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Chapter Two: Back to Safety

Rachel awoke to a light tapping noise. She opened her eyes to find herself in Bruce's bedroom, covered in only a sheet. And behind her, with an arm wrapped firmly around her waist, was none other than Bruce Wayne, his warm breath falling lightly on her neck as he slept. Before Rachel could fully comprehend and remember the blissful night before, the door opened and Alfred stepped into the room carrying a breakfast tray. Rachel gasped, causing Bruce to flinch as Alfred froze in his spot at the door.

"Excuse me, Miss Dawes," Alfred lowered his gaze, but seemed unfazed by her presence. "I did not realize Master Wayne had company."

She remained silent, not sure what to say to this man who had watched her grow up with Bruce, now lying naked in the same man's bed. Bruce tightened his hold on her with a deep, steady intake of breath as he fully awoke.

"It's alright, Alfred," Bruce's sleepy voice spoke up, his warm breath tickling her ear. "You can leave the tray right there. Thank you."

Alfred nodded and placed the tray on the table across the room before excusing himself. Rachel closed her eyes and tried to control her breathing as Bruce kissed her shoulder.

"Good morning, beautiful," Bruce whispered. "You have no idea how long I have wanted to wake up next to you."

She said nothing.

"Are you alright?" He asked in love and concern.

"What have we done?" Rachel breathed out.

He didn't answer right away and she sat up, taking the sheet with her. His upper torso was exposed and she had to avoid looking at him and falling right back into his arms.

"This was wrong. I cheated on him!"

"Rachel..." He moaned as he stared at her bare back and long brown hair. "Please don't do this."

"Bruce, you let me cheat on him. Oh, God, I am a horrible person."

"No, you aren't."

"I am so stupid." She started crying. "He's going to leave me."

"Rachel…" Bruce breathed out, sitting up and pulling her close. She turned and cried into his neck as he rubbed her back. "I'm sorry."

"No, it's my fault. I initiated it. I just…I couldn't stop, Bruce. I didn't want to. This is my fault."

He looked down. "I meant what I said last night. I'll give it up for you if you want me to."

"I…I don't know. I…" She stood, trying to cover herself up and get dressed at the same time. "Oh Bruce… Harvey has offered me everything I ever wanted and I just risked it all. I am so stupid."

He got up too, less worried about hiding himself from her as he began to dress. She stepped into the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. The face staring back at her was not the face she had seen in the mirror yesterday. She, Rachel Dawes had slept with her best friend, something they had both wanted to do for years, but had never wanted to risk stepping over the edge and plunging in. When they had finally risked it, they hadn't taken a step over the edge. They had jumped over completely.

She was a mix of jumbled emotions. She was amazed by how perfect Bruce had been with her, but she had cheated on her fiancé. She had let her mask fall. Both of them had, and in this moment, looking at herself in Bruce Wayne's bathroom mirror, she knew that she could never fully regret the amazing night she had had with the man she saw as the love of her life. But there was more to a relationship than love, and Bruce was not ready to give those things to a relationship. Rachel sighed, covering her face with her hands. Once again, she had no idea what she wanted with the rest of her life. Bruce was always putting a wrinkle in her plans.

She debated over taking a shower, but wasn't ready to wash the smell of him from her skin yet. When she stepped out into the bedroom again, he was standing there in only a pair of jeans, looking at her with those same deep eyes that always pulled at her soul, and she found him completely irresistible. She walked toward him, a distressed mess, and he turned toward her just as she stepped into the comfort of his arms. He held her for several minutes, his lips pressed to her hair. She knew how much he loved her, and it tore her apart inside.

"Was this a mistake?" Rachel dared to ask, her voice a whisper.

Bruce took her face in his hands, looking her straight in the eyes. "No. Absolutely not. I will never regret any moment I share with you. You are my world, Rachel Dawes. Last night was not a mistake. It was a miracle that should have happened a long time ago."

She nodded softly and he pressed his lips to her forehead and then tilted her face up and pressed his lips softly to hers. When they parted, she rested her head against his broad, chiseled chest.

"Bruce, I still…I'm with Harvey."

"I know," he muttered, his voice pained. He had said everything he could think to say. "Do what you need to do."

"I should go home and change," Rachel said softly. "I'm meeting Harvey for lunch…if I can face him."

Bruce nodded, letting go of her reluctantly. Just as she was about to slip out the door, he called out to her.

"Rachel…I'll be here… if you need me," His voice was full of warmth and promise.

She smiled faintly at him and then pulled the door closed behind her. Last night had been the most amazing night of her life, but it was time for both of them to come back to reality and put their masks back on.