Chapter 11: Singing 'Conquest' While Kneeling

Barbara furrowed her brow, clearly trying to work through the question. Jack Kadere watched her with amusement, his arm slung lazily around Harley Quinn. Grinning, he leaned in and gave Harley a kiss on the cheek. She blinked in surprise, then smiled and leaned into his chest.

Barbara, on the other hand, was thoroughly thrown off.

"What's so funny?" she snapped. "What's the real answer?"

Jack laughed. "If you get the chance, you should ask the Riddler. Though he might spend so long overthinking it, you'd never get an answer. Or better yet—get a boyfriend. You'll figure it out eventually."

Before Barbara could retort, Jack raised a hand.

"Next question: Out of all 365 days in a year, what day are men most afraid of?"

Barbara blinked. Another riddle? It didn't seem like a trap, but his tone made her wary. She mulled it over. Valentine's Day? Too obvious. April 15th—Tax Day? Maybe, but too specific. Halloween? That's more fun than scary for adults. It could've been anything, but the more she thought about it, the less sure she felt.

"I give up," she said flatly.

Jack grinned. "And for the ladies—same deal. Out of 365 days, what day are women most afraid of?"

That caught her off guard. As a woman, this should've been easy. Barbara's mind jumped to the obvious: her period. That could be it, right? But… saying it aloud in front of him? Her cheeks flushed at the thought. Still, Jack looked at her expectantly, amused.

"…The day her period starts?" she said hesitantly.

"Wrong again!" Jack smirked. "Zero for three."

Barbara groaned in frustration.

"If you were behind the wheel," Jack added with mock sympathy, "you'd be driving a bus full of kindergartners—blindfolded."

"Ask another one!" she shot back. "I can get it!"

Jack leaned forward. "Barbara, a pretty face is common. But a sharp, entertaining mind? Rare. Sadly, you've failed both categories." Then, with a chuckle, he added, "But you did entertain me for a bit, so… I'll reward you with a chance."

He turned to Harley. "Didn't we find a camera last week?"

Harley hopped up immediately, catching on.

Barbara's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing?" she asked warily. Jack's earlier mention of taking compromising photos suddenly resurfaced in her mind.

Harley returned with the camera, standing beside Jack like an assistant on a set. Jack motioned toward Barbara. "Come here."

She hesitated, but then reluctantly stepped forward.

Thud!

Without warning, Jack kicked her leg out from under her. Barbara let out a sharp breath as she dropped to her knees. She glared up at him, furious—but froze as he leaned down and tugged off her mask, revealing her face in full view.

"Tell me something, Gordon," Jack said with a casual smile. "You speak any other languages?"

Barbara clenched her fists. "What kind of question is that?"

"Just answer."

"…I studied some French and Mandarin in school. Why?"

Jack's smile widened. "Good. I'm going to sing a line, and you're going to repeat it back. If you sing it properly, I'll consider helping you take down Bane. Fair trade."

Barbara stared at him, baffled. Was he serious?

Jack cleared his throat and sang, "Finally, you found a way to bring me to my knees…"

His voice was surprisingly good.

Barbara blinked. She wasn't expecting that.

"One more time," Jack said, watching her. "Your turn."

Barbara gritted her teeth and repeated the line. It wasn't fluent, but she hit the notes.

They continued, Jack singing each line in a soft, melodic tone:

"Just like that, I was conquered by you… Every path of escape cut off… My resolve unshaken, yet my thoughts in disarray…"

When Jack reached the line, "Just like that, I was conquered by you, drinking poison from your hands…", Barbara's expression shifted. She finally understood what this was.

It wasn't just a song—it was mockery.

Jack smiled innocently. "Come on. Sing it."

Furious, Barbara bit her lip and did. One line at a time, taught and repeated. Before long, she could sing it start to finish.

"Make sure you get this shot," Jack said to Harley, gesturing to adjust the frame. "It's not every day Gotham's police commissioner's daughter and Batman's apprentice kneels down and sings about being conquered."

He struck a pose and gave Barbara a look that practically screamed you hate me, but you need me. Barbara closed her eyes, steeling herself, and sang the entire song—kneeling, maskless, cheeks flushed with shame.

As soon as the last line left her lips, she lunged forward and snatched her mask back, shoving it over her face.

"You'd better keep your word, Kadere," she growled. "Help us take down Bane—or I swear, I'll make you regret ever meeting me."

Jack took the camera from Harley and replayed the footage. Batgirl, in full costume but unmasked, kneeling and singing—her voice steady but loaded with rage. A part of him admired her resolve.

"Shame there wasn't any backing music," he said casually, powering off the camera. "When are you planning to strike?"

"I'll contact you when the time comes." Barbara turned away and walked to the door, fists clenched tight.

She paused just long enough to consider dropping a smoke pellet—but then remembered Jack's mocking remark from before. With a huff, she raised her grappling hook, fired it at the roof, and zipped out into the fading twilight.