Disclaimer: I do not own Batman, only the OC's.
A/N: I had this idea for a while. It's going to be a bit slow.
Chapter One
"Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good; try to use ordinary situations."
- Jean Paul Richter
Newspaper clippings and scraps of paper scribbled with trigonometric equations laid spread across the table as Rene clicked away on the laptop. She tried to stifle a yawn as she stared at a list of potential job postings, hoping to find any other openings for an engineer position. It has been three months since she and her husband, Daniel, had moved to Gotham City. A cough interrupted her thoughts. Daniel shuffled into the kitchen.
"Maybe I should surprise you with a little chemistry set or a rocket kit," he mumbled as he walked over to the stove to boil some water. "How is it that you are able to work on some random equations this early in the morning."
"Maybe I should surprise you with a Suan pan. It keeps the brain sharp," Rene teased, while keeping her attention to the screen. "Anyways, I'm just trying to revise my resume better without exaggerating or making up false information."
"You shouldn't stress so much, it's not good for the both of you."
Rene placed her hand on her mid-section where her shirt fell folds around it and glanced down before placing her attention back to the screen. She was already a few months pregnant.
"Well, I'm planning to apply to Wayne Enterprises and have been sent a 'thank you for applying' letter from other places four times in a row; just add that to the list of things that make me stressed!" She replied.
She took another quick glance at one of the pile of newspapers with headlines describing another crime that had occurred in the city. Remembering about a past incident that had happened to Gotham City before they had arrived, an outbreak, explosion, or some other event had occurred leading the place into hysteria.
Ever since he received a position working at Gotham National Bank, (which both of them did not discover until later, was rumored to be operated by the mob as well as the suspicious increase in the number of banks being robbed), Rene was feeling increasingly more and more worried. She still could not understand why he had accepted. Or why he thought it was a chance to live somewhere different. She did not like the big city nor did she want to move to one. Why couldn't they move to Princeton or Pennington instead? Even though it would be expensive, at least the crime rates are low in those places, there would be better chances of finding decent schools for their child, and it would be safe to walk around at night . She didn't want to leave behind family and friends. The rent and bills took up most of Daniel's paycheck and she thought if she was hired, they both would be able to pool their income, and pay off their loans. They would also be able to pay a down payment towards a house outside the city.
After moving into the apartment in mid-town Gotham, there was still the usual car-jacking or break-in around the area, even though their apartment was devoid of indulgences, decorations, and frills. They did not bring too much with them during the move. The only thing with essence in the apartment from the insistence of both of their families was a small figurine of the Guan Yin set up near the corner on top of a small bookcase.
"Just apply and see what happens. I'm sure Henry and Amber will put in a good word for you." He said, still believing that knowing anyone in a workplace could raise a person's chances.
"I doubt that it will change anything." She responded, believing that it works if someone is in a higher position at the workplace.
Both Henry and Amber Zhou were some of the few college friends of theirs that they still kept in touch with years after they graduated and both have gotten married. They both worked at Wayne Enterprises. Henry worked in the archives, where he deals with maintaining the integrity of the company and Amber worked in the IT department. The both of them were hired right after graduate school and had worked there for a few years now. Henry said that it was a pretty relaxed environment, while Amber mentioned that only remained true if one can work through the systems crashing every now and again. They both warned Rene to make sure she applied to the correct department, not a secretary job. It had something to do with many female applicants and the fierce competition for the position.
"You should go out more, go to the park, while you still have time on your hands." Daniel suggested.
She gave him a nauseated look. Before she could make a reply, Daniel continued.
"Not everyone you talk to is going to turn out to be a vicious criminal. I don't think you are going to get robbed by a group of elderly ladies. Maybe you'll make some new friends."
"Hmph, so how's work going so far?" she replied, while rolling her eyes, remembering how tense he had seemed after coming home from work. She was interested in knowing the answer, even though he usually just avoided answering that question; only giving vague comments.
Daniel stiffened and paused for a brief second before he responded. That did not escape Rene's attention.
"It's fine and I get along well with my colleagues."
"I see. I'm surprise you are able to get along with that manager, he seems shifty. Are you sure everything is okay?"
"Yeah, everything is fine. No need to go into details about it. Don't be so judgmental." He then crouched down and leaned his head on to her stomach and began to sing quietly.
"...让我慢慢的靠近你
Let me slowly move closer to you.
伸出双手你还有我
Extend out your two hands and I will do the same.
给你我的幻想我的祝福
Giving you my daydreams and my blessings
生命阳光最温暧
The sunlight of life is most warm.
不要问我太阳有多高
Don't ask me how high the sun is.
我会告诉你我有多真
I will tell you how sincere I am.
不要问我星星有几颗
Don't ask me how many stars there are.
我会告诉你很多 很多
I will tell you that there are so many... so many..."
It was a daily routine that started when Rene informed Daniel that she was pregnant, he would do before leaving for work. After the song was finished he kept his head against her stomach. "Don't cause too much trouble for your mommy." He cooed. He stood up and adjusted his tie.
"Hey, is that last night's egg tarts and ice cream or is our waistline expanding?" Raising his eyebrows and placing his hand once again on to her growing middle.
"Ha. Funny, Dan, I guess you'll be sleeping alone," she said, rolling her eyes slightly with a hand on her hip, but the corners of her mouth turned up into a smile that reached her eyes, causing them to crinkle at the corners. "Anyways, time to finish polishing up my resume."
"And maybe it's time to reconsider your work plans? It wouldn't be so bad to wait until after the baby is born and about a year old or so, to go back to work."
"Sure, after all those years of hard work to earn my degree and then my only mental exercise would be over whether should I feed our bundle of joy with plain congee or wonton skin when its older," she replied, her eyes continued to light up and her whole face showed the amusement of the moment.
"I'm serious. It's only a few months until your due date."
"I'm serious too. About finding a job." Crossing her arms she continued. "Look I'm not doing any type of heavy labor, I'll most likely be working at a desk. It'll be fine. Besides, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to reconsider you working at that bank."
He nodded rather than to push the subject anymore and gathered his bag while Rene went back to finish where she left off. Before he went towards the door, he spoke up.
"While you are out dropping off the resume, let's meet for lunch."
"Sure."
"我愛你." He then gave her a quick peck on the lips.
"我也愛你."
"I'll see you later then."
"Later."
"I can do this; I can do this, just drop it off and leave." Standing in front of the building, Rene could not help but stare in wonder. Taking in a deep breath to calm herself down before walking inside, did not help much, but made her feel more nervous. Pushing pass the glass doors, she looked around, people dressed in business suits walked by with purpose. She felt slightly out of place wearing one of Daniel's button down shirt and his sweater with her khakis, since her blouses no longer fit, she refused to buy maternity clothing which were only a few extra inches of fabric more than regular clothing and at almost double the price. Slowly and hesitantly she walked towards the front desk. The receptionist stared at her with a smug look in her eyes and a sneer on her lips. It was the look of disgust and irritation. "Just drop off the resume and….run out towards the door." She thought to herself.
"May I help you?" asked the receptionist.
"Hello, my name is Rene Qiao, I'm here to drop off my resume." She stated, while fumbling through her messenger bag and taking out the portfolio and handling it towards the woman. "It's spelled without the extra e at th-"
"That's nice to know," the receptionist said impatiently and tapping her fingers on the desk.
The receptionist received it in her manicured fingers, and, without another glance, just dropped it on the side of desk.
"You'll receive a call if you are hired, however, I wouldn't get my hopes up," gesturing towards Rene's shabbily plain state of dress and bringing attention to her pricey suit. "I figure there are other secretaries whose work experience is more extensive than yours."
The receptionist continued to stare disdainfully at her state of dress and continued to comment, "You ought to pay more attention to your clothes. This place is a multinational conglomerates that has achieve excellence across a wide range of divisions. What you are wearing is not good enough."
"Did…did she just…how rude." Biting back her tongue, she was not sure if she should say something back or just leave and cry in frustration. Finally, deciding on the former.
"Well, Miss…" taking a quick peek at her name tag. "Miss Jones, it is true that I am still learning, but I am not entirely lacking in, as you say, experience. Besides, I don't think my qualifications in engineering would fit with working as a secretary. I have taken the necessary background training for my profession. I don't think secretaries need to understand formulas such as mass Cr x specific heat Cr x ∆T = ∆T (mass water x specific heat water +heat capacity Cal), now do they?"
Before Rene turned to leave she continued.
"Excuse me if I made an impression that I was applying to be some errand boy. I am interested in a position in the applied sciences department. Anyways, I actually spend my time doing work that I hope benefits the community, I don't have time to play dress up. Have a nice day." The receptionist stared with her smirk fading in astonishment at Rene.
As she walked toward the doors with bag clenched tightly to her side. Her eyes were fixed on to the floor, kept her from noticing another person stepping in, and nearly bumped into them. She almost lost her balance as she tried to sidestep to the right. She took a quick glance at the man wearing a suit and rushed off before the man could reply, mumbling ''sorry'' as she left.
The man, relaxed and quick walked passed the front desk, with his head held high, his arms swayed simultaneously, back and forth moving towards the elevators.
The receptionist quickly looked up to greet the man. "Good afternoon, Mr. Wayne."
After leaving the building, she let out a huge sigh. "Oh, now I am very sure I will not get the job at all." Thinking to herself in defeat as she walked to go meet with Daniel. "Maybe they'll overlook my pertness and rudeness…or not." She gazed at the buildings while she went by, stared at the parked cars in the street and wondered if it was even safe to leave it there. Noticing one of the cars had tinted windows, although the window was lowered slightly enough for a hand with a tattoo that had a symbol or logo that resembled a cat head combined with a lizard and a flame to appear. It did look a bit scribbly. The tattooed person flicked out a cigarette, meaning that there was some live people in the car or at least one. Rene wondered if it would still be called carjacking even if there were someone inside the car. She did manage to catch a short glimpse of the person in the car as she passed; she was curious who would wear such a weird design permanently inked into their skin.
As she kept walking, she saw Daniel on the other side of the street as he turned out from the corner and when he caught her eye they both smiled. She started to walk a little faster as he carefully crossed the street. However, she noticed the same car with the tinted windows speed past her towards Daniel. He did not see the car racing towards him at high speed before it was too late. She thought she heard the impact and afterwards the car drove away quickly. Rene felt her heart drop and started to sprint as quickly as she could in her pregnant state. "No, no, no! Please, it can't be, it can't be…let it be a trick of the light or something, a mistake…" "Daniel, Dan, Daniel…" Tears were starting to form and threatened to stream from her eyes. She forced herself through the gathering crowd, hearing someone shout for an ambulance. She wept in shock as she stared at Daniel lying there. She did not notice people around her shaking her and shouting incomprehensible things, all she remembered hearing was screaming around her. She did not realize that it was hers.
A/N: If you reached the end of this chapter, thank you for taking the time to read it.
-This is my first time attempting to write a fanfic, so I'll try my best.
-Many thanks to Midnight Whistles for proofreading/editing my story!
-Please rate and review. Thanks.
-The characters that the two say to each other is:
"I love you / I love you too"
Revised: 07/22/14