"Good evening, Ms. Bertinelli." The doorman at Gotham Royal Hotel smiled.

"Good evening." She repeated.

Bruce Wayne had to admit, Helena Bertinelli was a stunning woman...not unlike Selina Kyle or Silver St. Cloud. Yes, Gotham had no shortage of attractive women. But not all of them had the kind of anger that burned inside Helena. Not all of them had the thirst for revenge, and not all of them had the skill with a crossbow.

He followed behind her closely, but not so much so it would be obvious he was stalking her, but he had a feeling she already knew he was there.

"Mr. Wayne." Helena said without so much as a movement of her head. "Was there a reason for you to be following me around all night?"

"Um. Yes, Ms. Bertinelli. I wanted to talk to you about investing in Wayne charities." Bruce answered, putting together his best sales pitch in his head as quickly as he could.

"Well, why didn't you just say so?" Helena grinned. "I'm always happy to help redeem the Bertinelli name."

"Guess I just get shy around beautiful women."

"You must have anxiety attacks every time you take pictures for the tabloids then, with all those women on your arm. You must have goosebumps."

"Helena!" A man called in the distance.

"Oh, excuse me, Mr. Wayne, I have to go. But I'll talk to you about those charities later, alright? Take care." And soon enough, Helena Bertinelli disappeared into the crowd.

We'll talk alright. Bruce thought.

The party was exhausting for her. She'd never been a people person. That tends to happen when your entire family gets mowed down before your eyes.

Helena was even less fond of uninvited guests.

"Huntress." The grim voice said from behind the curtains.

"Batman." She said.

"You murdered Gill Mason in cold blood last night." Batman growled.

"I did not. Mason died two years ago, after the fight with Batgirl. The man I killed last night was calling himself Mirror." She sipped her wine and stared Batman in his eyes, a feat which few could accomplish.

"It doesn't matter. You took a life in my city, Helena, and because of that, you're not welcome here."

"Mirror took lives too, Batman. Was he welcome here? Or what about when Gill Mason was a cop? People died because Mason was as corrupt as they come, and he turned a blind eye whenever things went to Hell, and came out rich. Is that the Gotham you like living in, Batman?"

Batman narrowed his eyes.

"I guess it is, isn't it? Because a Gotham City without evil means no need for freaks dressed like bats. And you'd just hate for this city to not need Batman, wouldn't you?"

Batman turned to leave.

"I'd love nothing more. This is your only chance, Helena. Shut Huntress down, before I do it myself."

A strike of lightning, and Batman was gone.

Helena shook her head. "Shut Huntress down" he said.

Please.

Huntress was only just getting started.

THE END