(General P.O.V)

Heavy rain was already pouring by the time Dr. Leslie was done with the last of the patients.

By then it was already 8 p.m.

There were a few who would have to stay the night before she determined whether to release them or not.

The alternative being to refer the ones in critical condition to Wayne Hospital for more medical care.

Unfortunately, hers was just a small Clinic.

Not to mention one in the worst part of the city, East End.

Despite being a master healer in every sense of the word, there wasn't a whole lot she could do with the equipment she had here.

Not when Gotham was a cell pool of human degeneracy who wouldn't hesitate to steal anything valuable.

What she did was already considered a miracle. Especially with the kind of injuries and health issues some people came in with.

Goons and henchmen, gang members, homeless folks or even Gothamites who couldn't afford better health treatment.

Dr.Leslie would treat them all, saving most of their lives in the process. Those who paid were welcome. Those who couldn't afford it were also welcome.

******

A small screen at the corner of her office was playing the evening news.

"...and in a shocking twist of events, Metropolis own Billionaire Lex Luthor, is running for president. Luthor..."

"Bang! bang!"

The news was interrupted by a loud knock.

Someone was at the backdoor.

Dr.Leslie looked up from where she was going through medical reports, removing her glasses and wiping them on her black dress..

"What is it now?"

The white haired 50 year old woman grumbled, getting up from her seat.

Her steps made little noise as she left her office, closing the door behind her.

"Lena?"

She called out to her assistant, "Man the counter. I might be busy in a second."

Dr.Leslie instructed, rinsing her hands in the sink before wearing her doctor's coat.

"Okay Dr.Leslie."

Lena, a brown skinned young woman answered from the front of the clinic.

Another loud and impatient knock sounded out.

"So impatient."

Dr.Leslie shook her head, her bob of white hair following the motion.

"I said I'm coming."

She cleared the distance to the back exit and without even checking to see who it was, she opened the door.

A cold breeze buffeted her, ruffling her clothes and hair just as a lightning strike from the sky illuminated the large figure infront of her.

Green scales, a face only a mother could love and hard yellow eyes devoid of any traces of kindness met her own.

Killer Croc. But to her he was,

"Waylon."

Dr.Leslie muttered, a little surprised to see the usually elusive reptilian man before her.

While Killer Croc was one of Batman's most dangerous foes, what most didn't know was that Waylon wanted to be left alone.

Any shenanigans he was caught up in was either because someone else, usually one of the other Rogue's gallery, had pulled him in or he had no choice.

"Dr.Leslie... I need your help. I hope it's not a bad time."

Killer Croc said, his deep voice rumbling softly.

Raindrops pelted his body. The dark trench coat he wore was soaked in and so were the rest of his clothes.

'He must have walked here while it was still raining,' she suspected.

Dr.Leslie was universally loved and accepted. Even Killer Croc had been on the receiving end of her kindness and care.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"No, it's not."

The doctor replied with a small smile.

"I was just about to have dinner. Care to join me?"

"Food? That sounds so good. I could eat an entire whale."

A different voice stated. Male.

And it came from Croc's back.

Following that, was a stomach rumble that wouldn't be out of place in a cartoon.

That's when Dr.Leslie noticed the figure Waylon was carrying over his shoulder. A human bundle.

She also noticed the suspicious green jelly-like collar on Killer Croc's neck.

Now, Dr.Leslie was anything but dumb. She had lived in Gotham for many years. She had a sense for these things.

Something was off. But despite that, she was also not someone prone to jumping to conclusions.

"Who's your friend?"

She inquired from Killer Croc, studying the Mutated former Soldier's expression.

A look of rage flashed across Croc's face before it was quickly gone.

Immediately, Dr.Leslie was put on high alert. She narrowed her eyes. Something was definitely up.

Before Croc could answer, the stranger took the initiative, patting Croc on the shoulder.

"Let me down, you big oaf. We've already arrived and contrary to what you might think... your back ain't comfortable."

Croc complied while grinding his teeth.

He lowered his body slightly so that the stranger landed unsteadily on the ground. Their feet barely managing to keep them upright.

A groan escaped them.

The doctor took that opportunity to study the stranger.

A boy?

Dressed in a stained blue t-shirt and similarly dirty shorts, his physique and face could only belong to a teenager.

Maybe 17 or 18. Not more than 19.

Although he was tall for his age. And lean muscled too.

So, not someone new to physical activities.

He was also breathing harshly and seemed to be favoring his left shoulder, holding the right as if in pain.

'He's injured.'

Dr.Leslie observed.

The boy walked forward, approaching her while doing his best not to sway on his feet.

The flickering light above the back door illuminated more of his features.

Brown skinned, black hair... Latino descent. But it was his eyes that gave her pause.

Dr.Leslie found herself unknowingly backing up a step. Those eyes were colder than ice. Even as he smiled genially at her.

The smile did not reach his eyes. It was the fakest thing she had ever seen.

"Sorry for the intrusion Doctor."

His voice was steady.

"But Croc here said you were the only one in Gotham who could treat me without asking a bunch of questions."

The boy said, thrusting out a bloody hand for her to shake.

'Doesn't he notice the blood on his palm?'

The doctor thought in surprise.

'Or maybe he does but just doesn't care.'

"The name's Holl."

The boy introduced himself.

Dr.Leslie swallowed, a resolute look appearing on her face.

"Yes. I can treat you. But you will have to answer a few of my questions first."

She gave an ultimatum.

Holl stared at her for a few more seconds. Then he dropped his hand, losing the smile on his face.

He turned to Killer Croc.

"I thought you told me she wouldn't be a nuisance?"

Croc said nothing, the only reaction he gave was the slight trembling of his body.

He couldn't met Dr.Leslie's gaze, instead opting to look away.

The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.

Dr.Leslie secretly reached into her doctor's coat, palming a small buzzer like device.

All she had to do was press it and then-

"Oh well."

Holl gave a one shouldered shrug.

A green jello shot out of his hand hand, landing on Dr.Leslie's neck before she could react and press the buzzer.

"Freeze."

Holl said with a sigh. Dr.Leslie found her body movements locked in place.

On her neck was the same jelly like collar that Killer Croc had.

"I don't have time for this."

Holl said, stopping right before her immobilized form.

This close and her nose prickled at the stench of rotten garbage and sewer water coming off him.

Icy eyes met her own.

"Treat my injuries and I'll be out of you hair okay? I promise to be on my best behavior."

Dr.Leslie found herself nodding without wanting to. She tried to say something but her jaw was clamped shut, her voice locked in her throat.

So she settled for a hateful glare.

Holl's smile increased at the expression.

"And before you think of sabotaging my treatment, remember the Hippocratic oath, Doctor."

He leaned in close to her ear, voice hardening.

"But most importantly, remember who's in control. With that collar own, you're mine to command. I can make you slit your own throat. Understand?"

Her eyes widened. Then she jerked her head in a nod.

"Good."

Holl said,

"Now lead the way Doctor."

Turning on her heel, Doctor Leslie did as she was told.

"Guard the door." Holl instructed his first pet, while staring at the Doctor's retreating back.

"If anything suspicious happens, get me and let's bail."

The teen stepped through the door, closing the door behind him with a click.

(Bat-cave)

Robin's fingers flew across the console.

He was pouring through the city's surveillance system, trying to track down the bastard who had put Barbs in the hospital.

He couldn't let him get away with it. Barbara had already suffered enough.

"You haven't taken a break since we came from patrol."

A voice reached his ears from behind.

Stephanie. Otherwise known as Spoiler, also his girlfriend.

"Yeah? So, Neither as Batman. He's out there looking for the Joker and his goons. Someone needs to find this guy."

Tim Drake, Batman's third Robin told her.

He out of all his other Proteges had a knack for detective work. In that field he was Batman's best student.

Spoiler sighed, removing the hood of her costume to reveal a gorgeous face with blue eyes, full lips and a sharp chin. Strands of blonde hair fell across her face.

She walked forward and wrapped her hands around Tim.

"I know."

She said, softly Kissing him on the neck.

"And if there's anyone who can find him, it's you. I'm here if you need any help."

Tim went bright red as a tomato.

"Ah...thanks Steph."

Spoiler giggled at how flustered he got.

"Actually, there is something..."

Robin cleared his throat, getting back to work.

He pointed at a section on the map of Gotham displayed on the Batcomputer.

"This section of East End... doesn't have street cameras. But I can triangulate the surveillance footage on the outskirts and create a sort of net our target cannot escape from. We will find him if he's there."

"Okay. What do you need me to do?"

Stephanie agreed.

"I believe he must have escaped through the tunnels during the commotion. I need you to check out a few places he might be hiding. There's a few abandoned buildings across Alleytown and Crime Alley. He couldn't have gotten far. Not after taking an explosion like that."

Stephanie nodded with determination, pulling her hood up.

"I'll use my bike. Gimme 5 minutes and I'll be on the scene."

"Steph, wait up."

Tim called after her.

"Take Cassie with you. She's been cooped up in the mansion for too long."

Stephanie frowned.

"You think Bruce will be fine with that?"

Tim nodded.

"Yeah, Dick talked to him. He's fine as long as one of us is with her. Oh and be careful,"

He added in a serious tone.

"This guy...I have a feeling he's not like the rest."

Spoiler smiled underneath her face mask.

"Don't worry, between Cassie and I, there's nothing we can't handle."