Summary: The Joker notices something tragically beautiful within Rachel Dawes. She has the Batman's trust, Harvey Dent's hope and perhaps, more. What game does the Joker ignite now?
Author's Note:
Warning: The Dark Knight spoilers ahead
I suppose the setting is presumably before the Dark Knight, but after Batman Begins; it really doesn't matter since this is some fanfic inspired by the movie, but if you were curious, the setting is somewhere around there. (Not much help, I know.) My biggest concern is whether the characters were still in character; brilliantly portrayed in Nolan's movies and perspective, and I sure cross my fingers that I keep them precisely the same. Lastly, I hope the readers- bluntly put, you, enjoy the read.
The Bleak Escapade
She threw the heavy coat onto the floor.
The trails of her clothing start from the front door finishing beside her bathtub in the second bathroom. She's now fully bare, liberated from the grave garments that chained her from the winter cold. Lastly, as she enters the bathtub carefully, she pulls out a pin from her hair and releases the long locks to fall against her shoulders and waist.
The water begins to fall, meeting at her brown hair, against her face, and down to the body that remained numb from the violent winds. A scene suddenly flashes across her mind- the thoughts of all the murderers, rapists, thieves that manage to crawl out in front of her very eyes back into the so called society of the innocence. She gently coughs as she turns the knobs that cause the hot water to pour, steam forming alongside her pale skin.
No water was hot enough to wash away her guilt.
"Alfred," Her chapped lips greeted and met into a smile. "Is Bruce home?"
"Ah," The tall man smiled back and began to walk away slowly. "Come in, it's bitter outside."
Rachel nodded to herself and took a seat nearby the kitchen. This was the kitchen she often ran into when Bruce chased her while they were …children. She chuckled at the thought and studied the details Bruce managed to catch before it was all burnt down because of his- drunkenness.
"Rachel." A familiar voice came from the corner, a man she's been expecting. She stood up as Bruce entered the kitchen and smiled at her with his infamous beam. Rachel simply smiled back, meeting his eyes with sincerity.
"Alfred, would you fix Rachel and I some breakfast?"
"No, I'm fine Alfred, I already-"
"Let me guess Rachel, a cup of coffee?"
Rachel's friendly smile instantly turned into a glare and she shot at Bruce with full power, only to be laughed at.
"That's not very nutritious, Ms. Dawes," Alfred replied and walked into the stove in grace. "Scrambled, am I right?"
Rachel nodded in her empathic eyes and took her seat near the counter as she sighed.
"I'm surprised you managed to escape the district law office." Bruce spoke casually while he took a seat beside her.
"I was surprised myself." Rachel murmured.
"What was that?"
"Nothing. I just wondered what Bruce Wayne does in the morning."
Bruce chuckled and took a sip of his coffee that Alfred had freshly poured, tilting his head simultaneously.
"I thought Rachel Dawes was a busy woman."
"That I am, no doubt about it."
"Then what brings you here, Rachel?"
"I told you Bruce- I wanted to know what-"
"If you need my help, all you have to do is tell me Rachel. You know this."
Bruce watched the brunette gently close her eyes as her hands wrapped around her coffee mug, absorbing the warmth to her skin. She was always a pretty face, doll like eyes that mesmerized you with beautiful cheekbones peeking out high, her mouth was usually plump and full but from the winter, it seems, remained chapped and dry this morning- but nonetheless Bruce always remembered her as the prettiest thing he's ever seen.
Alfred moved in and set up the dishes in front of them, placing down toast and butter to start with. Rachel still remained silent and Bruce waited. Something he never really enjoyed doing, but found himself doing it best, and at that, always, he waited.
"Thank you Alfred." Bruce thought he'd clear the silence and bring Rachel back into this dimension and she gently shivered, taking the cup to her lips with her smile towards Alfred.
"Will you promise me this, then?" Rachel whispered, taking her cup down.
Bruce acted to give her barely any attention and gently grunted with the toast full in his mouth.
"That you won't …do anything until I let you know when."
Bruce looked at her indifferently and finally came to a small smirk. He swallowed with the help of his coffee.
"I am a busy man, Rachel."
She rolled her brilliant eyes and nodded, taking a bite of her toast also.
Alfred served their breakfast, and walked over to the right cupboard for more plates.
"I noticed a man," She started and Bruce had hoped for a better beginning. "a man with, a scar across his mouth, I don't know, it looks like some kind of wound, and he's always there in my trials, in the courtroom,"
Bruce watched her tentatively.
"I started noticing this several weeks ago, and I held a few trials then. I know it's too rough of a number to assume things but the," She faked a smile. "the funny thing is, the last two trials that I've, lost, he looks at me and smirks- it's not anything friendly, Bruce, it's something threatening and daunting."
Bruce held her hands instinctively, something he was just used to doing when Rachel looked rather frightened.
"I think you're stressed, burdened, and lifeless," He tried to sound optimistic. "You need to rest, allow some sleep in you. It's the winter Rachel, we both know you detest the cold. I'm relieved you walked in here with your two feet-"
"Bruce, I'm physically fine." She let the firm grip calm her.
"Mentally? I'm having my doubts. Look, find out his name. But in my perspective, he just wants your number with his cocky smirks." Bruce simultaneously smirked and Rachel laughed.
"Will you stay?"
His voice was so suddenly sincere, looking at her watching him in rather surprise. He had a knack for getting people when they were so perfectly vulnerable to his attack.
"I have work and getting adjusted to a new boss is like you said, too stressful. If I'm any more late he might-"
"You're already late anyways."
"You need to stop cutting me off, Mr. Wayne. I'll come back for dinner tonight?"
Bruce smiled then, and that expression said it all. He'd won and he was satisfied.
"Great. Do I need to make reservations?" He was teasing her now.
"I prefer Alfred's cooking, thank you very much. No place in town that you don't own, Bruce, that much I know."
"I don't own many, many places Rachel. That I am ashamed of."
She raised a delicate eyebrow but finished her breakfast and took the last sip of her strong coffee.
"I don't seem to own a place in your heart."
She choked and coughed roughly, igniting Bruce's hearty laugh she hadn't heard for so long. Alfred came to the rescue and offered her a cup of water, and she chugged it down violently. Rachel completely ignored Bruce's apologies and spoke directly to Alfred only as she got ready to leave.
"Thank you for the breakfast, it was delicious- I'll be looking forward to dinner then, Alfred."
"My pleasure, Rachel. It's always good having you, like old, grand times."
"You always make it better." She smiled and found herself now standing in front of the Wayne mansion's main entrance.
"Sure, I'm nothing but the owner here." Bruce finally composed himself and joined their conversation, grabbing his car keys casually.
"I don't need a ride, Bruce, don't push it."
Bruce raised his hands defensively and chuckled. He walked over to her when she gave up her glaring and lightly held her in his arms, Alfred taking his leave to clean up the kitchen.
"I'll see you tonight. Remember, he just wants your number."
She chuckled and found the peace to remain in his embrace, the one place she knew she'd be safe in.
"Bye Bruce."
Then Rachel left, remembering that the sign-up for the campaign would start today.
Author's Note: Short chapter filled with Bruce and Rachel goodness. Next chapter should introduce Harvey Dent and Rachel's just-starting-relationship. Our most hopeful character, the Joker, should reveal himself soon enough- so no worries. I hope you enjoyed and please read & review!
A big thanks to my beta, like always(:
Rane the Beta-Reader (aka NightlyHalo): uh…I've never watched Dark Knight, but I've watched Batman Returns…so, if there's any mistakes in character I apologize :3 It's mostly due to the fact that I usually beta her other yaoi fics and I'm not used to batman. I hope it's not obvious in my beta-ing :D