My alarm went off early the next morning, set for my usual workday routine. Quickly shutting it off I rolled over onto my back to stare at my ceiling. The events of last night rolled through my mind. The bank, the armed thugs, shattering glass, the Joker… and Batman. If it weren't for the bruises on my arms and waist I would have thought it was all a dream.

Pulling my sluggish body out of bed I made a quick phone call into work to let them know that I wouldn't be coming in.

"Of course not, sweetie. Nobody expected you to," Mr. Hillard's receptionist, Fiona, replied. She sniffled, "Its just horrible what happened. Do you need anything?"

"No, I'll be all right. Thanks, Fiona."

"Well, call me if you change your mind." Hanging up the phone I made my way into the bathroom to shower and change. As the water rushed over my body my mind couldn't help but drift back to the previous night. After Batman had left me on the roof I had no choice but to climb down twenty flights of unstable fire escapes to reach the ground. By that time the police had arrived on the scene. I hobbled in their direction, my mind still whirling.

"Cass!" I looked around to see who was calling my name. I spotted Matt Hillard heading towards me. I had hoped he wasn't on duty at the police station tonight. He must be worried sick about his father.

I gasped. What had happened to Mr. Hillard?

"Matt!" I cried when I reached him, "Did your Dad get out okay? Where is he? Please tell me he's all right." Matt shook his head.

"The bastards shot him." I sucked in a deep breath.

"Is he-?"

"He's alive," Matt assured me, "They're taking him to Mercy Hospital. I should really get you to the station… Get your statement."

"Go with your Dad," I told him, placing a hand on his arm, "I'll come by the station tomorrow." Matt nodded and rushed off towards the waiting ambulance.

Shaking my head, I brought my mind back into the present. Realizing that the water had grown cold I quickly shut it off and stepped out of the shower and into the warmth of a towel. Dressing quickly I headed out into the light of morning. Though it was unseasonably warm I couldn't help but shiver. Every corner I turned I half expected to come face to face with the Joker. I doubted I would ever feel entirely safe again. Even with Batman around.

Against my will my thoughts turned to the mythical Bat. I could distinctly remember how his arms felt wrapped around my waist as he carried me to safety. Despite his armor I could still feel the heat emanating from his body, soothing me. I could feel every muscle across his chest as I slid down his frame when he finally released me. The thought of his ice blue eyes boring into me while Joker's thugs held me captive sent a tingle down my spine.

I shook my head as I realized my feet had already carried me to the police station. The horror was over now. There was no use thinking about the Joker now… or Batman. What were the chances I would ever see them again?

Upon entering the station I was greeted by an officer who led me to an office in the back. The sign on the doorway read 'Commissioner Jim Gordon'.

"Ms. White?" an older man with white hair and spectacles rose from behind his desk and shook my hand.

"Yes…" I replied, looking around in confusion, "I'm sorry, I thought I'd be talking to Officer Hillard."

"I sent him home to be with his family."

"Do you know how Mr. Hillard is doing?"

"He pulled through the surgery well from what I heard. He's still in ICU of course." I nodded. I was just grateful that he was still alive.

"I can't believe I thought it was a car backfiring," I muttered, "If only I had set off the alarms as soon as I heard it, then-"

"You can't think like that, Ms. White. Trust me. You did everything you could. You and Mr. Hillard are both safe, and the Joker didn't manage to get any cash. Everything considered, things could have been much worse." I looked around the room, noticing for the first time a few sketches of Batman on the wall.

"I didn't really do anything. It was all him," I said, raising my hand to trace the outline of Batman's cowl, "I still can't believe it."

"He does seem to have that effect on people. But its over now. You're safe Ms. White." I turned to look at Gordon.

"Am I? Are any of us really safe with maniacs like the Joker on the loose?" Leaning back in his chair, Gordon crossed his arms and studied me closely for a moment.

"No. No one is ever truly safe. There is always the chance that something could go wrong," he finally replied. Sitting forward, Gordon pinned me with a gaze, "But as long as there are 'maniacs' on the loose, there will also be Batman to stop them. To put an end to our suffering."

I turned back to the sketches of Batman. While they were an adequate portrait of his general outline and physique they didn't come close to comparing to the intensity of his presence. I supposed that was impossible.

"That's a lot for one man's shoulders." Turning back to Gordon I saw he was now smiling kindly.

"Yes… But to him its worth it."