A/N: I AM SO SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Really I am but my lame excuse is school. It was as if the muse was sucked out of me, but fortunately I got it back. I really hope I didn't lose you guys because of my long absence, its just that life got really hard. But, I am back and ready to tell all of you a story. Please don't be mad at me. :)


"Another unidentified body was found tonight by a local witness, who wished to remain anonymous, who explained that he saw a black SUV drive by at an alarming speed and dump the severely beaten body out into the street. Police have reason to believe that this is linked to mob related crimes due to the fact that last week's body that was found was none other than ruthless mob boss Danny Romali's right hand man, Samuel Lewis, who was also discovered the same way. Police also do not have a clue on the whereabouts of the Batman and if he himself is committing these brutal murders. I'm Leslie Smith reporting live from Gotham City for GCN."

"Thank heavens I am a doctor because if something happens and if I get paged from the hospital I get to leave the pit of snakes." Marie held onto Bruce's free hand as he handled the steering wheel with the other.

Bruce chuckled and brought her hand to his lips as his eyes never left the road. "Well, it isn't fair because then you abandon me."

"Not necessarily because you have a much better chance of leaving than I do." Marie suddenly felt a knot form in the pit of her stomach. She didn't want him to leave her again. For the past three nights he had to bail on dinner, a movie, and a quiet night in. It was the only few nights Marie had off and he had been forced to take on his nightly rounds. Though she didn't want to talk about this entire Batman ordeal after recent events, she could tell Bruce was troubled. "I mean after these past three nights, you certainly have a much better chance." Marie let go of his hand and crossed her arms over her chest.

They came to a stop at a red light and Bruce turned to look at her. After all the stress she had been through she still looked beautiful. Her pale skin glowed in the little moonlight that bled into the Lamborghini. Her long and lustrous brown hair had not one trace of white hair that always emerged when one was under stress, as she let it flow freely tonight. Her figure was in excellent shape which was emphasized by the purple Balenciaga cocktail dress she wore tonight.

"Marie, again I'm sorry but you have to understand-" Before Bruce could once again explain, he was interrupted by Marie's irritated voice.

"That it's something you need to do." Marie sighed and decided that fighting with Bruce about this exhausting topic was going to get her nowhere and just piss her off all over again. She did not want to be mad at Bruce tonight, she only wanted to enjoy the little time she had left with him. 'Look Bruce, I don't want to fight anymore so forget I even brought this up. It was my fault."

Bruce nodded and went on as the light had switched to green. "Thank you I appreciate that because I don't want to argue about this now and put on a mask at this dinner party the entire evening." He reached for her hand once again. "I love you and I want you to know that I will make sure to come back home to you alive."

Marie held on tightly to his hand as he said this. This would be a never ending conflict that would affect their relationship but it would never be enough to stop loving him. She would always love him no matter what this whole Batman alter ego brought on them. "I love you too, but also please understand that I will not be able to stop worrying. And to ease your mind tonight and many nights, worry is something I have come to terms with and know how to live with."

"You are so much braver than me, you know that." Bruce had to admit that much only because she wasn't always going hysterical when he came home with a wound. But he was sure that under her cool composure she was freaking out.

"It comes with the job Bruce. I guess I am use to it." That was also another reason. Though recent past events were horrible enough to throw her over the edge and they did. Marie considered that as a tragic learning experience.

"I guess you are." Bruce pulled the car up in front of the hotel for the Valet. "Are you ready?"

"I guess so." Marie stepped out of the car to be greeted by flashing cameras. Bruce quickly handed the keys to the valet guy and went over to Marie.

They made it past the photographers and headed into the restaurant. It wasn't a huge dinner party, only a few investors and partners of Wayne Enterprises. Marie never really got used to Bruce's crowd but she did try her best to not feel uncomfortable. She did like the company of a few people who sparked her interest but she never went completely out of her comfort zone. She was happy to remain by Bruce's side the entire evening.

"How are things in Gotham County for you Marie?" Ronald Gresham leaned over and grabbed his glass of white wine.

"They are accommodating, but I am still getting use to it. But I am kept busy and that is all I really want." Marie took a sip of her own glass as she looked at Bruce, who was discussing yachts with another investor of Wayne Enterprises. She rolled her eyes and set her glass down.

"Well that's very good to hear. It does take some time to get used to because each hospital has its own set of rules and of course doctors." He smirked and wiped the corners of his lips.

"That's very true." Marie smirked. She knew exactly what he meant by different doctors. The doctors in Gotham County weren't as compassionate as the ones in Gotham General. They were always arguing about who gets what surgery. The patients seemed to be the last thing on their airhead mind.

"What ever happened to Dr. Anton?" The woman next to Marie, Irene Branford, asked. She was another young woman in the trust fund brocade who Marie actually liked. Bruce had taken notice and made sure to always invite Irene because she made Marie comfortable. As well as the fact that her father owned stock from Wayne Enterprises.

"He left Gotham right around the time it was on the verge of chaos. He had offered me a position in Paris but I really saw no point in going." Marie shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she noticed Bruce take particular interest in the conversation.

"Well, I had met him once when grandfather had a severe heart attack while we were in Paris and the man is brilliant! Not only did he save his life, but he has not had a heart ever since. This was about five years ago." Irene took a sip of her wine as she animatedly talked of her encounter with the famous . "Not to mention how handsome he was."

"Oh, Irene you are always on the lookout for a husband!" Ronald laughed as did Marie. Bruce only smirked and decided he needed a much stronger drink if they were going to talk about Dr. Anton the entire dinner. He was after all the man who tried to convince Marie to leave Gotham and join him in Paris.

"Ronald, darling the clock is ticking for me and that inheritance." All three broke into laughter as the waiter brought Bruce his scotch that he had ordered.

"Well Irene, dear you are not looking half bad as a wife for me at the moment."He winked at Irene who only waved it off.

"Are you quite sure about that Ronald?" Marie decided to join in the teasing.

"Whatever do you mean darling?" Ronald raised his brow.

"You're a womanizer beyond reason, not to mention a gambler with incredibly excellent luck. Whilst Irene is a charm spell for men, not to mention a shopaholic." Marie smirked to prove that she was only teasing.

"True." Irene thought about it for a minute as did Ronald.

"Nonetheless you two are very interesting and charming people who would make each other happy."Marie admitted to them as they seemed relieved.

Both Irene and Ronald laughed. Bruce smirked and was glad to see that Marie was actually having a good time with the snake pit. It took a while for her to open up to these people, but it was only among Irene and Ronald who got to see Marie's witty side.

"Alright, you gave us something to consider Marie." Irene winked at Ronald across the table. "So, Bruce what about you and Marie? I mean you two don't have flaws like Ronald and I do."

"Well, it depends." Bruce took hold of Marie's hand.

"On?" Irene looked confused.

"If she wants to or not. I am all for it." Bruce kissed Marie's hand.

Marie looked away for a moment as she began to feel uncomfortable about this marriage talk. She wasn't ready to reveal it to the whole world but Bruce seemed to be.

"Wait are we missing something here?" Ronald looked at Bruce and Marie suspiciously.

Irene also took notice of Bruce's hint and Marie's shift in mood. "No!"Bruce nodded as did Marie. It was better to just get it over with now. Sooner or later they were going to find out. "Show me the ring!"

Marie looked at her empty finger. "Well, I left it at home because I did not think we were going to announce this tonight." Marie wasn't all too happy about every single person knowing because then this would turn into a big wedding. She had planned on something very intimate and not a circus like the last time with Harvey Dent.

"This deserves a toast!" Ronald stood with his glass and tapped it with a spoon to get everyone's attention.

Bruce looked at Marie and whispered. "I'm sorry."

Marie really had no other choice. "It's fine."

"If I can have everyone's attention! First off, I would like to thank Bruce here for a lovely evening he has provided for his loyal partners and investors." Everyone at the table set for twenty clapped. "Also to congratulate him on his engagement to Dr. Marie Spencer." Everyone in the entire table seemed shocked.

Before Marie knew it, her name as well as Bruce's was on the tip of everyone's tongue.

Two weeks later…

It had been two weeks since Marie and Bruce had accidentally made their engagement official and the media was on edge. Everyone began to follow Dr. Marie Spencer's every move due to the curiosity that erupted amongst everyone who wanted to get to know the Prince of Gotham's future bride. To Marie it was not curiosity it was an invasion of privacy.

"Okay, what do we have?" Marie rushed outside the emergency room to receive the ambulance that was already outside. Kimberly was staggering behind as she could not keep up with Marie's pace. "Now Kim!"

"I'm coming! Keep making me run like this and that elderly man is not going to be the only one you are going to have to operate on."

The two doctors finally reached the ambulance as the paramedics opened the back doors to unload the stretcher with the suffering man.

"When did you receive the call?" Marie grabbed the man's wrist to take note of his pulse.

"Twenty minutes ago." The paramedic began to sweat as he looked down at the elderly man who was not looking good at all.

"That only gives me at least fifteen minutes to prepare." Marie ran a hand through her hair and watched as the man began to give out shallow breaths. "Page , I am not going to be able to do this alone."

"Dr. Spencer!" Marie turned around as she heard her name being called out. A bright blinding flash clicked as Marie tried to cover her eyes. "Does Wayne forgive you for spending all your time in the hospital? Did you two meet here? I heard from some sources that you did because his butler had suffered a mild stroke. I am pretty sure Wayne enjoys having a doctor in the bedroom!"

Before the tabloid photographer could snap for another picture, Marie grabbed his camera and threw it across the Emergency Room hall, which caused everyone to stop what they were doing and look up to see an enraged Marie.

"I told you people to leave me alone! How many times must you come and interfere with my work where people's lives are at stake! I need to get this man into an OR before he dies on this stretcher!" Marie yelled as everyone was completely stunned by what she had done. The entire day she was on the verge of losing herself control and now she finally did.

"You bitch; you broke my nine hundred dollar camera. You're gonna pay for that! No, your fiancée will because you don't seem to be earning anything. Some mediocre doctor you are!" The photographer took out his phone and walked out of the Emergency Room.

The room was stagnant as they waited for Marie's next move. She let out a small breath and straightened her white coat. No one had ever said such a cruel remark to her like that and she felt completely humiliated. She knew that bastard was just mad because she had taken a stand for herself and stopped all this ridiculous chaos about filling the magazine he worked for with inane gossip.

"Get this man to an OR, quickly!" She managed to hide her hoarse voice with a shout. Everyone went back to work and whispered amongst themselves as Marie followed the nurses who began to wheel the stretcher to an OR.

Kim bit her lip as she walked beside Marie who only stared straight ahead. "Marie, I'm sorry."

Marie held her hand up to stop Kim from saying things that would not make her feel better. "Don't Kim please, just go and get prepped for surgery." Kim simply nodded and rushed ahead to get ready.

This was ridiculous on how this engagement had spun out of control. It would have been better to keep this entire situation a secret. Of course she was happy with Bruce but everyone else was just ruining her picture perfect dream of just being Bruce's fiancée. The first few days that no one knew about their engagement were blissful because it was just their secret and no one else was barging into their lives. Alfred, Ant Barb, and Uncle Jim didn't make any comments unless Bruce or Marie discussed it with them, other than that they were left alone. But once word had gotten out, due to a slip from one of Bruce's colleagues, Ronald Gresham, at a dinner party Wayne Enterprises hosted two weeks ago, everything went completely downhill.

"Dr. Spencer!" Marie sighed as she heard the Chief of Staff's stern voice.

She turned around to face her punishment. This new chief of staff she had for a boss was not Marie's cup of tea, but she was forced to deal with it as Gotham General was being rebuilt due to last year's tragic events. She could not wait to move away from Gotham County and this who called himself an honorable Chief of Staff. He was just as corrupt as the many thugs that were now in jail.

"Yes?" Marie braced herself.

"What have I told you about this entire media circus? This is completely unacceptable and I will not tolerate it any longer!" He whispered harshly.

"I know and I have tried to keep them away but it is impossible to keep watching over these vultures when I have patients to attend to." Marie tried to explain but he didn't seem to be listening.

Dr. Charleston shook his head in frustration. "No, I had had enough of these excuses. This needs to end now."

"I know, believe me sir I am going to do something about it as soon as I am done with this patient that was just rushed in." Marie began to walk away to head to the OR.

"No, I will deal with the patient. You are going to deal with this now. I can no longer risk patients like this." He rushed past Marie and headed to the OR.

Marie closed her hands into fists and tried to keep herself together. How she wanted to slap him but it would get her nowhere and she could possibly lose her job that she loved so much. With much reluctance she walked away from a surgery, something she had never been forced to do, and counted to ten in her head to calm herself.

By the time she reached the end of the hall, two Gotham police officers were waiting and questioning witnesses.

"Here she comes right now." One of the nurses at the station pointed to her as she narrowed her eyes to make sure if the nurse was pointing at her. Much to Marie's dismay, she was.

Marie face went pale. "What is going on here?"

"Dr. Spencer, you are under arrest for assault and property damage." These were certainly cops she did not recognize. One of the cops turned her around and handcuffed her hands. "Anything you say will be held accountable in a court of law. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you."

Marie's heart began to pound rapidly as they led her out the Emergency Room. Everyone was once again completely speechless as they watched Gotham's most gifted young cardiologist and future wife of Bruce Wayne being shoved into the back of a squad car. As well as the fact that she was the police commissioner's niece, was just completely unspeakable. The media will certainly have a field day after they find out about this; Marie had unwillingly given them what they had been looking for. A scandal

Tears threatened to fall but she forced herself to hold them in. There was absolutely no way she would cry in front of these people. Being under criticizing eyes was something she had not signed up for when she decided to come and work in Gotham City, much less when she decided to become Mrs. Bruce Wayne.

Things could not get possibly any worse than this. Could it?


Marie arrived to the Gotham police station in a very annoyed mood. Fortunately no photographer had seen her leave in the back of squad car but there were plenty of witnesses who would leak the information to the media.

"What the hell were you thinking Marie?!" Jim paced around his office as Marie sat quietly with handcuffs on her hands.

"What do you mean what was I thinking? This is absolutely ridiculous! I did nothing wrong into teaching that rude pap a lesson! He was interfering with my job." Marie wasn't going to let anyone tell her that her motives were wrong. She had every right to defend herself. "Those people should keep their employees in check."

Jim sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Don't you see that was the reaction they wanted from you? This could really damage your career."

Marie shook her head and decided not to even look at her Uncle Jim was being completely unreasonable. "You weren't there and you just don't get it."

"That wouldn't make a difference as to how unsure, now more than ever, about this marriage to Wayne. You didn't seem to care about your career as you flung this guys camera across the emergency room." Jim replied as he looked out the window.

"Wait a minute here; this has nothing to do with my engagement to Bruce." Marie wished she wasn't in hand cuffs.

"It has everything to do with it. This isn't the end of it Marie, you will be under everyone's criticizing stare." Jim was really trying hard not get angry with Marie but she did not seem to be thinking clearly. She had worked very hard for her career and she had almost blown it off when she was going to marry Harvey Dent, and he did not want the story to repeat itself with Bruce Wayne.

"I know that and I don't care. I am only going to marry Bruce not the entire city." Marie was becoming very frustrated and hoped that Bruce or Alfred would come and get her. "I really wish you would understand. You promised me."

"I know, but at this point I am questioning everything." Jim sat down and picked up the phone.

"You really should stop treating me like a child. I am a grown woman who is capable of making her own decisions." Marie was angry now and annoyed with her Uncle Jim.

"Well your actions today didn't seem that of a grown woman." Jim gave her a stern look and hung up the phone.

Before Marie could respond to that Bruce and Alfred came through the door. Marie sighed in relief as she saw them.

"Are you alright? What happened?" Bruce went over to her and examined her as she looked at the ground because she was embarrassed by the entire ordeal as well.

"It's a long story, can we just go…please." Marie didn't want to explain in front of her Uncle Jim in fear of their argument to escalate.

"Okay." Bruce nodded as he and Alfred noticed the tension in the room.

Jim called for someone to take off Marie's handcuffs. Once she was free, Marie stood and massaged her wrists.

Bruce turned and faced Jim. "Thank you for calling me. I also wanted to let you know we are having an engagement dinner on Saturday; it would be great if you could join us."

Jim looked at Bruce, then at Marie. "Yes, I will try to show up if I am not swamped here."

Marie shook her head. "Don't because it would be very hypocritical of you." With that Marie walked out of the office full of disappointment.