(Story Setting: A month after the movie the Dark Knight.)
At the newly rebuilt Wayne Manor. Bruce Wayne is entertaining some of Gothams elite.
The city of Gotham is slowly finding peace once again. The joker had done his best to destroy the lives of everyone in Gotham. He was now kept at Arkham Asylum where he belonged. Harvey Dent went down as one of Gotham's most notable and Heroic citizens. The death of Harvey Dent birthed the new found hope of Gotham's citizens. The city was now filled with small time crime that the Gotham Police force handled without Batman. Bruce Wayne kept busy getting know Wayne Enterprises inside and out. It wasn't safe to be Batman in Gotham anymore. A group of angry citizens called the Nightstalkers prowled around the city at night searching for Batman to avenge Harvey Dents death. Gotham Police and Jim Gordon urged the people to let the police find Batman. The warning went with no regard to the few Gotham citizens. Bruce knew he could not be Batman. He also knew Gotham no longer needed Batman without the Joker around. As the party went on through the night at Wayne Manor Bruce found himself standing alone outside looking into the nights sky. He was truly happy for the first time in a long time, but missed Racheal very much. She was going to wait for him and be his bride or so he believed. Alfred never had the heart to tell Bruce about the note from Racheal. If Bruce believed Racheal died loving him then it was what he needed to think. After all she and Harvey where both gone. Bruce stood outside thinking of how happy him and Racheal would be. At a time when he no longer needed Batman he stood alone in the world without his true love and dear friend. Alfred came outside to see what was troubling Bruce.
Alfred: Something wrong Master Wayne?
Bruce: I guess I just havent gotten over her yet Alfred.
Alfred: I see sir. You have a house full of guest. Why not come in, it may help you get your mind off Racheal.
Bruce: Do you think she is looking down on us Alfred?
Alfred: Well if it is true that you can look over your loved ones, then yes I'd say she is Master Wayne.
Bruce: I hope she is ok and can see the Gotham she helped make a reality. This was her dream more than mine.
Alfred: If she is watching sir. I think she would want us inside having fun and not drowing our sorrows over her.
Bruce: I guess your right Alfred.
Alfred: C'mon Master Wayne. This is a happy time to be in Gotham. The crime is gone. You and Gotham no longer need Batman. We should enjoy the dream we all had for Gotham.
Bruce turned and smiled at his old friend Alfred. While he missed his parents very much. He was glad to have Alfred by his side. When he was younger Alfred was around to be like a father to him and now he was a best friend. Bruce and Alfred went inside to enjoy the rest of the party. Bruce was meet by a young woman from the Gotham Daily Press. She introduced herself as Vicky Vale. Bruce was intrigued by her natural beauty. She was young and had flowing blonde hair. She stood in front of him smiling. Bruce usaully hated to speak to any of Gotham's reporters but felt he could make an exception for Miss Vale.
Vale: Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?
Bruce: I think I can make myself available.
Vale: How has the deaht of Harvey Dent affected you?
Bruce: I think like everyone in Gotham I am still mourning his loss. He was such an assest to this city. He truly brought Gotham back to were it needs to be.
Vale: Did you know him personally?
Bruce: A good friend of mine Racheal introduced me to him a couple of times. I never got to know him very well, but I still could tell he was what Gotham City needed in a leader.
Vale: Do you have any thoughts about Batman? Why do you think he has yet to come out of hiding?
Bruce: I like the rest of Gotham thinks the Batman needs to be held accountable for his crimes. The people in Gotham cherished a hero like Harvey Dent and if I was being held responsible for his death, then I think I would be in hiding also.
Vale: So you believe Batman killed Harvey Dent?
Bruce: I think its hard to understand Batman. I mean c'mon the guy dresses up like a bat and runs around the city. Does anyone really understand the batman? (Vicky and Bruce laugh)
Vale: I guess your right Mr. Wayne.
Bruce: Please call me Bruce.
Vale: Well Bruce, What do you think of the group of Gotham citizens know as the Night Stalkers?
Bruce: I have to say I agree with Jim Gordon and say its dangerous to have people taking the law in thier own hands. Batman will be found and brough to justice soon enough. We need to let Gotham Police handle that.
Vale: Yes, but this group seems truly devoted to finding Harvey's killer. As a multi-billionaire would he throw any money thier way to help find Batman?
Bruce: As a citizen of Gotham I would do whatever is needed within the law of helping to bring down Batman. I would not however donate money to a vigilantly group searching for one man. I think Jim Gordon and his office have everything undercontrol.
Vicky is happy to have her interview. Bruce invites her to take a tour of the mansion. He decides to try and have fun in the wake of a new Gotham. It would be what Racheal wanted. Vicky explained to Bruce that she moved to Gotham just weeks after Harvey Dents death. She had not been around to see the black hole the city use to be. She like the rest of the world had heard about the Jokers antics. It was strangely enough what lead her to Gotham City. She wanted to be in a big city and cover new and exciting news like Batman and Joker. Bruce expressed his sorrow for her. It seemed like she had arrived to late. Gotham was reduced to a large city with minor crime rates. Vicky laughed at the idea, but still loved the city.
Vale: You know Bruce, crime or not I think Gotham is wonderful.
Bruce: Its been a long time since I could say that about this city but I agree with you Vicky.
Vale: I would like to do a story on you sometime Bruce.
Bruce: There are more important people in Gotham than me. I think you should start with them.
Vale: Oh c'mon now Bruce. You are Gotham's wealthy citizen. You a very handsome bachealor. Wayne Enterprises and its sub-divisions basically own Gotham City. Your parents were notable Gotham citizens as are you.
Bruce: So I guess you have already done your homework about me?
Vale: Relax Bruce its my job to know who you are.
Bruce: Well why not call my office and we can set up something.
Vale: Its a date.
Bruce: I look foreward to hearing from you.
Vale: I guess I better get back to the party.
Bruce decided to mingle with the rest of his guest. He kept his eye on Vicky as she passed by talking with everyone. She was someone he wanted to take an interest in. She had a lively spirit just like Racheal. While drinking wine from his glass Jim Gordon came up to him. He had a man beside him. The man was short and overweight. He seemed to walk with a limp. Bruce had never seen him around the city. He must have been new to Gotham. The media attention from the Joker seemed to attract people to Gotham City. When a madman like the Joker was defeated it gave people a sense of safety from anyone who attacked the city.
Gordon: Mr. Wayne its nice to see you again.
Bruce: Like wise Comissioner Gordon.
Gordon: I want to meet a new citizen to Gotham. This is Oswald Cobblepot. He is opening the Iceberg Lounge in downtown Gotham.
Bruce: Nice to meet Mr. Cobblepot.
Cobblepot: The pleasure is mine Mr. Wayne.
Bruce: I am sure I have heard the name Cobblepot. What do you Oswald?
Cobblepot: I am owner of Cobblepot industries. While we are certainly not as glorious as Wayne Enterprises we have thriving business ideas for the future.
Bruce: What do you specialize in?
Cobblepot: All sorts of things. I was hoping to gather a minute of your time to discuss a little business Mr. Wayne.
Bruce: I am always open to new business partners. This however isnt the time or place just call my office and we can set up a meeting.
Cobblepot: Thats understandable Mr. Wayne. I will do that first thing tomorrow. I hope we can become good friends.
Bruce: Thank you Mr. Cobblepot and I hope your stay in Gotham is wonderful
It was nothing new to Bruce to have aspiring business men approach him at one of his parties. He shook hands with Oswald Cobblepot and turned to walk away. Oswald was such a funny site. He wore a top hate and black suit. He walked with a cane, no doubt because of his limp. It was then Bruce remember the name Cobblepot. He turned around to speak.
Bruce: Your name Cobblepot? I knew I heard it from somewhere, Gotham had a Mayor Cobblepot once. Did you know him?
Cobblepot: Very well sir. He was my great grandfather Theodore Cobblepot.
Bruce: I remember my father talking about him. He was Gotham's longest running mayor. The people loved him.
Cobblepot: Well thank you sir.
Bruce: The name Cobblepot should do very well for you Oswald.
Cobblepot: I just hope that I can live up to the name.
Bruce: If your not busy tomorrow just come by the main office of Wayne Enterprises tomorrow around ten o'clock.
Cobblepot: Well thank you Mr. Wayne I will take you up on that.
Bruce wanted to jump at the chance to work with Oswald. Theodore Cobblepot was another cherished name in Gotham. As Gothams most popular and longest running mayor he raise Gotham to one of the most envied cities around. If Oswald could do half of what his great grandfather did then Gotham was in good hands. He wasnt sure what business ventures Oswald wanted to dicuss but Bruce would help him out in anyway he could. It was important to keep him in Gotham. The name had a history that the people of Gotham could connect with. The new Gotham needed respectable citizens such as Oswald. The rest of the party went well. Bruce wasnt approached by anymore reporters or any new business deals. When everyone was gone Bruce decided to help Alfred clean up around the mansion. As usaul Alfred declined any help but Bruce continued to help regardless. Bruce told Alfred about Vicky and expressed he felt as if he was doing something wrong by talking to her. He still had to many feelings for Racheal in his heart. He wasnt living in the past and he came to terms that she was gone. He just wasn't done mourning over the loss. At nights the Joker's face began to haunt him in his sleep. The nightmare or Racheal's death followed by Joker's sinister laugh. He often woke up in a sweat. The Joker had almost brought the city to its knees. He was far away on Arkham Island and unable to hurt anyone. Bruce however would never be able to let go of his anger towards the Joker. He had corrupted Harvey and taken away Racheal. The joker may not have killed Batman or destroyed Gotham but in some way he killed a part of Bruce Wayne.