out loud.
Barbara shoots him a pained smile. “I don’t think we’re getting paid for this one, Eddie.”
Edward scoffs and waves his hand in the air. “Come on , it’s not about the money. It’s about solving the riddle.”
Barbara laughs. The Batmobile roars out of the cave, engines echoing as it swerves up and up a winding path around a grand stalagmite and up into the city above.
Once the echoes have cleared, Barbara speaks again. “Thank you, by the way. For your help. If you hadn’t been here I would have died at the university.”
Edward shrugs. “You would have done the same.”
“I know. But you… wouldn't always have.”
There's an odd feeling in his chest at that. An acknowledgement that he's changed. He has the impulse to argue, to explain why that's not true. She's important, she means something. To the city.
To him.
He bites it back. They stand quietly for a moment.
“I'm hungry.” She says. “Do you want to get lunch? We can discuss our next case.”
“Next case?”
“...Cheating husband.”
Edward follows her towards the stairs. “This one better not be a fucking monster .”
“No promises.”