My first Batman story please note that I am not an expert writer I do it for enjoyment only, I claim no ownership of the copyrighted materials such as in the songs or characters. Hope you enjoy.

I just rewrote the first chapter it was filled with copy and paste errors and I wasn't completely happy with how I wrote it the first time.

Chapter 1: Welcome To Burlesque

Ali stepped out onto the stage wearing her T-shirt and shorts; she began to belt out a song that was created for her by Tess when she was starting out as a Burlesque dancer. This time she was not auditioning for someone else she had bought her own club to turn into a Burlesque venue. The club was going to be opening in a couple of nights and she was a bucket of nerves.

Sean was at the bar going over an order of wine glasses that had arrived earlier that day, and he watched Ali practice with a smile on his face, he remembered the night he heard Ali sing for the first time, her powerful voice surprised him and Tess. Tess's club was not going to be the same without Ali, but this was Ali's dream for the last couple of years and Tess helped Ali find a suitable spot in Gotham to get started. Sean was working temporarily for Ali till she got on her feet then he was going back to Los Angeles.

When Ali finished rehearsing her song and dance, she did a mock bow to Sean. "Well, what do you say Sean? Do I still have it?"

Sean looked up at Ali and smiled. "Girl you never lost it, you're going to do very well here, I can feel it."

Giving Sean a concerned look Ali responds "I just worry that what happened to Tess could happen to me if this place doesn't do what I hope it does."

Sean sighed. "Ah, but Ali there is one thing you have that Tess didn't have in the beginning and that was you." Sean spoke while he continued to go over the box of wine glasses in front of him. Sean peers over his glasses at Ali, stop worrying.

Ali started going through the mess of papers on the bar. "Did the liquor license come though alright?" Ali asked wanting to be sure everything was in order.

Sean slowly looked up at her once again with an annoyed look on his face. You, young lady have nothing to worry about everything is in order, why don't you go to that nice Chinese restaurant across the street and get yourself some dinner and go to your hotel room that you have been living in. Relax yourself the grand opening isn't till another couple of nights and let me worry about everything else."

Ali walked behind the bar and grabbed her purse. "Sounds like an idea, I just can't help it I know I am a bucket of nerves over this club but we only get once chance to make a first good impression. There are certain people who want to shut us down before we get started."

Sean closes a small notebook that he was looking at and gave Ali a stern look. "I have added extra security if we need it. As I said before you have nothing to worry about." Sean reached inside his back pocket and took out his wallet; opening it he takes out some money and hands it to Ali. "This should be enough to cover your dinner, call this an early grand opening gift from your friend."

Ali put up her hand to push the money away. "Sean I can't accept this."

Sean pushed the money back to Ali. "Nonsense, you will accept this and that's not a request now get out of here and get some dinner before I throw you out." Sean threatened in an amused tone.

Ali chuckled. "You would kick me out of my own club?"

Sean smirked at Ali. "Within a heartbeat now get." Sean mocked.

Ali swung her purse over her shoulder and started to walk out while saying. "Such hostility around here, I think I'll go get my dinner and go home to my wonderful hotel room." Ali walked while adding a little wiggle into her step just to be smart as she left the club. Ali crosses the street and opened the front door to the Chinese restaurant. It had been a while since she had eaten out anywhere it had been mostly frozen TV dinners with preparing for the club opening she didn't have time to cook. She had also skipped lunch that day so she was feeling rather hungry.

Once inside the restaurant she looked around and the place had wall to wall people, no table was left empty. Looking around she spots a well-dressed man reading The Gotham Times he was sitting alone. Ali walked over to him and spoke. "Excuse me, but could I sit here for a bit? I'm just getting some food to go and I won't be long."

The man lowered his paper to take a look at the young woman who distracted him from reading the business section of the paper he smiled at her warmly and nodded." He stood up and pulled out a chair for her. "Please, take a seat."

Ali sat down and politely smiled back at him. "This seems to be a rather popular place."

The man smiled. "Well it is one of the best." Extending his hand he then introduces himself. "My name is Bruce Wayne and you are?"

Ali shook Bruce's hand while she answered. "My name is Ali; I just moved here a little while ago to the city."

"So do you have a last name to go with your first?" Bruce asked out of curiosity, it came with the territory of who he was.

Ali shrugged and responded. "I like to go by Ali, it's better that people don't know too much about you when you're new in town."

Bruce accepted that answer he fully understood about protecting ones identity. "Well then Ali why don't you stay for dinner? I'll buy."

Ali gave out a little laugh then she explains to Bruce who was giving her a confused look. "You are the second guy tonight to offer me a free dinner." Ali was amused at the thought. "I really am looking forward to a quiet night in Bruce, but thanks for the offer. Trying to open a club across the street is very tiring work."

Bruce gave Ali a surprised look, she didn't look like the typical business woman that was usually well dressed in Gotham, there appeared to be more about this one than met the eye. "You're opening the place across the street?" Bruce felt a concern for her he wasn't sure how she did it but she had bought the place before Sal Maroni had learned of the sale. It could spell trouble for the young lady sitting across from him.

Ali looked over a menu that a waitress had left and she responds. "Yes, I am the new owner; I have had some good help along the way. Are you interested in coming to the grand opening?"

Bruce gave Ali a smile and nodded. "Yes, strangely I have never been to a Burlesque club I'm curious to see what it's all about."

The waitress returned to her and Bruce's table and Ali gave the waitress her order. "Well, I'm sure that I don't have to tell you what Burlesque is."

Bruce found himself enjoying Ali's company he found her adorable. "No explanation is needed, but I would like the VIP table if you have one."

Oh damn, another detail she had overlooked. Ali nodded at Bruce nervously and responded. "I'm sure we can accommodate you Bruce."

At that moment Bruce's cell phone rings and he answers it. "Hello Alfred, what's up?" Bruce listens to Alfred and nodded. "Yes, well did you remind them that this is a charity event and they had agreed to perform?" Bruce listened a little longer then adds. "Now we'll be short an act, I will see what I can do to fill the open pot on such short notice."

Ali pretended to not listen in on Bruce's conversation with an interested ear, it sounded like Bruce Wayne was in need of some entertainment for his charity event. Ali waited for Bruce to finish talking on the phone. "Sounds like you are in a bind for a charity event."

Bruce looked at Ali. "Yeah, one of the hired performers is backing out at the last minute, you wouldn't happen to know of anyone who could fill the spot?"

Well there goes her free night. "In fact, I do, my club doesn't open for another couple nights, but a few of the dancers ware itching to perform. I could give them a call and see if they are free. That is if you don't mind a little burlesque at your charity."

Bruce gave Ali a big smile. "I wouldn't mind at all." Having burlesque at his charity fit right into his playboy image that he portrayed to the public. Bruce offers Ali his cell phone. "Call away… Ali."

Ali reached inside of her purse and brought out her own cell. "Thanks, but I have my workers on speed dial, this will be quicker." Ali stood up and walked over to a nearby window to make the calls in a bit of privacy. After making all of her calls she returned to the table, her order of food was waiting for her. "You're in luck; the girls are all excited about filling in that empty spot." Ali searches for the bill.

Bruce sat watching her with amusement as Ali had no luck in finding her bill. "If you're looking for the bill for your food you won't find it. I have it covered. My manor is out of town. Can I arrange for a ride for you and the other ladies?"

Ali rolled her eyes at the mention of the bill and then nodded at Bruce's offer for the ride. "Yes, you can send a ride by the club we'll all meet you there. It will be easier that way." Ali wasn't ready to give a stranger her home address good looking or not. Ali really was one in very few who lived in Gotham and didn't know who Bruce Wayne was. Ali grabbed the bag containing her order and walked toward the front entrance of the restaurant, thanking Bruce for her dinner on her way out.

Bruce got up and followed Ali out the door. "Oh Ali, I have to apologize." Bruce spoke to her back.

Ali suddenly stopped and turned around. "Apologize for what?"

"The quiet night you were looking forward to, won't be happening tonight." Bruce mused. "I'll pick you and the other ladies up at 6pm."

Ali felt a bit stupid she never asked what time he was to have them picked up at. "A girl's work is never done. 6pm is fine." Ali mused and continued to cross the street, and headed toward her hotel leaving Bruce to watch her as she went.

Later 6pm arrived, Ali and the rest of the ladies were waiting outside of the club when a limo pulled up. The driver got out and looked over at the girls. "Which one of you is Ali?" He asked.

Ali stepped forward and responded. "I'm Ali." She looked around for Bruce.

The driver nodded at Ali. "I'm AJ, your driver for tonight Mister Wayne sent me to get you. He's a bit busy at his charity and couldn't come along himself to get you. He told me to tell you that he hoped the limo would be enough."

The ladies began to chatter in excitement none of them had ridden in a limo before. The driver walked around the car and opened the door for them. Alfred would have gone himself to pick up the ladies but he was busy serving guests at the charity. Bruce wanted to be sure that Ali and the ladies had a memorable night. Moments later as they approach Wayne Manor Ali's eyes continued looking over the amazing structure. "Wow." Ali whispered out in astonishment.

Amy sat beside Ali. "Oh, you landed us a wonderful gig, I just know it." Amy was one of the dancers that worked for Ali, she and Ali had become quick friends.

Ali nodded. "Remember girls, we need some good publicity for our club the Gotham Times haven't been exactly nice to us with the gossip, so be on your best behavior."

"We will just have to put that nasty gossip to rest." Amy responded with excitement as the limo came to a stop. None of the girls waited for the driver to open the door for them, they were already climbing out of the car and headed towards the front door of the manor that opened before they could reach it.

Alfred stood in the doorway and smiled at the young ladies that approached. "Welcome to Wayne manor Master Bruce has a room set up for you to all change in. My name is Alfred if you need anything make sure you come to me."

Ali smiled warmly at Alfred as she climbed the stairs to the mansion. "Thank you Alfred lead the way." Ali was already scoping out the beauty of the manor as they went up the stairs. The girls are shown to a room and once inside they all began to change. Ali put on a long black glittery gown. "I will start with Bound To You, I want to try and get the people to warm up to me first. Then we'll show them how we burlesque." Ali smirked.

Amy looked up at Ali from her make up table and responded. "You go get them girl, there is no way they won't love you." Amy was a tall red headed girl who helped Ali out as much as she could with the costumes and she helped with some of the creativity of the new dance numbers.

Ali opened the door to the room and headed out down the hallway to go downstairs to the back yard where a stage had been temporarily built for the performers Bruce had hired for his event. When it was her turn to take the stage she had a few butterflies in her stomach she was now performing for a higher society and she wasn't sure how well she would be accepted. Ali had put a wig on to give her a Marilyn Monroe sort of look. She took center stage.

Bruce stood talking to a businessman when he caught the sight of Ali taking the stage he was awed by her beauty. Looking back at his guest he excuses himself and walked closer to the stage taking a seat at a nearby table.

Ali introduces herself to the crowd. "Hello, everyone, my name is Ali you probably have heard of me, in the papers I'm the one opening up the Burlesque club in Gotham." Ali could hear some of the ladies snubbing her already while most of the men took a keen interest. Ali nodded to the band and they began to play. On her queue she began to sing.

Sweet love, Sweet love
Trapped in your love
I've opened up, unsure I can trust
My heart and I were buried in dust
Free me free us…

After Ali finished her song the crowd was silent they were still in awe over the powerful voice that they had just heard. Bruce stood up and began clapping loudly while he looked at Ali intently. He took a big chance hiring her on the spot without listening to her first. He was not disappointed.

Alfred walked up to Bruce with a slight grin. "She has a rather strong voice wouldn't you say sir?"

Bruce nodded in agreement. "Yes, very…" Bruce responded he was unable to take his eyes off Ali.

Ali took a bow, and then began to go down the steps from the stage. Bruce meets Ali at the steps and gave her his hand to help her down. "That was truly amazing." Bruce complimented her.

Ali smiled at Bruce. "Thank you; wait till you see my next number." Ali then took her hand back from Bruce. "I hate to run but I have another number to prepare for." Ali was originally supposed to do one number but decided to do two of them because it was for charity and she wanted to help out. Ali rushes off to change for her next number.

Alfred looked at Bruce. "Oh, dear sir I know that look in your eye, you are taking a shine to the young lady aren't you?"

Bruce shook his head. "I don't know Alfred there is just something about her I can't explain." Bruce watched Ali as she went back inside the manor.

A couple of numbers later Ali and the other dancing girls are on stage performing to Show Me How You Burlesque, the girls were up on tables and the bar as well as on the stage they were everywhere getting the crowd worked up in their song and dance. Ali could tell that most of the people were having a great time; she hoped that this would put some of the nasty rumors to rest.

A man approached Bruce asking. "Where did you find these fine ladies?"

Bruce looked at the man and responded. "I met Ali at a Chinese restaurant." Bruce walked off to go and enjoy his own party. The ladies were true entertainers, it wasn't what he was expecting but the donations were coming in at a steady pace.

The ladies finished their song and dance to a cheering audience. Some of the snooty ladies still didn't approve, but were a little more at ease that they didn't take off their clothing. The crowd began to chant one more. Ali speaks into the microphone. "Sorry everyone that is all for tonight, the Burlesque club opens soon, hope to see you all there." Ali and the girls leave the stage and went back to their room.

All of the ladies were in an excited chatter when Amy spoke. "I think we blew those rich folks' minds."

Ali was just putting on a nice dress when she looked up at Amy. "Yes I hope enough that they will come to see us on our opening night." Ali wanted so much for her club to be a success. Just then a knock is heard at the door and Bruce's voice is heard.

"Are you all decent in there?" Bruce had his hand on the doorknob at the ready for an answer.

Ali answered in a loud tone. "Yes, we are all decent Bruce come in."

The door opened revealing a smiling Bruce Wayne. "Wow, I have to hand it to you ladies you did a wonderful job out there." Bruce reached inside of his jacket pocket and took out an envelope. "Here is a little something for all of you to say thanks."

Ali took the envelope and opened it to find a rather large cheque inside. "Oh my, Bruce this is too much…"

Bruce held up his hand. "You ladies earned it; you got me out of a bind and tonight was a huge success."

The ladies gathered around Ali to look at the cheque. "Oh my…" Amy responded. "Thank you." The other ladies all say thank you in turn.

Bruce waved at the ladies and turned to leave. "I'll leave you ladies, please come out and enjoy the rest of the party as my guests." Bruce held his arm out for Ali to take.

Ali paused looking at Bruce's gesture; Amy then playfully pushes Ali toward Bruce a little. "When a good looking guy offers you his arm you do this." Amy then guides Ali's arm into Bruce's arm.

Ali was feeling slightly embarrassed. "Oh is that how that's done?" Ali responded while she rolled her eyes.

Bruce immediately knew that Amy was going to be fun to have around. "Yes, now we start walking this way." Bruce began to guide Ali toward the door.

Ali chuckled and followed Bruce out the door and down the stairs a few flashes of light went off as the press began taking pictures of Ali and Bruce together. Outside Bruce and Ali mingle with the guests that Bruce introduces her to, everyone seemed nice to her or was it just politeness? Ali was just a small town girl and was feeling like a minnow in sea of Moby dicks.

A blonde who was jealous seeing Bruce and Ali together approaches them. "Well, I hope that place of yours doesn't turn into some filthy strip club."

Ali kept her wits about herself and responded. "My club isn't going to be a strip club nor will it ever." Ali responded as polite as she could.

Bruce knew who the woman was. "Leslie, hope you had a good time tonight." Leslie had been showing interest in him, but she was a gold digger and he had no interest in her.

Leslie looked Ali over and said. "See to it, we don't need any more filth in this city."

Ali looked up at Bruce. "What is she talking about?"

Bruce watched as Leslie walked off and shrugged. "Don't pay her any mind she's just jealous because she has an interest in me, and I have none for her."

Ali couldn't help but to ask her next question. "Do you have an interest in anyone?"

Bruce smirked. "Not yet, but I'm starting to."

Ali felt a bit uncomfortable with his answer and raised her arm to look at her watch. "Oh my, I didn't realize the time it's getting rather late, I should get going. I have an early morning at the club."

Bruce looked down at Ali and nodded he could sense her uneasiness. "I'll have Alfred take you straight home." The limo driver that had brought Ali and the ladies there earlier had already left.

Bruce continued looking at Ali as he responded. "I would prefer you got dropped off at home, Gotham City at night isn't the friendly of places to be."

Ali reached inside of her purse and showed Bruce her can of mace. "I'll be fine, and please I just want to be dropped off at the club."

Bruce sighed. "Fine." He motions Alfred over.

"What can I do for you Master Wayne?" Alfred asked.

"Ali is ready to go home, would you mind taking her?" Bruce asked.

"Very well sir." Alfred looked at Ali. "This way miss." Alfred began to walk in the direction of a Rolls Royce parked in the driveway.

Before following Alfred Ali looked back at Bruce. "Thanks for everything tonight, I had a great time."

Bruce took Ali's hand and kissed the back of it. "I hope that we can do this again sometime." Bruce smiled at Ali.

With that Ali walked off to catch up with Alfred to the Rolls and she climbs into the back seat, Alfred closes the door and got in to the driver's seat.

Bruce rushed back inside of the manor and to the piano to play the key notes that opened a hidden door, once down the elevator and into the bat cave he rushed over to his Batman suit and hurriedly began to put it on. With the speed of the tumbler he could beat Alfred and Ali into the city, putting on the suit was slowing him down.

Of course Alfred already had an idea of what Bruce was up to and took his time driving Ali back to the city. He even purposefully took a wrong turn and apologizes to Ali. "Sorry, Ali wasn't thinking."

Ali wasn't upset with Alfred she was more amused by him. "That's okay Alfred it happens to the best of us."

Batman hid the tumbler down a dark alley and made his way on top of the building across from Ali's club, at the same time Alfred pulled up in front of the club Alfred turned around in the front seat. "Are you sure I can't take you straight home?"

Ali opened the back door. "I'm fine Alfred, but thanks." Ali got out and started to walk down the sidewalk to her hotel, unaware that she was being watched.

Bruce wanted to intercept Ali he was very curious as to how she would handle meeting Batman, but he held back, this wasn't the right time to spring Batman on her. He wanted her to ease into all the craziness of Gotham city. Batman watched Ali go inside of an old hotel called the Holiday Inn the owners had let it get run down and it wasn't very secure. It would be far too easy for Sal Maroni to get to her there. Batman quickly turned and soared back down to the sidewalk and back to the tumbler to do some patrolling.

It didn't take long for Batman to find trouble he comes across two men in an alleyway attacking another single man that was held up against the wall of a building. One of the thugs was waving a knife at the man and another stood not far away holding a gun. Batman got out of his car to stop the robbery he lunges out of the darkness toward the attacker who was holding the knife and he locks him into a chokehold, while the second thug had begun to run away in fear. With his free arm Batman elbows the man in he had in a chokehold knocking him out. Batman quickly uses a batarang to hit the second thug running away the batarang was laced with a sedative that worked quickly at knocking the guy out.

Batman made sure the victim was alright before he ran off back to the tumbler to patrol a little longer; he drives past Ali's hotel one last time before he headed back to the bat cave. Bruce was trying to figure out a way to keep Ali safe. One way would be to try and convince her to move into his manor.

Ali was standing out on her balcony when she noticed a strange looking car driving by. "What the hell is that?" Ali thought to herself. Ali quickly grabbed her small digital camera and took a picture of the strange car.

Batman saw the flash through his side mirror and slowed down a bit, he noticed Ali out on her balcony taking a look at the tumbler.

Ali realized that the driver may have seen her and she very quickly went back inside of her room and closed the door and drew the curtains shut. Ali is startled by the sound of her cell phone ringing; she chuckled as she answered it. "Oh, hi Amy, hey wait a moment I've got something to show you." Ali sent a copy of the picture she just took by connecting her camera to her laptop.

Batman sped up again when he got Ali to do what he wanted, he didn't want her out there exposing herself to any of Sal's men who could be trying to track her down. He continued on back to the bat cave to start doing some research himself.

Back at the bat cave Bruce took his mask off but remained in the rest of his bat suit while he did some research on Ali and came up with some old newspaper clippings of her starting days at the burlesque club in LA. Bruce learns of how the place was almost torn down by a wealthy businessman's quest to buy the failing club from Tess. He went on to read how Ali's big voice made her become the main attraction of the revue. Bruce sat back and stared at Ali's picture on his large computer screen. "I know you will do well here with batman watching your back." Bruce muttered to her image, she was defiantly going to be drawing the wrong kind of attention. Batman was going to make sure she stayed safe and he hoped to take out a few thugs along the way.

There was one more question that remained, why did Sal Maroni have such an interest in this building?

Back at Ali's hotel room Ami continued talking to Ali on her cell. "You should check out some of the old Gotham City newspaper articles you may find this city has quite an interesting story." Amy rolls over onto her back on her bed. "It's pretty unbelievable, but very interesting." Amy turned her head to look at the picture on her computer screen of the tumbler. "Maybe the army is in town." She suggested of what that strange vehicle could be.

Ali was sitting cross legged on her bed and grabbed her laptop and opened it back up she turned it on while she spoke with Amy. Once her laptop warmed up she went into her browser to Google and did a search on Gotham Cities old newspaper articles, then she saw a picture in one of them talking about Batman. "Holy crap!"

"What?" Amy asked a little surprised by Ali's sudden outburst.

"Hold on Amy, check out this site." Ali emails the link to the clipping and waited a moment for Amy to see it for herself.

Amy's mouth dropped open. "Holy crap is right, that sure looks like the same car you saw tonight. What was the bat mobile tumbler doing driving past your hotel?"

"Hmmmm this is a little crazy, who in their right mind would dress up in a rubber suit to fight crime?" Ali wondered.

Amy finished reading the article and took a drink of her hot apple cider that she had in a flowered coffee cup that sat on a small table beside her bed. "Well, he is obviously someone who is super rich, because that car and suit can't be cheap. Oh, and the best part about him is that he doesn't even use a gun."

Ali spotted another article that had in big bold letters. "Batman Savior Or Menace?" There was a picture of him standing on the corner of a building, obviously some lucky photographer for the paper managed to catch that shot. "Well, as long as this kind of crazy stays away from my club, it's all fine with me." Ali yawned. "Well Amy I need to get to bed will see you tomorrow."

Amy smiled. "Have a good night Ali." Amy closes up her cell phone.

Ali does a bit more reading on Batman before getting ready for bed, she looked out her window one more time down at the street but only saw a couple of normal cars drive by and then she switched out the light and went to bed.

That is the end of this chapter hope that everyone enjoyed it, I will be working on chapter two shortly. Please note that I do not own any of the songs or copyright content in this story.