"Difficult evening last night sir?", Alfred asked. He already knew the answer. It had been on the news. Batman was able to free the hostages, but Two-Face escaped once again. "A bit", Bruce whispered. Alfred looked at his face and realized today would be another down day. The rift with Dick was taking its toll. Two-Face was only a part of the problem. "Any word from Dick?", Bruce asked, as he did every morning. "I'm afraid not sir." "I see"

"Are you injured sir?", Alfred asked he noticed some wincing. "Nothing that needs attention", Bruce said, and remained quiet. Alfred figured it was time for a distraction. "I did some checking into the Mendleson situation sir." "Really, what did you find?" "It appears the impromptu retirement in seclusion was quite a popular choice within Gotham's elite this year. Eight others have done the same." "That sounds suspicious"

"I should say sir" "See if you can cross reference all eight, look for any common components" "I already took the liberty sir.", Alfred said. Bruce often forgot the level of detective Alfred had become. "Excellent, what did you find", Bruce asked, slightly embarrassed at his underestimation of Alfred's initiative. "All eight were seeing the same therapist." "I see. That must be our link. Try to get the therapist's name", Bruce said.

"Again, I took the liberty sir", Alfred said, amused that Bruce would never learn. "Who is he?", Bruce asked, annoyed that he couldn't learn. "She sir. Dr. Chase Meredith" "I don't know that name" "Did you get a list of her patients?" "I have been unable to sir. I am not the computer wizard that master Dick was unfortunately." "I'll call Barbara, have her hack into Meredith's files", Bruce told his trusty servant.

Meanwhile Dr. Meredith did some research of her own. She devoured the files on Batman. He was obviously genius level intelligence. He was in perfect physical shape. His determination and self drive were bar none. Unfortunately that meant his will power would be as well. His romantic information was unavailable, since his true identity was unknown. He had tangled with a villain named Catwoman a few years ago though. The paparazzi was all over their relationship. The had been allegations of the two of them becoming romantic. One photographer even managed to

snap a photo of them kissing. There was eventually a big battle and another villain named the Penguin killed Catwoman. The story was old, but it did prove that Batman was available to love, or lust. Gordon's assistant had compiled every news paper clipping from every story the Gotham Globe did on Batman. He had overcome every villain he had faced. It took him a while sometimes though. He would often lose the first battle. Come close on the second. Eventually capturing the villain on the third or fourth encounter. This reaffirmed the

validity of Chase's original strategy. She had to strike first and strike hard. He would be unfamiliar with her at first. He would try to study her, find her weaknesses. She couldn't let him get to that point. She had to hit him hard right off the bat. This played into her method of induction as well. She wouldn't be able to use a progressive relaxation type of system. She had to overpower his will using only the sheer force of her own, combined with the distracting qualities of her overwhelming sexuality. It would also have to be a two part induction, first taking Batman, then

Chase had been thinking a lot about that seperation between Batman and his alter ego. There was something empowering about becoming someone else. It sort of helped free you of inhibitions. She figured it may not even be bad for her. She was basically a criminal now. Why not have some fun with it? Besides, Batman is so used to fighting the "super villian" type that it might give her an edge. What if she called herself Lady Hypno, or Hypnotia, or Mesmera? Mesmera, that had a ring to it. Chase smiled to herself. It was silly, but it was

"Yeah, I'm sure I can find it. I'll just hack into her server's mainframe and see what I can get.", Barbara said. "Call me tomorrow with the information", Bruce said coldly. "Yeah, ok, bye", she said though he had already hung up. She was delighted as she galloped through the halls of Gotham University. She wondered if Bruce would ever start relying on her, or even involving her. This was her big chance to prove that she could be a member of the team. Without Dick Bruce needed a partner.

Chase was waiting in Gordon's office when he returned from his dinner break. It was Wednesday night, and he always stayed late on Wednesday nights. It gave him a chance to catch up with the week. Tonight, however, it would afford him a chance to serve his Mistress. "Hello Jimmy", Chase said. "Dr. Meredith, what a wonderful surprise! What can I do for you?" "I want you to help me enslave Batman, will you do that for me?" "Certainly Dr. Meredith", Gordon replied happily. "Excellent. Let's go up to that big bright signal of yours. Also, Jimmy, from now on you can refer to me as .. Mesmera", Chase told him. "Of course Mesmera", Gordon responded. That was the first time she heard the name out loud. It definitely had a good flow to it. Gotham city had just found itself a new supervillian!

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