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"Set the World On Fire"

Preface

Thunder clouds loomed high in the sky over an ashen city of despair and death. The broken and hopeless wonder the streets while the rich and mighty look on with condescending eyes from their pedestals. Tear stains mark the faces of many children as they wonder where their dark knight has gone. Worry and strain mar the faces of many hard working people who lost everything to a monster. One man in particular stands rigid in the rain staring down at a newly marked grave of the woman he held dearest to him while his trusty butler holds an umbrella above his head, giving him silent support. It had been ten long harsh months since the Joker's short reign over Gotham but many still suffered the ramifications of that monster.

With the Batman now an outlaw for supposedly murdering Gotham's white knight, Harvey Dent, all had lost hope for the redemption of this city. The only ray of light in the city was the newly appointed DA, a sharp minded, quick witted young woman by the name of Randy McGavin. Many of the bitter thought her ignorant and naive to believe that she could make a difference in the heavily corrupt legal system. While others saw fit to warn her as to what happened to the last DA that tried to do right which only served to make her more determined to succeed. A young woman living in Gotham that still believed it could be saved was becoming a rarity especially since the disappearance of the Dark Knight. Surprisingly Randy was one of the few that believed the Batman was innocent of the charges against him. The streets continued to increase in danger to the point where if one valued their life they didn't venture outside after dark. However, Randy did not share their reservations about the dark, having lived in the narrows her whole life. She merely kept a pocket knife strapped to her ankle and a .38 in her pocket book for safety. Many thought her reckless...or crazy to stay outside after dark almost like she wore a target on her back while some merely thought she simply had a death wish.

Randy McGavin was a bit of a loner outside of the work place, no family and few friends left her with nothing to lose but her own life which didn't seem to bother her one iota. Randy worked case after case trying desperately to keep Maroni's goons behind bars. Salvatore Maroni, the mafia boss that replaced the infamous Carmine Falcone, ruled the streets now much to Randy and many others chagrin. The only reason Randy wasn't dead already was because Maroni loved a worthy opponent. The man thrived off a challenge and the new DA, Randy McGavin, was exactly that. After dark Randy went looking for who many called the Batman. Randy was convinced she could get Batman to once again join the ever going fight for justice if only she could find the guy.

Chapter 1

Bruce Wayne, the prince of Gotham, stood in the bathroom mirror fixing his tie, for once going to be on time to his own birthday party. Like the last few birthdays most every one in Gotham was invited from the board members of Wayne Enterprises to Commissioner Jim Gordon and his entire team. "Master Bruce, your guests will be arriving soon." Alfred, Bruce's butler since before he was born, appeared in the mirror behind Bruce.

"Thank you, Alfred. I'll be down in a moment." Bruce gave a small appreciative smile in the reflection and Alfred gave a small bow disappearing as quickly as he came.

Bruce frowned at the mirror as he redid the tie again before giving up and going to pick out a watch from his collection. He ran a wary hand threw his hair and plastered on his best playboy smile before making his way down the stairs into the party area. The room was huge adorned with tables of food, a live band and a dance floor. The lights were muted and the front curtains opened to a breathtaking view of the sun setting behind Gotham. A soft knock came at the front double doors and Alfred already stationed there opened it reveal their first party guests. Soon the room was filled with the rich and famous of Gotham as well as the powerful and peace keepers of the law enforcement.

Randy McGavin was invited to the one and only Bruce Wayne's birthday to be escorted by the richly well known Floyd Lawton. A polo playing playboy born into loads of money asked her, the newly acclaimed DA, to be his date. Randy had to admit he was a real charmer, with his steel blue eyes and golden brown locks. His only down fall it seemed, he was undoubtedly full of himself. Randy had accepted the invite when her curiosity about Bruce Wayne had gotten the better of her. Now here she was arm in arm with Floyd as they strutted up the front steps of Wayne Manor. Floyd in a black tux and her in a strapless black evening dress. Floyd had a wide arrogant smile on his face as he showed Randy off to the crowd who stared in mild interest at the beautiful young woman on Floyd's arm they'd never seen before. A faint blush creeped up Randy's neck at all the slightly unwanted attention she was getting, even Bruce Wayne himself was staring at her. All the wide eyed stares she was receiving were unnecessary and were slightly unnerving. Randy always thought she was plain looking, with her ocean blue eyes, dark brown hair and dimpled smile but apparently many of these men disagreed. Floyd let go of her arm turning to her with a smirk on his lips.

"Would you like a drink, Randy?" Flattered by his tiny show of kindness, she nodded and he walked away.

Randy stood awkwardly off to the side of the dance floor looking for anyone she vaguely recognized finally spotting Commissioner Gordon and his wife swinging softly to the music, their heads resting comfortably against each other. She smiled at their open display of affection slightly wishing for a moment that she had someone to love like that.

"Miss, would you care for a drink?" Randy startled as an older looking man in a tux supporting a tray in one hand smiled kindly at her. "My...date went for drinks but thank you...?"

The man adjusted the tray in his hand. "Alfred Pennyworth, ma'am, Mr. Wayne's butler."

Randy smiled warmly, there was something about this man that she liked but she couldn't put her finger on it as she stuck her hand out for him to shake. Alfred glanced down at her hand and raised an eyebrow. "Forgive me...miss if I don't shake but it seems my hands are preoccupied at the moment."

Randy quickly retracted her hand embarrassed and he chuckled at her his eyes shining with mirth. She almost forgot to introduce herself. "I'm Randy McGavin, the new DA."

He gave her an eye crinkling smile. "Well Miss McGavin, it has been a pleasure but I must excuse myself." Alfred gave a small bow, winking at her as he walked away leaving her alone once more.

After waiting a couple minutes she became impatient, Floyd had sure been gone a while to get merely drinks. Randy searched the room finally seeing him over by the bar talking with a flirty blonde who was inching closer to him by the second. She scowled darkly, great her date had left her for an airhead of a woman.

"Why don't you give him something to be jealous about?" Randy turned at the voice to find Bruce Wayne next to her, hands shoved his pockets looking off in the same direction she had been.

He met her curious eyes, flashing one of his best playboy smiles sticking out one of his hands for her to shake. "Bruce Wayne" She politely grasped his hand and before she could protest he brought it to his mouth brushing his lips over her knuckles making a shiver trail up her arm.

"Randy McGavin" She had to swallow the growing lump forming in her throat.

"Charmed. Want to dance?" Randy shook her head negatively but he was already pulling her onto the dance floor.

He placed one hand on the small of her back while the other gripped her hand. "I hate dancing..." Randy mumbled.

Bruce smirked playfully as they swayed to the music. "Me too"

Randy raised her eyebrows questioningly. "Then pray tell why are we dancing?"

Bruce simply shrugged. "I thought we were making your date jealous."

Randy glanced over at Floyd when Bruce said this to find Floyd was watching them with a frown, the blonde forgotten.

He looked too before grinning. "Ooh your boyfriend looks upset."

Randy frowned. "He's not my boyfriend." "Well, your not-boyfriend looks upset he's coming this way." Bruce commented.

Indeed an annoyed Floyd Lawton was strutting towards them with a determined glint in his eye. When he made it to them, he ignored Bruce and spoke only to Randy. "Randy, sorry for taking so long...here's your drink."

He held it out for Randy as her and Bruce paused in their dancing. Bruce looked like he wanted to say something but Randy spoke first. "Thank you Floyd." She graciously took the drink and Floyd held out his arm for her to take to which she did but not before turning back to Bruce.

"Mr. Wayne, thank you for the lovely dance, I deeply enjoyed it. This really is a wonderful party and happy birthday." Randy complimented.

The boyish grin on his face didn't match the look in his eyes as he dipped his head politely at her. "The pleasure was all mine, Miss McGavin. Thank you."

He shared a look with Floyd who scowled at him before Bruce took his leave towards the food table. Randy spent the rest of the night at Floyd's elbow as he worked the room but continued to watch Bruce from the corner of her eye as he spoke with his colleague Lucius Fox and Commissioner Gordon.

The birthday party had ran far more smoothly then the last as the guests cleared out leaving Bruce and Alfred alone in the huge mansion once more.

"Did you have a good time tonight, Master Bruce?" Bruce was staring thoughtfully out the window when Alfred appeared at his side silently startling him. "Yes I did. I guess having a party wasn't such a bad idea after all, Alfred."

Alfred folded his arms behind his back. "You're welcome Master Bruce."

They shared a small smile while watching the night life of Gotham from afar. "I noticed you met Miss McGavin. Charming lady that one is." Alfred cautiously inquired.

Bruce looked over at him in surprise. "You talked to her as well?"

Alfred nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. "Indeed. It seems she'll be the city's new DA."

Bruce narrowed his eyes realizing the reason for the cautious tone in Alfred's voice. Almost unconsciously his eyes trailed to the picture of Rachel Dawes, his old love, sitting on the coffee table by the front door. Alfred noticed the direction of Bruce's gaze and frowned sadly.

Finally Bruce answered. "Good for her I suppose. Let's hope she keeps the job longer than the last." His tone was bitter as he thought of Harvey Dent and Rachel Dawes.

It had stung to know that even if Rachel had survived she still would have chosen Harvey over him. Sometimes he felt like a bad luck charm, most everyone he cared about died because of him or his Batman persona. That had been the main reason for his retirement as the Dark Knight; more people seemed to die as a result of Batman instead of living. Nobody, not even Alfred could talk him into going back out as Batman, not after Rachel. God, he missed her so bad it hurt sometimes. He absentmindedly rubbed his chest right over his heart. He couldn't seem to catch his breath since her death, people pitied him and he hated them for it.

"Master Bruce?" Alfred's concerned voice penetrated his thoughts and he gave an apologetic smile. "I apologize Alfred. I'm not feeling well, I think I'll head on to bed." Alfred's eyebrows furrowed but he nodded. "Very well, Master Bruce. Goodnight." Alfred disappeared into the kitchen while Bruce made his way up to his room his thoughts still on Rachel. He rubbed his face tiredly at the idea of having yet another restless night.


Randy was having similar thoughts as she stepped off the train into the narrows where her apartment was located. Floyd had offered to drive her the entire way but she didn't like him knowing where she lived so she politely declined. She would rather take her chances with the train because to be honest she couldn't spend one more minute with that self obsessed oaf. Appearances were definitely deceiving when it came to Floyd Lawton. If possible he would try to date himself. People like that drove Randy up the wall. Bruce Wayne was a different story entirely. Honestly, she didn't know what to think of him and decided to keep an open mind. Randy made it safely to her apartment and got ready for bed because she had an early meeting tomorrow to discuss her new case. Another of Maroni's goons trying to get away with murder most likely. Randy flopped down in her bed to get another restless night of sleep.

Morning came too soon for Randy as she punched the sleep button on her alarm clock. She showered before eating a quick breakfast so she could catch the seven thirty am train. Randy's mind wondered as the train ran its everyday route through Gotham City. The DA's office was in Gotham's business district, only a couple of blocks from Wayne Tower. Randy was supposed to be meeting her assistant Remington Miller for a run through of their new case. Many of Randy's cases consisted of one of Maroni's thugs committing a crime and the supposed prosecution of him but frustratingly they hardly ever succeeded. It didn't help that they almost always were stuck with Judge Faden, as crooked a judge as they come. Salvatore Maroni had many government officials and law enforcement deep in his pocket and there was really nothing they could do about it. Well, nothing that wouldn't get her killed which she was frustrated enough now, she was considering that option consequences and all. Randy had already had one run in with Maroni and he didn't scare her one bit. His nonchalant attitude actually pissed her off and sadly her anger only seemed to amuse him. Maroni often called her his feisty kitten which drove her mad. The man had a talent for getting under people's skin especially hers it seemed.

Randy fast walked up to her floor where her office was situated only to find Remy already in the conference room files spread out in front of him. Remington Miller or Remy as Randy liked to call him was a soft spoken, good humored, optimistic assistant DA. He was as straight laced and reserved as they come with his perfectly tailored suit and dark hair cropped short minus a few curls lying on his forehead above his expressive crystal blue eyes. Remy gave a pearly white smile when he saw Randy to which she returned an equally warm smile. Randy deposited her stuff in a chair before taking a seat next to Remy who passed her a manila folder.

"What do we got?" Her straight to the point question had Remy smirking slightly. "Good morning to you too, Miss McGavin."

Randy spared a small glance at Remy almost sheepishly. "Sorry Remy, Good morning."

Remy's eyes sparkled with mirth. "There it is. Now on to our new case..." Remy flipped open the file in Randy's hand as he looked over her shoulder at it. "Darrell Malone, arrested for possession of illegal drugs and carrying a weapon when on parole and resisting arrest. Known ties to Salvatore Maroni, however the narcotics and past offenses cannot be linked to him." Randy read aloud.

Randy studied the file with pursed lips. "So basically we could get him a couple months in jail for possession and on probation for violating parole if we're lucky." Randy said bitterly.

Remy scratched his chin. "Yeah pretty much."

Randy sighed. "Great another pointless prosecution that's not gonna do us a bit of good." Randy couldn't shake the feeling that she'd seen this guy before somewhere but like an incoherent dream she couldn't pull the memory front. "Wait, what was his past conviction?"

Remy pulled another file and searched through it for a moment. "Uh...here it is...it says here he was accused of being an accessory to murder maybe even the murderer himself but they didn't have enough evidence to get him for homicide."

Randy's eyebrows furrowed and her lips thinned. This was sounding very familiar to her as a cold feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. "And the victim?"

Remy flipped a page. "Um...a veteran detective by the name of...Henry McGavin-" Randy sucked in a breath feeling like she'd been punched in the stomach.

"Randy you don't have any relation to this-" She cut him off her voice rasping. "-He is-was my dad."

Under Remy's questioning gaze she knew she would have to explain herself. "My dad was a detective for Gotham's finest...he was supposedly killed in the line of duty when I was seventeen. They didn't tell me he was murdered by one of Falcone's thugs though." Anger flashed in her eyes at this revelation now understanding Maroni's fascination with her better. Maroni knew that Falcone had her dad killed and didn't say one word to her even to rub it in. Suddenly she felt the need to get this guy for her dad's murder, the only family she had had left.

She stood up quickly and Remy looked at her funny. "I...have to go speak to Commissioner Gordon."

Remy stood as well. "What, now? Why do you even need to speak with him?" Remy asked.

Randy was already grabbing her coat and throwing it on. "To get the file on my dad's murder...I need to know what happened and maybe get this guy for it."

Remy grabbed her arm. "Randy you won't be able to get him for your dad's murder...because of double jeopardy."

Randy could have smacked herself of course she couldn't convict him for a crime he'd already been tried for, she felt so stupid now. But regardless for her own benefit she needed to know what happened that night. There was so much about her dad she didn't know and now she was jumping at the opportunity to learn more about him.

"Remy I have to do this. It may actually help with the case." Randy said surely.

Remy slowly dropped her arm still unsure. "Alright but be back by one so we can run through our arguments before court."

Randy gave him an appreciative smile for covering for her. "Thanks Remy!"

He smiled. "You're welcome, Randy!" She rushed out of the building so she could catch a cab to the police department.

Most thought her relationship with her colleague Remy Miller was peculiar but to her he was like an odd best friend or a quirky younger brother. They'd worked together for a couple years and knew each other longer than that. Remy was really the only friend she had and she didn't even know if co-workers counted as real friends since she didn't hang out with him outside of work.

Randy adjusted her coat as she walked up the front steps of the police department. She went to the front desk where a woman with a head set on was seated. The woman looked up when she approached the counter.

"I'm here to speak to Commissioner Gordon, please." Randy informed her quietly.

"He was on the phone a minute ago but I'll page him." The woman pressed a button on what Randy assumed was the intercom. "What's your name?" The woman asked distractedly.

"Randy McGavin, DA" Randy added the 'DA' part for good measure.

"-Sir, Miss McGavin is here to see you." The woman asked the intercom.

A moment passed before a static deep voice came over the speaker. "Send her in, Mandy."

Mandy ushered her through the office door before shutting it behind her leaving her alone in the room with Gordon who was seated behind his desk. He stood at her entrance sticking out a polite hand for her to shake which she gratefully accepted.

Gordon adjusted the glasses farther up on his nose as he looked her up and down with a small smile. "Randy, it's good to see you again. Wow it's certainly been a while."

Randy returned the smile glad to see her father's old friend once more. "It has. It's good to see you too."

She shifted awkwardly and he politely offered her a seat. "Please have a seat. What can I do for you?"

She gratefully accepted the offered seat clearing the lump out of her throat. "I'm here to see my father's file."

Gordon frowned slightly at the mention of his dead friend. "If I may ask, why do you need to see it?"

Randy fiddled with the buttons on her coat. "Darrell Malone is being convicted today at two thirty."

Recognition flashed in Gordon's eyes at the name and he frowned deeper. "Randy you know he was found not guilty in your father's case."

Randy nodded. "This is more for personal reasons, Gordon."

He sat back in his chair folding his hands in front of him on the desk. "Randy, there's some things about your father I'm not sure you want to know. That file is a huge can of worms you probably shouldn't open, for your safety above anything else."

She leaned toward him. "Please, I need to know who my father was, Gordon. Who he really was as a person."

Gordon winced slightly. "I'll give it to you but I'm warning you now, you're not gonna like what you find."

He stood and made his way over to a filing cabinet in the corner where he pulled a key to open it. Gordon hesitantly pulled a thick manila folder from it looked it over before handing it to Randy. She clutched it to her chest before slipping it into her messenger bag on her hip. "Thank you, Gordon."

He nodded solemnly knowing what horrible things she was about to uncover about her father and his old friend but she did deserve to know about the man that raised her.

Randy turned to leave but Gordon's voice stopped her short. "Randy...be careful who sees you with that, keep it under the belt."

Randy glanced back throwing him a trusting sure filled smile before disappearing out his office door. She hurried out of the police department to catch another cab back to her work.

The floor was fairly empty as she made her way to her office shutting the door behind her cutting the lights on as she went. She flopped her bag and removed her coat onto a chair before getting the file out slapping it on her desk. For privacy she shut the blinds in her office and sat down flipping through the file. The more she read the tighter she gripped the folder until finally she angrily slammed it shut and sat back in the chair running an anxious hand through her hair. Every bit of evidence in the folder pointed to her father being a rat for Falcone. That had been the focal point for Malone getting off, he'd ratted her father out in exchange for a clean slate. Falcone had her father killed most likely by Malone but it couldn't be proved of course. And now Falcone was locked in Arkham Asylum which left Maroni, a connection she couldn't quite figure out. If Falcone killed her dad where did that leave Maroni at? He hadn't been in charge at the time of her father's murder. Randy decided she needed to speak with the man himself if she was to get the truth but that could wait until after Malone's hearing. Glancing at the clock she realized she'd been staring at the file for over an hour and a half and now it was time for lunch before she met with Remy about the case. Grabbing the file and her bag she slipped it back inside before slinging it over one shoulder while her arm held her coat.