((A/N: This is a re-hash of an old idea I had that wasn't working but I think I might have the bugs worked out. It's 2 yrs post The Dark Knight. NO I don't own anyone but Erin and random characters. In short if you don't recognize them I own them. R & R Please? Thanks))

The young brunette looked up from the paper when she felt the train slowing and when it stopped and the announcement was made that she was in Gotham City, a small smile lit her face and she gathered her bag and her laptop and headed off the train and inside the station. Finding her suitcase, she looked around the terminal and headed for the front of the station to call a cab. Once safely secured inside, she settled back after giving the driver instructions to head for 1328 State Street.

Twenty minutes later, the cab pulled up to a duplex and helped her out with her luggage, the girl tipped him and he drove off. First new place. Soft sigh as she opened the door and walked in.

It was gorgeous and homey all at once. The prospects were huge but the little place held its own charm. She set the suitcase by the door as she locked it and headed for the kitchen. All new appliances as promised as well as new carpet and flooring. Okay. Time to check in at the new job. She walked over to the stairs and went up, checking on the bedroom and bath, all the while pulling out her cell phone and calling the District Attorney's office.

"Hello, is Mr. Addison in? My name's Erin Ramsey. I have an appointment with him in the morning, he hired me for one of the Assistant positions and he told me to call to check when I got in town. Mhmm! Okay thank you" As she waited for the DA, she checked all around the bathroom and bedroom and was already designing a scheme in her mind for colors and styles. "Oh, sure! Yeah no problem. The Ocelot? Seven? I know it. Thanks a lot! I'll talk to him then." She shut off the phone and put it back into her pocket. She now had three hours to find something suitable for a dinner meeting at one of THE chic-est restaurants in town.

Oy.

At 6:45 p.m., she was in front of the maitre'd asking to be shown to the D.A.'s table. She was "expected". Of course she was. She was led along to the table in a corner where three men were sitting, laughing – but not loudly – and when she walked up, they all rushed to their feet and the waiter pulled her chair out for her.

Mr. Mitch Addison was an older man of maybe his late 60s, grey hair and a jovial smile that was indeed infectious. He had been the District Attorney of Gotham since Harvey Dent was murdered. Erin nodded and agreed that that had been a tragedy indeed.

To his left was the Prince of Gotham. Bruce Wayne, himself. Looking to be in his mid to late 30s. Dark hair and a twinkle in those little boy eyes. There was something going on in his mind, you could see it. Wouldn't be surprised if he had a few skeletons.

Then to the right of the DA was the commissioner of the Gotham Police, Jim Gordon. She couldn't read him. But then she never could. Even after all these years, he never changed. Hm.

After introductions all around, the wine flowed, dinner was brought, an "informal" lets-get-to-know-her interview, and finally at 11:15, Erin had to excuse herself to get home. "I have to make sure that I'm on time tomorrow morning." She said, with more laughter from the DA and Bruce, who even offered, "Well if you want to go in late, and your –boss- is later, it's not like you don't know why."

"Mr. Wayne, that's blackmail, I believe," she said with a small smile.

"Also called saving your ass when the boss comes down on it. "He said softly, with a playful wink.

"Getting me in trouble already. I'm going to have to watch you, aren't I?"

Gordon stood up and looked at his watch. "Matter of fact that sounds like an idea. The sitter is costing a fortune as it is. I can make sure Erin gets home safely. I'll see you guys tomorrow?" He said, pushing in his chair and also hers, moving away from the table, following her around the waiters and such as they were putting the chairs up for the night.

Once outside, she wrapped the shawl around her shoulders as he led her along to the Cadillac Escalade the valet brought up immediately. Helping her into it, then around to get behind the wheel himself, he pulled away from the curb.

"I heard you got the job. I'm glad you came back." He said, forcing himself to keep his eyes on the road ahead.

"I had to." She said softly. "I heard what happened. Then with 'her' leaving…I'm sorry."

He shook his head. "It's better. She got what she wanted…a life away from Gotham…" and a quiet growl, "And me." Then he straightened up again. "But at least she left Jimmy with me. He'll be thrilled when he sees you again. He cried for weeks when you left."

She smiled as she looked out the window when she thought about the rambunctious now -10 – year - old. But he was just 3 when she'd left. She was 13 when she was hired to watch over the sergeant's son. She was a foster kid two doors down and adored children. She was Jimmy's sitter for the first 3 years of his life and they had gotten close. Since she had grown close to Jimmy, and he was the heartbeat in his father's body, it was natural that she also had grown close to Jim. Apparently close enough that Barbara had felt she had no control over her son or her husband and in a fit of rage she fired the 16 year old girl. But Erin didn't hold grudges. It was time to leave, anyway. She had to. Things were changing and she needed to concentrate on school. She graduated Gotham High school early and moved away to go to college. She graduated with a law degree and had worked at the County DA's office in Cook County, Illinois, but there was nowhere to go there so when she found out that they were looking for 2 new ADA's for Gotham, she couldn't pass it up.

She applied.

Was accepted.

Moved back home.

"How've you been?" she asked in the softest of voices, looking at him sideways.

He shot a look at her and a slight shrug. ""Been better. Been worse. But it seems things are easing out." A grin at her. "Lookin' a lot better, actually."

She laughed softly, turning her attention back to the road as he pulled up in front of her building. He got out and went around helping her as well. Following her upstairs, he couldn't fight the urge to study her closely. She looked not one bit different. She was still full of life. Full of fun. Long brown hair falling into soft curls down her back past her shoulders and he couldn't stop from putting a hand on her back to "guide her" but letting his fingertips brush against her hair. Hazel eyes still full of fire and always smiling. She had always been that way. Even when she was 16.

But then that little voice jolted him back to reality. "What the HELL do you think you're doing?"

"Welp! Here I am." She said, turning at the door and looking up at him, catching a hint of…something….on his face. "Want to come in? I have some really good tea."

For a split second he…..No! You can't…..but she's an old friend! Do you remember WHY she left? If course I do. That was –her- doing. Not mine. Still.... Yes. You're right.

"I should get home." He said softly. "It's good to see you again, Erin. I've missed you." He gave a kiss to her forehead and reluctantly turned and headed back to the SUV. Watching to make sure she got inside the door, he got into the truck and headed home.

Maybe Gotham wouldn't be as bad as he thought now.