Jimmy McIntyre was pacing up and down in his Watchtower quarters. "Severely beat up, jobless, and cornered into testifying against a bunch that makes Al Capone look like an altar boy…," he thought anxiously.

He sat down on his bed and absent-mindedly flipped channels on his quarters’ TV set. "At least I won’t be bored, and I could hardly ask for better protection than surrounded by an entire compliment of Justice Leaguers…it’s the after part that worries me."

He turned to the small table and poured himself a cup of coffee. "No booze up here, but plenty of food and drink; coffee’s good … and that Doctor that looked me over was kind of cute!" He then shrugged thinking of the curt way Dr Wilder had dealt with him. "No love loss for the paparazzi." He sighed.

As the door to his quarters opened, he turned to look. "Now there’s the last person I expected to see out here!" McIntyre said.

In the doorway stood Clark Kent. "This isn’t a professional visit," Clark said, "Superman asked me to check up on you as a personal favour." He entered and stared at McIntyre, arms crossed.

McIntyre took a sip of coffee, looking up at Clark. "Don’t give me that judgemental look Kent," He said, "Every part of my body hurts and I’m hung over."

"My heart bleeds." Clark replied, a disgusted look on his face. "Don’t expect any sympathy from me because you’ll get none." They stared at each other for a moment. McIntyre said nothing, taking another sip from his cup of coffee.

"Superman told me that Batman said he’d have a chat with Bruce Wayne if you played ball and testified;" Clark said, "and that he’d drop the libel charges against you and press charges against the editors of the Clarion instead; even see if he can’t get you a job with Wayne media." Clark shook his head in disbelief.

He adjusted his glasses and continued, "Let me be perfectly clear: I don’t like you. Your irresponsible journalism has strained relationships, ended marriages, cost jobs and damaged reputations. You say the Clarion editors have ties to organised crime, if that is true, you would finally be doing something good for the first time in your life. Don’t drop the ball."

McIntyre gave Clark an empty, tired look.

"You’ve made it painfully obvious that you couldn’t care less what happens to me," McIntyre said, "Perhaps I deserve it and then some. However, from my point of view, even if in the best-case scenario the editor in chief and his goons go to prison, I will still be a marked man, living in borrowed time. So unless that promised job with Wayne Media includes extensive plastic surgery to change my face and erase my finger prints …you may just get your wish and have one less paparazzi to deal with."

McIntyre looked down, ignoring both Clark and the television set.

"Believe me; you got it easy at the Daily Planet. The Clarion editors are hell bent on dirt, sensationalism and are quite ruthless is obtaining it, fact accuracy be damned. If we as journalists don’t deliver…" McIntyre pointed at his swollen, bruised face.

Clark nodded. Using his super hearing, he noted no increase in heart rate; McIntyre had been quite truthful to him. "Get some rest McIntyre. It is safe to assume that Mr. Wayne should be hearing back from his lawyers soon, and that they will want to have a long chat with you. You can address your concerns to them."

Clark turned and left. "And now I’m sympathising with that weasel." He thought. He looked around and saw nobody in sight. He proceeded with a super speed costume change, becoming Superman once more.

"I’ll wait a few more hours, allow Bruce and the gang to catch more sleep and then I’ll get in touch with him. More than meets the eye with the Gotham City Clarion." He thought. His personal communicator began chiming. He smiled.

"Hi Lois!" He said.

"Hello Clark …is it okay to call you Clark while you’re still on duty?" She asked.

"As long as you don’t call me ‘Small Ville,’" He said with a grin. She laughed.

"I miss you, your being Superman has kept us apart again," she said with a sigh.

"I know Lois, I miss you too. I promise I’ll make it up to you." He said, with a subtle smile.

"I know," she said, Superman visualizing the teasing grin on her face, "and I always look forward to that!" She paused. "How about…you make it up to me with a picnic in Paris?"

"I don’t need telescopic vision to see that teasing smile Lois my Love!" He thought.

"You got it," He said. "Complete with Champagne and that chocolate mousse you’re so fond of."

"Was that a promise Mr. Kal-El?" She said.

"It was Mrs Kent!" He said, grinning. She hated it when he called her that.

"Is there any chance of spending a few hours with my husband when his Sentry shift is over?" She asked.

"Definitely," He said, "I believe Martian Manhunter is due back any moment now, I just wanted to have an off-the-record word with our favourite paparazzi James McIntyre before I’m done."

"Yes," Lois said, "I read the trash the Clarion printed on Dick, Kori, Joey and Shayera. I also saw the press conference held by Bruce Wayne’s attorney. He spoke of a special character witness that would put the Clarion out of business for good."

"Yep, said witness being Mac himself." Superman said. "Can’t go into details with you I fear, but suffice it to say the sewers of Metropolis and of Gotham City have rats that are cleaner than the owners of the Clarion."

"That bad huh?" Lois said, "I figured that if Bruce was going after that rag with the big guns there was more to it than a simple libel suit."

"Originally, that’s all it was…but I just saw Macintyre: he was severely battered and bruised. This is why Bruce is offering him a plea bargain. With his testimony, there is a better chance to put these rats in a cage where they belong."

"See you in a bit then? And don’t forget: you still owe me a picnic in Paris!" Lois said.

"See you in a bit, and don’t worry: a promise is a promise!" He said.

He heard her giggle. "I can’t wait! Love you!" She said.

"I love you too!" He replied.

He clipped his personal communicator back on his belt, smiling.

Back on the cruise ship, Shayera was the first one to wake up. She stretched letting out a satisfied moan: McIntyre was out of their hair, and they slept in – "11 am? I missed sunrise again," She thought, with a bit of disappointment, "Too late for breakfast, too early for lunch … though I’m sure Joey would enjoy the brunch buffet!" She smiled at the thought.

She touched his face, which he had shaven the previous night to slip into his Reverend Justice suit. She caressed his cheek, gently brushed his chin with her fingertips and ran her fingers through his hair.

He awoke, also letting out a moan, with a smile on his face. "Sweetheart, you can wake me up like this any time!" He said, smiling. They kissed.

"Hungry?" She asked.

"You bet, how about you?" He said.

"Ravenous!" She answered, smiling.

They dressed and headed to the buffet, holding hands. On their way, they walked past a pair of dreary looking fellows – tall, crew cuts, unshaven, wearing tattered jeans and football sweaters.

Shayera looked at Joey, and recognized the ‘deep in thought’ expression on his face. "Joey, we’re on vacation!" she said, smiling, letting go of his hand and wrapping her arms around his right arm.

"What, I didn’t say anything!" Joey said, giving her an amused smile.

"You have that ‘deep thought’ look on your face again!" She said, giving his arm a gentle squeeze. "What’s bothering you?"

"Those two Altar boys we just passed? They were wearing Gotham Varsity football sweaters." Joey said.

"So what," she said, "your current place of residence is also in Gotham City, Dick Grayson has lived there for many years, and since I sleep at your place most nights that pretty much makes me a Gotham resident as well. We’re all here on the same Cruise; what’s so suspect about them wearing Gotham Varsity sweaters?" Shayera asked.

"Just a gut feeling Sh-Sheryl," Joey said, catching himself before calling her Shayera.

"Just last night, Jimmy McIntyre- paparazzi from Gotham City - was severely beaten by a pair of goons working for his former employers at the Clarion. We all assumed said goons had left the ship…what if they never left, and faxed the story back to the Clarion?" Joey said, giving Shayera a perplexed look.

Shayera looked at him gape mouthed. "You’re right, the thought never occurred to me either!" She said.

"We were all short of sleep last night." Joey said, smiling. "Agreed we’re on vacation, but," He whispered in Shayera’s ear "Like Batman would say: we better keep our eyes open."

His whispers sent shivers down her spine. Giving his right arm a gentle tug, they stopped walking, and she kissed him passionately, fogging up her prop glasses. They paused to catch their breath looking into each other’s eyes, an amused expression of surprise on their faces.

"Brunch?" She said, gasping.

"Yeah!" He replied, also gasping. She took his hand and they entered the dining room.

Back at Wayne Manor, Bruce and Diana were enjoying breakfast at about the same time Joey and Shayera were waking up. Alfred walked up to them.

"Master Bruce, Mister Silverman on the phone for you." He said, handing a cordless phone to Bruce.

"Thank you Alfred." Bruce said, taking the call. "Kevin? How does the case look thus far?"

"Pretty standard Bruce: the Clarion Lawyers intend to treat this like a standard ‘right to freedom of press’, and deny any wrong doing as far as Jimmy McIntyre’s assault. They claim McIntyre resigned on his own accord, and would not comment when told McIntyre was in protective custody. If you ask me, the case rests on Mac’s testimony. I just hope he doesn’t chicken out at the last minute." Silverman said.

"Anything McIntyre needs – including a new identity if that’s what it takes – he’s got it, on my coin," Bruce said. "He’s currently in an undisclosed location, protected by the Justice League. When would you like to interview him?"

"This after-noon would be good, 2 pm perhaps?" Silverman said.

"You got it; I’ll get in touch with Batman, to arrange a transport for you, talk to you later Kevin." Bruce said. He handed the cordless phone back to Alfred. "Thank you Alfred."

"So now it all rests on that awful man’s testimony I take it?" Diana asked.

"I keep forgetting about your enhanced sense of hearing," Bruce said, with a grin, "Yes, it would seem our favourite paparazzo is the key element of this case; if we can guarantee his safety, he’ll play ball."

"I certainly hope so Bruce," Diana said, smiling at him, "As Justice Leaguers we’ve all been targeted by a tabloid at some point. Mostly benign stuff, but still, taking down the Clarion would be poetic justice as it were!"

He kissed her. Alfred returned with the cordless phone, clearing his throat to get their attention. They chuckled.

"Pardon my intrusion, but this call is for Miss Diana, from the Themysciran Embassy." Alfred said.

Diana rolled her eyes and sighed. "First day off duty and the new Ambassador already needs my services as a consultant, thanks Alfred!" She took the phone.

"Yes Deanna? Slow down my sister, what?" Diana shook her head, smiling, looking at Bruce.

"Deanna, you know protocol better than I do. You are the Ambassador now, in fact, you are a far better diplomat than I ever was. Yes my sister, I mean it!" Diana paused, rolling her eyes again and smiled at Bruce.

"Simply let your secretary know you’re very much aware of protocol, but that he needs to respect your right to prayer, the very same way he did when I was Ambassador. You are to expect no less." Diana was repressing an urge to giggle.

"Very well my sister, you will do fine." She hung up and handed the phone back to Alfred. "Thanks Alfred!"

Alfred took the phone with a courteous bow, and then took it back to the living room.

Diana laughed good-heartedly. Looking at Bruce, she said, "She’ll have to learn to settle internal disputes on her own and not always rely on me to settle them for her."

She smiled and said, "Where were we again? Oh, yes!" Putting her hands on Bruce’s cheeks, she resumed kissing him.

Elsewhere in Gotham City, Tim and Cassandra had insisted to take Barbara Gordon out, and treat her for breakfast. She had put up a fuss at first, but had to agree with Tim when he said, "You’re spending too much time indoors Barb, it’s not healthy for you. Come with us, you deserve to be spoiled a bit."

Therefore, with Alfred’s complicity, Tim had borrowed one of Bruce’s cars – the BMW convertible – and took both Barb and Cassandra out for breakfast.

"I didn’t realize François’ Bistro served breakfast." Barbara said.

"They certainly do, my Dad used to eat here all the time." Tim said, his expression saddening briefly.

They all sat at a table at the terrace. Tim gallantly wheeled Barbara’s chair to her place, and then pulled the chair for Cassandra; resulting in a kiss from both young ladies. Tim blushed, and sat down.

"Such a gentleman," Barbara said, with a wink, "Your boyfriend’s one of the good ones Cass!"

Tim shrugged and smiled. Cassandra reached for Tim’s hand, "Oh yes, I’m lucky girl!" She said, smiling.

"The way I see it, I’m the lucky one!" Tim said, smiling, looking into Cassandra’s eyes.

Cassandra pulled Tim closer to her and kissed him.

"And he knows how to talk to a girl! Cass, don’t you dare lose him!" Barbara said, smiling.

Their waiter walked up to their table with menus. "Hello, my name is Jean-René and I shall be your waiter this morning. If you need anything do not hesitate to ask." He said.

"Including your phone number?" Barbara asked, looking at him flirtatiously.

Tim and Cassandra looked at each other in shock, and then both gave Barbara a quizzical glance.

Jean-René smiled and replied, "Perhaps after breakfast if Madame still wishes? I shall give you a few minutes to decide what you feel like ordering." He walked inside.

Cassandra looked at Barbara in disbelief, "Barb? What was that all about?" She said.

Tim repressed a chuckle, and mustered, "First time out in a while…my, you don’t waste any time do you?"

Barbara laughed. "Hey, why should you guys have all the fun? Jean-René is cute, and doesn’t seem to be put off by the wheel chair. Besides, there’s no hurt in a bit of innocent flirting!" She looked at Tim and Cassandra with a smile.

Tim smiled, giving Cassandra’s hand a gentle squeeze. After all, Barbara was right: why should they be the ones to have all the fun?

Their waiter, Jean-René, returned with a pitcher of water and three glasses. He discreetly gave Barbara a piece of paper with his phone number on it, but not discreetly enough for Tim or Cassandra not to notice.

Jean-René gave Barbara a subtle smile and she winked at him. He returned inside as he could see they were still choosing from the menus. Barbara read the note, smiled and entered the phone number in her Palm Pilot.

"Oh yes, Barbie-girl’s still got it!" She said with a grin, returning her Palm Pilot in her purse. Seeing the puzzled expression on Tim and Cassandra’s faces, she laughed good-heartedly.

"Didn’t think I had it in me did you?" She asked.

"Don’t get me wrong Barb, but you’re usually all business!" Tim said.

"Yes," Cassandra said, "the girls nearly had to twist your arm to go to Girls Poker Night at Joey’s apartment; same thing this morning…like you don’t want to have fun, but when you get started…"

"Like you need time to warm up," Tim said.

"Yes that’s it!" Cassandra said, smiling.

"And once you are warmed up you’re the life of the party!" Tim said, with a teasing smile on his face.

"Guilty as charged," Barbara said, with a sheepish expression. "Like you said Tim: staying walled in isn’t healthy for me, what’s healthy is to get out there, meet new people, and have some fun! Poker night was pretty cool too!"

She smiled, remembering the expression on Joey’s face when he realized Shayera had decided to use his apartment for Poker night…and how he took it in stride.

"I have to admit Joey showed a lot of patience, considering he didn’t know we were using his apartment!" She said. Tim and Cassandra chuckled.

Jean-René returned to take their order.

On the Cruise ship, Joey and Shayera had arrived at the brunch buffet. They saw Kori and Dick at a table, Kori waving to come join them. They took their plates and sat with them.

"I am so happy you have gotten here my friends," Kori said, "Dick has been booty all morning."

Joey and Shayera gave her a curious frown.

Dick indeed was looking rather morose. He smiled and said, "Broody, she means I’ve been broody all morning." He chuckled a bit and kissed her. She put a hand on his shoulder, looking at him with concern.

"I was paged by the Blüdhaven PD earlier this morning. You have a gift for premonition Joey; it would seem I need to find a new ‘occupation’."

"All over that dirt rag article? That stinks!" Shayera asked.

Dick shrugged. "The Blüdhaven PD had cleaned up quite a bit; most of the bad elements had been found and removed. My job as it were was pretty much done, but all the same, I would have appreciated being able to leave on my own terms." Dick looked up, still looking a bit depressed.

Kori moved closer to him, putting her arm across his shoulders. He smiled at her.

With a smile, Joey said in a low voice, "Could be worse: your cover’s changed from under cover Cop to philanthropist millionaire, kind of like Bruce. Cop wins the lottery and becomes do-gooder playboy…I’m jealous!"

Dick gave Joey a gape-mouthed look and chuckled good-heartedly. "I never thought of it that way!" He said.

Kori gently turned Dick face towards her and kissed him. "You see? I told you things were working out for the best!" She said.

Shayera smiled and patted Joey on the lap, and then took a sip of coffee. Her expression changed as she looked at the door.

"Our two Altar boys are back again Joey." She said.

"I see them, and the Nikons around their necks. Looks like my hunch was right, of all of the stupid times to be right…" Joey said.

"Anything we should know?" Dick asked.

"Joey’s having another one of his gut-feelings," Shayera said. "What if the two goons who beat McIntyre up had never left the ship?"

"The day after he gets beat-up, those two Altar boys show up out of nowhere, both of them wearing Gotham Varsity sweaters," Joey said, "and now they just happen to show up as we’re having brunch, with high-tech cameras. And I can bet you it’s only a matter of time until the harassment starts again."

"If you’re right, that means I have them to blame for getting fired from the Blüdhaven Police force." Dick said.

"Dick my love, I thought we agreed things had worked out for the best!" Kori said, once more looking quite concerned.

He smiled at her. "No worries Kori, I’m just going to have a bit of fun …" he picked up his empty coffee cup. Raising an eyebrow, he asked Joey, "I need a refill, how about you?"

Joey picked up of his empty cup and said, "Lead the way!"

Shayera and Kori looked at them curiously.

"I’m afraid to ask what they’re up to." Shayera said.

"Something tells me we are about to find out!" Kori said.

Dick and Joey walked passed the two photographers, heading for the Coffee bar.

"Yep, I saw Clarion tags on their sweaters, Bruno Taft and Rick Marcus. It’s no proof they beat up Mac-boy, but I don’t think their being here is a coincidence either." Dick said, filling his cup. "Follow my lead; we’re going to mess with them." Dick was smiling profusely.

Joey also filled his cup. The two goon photographers were filling up their plates. As they turned around, Dick and Joey "accidentally" collided with them, spilling their coffees on the cameras, sending food flying all over the place. Dick mumbled something to them, and they left.

They returned to their table, Shayera and Kori were laughing to tears. Dick and Joey gave each other a high-five before sitting down.

"What did you say to them after caffeinating their cameras Dick?" Kori asked, wiping her eyes with a napkin.

"Nice headline last night Bruno, it cost me my job." Dick said.

"They then gave us a good look and decided it would be a better idea to return to their cabin." Joey said.

"Perhaps we should advise Bruce and the gang?" Kori said, "Somehow those two may impact the whole label suit."

"That’s libel Kori!" Dick said, giggling. Kori gave his arm a playful swat.

"I agree with her," Shayera said, "And since it would seem our vacation will be constantly interrupted anyway, we might as well take a more direct approach…did you two bring your suits too?" She asked.

"We did," Dick said, "But we need to be careful not to blow those covers either" he added, leaning forward to whisper at them.

"Then let’s keep that as a last resort." Joey said, "In the mean time, we definitely should advise Bruce and Barbara …I think they’ll take care of advising all of our friends.

Dick looked at Kori apologetically "Some vacation this turned out to be huh? I’m sorry it turned out this way."

"Do not be silly Dick; this was not your doing. Besides, I find that cat and mouse game rather exciting!" Kori said, looking lovingly in his eyes.

"You make a good point there Kori," Shayera said, "yes the whole situation is aggravating, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find a certain level of excitement in all of this!"

Joey and Dick gave each other a puzzled look. Almost in unison, they said, "Women," rewarding them both with a gentle punch in the arm by their respective girlfriend.

"We could do a bit of reconnaissance," Shayera said, "find out where Taft and Marcus’ cabins are, and do a bit of fact finding. Vacationing knowing two more Clarion journalists are on board isn’t exactly relaxing."

"Though you do find it rather exciting…I’m shutting up now!" Joey said trying to avoid another punch in the arm. Shayera gave him a feigned annoyed look, but then held his face in one hand and puckered him up. She kissed him.

"And you can shut me up like this any time you like!" Joey said, Dick, Kori and Shayera laughing heartily.

"Sheryl makes a valid point," Dick said

"See, he gets it right without hesitation!" Shayera said, giving Joey a teasing look, Kori still laughing.

"Show off!" Joey mumbled.

Dick chuckled and continued, "While we shouldn’t wear our suits, we could still use our communicators, two of us could keep tabs on them while the other two could go fact finding. The minute our two cockroaches decide to return to their cabins, the two tailing them give the two fact finders a heads up."

"I see you’ve done that before!" Joey said.

"That I have, too many times my friend!" Dick said. "Now how about we grab some brunch gang?"

At about the same time Dick and Joey had wrecked the paparazzi Nikons with their coffee, Superman had updated Batman of his findings.

"I’ll be darned if I didn’t start feeling sorry for McIntyre," He said, "His pulse was nice and steady throughout our little chat - he was either being truthful or he’s a very good liar. He is genuinely terrified of what may happen to him if he does testify."

"Thanks Superman. My Attorney will be requesting a standard security protocol transport to interview McIntyre, which I will arrange for him, around 2 this after-noon. As I told my Attorney: anything McIntyre needs to play ball, he’s got it." Batman said.

"Very good Batman; any updates from our friends on vacation?" Superman said.

"None so far, but I hope for their sake that’s the end of it: this hasn’t turned out to be much of a vacation!" Batman said, with a sigh. "Last time I play travel agent!"

"Wait Batman, incoming communication…it’s Joey’s Justice League Communicator!" Superman said, "I’ll try to conference the call …here goes!"

"Batman, Superman, do you copy?" Joey asked.

"Loud and clear Joey, don’t tell me you have more bad news?" Batman said.

"Just a few updates …as feared, Dick’s cover as a Cop has been severely compromised, and we may have a lead on the two goons who beat up McIntyre and ran the story for the Clarion: Bruno Taft and Rick Marcus." Joey said.

"Never heard about those two before," Superman said, "I’ll get a hold of Lois, ask her what she knows."

"I’ll do the same with Oracle," Batman said, "Tell Shayera, Dick and Kori I’ll make it up to all of you, as far as vacations go that one’s pretty much a bust."

Joey chuckled. "I’ll relay the message, though our fair ladies seem to find the whole cat and mouse routine exciting."

Superman and Batman both chimed in "Women!"

"Keep all comm. Lines open Joey, just in case." Batman said.

"Will do, we might do some recon of our own and keep you posted; Lucas out." Joey said.

"I’ll try to page Oracle in the meantime, while you see what Lois knows about Bruno Taft and Rick Marcus." Batman said.

"Right away Batman, Superman out." Superman said.

At François’ Bistro, Barbara, Tim and Cassandra were finishing breakfast and sharing stories when Barbara’s pager chimed.

"Oh boy, it looks like business-business again!" Barbara sighed, picking up her pager. "It’s Bruce…" she redialled Bruce’s personal cell.

"Yes Bruce what’s up? Oh, Tim and Cass are treating me for breakfast! Sure thing Bruce, I’ll get right on it! Yes Bruce, as soon as we’re done with breakfast!" She rolled her eyes. Tim and Cassandra could not repress a giggle.

"Like my own father’s nagging is not enough to deal with on a given day!" She said, and then looking at Cassandra and Tim, she added, "Stop laughing you two!"

Tim shrugged, his upper body shaking from laughter, while Cassandra was trying in vain to hide her laughter behind her napkin.

"I-I t-think y-you sh-should finish breakfast then Barb!" Tim said, giggling.

Barbara jokingly threw her napkin at Tim and began giggling too.

"Jean-René my dear, could you please bring us the cheque?" Barbara asked, drawing another pair of shocked looks from Tim and Cassandra.

"I…over here Jean-René, I’ll take the cheque," Tim said, "Breakfast’s on me!"

Cassandra kissed Tim on his left cheek while Barbara kissed his right cheek. Tim blushed, and said, "Man, there is a heaven!"

Cassandra hugged him. "That’s right Cass; hold on to him, he’s a sweet one!" Barbara said.

Much later, a conference call involving Batman, Superman, Oracle, Joey, Shayera, Dick and Kori occurred.

"Okay, we’re all on line, are you in a place where you can talk guys?" Batman asked.

"We’ve converged at Dick and Kori’s cabin Batman," Joey said.

"And I’ve put up a scrambling field; no-one can eves-drop." Dick said.

"Tim and Cass are here with me. I’ve found some interesting news about Taft and Marcus." Oracle said.

"Very well, Superman has joined me at the Bat cave. Wonder Woman’s on call at the Themysciran Embassy right now-some foreign dignitary who would only deal with her – but we can share notes. Superman, what have you found?" Batman said.

"Lois has found nothing under the names Taft or Marcus; however she did find photos matching their descriptions. If those are the same guys, they’ve done time in Metropolis 5 years ago for a botched Bank robbery, under the aliases Sid and Marty Karlsen." Superman said.

"That’s only the tip of the iceberg," Oracle added, "Their rap sheet is a mile long. Until the Clarion hired them under the names Bruno Taft and Rick Marcus, they had already done time for theft and aggravated assault under many aliases, mostly as hired muscle for various minor Mobsters." Oracle paused.

"Speaking of which, I have also done a sweep of the Gotham police records. As it turns out, my father has a special task force investigating the heir apparent to boss Falcone’s operations, Jimmy Zucko; nephew of the same Boss Zucko who was behind the death of Dick’s parents." Barbara paused, wondering if revealing that last piece of information was such a good idea.

"One of the many money laundering businesses Zucko has a hand in happens to be the Clarion. Agreed he makes sure he’s in the clear of any wrong doing; but if we could shut the Clarion down; we’d help Gotham PD deliver a crippling blow to organised crime for sure." Oracle concluded.

"Great Krypton, now I understand why McIntyre was so terrified when I spoke to him! He wasn’t exaggerating when he said he may need facial surgery and his fingerprints erased!" Superman said.

"If that’s what it takes, he’s got it." Batman said. "My attorney has gotten key information from McIntyre. Sure enough, his demands included a new identity, address and place of employment – I did promise him a job if he played ball – and I’ve given my attorney the green light."

"Hard to believe a few days ago we wanted to beat the little cockroach ourselves," Shayera said, "Now we need to protect him so justice can be served!"

"To top it all, we now have Bruno Taft and Rick Marcus to worry about," Kori said, "bigger, stronger and with a criminal background… I have a feeling they will be more fun than Mr. McIntyre was!"

Dick, Joey and Shayera laughed.

"What pray tell do you find so funny?" Batman said.

"Just an inside joke Batman," Shayera said, "while McIntyre was annoying we did have some fun frustrating him. Dick and Joey had a bit of fun earlier with Taft and Marcus: spilling hot coffee on their brand new Nikons!"

"All the same, keep your eyes open." Batman said. "With the impeding law suit against the Clarion, we can expect them to follow up with an even worse headline. In addition, those two can rough neck unlike Mac-boy. You can handle them I know; but doing so might blow your covers as Nightwing, Starfire, Hawkgirl or Reverend Justice; so use discretion when dealing with those two goons."

"Dick, tell him about your idea!" Joey said.

"Well, if we could figure out which cabins they’re in, we could keep tabs on them with bugs and micro cams – Joey and I do have our gadget arrays!" Dick said.

"Just one moment," Oracle said, "I’ve downloaded the passenger roster; they’re in cabins E-14 and E-16 Dick."

"Thanks Oracle," Dick said, "Can a patch-through be setup to the Watchtower and Titan Tower in case we do need backup?"

"Absolutely," Oracle said, "Just let me know the frequency band of the bugs and micro cams and I will patch the signal through to both the Watchtower and Titan Tower from right here."

"Good work Oracle," Batman said, "Any idea how you will bug the cabins?"

"No worries Batman, Kori and I will keep our two Goons distracted!" Shayera said cryptically.

"Do I want to know?" Superman said.

"Let us say Sh-Sheryl and I have put together a little swimsuit show that will keep the two paparazzi quite busy snapping pictures!" Kori said, also almost letting Shayera slip.

"We’ll be like sun bathing sisters!" Shayera said, her voice betraying her grin.

Batman and Superman looked at each other with a smirk. Indeed, with her wings in Shayera almost looked like Kori’s twin.

"Keep us advised of your findings," Batman said, "I think we can adjourn."

In Dick and Kori’s cabin, they began preparations. Joey was pacing nervously, counting the bugs and micro cams in his fanny pack repeatedly.

"Joey what’s wrong?" Shayera asked. "I’ve never seen you this anxious before a mission!"

Joey shook his head, "I’m just being silly, don’t worry…but the thought of you and Kori putting on that little bikini show, for the benefit of those two slime-ball paparazzi…it disturbs me. I am worried some of those photos make their way back to the Clarion’s pressroom. And what if some other pervert catches the whole thing on tape?"

"You’re too cute when you worry about me!" Shayera said. She puckered him up and kissed him.

"I just don’t want a new headline stating you’ve become Kori’s lesbian lover is all!" Joey said, smiling sweetly.

"And no worries about anyone else getting their jollies over it," Dick said, "Oracle has tapped into all of the security cameras on this ship. Anyone with a camcorder or even a digital camera anywhere near Kori and Shayera –oops, I mean Sheryl, will end up with blank tape and smart cards … we’ll get to them one way or another."

Kori suddenly grabbed Dick by wrapping her arms around his torso and planted a passionate kiss on him. Dick gave her a surprised look, while gasping.

"What," Kori said, "Are we not also allowed to kiss?"

Dick chuckled and returned her kiss. Joey and Shayera also giggled.

"Okay," Dick said, "Are you guys ready? Let’s do this!"

They headed out. Kori and Sharera were dressed in bikinis and had a towel draped across their shoulders. Kori was carrying a beach bag with sun tanning lotion in her left hand. Unseen to the beholders were the compact communicators in their right ears.

"We’ll buzz you as soon as we’re done." Dick said. "You know what to do then?"

"Oh yes!" Shayera said.

"I am looking forward to the conclusion of it!" Kori said.

The four of them stepped on the upper deck. "Targets acquired!" Joey mumbled. As they walked, Taft and Marcus noticed them, a replacement set of Nikons strapped around their necks.

They tried to act aloof but were not doing a good job of it. "Think they noticed the pretty girls Joey?" Dick asked.

Joey chuckled, "Those two goofs couldn’t act subtly if it saved their lives! Oh yeah, they’re following us!" Joey said, looking from a small rear view mirror on the inside of his shades.

They made it to the tanning mats. Loud enough to be heard, Dick said,

"Okay girls, have fun, we’ll see you in about an hour!"

Dick and Joey walked away as Kori and Shayera lay down on their mats.

"Would you like some lotion Sheryl?" Kori asked.

"Please, I burn so easily!" Shayera replied, loud enough for the paparazzi to hear, pulling the straps from her bikini top down, keeping her breasts covered.

"Allow me!" Kori said, pouring lotion in her hands, and sensuously rubbing it on Shayera’s skin.

Shayera whispered "That’s it Kori, let’s give those perverts a show they won’t forget!"

"It makes me happy I am in a committed relationship, some men are true pigs." Kori whispered back.

Shayera snickered a bit. "Oh yes, but that makes them that much easier to manipulate! Can you hear those Nikons whirling? I just can’t wait for the boys to tell us we can give them theirs." She whispered.

"Now Sheryl, let me do your back!" Kori said aloud, once more pouring lotion in her hands and repeating her sensuous rubdown.

"Come on guys, hurry up!" Kori whispered in her communicator.

Shayera turned around putting her bikini top straps back up and said, "Okay Kori, your turn!"

Kori lay down on her mat, moving her shoulder straps aside, also keeping her breasts covered, as Shayera poured some tanning lotion in her hands.

As the girls were keeping the paparazzi amused, Dick and Joey were bugging Taft & Marcus’ cabins.

"All done here Joey, I’ve even added a tracking device to Taft’s fanny pack." Dick said.

"Just one last tweak here and Mr Marcus will fully understand the concept of invasion of privacy…there, all done!" Joey said.

"We’re done girls, enjoy a bit of retribution!" Dick said.

Kori and Shayera smiled.

"Say boys?" Shayera said to Taft and Marcus, as Kori was putting her shoulder straps back up. Both girls had a sensuous smile on their faces as they walked towards the photographers.

"Enjoyed the show?" Kori said. Taft and Marcus smiled uneasily as the two attractive redheads moved closer to them. Their smiles quickly faded as a wave of pain coursed through their lower bodies.

Shayera and Kori had grabbed onto the men’s belts with their right hands, giving them sharp, painful wedgies. With their left hands, they grabbed onto the cameras and threw them overboard.

"You are a pair of perverts!" Kori said, with a look of disgust on her face.

"Just you try and write an editorial on this!" Shayera said, with an angry look on her face.

"A girl cannot have one moment’s peace; or enjoy sunbathing away from prying eyes!" Kori said, theatrically.

"You were just seen by fellow sunbathing passengers sexually harassing us. Wouldn’t every one here agree that their unauthorised taking photos of us while sunbathing qualify as sexual harassment?" Shayera said, raising her voice, which resulted in a resounding

"Yes!" from the other women who were sunbathing on deck.

"Care to press your luck gentlemen, and I do use the term loosely?" Kori said, frowning.

Taft and Marcus painfully limped back to their respective cabins.

Kori and Shayera gave each other a high five to applause from the onlookers.

"We have retribution gentlemen!" Shayera said in her communicator.

"Good," Dick said, "Let’s meet at our cabin; we’ll get the uplink with Oracle."

The picked up their towels and beach bag, "As Diana would say: ‘shall we my sister?’" Shayera said, offering her arm to Kori.

"By all means my dear sister, let us proceed!" Kori replied, taking Shayera’s arm in a comical uppity manner.

Giggling, they walked back to Dick and Kori’s cabin.

End of episode 4