Chapter Text
Greg sat down with a huff. There were some days where he just got lost in the music and gave it everything he had, like tonight. He found it hard to catch his breath on nights like tonight.
He grabbed his phone from the nearby table. He had two messages: one from his mother and one on his extra line. Greg decided to ignore the second in favor of the first for a moment. He clicked on the text from his mother.
“I left the extra key in the barn, in Thundering Hoof’s tack, if you decide to come back tonight. I noticed that you forgot your key when you rushed off.”
He smiled and clicked out of the message. Usually he would reply, but he knew his mother was probably in bed already. He would just thank her tomorrow.
Next, he opened the text on his other line. “You’re needed as soon as you get this. Meet me at the Gotham Police Department.”
“Can’t catch a break anytime can I?” He sighed.
Greg Saunders was in Gotham for this particular concert. He had been invited to Bruce Wayne’s mansion for a drink after the concert, but it looked like he would have to push that back. His Justice League duties took priority. He hated to do it to the billionaire. The man was nice. All the people here were, but Bruce Wayne was probably the main reason he kept coming back.
It was nothing against Gotham’s people, but the city itself did something to him. All the darkness, rain, and fog made him anxious. If he stayed long enough, it put him in a depressive state that he couldn’t get out of for maybe a week – if he was lucky. Last time he was here he stayed for an entire week. When he got home, he had no desire to do anything but sleep. He had pushed through because he still had a farm and Justice League duties to attend to, but it was hard and more than one person pointed out that he didn’t seem to be himself. He did his best to leave Gotham after two days ever since.
Would he be able to keep to that this time? Highly unlikely, since he was actively working with the League. Missions usually took a while if they involved Gotham.
Vigilante pulled his motorcycle up to the curb in front of the police department. He dismounted and headed inside as quickly as he could.
“I’m here ta see Batman,” he told the officer at the front desk.
The officer looked him up and down. “Uh-huh.” He pressed a button on the intercom. “Batman’s guest is here, Commissioner Gordon.”
“I’ll be right down.”
“Take a seat,” the officer told Vigilante, motioning to some chairs that lined the walls behind him.
Vigilante took a step back. Was this for real? He took an awkward step toward the chairs. When was the last time he had such an awkward interaction in Gotham? And “Batman’s guest”? Sure, he wasn’t from around these parts. He wasn’t Batman’s guest though. Maybe employee, maybe work acquaintance, but not guest.
Before Vigilante had a chance to sit down, one of the doors on either side of the front desk opened. A man with a red mustache – some gray mixed in there, too – and red hair was looking at Vigilante. He continued to hold the door as he stepped aside. “Batman is up in my office.”
He nodded. The door shut behind him and the other man – Commissioner Gordon. He had met Commissioner Gordon at one of Mr. Wayne’s galas. Of course, that was as Greg Saunders. Vigilante and Gordon weren’t acquainted.
“I’m Commissioner Jim Gordon,” the redhead introduced himself as they walked. He didn’t turn and offer his hand, but that was alright.
“Pleasure ta meet ya,” Vigilante tipped his hat. “Vigilante at yer service. Mind tellin’ me what’s got y’all’s attention this fine night?”
“Batman said you would be in the area. We have someone who needs to go into protective custody, but he insisted that it was a League matter and that he would call someone in from the League to assist us while he does his investigation.”
“Ah, well. Glad he thinks highly enough o’ my skills ta ask me.”
“I’m just glad you were able to make it here so quickly. My officers will be at your disposal as well, but there is only so much we can do when supervillains are involved. I’m big enough to admit that.”
“I’m sure y’all’d do a mighty fine job. At least you’ve had trainin’. I ain’t even got that, ‘sides what we do every now ‘n’ then.”
“You might not have training, but you have experience dealing with supervillains. My officers do as well, but Batman thinks more highly of the League than he does of some of my men.”
“I’m right sure he respects y’all and the work ya put inta keepin’ Gotham safe.”
Commissioner Gordon didn’t get a chance to reply to Vigilante’s comment, as they arrived at his office just after.
Batman caught Vigilante’s eye first. He was standing almost in the middle of the room. His cape was draped around his shoulders and covered his entire body. His eyes were narrowed at the cowboy.
“What took you so long? Your previous engagement ended nearly an hour ago,” the Bat asked in his trademark gravelly voice.
“What’re ya talkin’ ‘bout? I came as soon as I could, like ya told me.”
The next thing to catch Vigilante’s eye was the lady sitting in a chair, facing him. Her arms were resting on the back of the chair with her chin resting on those. She looked a little bored.
“I assume Commissioner Gordon filled you in?”
Commissioner Gordon leaned against the desk.
“Yessir,” Vigilante replied, pulling his eyes away from the lady. “So, who is it that needs our protectin’?”
“You will be protecting Harley Quinn.”
Vigilante looked between Batman and Harley Quinn. “I’m confused.”
“Harley Quinn has information pertaining to a global threat, which means villains will be after her and we can’t trust her to The Joker either. I need you to keep an eye on her while I follow up on the information she provided.”
Harley looked at Batman, pointing at Vigilante. “I’m gonna hang out with him?”
“Yes.”
She clapped. “Oh fun!” Turning to him, she added, “Do you like westerns?”
He looked down at his costume, then back at her. A giant smile grew under his bandana. “Darlin’, what do ya think?”
“You two will need a place to stay while I perform my investigation,” Batman interrupted.
“Why not with Brucie?!” Harley perked up, excited by her own recommendation.
Commissioner Gordon shook his head. “We are not dragging a citizen of Gotham into this. It is too dangerous, and it is my duty to protect the people of Gotham.”
Batman looked at Gordon. “I am sure Mister Wayne would appreciate the sentiment, but he has already informed me that his door is always open to Harley Quinn. Besides, Vigilante will be there to protect him if someone decides to go after Harley.”
Gordon shook his head. He clearly didn’t approve, but Vigilante had a feeling that Batman was going to win this argument. While Gordon called Wayne Manor, Vigilante decided to strike up a conversation with Harley.
“What’re yer thoughts on Mr. Clint Eastwood?”
“Oh he’s nice,” Harley said absentmindedly, “I prefer John Wayne, personally.”
“Well, he does have some good films.”
“Oh! I do have one favorite movie with Clint Eastwood, but it isn’t really a western-western.”
“Let’s hear it!”
“You ever seen Space Cowboys? It has my all-time favorite actor too.”
“I’m guessin’ Tommy Lee Jones is the favorite?” He smirked under his bandana.
“You’ve seen it!” She squealed. “Brucie has a copy.”
“Sounds like we done decided on the first movie we’re gonna watch!”
Her face lit up. “I think I’m gonna like you. Batsy never watches movies with me, it’s always ‘Don’t do crime anymore’ or ‘Why don’t you go back to your job instead of crime.’ It’s so boring. We could be friends if he’d stop lecturing me! I’m sure he likes some movie.”
Vigilante cast a glance over to where Batman and Gordon were now having a hushed conversation. He leaned in closer to Harley. Keeping a close eye on them, he whispered, “This is confidential now, but, couple o’ weeks ago, Batman actually watched The Good, the Bad, an’ the Ugly with me after a mission.” He stood up and laughed. “He’s still like any 8-year-old boy at heart. Never met a boy who didn’t like cowboys an’ Indians.”
Harley covered her mouth, lighting up with barely contained joy. She didn’t even know what to say. Finally she asked, “How did you manage that?” A hint of awe in her voice.
He laughed again. “Well now, I didn’t really do nothin’.”
“Tell me everything!”
“Okay, okay.” He relayed to her the entire story: About how he had been handpicked by Batman for a mission so that he could babysit these two old men who likely wanted to kill each other. The whole time there was this threat of some weird magic. He had seen something that made him think of the classic Clint Eastwood film and that made him want to watch the movie again after the mission was over.
He told her how he tried to get his teammates – Batman, Shining Knight, and another man named Jason Blood – to come watch it with him. None of them had taken him up on his offer. They all left him standing on the street outside of Gotham University, alone. Well, he went back to the Watchtower and decided to watch the movie by himself. He made popcorn and he was sitting down, getting ready to play it, when two of his teammates joined him, then Batman joined them.
It was a great time. Batman was as stoic as ever, but he could’ve sworn he saw the Dark Knight smile at least twice. That bit of information caused Harley Quinn to become even more giddy.
And then their fun came to an end.
“Mister Wayne’s butler, Alfred Pennyworth, said it was alright for us to bring Harley there,” Batman said, he and Commissioner Gordon turning to look at the two. “Harley Quinn will ride with me, assuming you brought your motorcycle, Vigilante?”
“That is a correct assumption.”
“You have a motorcycle?” Harley asked. She shook her head. “Tsk tsk. Momma says those things are dangerous.” Her eyes light up. “But aren’t they fun!”
Vig laughed. “Darlin’, when ya grow up ridin’ horses an’ fightin’ crime, a motorcycle’s as dangerous as a walk in the park.” He tilted his hat with a wink.
Harley jumped to her feet, knowing Batman wanted to go. “A walk in the park’s just as dangerous as fighting crime anymore. Just ask Jimmy.”
Batman followed the jester out. Vigilante nodded to the commissioner. “Commissioner Gordon.”
Gordon gave a curt nod in reply, then Vigilante followed the two Gothamites out onto the streets.