A/N: This is merely a work of fiction. I, do not in anyway, own the marvelous Batman (or Bruce :c ) All rights and ownership belong to DC comics. I DO own my plotline and Nicolette. Enjoy !~
Thanks for all the reviews from Elientjeuh , BrittanyMichele, AMSR! Also all the favorites and alerts! I love you guys!~
NICOLETTE ANDERSON
Nicolette's alarm went off at exactly 5:45 a.m. She groaned and hit the snooze button, not wanting to get up just then. That's when the reality of her situation hit her. Today was her first day of being in the Gotham Ballet Company. And she needed to be on time and ready for anything. She was prepared for the worst. Nicolette jumped out of bed and automatically hit up the shower. She scrubbed her skin furiously and lathered up her corn silk-colored hair. Once she had rinsed, she got out, she slipped on her robe and wrapped a towel around her hair. Nicolette poured herself a bowl of cereal and then started brewing herself a cup of coffee. That's when she noticed the red light blinking on her answering machine.
"Please don't tell me they've decided not to hire me." She whispered, approaching the machine. She clicked the play button and held her breath and Marina's voice started talking at her.
"Take a breath Nicolette. I know what's going through your mind right now." Was the first thing Marina had said. Nicolette breathed and kept listening. "Listen, I hate to do this to you, but my sister called and she's having a lot of problems at home. I really need to get out their tonight, but there's a Gotham Business Association Dinner tonight and I was supposed to go. Could you go instead of me? Just this one time Olette I promise! It's at 5 p.m. sharp and formal attire is required. It's being held-" Marina's voiced kept droning on and Nicolette sighed.
These kind of events were the exact reason her and Marina got along. Marina was the one who was supposed to take care of these things. But, Nicolette understood her situation so she'd help her out his time. Nicolette quickly texted Marina's phone, telling her that she would be able to attend the dinner. Then, realizing she was losing precious time, she grabbed her bowl of cereal and coffee and retreated to the bathroom.
Nicolette was really good at multitasking. She managed to dry her hair pin-straight while drinking her coffee and then get dressed in between each bite of cereal. Once her food and drink was finished, she sat in front of her vanity and slowly wrapped her hair up in a tight bun. Since she had no layers, her hair looked slick and shiny. She dusted on some powder and smiled at herself, trying to boost up her confidence. Nicolette stood and looked at herself in her light pink leotard. She was slender, tall, and didn't look precisely her age of twenty-five. She could have passed for twenty-one, but today she would feel many years older. Nicolette gave herself one last smile and put on another pair of yoga pants and a sweatshirt, which was what her closet mostly consisted of.
She walked back out into the kitchen and reviewed her schedule one more time. Practice started at precisely 7 a.m. and it was 6:15 right now. She would have plenty of time to get there if she left right now.
"Shit." She muttered reviewing the end times. Her practice would end at noon, and that's if everything went well. Then after that she still had the afternoon class to teach and that ended at three. I'm going to look horrible for this dinner tonight, she thought. She would be entirely rushed. Nicolette shrugged, whatever happens, happens, and left her apartment.
Nicolette arrived at the Gotham Ballet Company studio ten minuets early. And if she was any earlier she would've taken time to stop and gawk at the beauty of the building itself. It was large and stately, made of bright red brick. Once inside though, she was greeted by the smell of old wood floors, which to her smelled wonderful. Many of the ballerinas were already here, stretching or chatting idly. She sighed and she put her bag down next to the bar. They're all nineteen to twenty-one. I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb.
The digital clock on the wall finally announced 7 and then the girls all headed towards the locker room. Nicolette had no choice to follow, so she did. Once inside, she let out a sigh of relief. The coach, Mrs. Barbara Matthews, a ripe age of fifty-three, was standing in the center of the room. She clapped her bony hands together, the rings on her fingers making metallic jingles. At once everyone got silent.
"Well, another day ladies. But this day is much more exciting! I've decided to add another dancer to our Company here." Everyone started looking around and whispering an Nicolette felt her face get red. "Nicolette Anderson? Are you here?" Nicolette took a deep breath and plastered a smile on her face. She walked forward, saying 'excuse me's' as she passed people.
"Hello, nice to meet you Mrs. Matthews." She shook the hand of the stately woman in front of her.
"Oh call me Barb." She laughed, which automatically made Nicolette feel better. "Now ladies you better get used to having an actual woman around here besides me." Nicolette felt her face flush. The girls looked at each other and were already rolling their eyes.
"Now! Get changed and meet me out there in five! We have a lot of work to do!" Barb clapped her hands again and then turned to Nicolette. "I'm so happy to have you with us. I saw your tape and it was superb. I'll show you your locker and then we'll start the day!" Nicolette smiled and followed Barb through the locker room. She was shown her locker and then she quickly shed her outer layers. Her nerves had somewhat cooled and she was ready for whatever was coming towards her. Out in the dance room, the girls were already whispering. Nicolette heard a few "She's twenty-six?" floating around but she just ignored them. Barb soon made her entrance and then they started. The basics were the easy part. They stretched, practiced their jetés and grand jetés, worked on the perfect forms of plies and demi-plies, and finally started Pointe. The girls all lined up and then it was silent, as everyone was concentrating.
Nicolette finished up her first day, completely exhausted. Once they had finished Pointe, Barb announced that they were going to start Choreography for their next show. The lead parts would be rehearsed and the parts would be chosen after try-outs. It was the only fair way that worked, it what Barb had said. Once she was changed back into normal clothes, Nicolette checked the time and groaned. It was going on one o'clock. She needed to get the studio and fast. She rushed out the studio, a few girls looking oddly at her as she dashed by.
Nicolette was lucky enough to catch a bus heading the same direction as her studio. She settled into a seat near the front and kept her eyes on her cell phone, watching as the minutes ticked by. The bus stopped just down the street from her studio so she got out and just booked it. Luckily she was skilled at weaving in between people so she made it to the doors just in time, as a couple students had just arrived.
"Go get changed!" She instructed them as she entered and flicked on all the lights. Her patience was already worn and now she had to teach another older class. She went into her office and placed her bags down and fell into her chair.
"Oh this is going to be real fun." She muttered, brushing a strand of hair back from her face. Her heart was pounding. "Ok calm down. Once this class is over…." she cursed under her breath. That damned charity dinner. Nicolette had completely forgotten. She took another deep breath and exited the office, her nerves close to snapping.
The class was quiet when she entered the room. Nicolette immediately began taking attendance and paused when the three from yesterday still weren't here.
"Has anyone seen Caddie, Krysten, or Lucy?" She called. Everyone started looking around the room, a look of worry in their eyes. When no one answered, Nicolette excused herself from the room and into the office. She sat down at the desk and called each of their homes. No one answered, but each of the answering machine's messages were urging the caller to leave a message. Slightly shaken, Nicolette left the office and resumed class. She would get to the bottom of this.
It was 3:45 when Nicolette rushed into her apartment. Immediately she sprinted for the bathroom, stripping of her clothes in record time. The water was still slightly cold when she hopped it, but she had no time for wasting. Nicolette quickly, yet thoroughly, bathed and then enclosed herself in her robe once more.
Nicolette threw on a simple black gown that hit her in all the right places. She spent most of her time in the bathroom applying a light smidge of eyeliner and mascara. Her skin was left naturally porcelain-colored, but she made it pop with some red lipstick. Now her hair. Nicolette sighed as her locks fell out of the towel, still pin-straight. She glanced at the clock, trying to calculate if she had enough time to dry and curl her hair. The time was nearing 4:15 so she definitely didn't want to risk it. Nicolette started the hair dryer and waved it fanatically around her head. She got in dry in about ten minutes and then grabbed her purse, slipped on a pair of heels, and bolted out the door.
BRUCE WAYNE
Bruce was stilled tire when Alfred woke him up around two. The night before had been especially troubling and it plagued his dreams. As he began his regimen of pushups, the encounter ran through his mind.
"What were your instructions?" He said, moving back into the shadows.
"To kill you."
Her voice had been serious, yet there was a chilling, mocking edge to it. The young as she was bothered him as well. Bruce finished his exercise and left his room, easily maneuvering the maze-like manor. He found Alfred in the kitchen, sorting through the fridge.
"Well good afternoon Master Wayne." Alfred placed a plate with a sandwich in front of Bruce.
"Alfred." Bruce nodded curtly, his mind still on the Batman's nightly occurrences. Bruce took a few bites, but only finished half the sandwich, much to Alfred's dislike.
"Sir, you need to finish. Energy does come from food you know." Alfred muttered, moving to clean up the kitchen.
"I'll eat at that wretched event tonight." Bruce muttered, unfolding the newspaper. He quickly scanned the page, skipping all the celebrity and gossip columns. His eyes rested on an article about recent disappearances.
Three families have recently come forward, reporting that their daughters have been missing. The last contact they had was last Wednesday when the three girls were out together and called home to check in. Family members ask that if you have an knowledge of the girls whereabouts, that you please contact them right away. The girls names are Caddie Everman, Krysten Hallowell, and Lucille (Lucy) de Grigiano. Once again, their parents ask that if you have had contact with these girls that you call them right away.
Pictures were supplied of the three girls and Bruce instantly recognized the one as Caddie from last night. With one had firmly clutching the paper, he stalked off to the cave.
Bruce sat at the large computer un four thirty, researching the girls names and background, anything he could use to link them to The Phoenix. The girls were all athletic, enrolled for eight years in ballet and advanced dance classes. Newspaper articles confirmed his suspicions about their backgrounds. All three were friends from birth and had grown into quite the Gotham socialites. Their parents were business partners, slowly climbing their way to Gotham's top tier. For a second, Bruce wondered why he did recognize their names, but then he remembered that he never really cared about the social scene.
Bruce scanned a few police files dating this year. They seemed promising. After reading them, he deduced that all three of the girls had been caught and fined extensively for illegal drug possession and alcohol use.
"Got it," Bruce said, finally finding the link to The Phoenix. Of course, that link was drugs. Tonight he'd have a lot of work to do. But first, he'd have Alfred sent an anonymous tip to the three families. Anything to try to get those girls off the streets.
Alfred managed to drag Bruce up from the cave around four thirty. Thankfully, Bruce only arrived at the banquet ten minutes late, but no one cared. His reputation covered that. Bruce stepped out from the car, looking dashing in a black suit, not too flashy, and shiny shoes. A few photographers snapped photos of him as he made for the door. Once inside, Bruce had his image to maintain. He glided past tables, making foolish chitchat and winking occasionally at tittering women. He really despised this whole acts.
Eventually Bruce settled at a table as dinner was about to be served. About fifty round tables were scattered around the large hall and people were hopping from table to table. It was interesting to see so many different people all getting along. Though he did notice a few wealthy snobs sitting haughtily at a secluded table. Now the waiters emerged from the kitchen and Bruce's table began to fill with a few investors and their eye-lashing batting wives. They all started talking business amongst themselves and the women began ogling Bruce.
"Excuse me," a voice came from behind Bruce's shoulder. "Do you mind if I take this seat? I forgot to stake a claim before dinner began." The woman laughed nervously and Bruce turned around. A striking woman stood before him, her bluish-tinted opalescent betraying her embarrassment.
"Of course." Bruce smiled and gestured that she was free to sit. The woman neatly tucked her tall frame into the chair and scooted closer to the table. "Bruce Wayne." He said, showing off his rows of pearly white teeth. As she faced him, her eyes lacked the embarrassment and the insane, lust-driven curiosity he was used to.
"Nicolette Anderson." She replied softly. The table turned towards her as she spoke, their eyes dubious and appraising.
"Oh and what company do you own dear?" Mrs. Devrie, a CEO of a charity-funding company. The others chuckled.
"Actually I co-own a ballet studio in Downtown Gotham. We've become quite well-known as of late. The other owner wasn't able to make it tonight." Bruce detected a hit of anger and annoyance in her eyes.
"Oh that's nice. I've always considering learning ballet. It's such a… delicate art." The woman replied, obviously sarcastic.
"More like useless." her husband said under his breath. They all chuckled, as if the degrading comment was just good fun. Nicolette looked like she was going to strike up an argument, but then the food arrived.
NICOLETTE ANDERSON
She was going to kill Marina for this. Nicolette ate in silence, glad the food had arrived to quell her growing temper. The people she was forced to sit with were snide and arrogant. Definitely not her type of people. And then, to top it all off, Bruce Wayne was being constantly hounded by all the women in sight. It was utterly unbearable. Nicolette sighed as she finished her meal and took a hearty drink from her water.
"Would you care for a drink?" An unexpected question came from next to her.
"Ah? Oh no thank you," She declined. God knew she would kill for a little bit of alcohol, but she had to teach her college class and go to rehearsal tomorrow. Bruce shrugged, an unheard joke dancing in his eyes.
"Why do I look like I need a drink?" She monotoned.
"Actually, you do." He laughed. "I didn't realize how boring this table is. You're barely staying awake." He taunted. His words made Nicolette realize how tired she actually was, physically (which she was used to) and emotionally, from all the stress.
"I just had a long day." She admitted.
"Well, accompany me to get a drink and you can tell me all about it." He teased, batting his eyelashes. Nicolette eyed him incredulously, but then stood. Anything to get away from that table. Nicolette and Bruce started walking across the room, and Nicolette started feeling unwanted, piercing stares. Oh right, this is the Bruce Wayne I'm walking with. I suppose I look like another one of his conquests…
"So, your day?" He asked lightly. They had approached the corner of the hall with the open bar. He leaned against the counter as the bartender prepared whatever he had ordered.
"Long." Nicolette ran a hand through her tresses. Bruce made a motion, urging her to continue. "Five hour practice this morning and then a two hour dance class that I had to teach right afterwards. Plus, I just found out that I had to attend this dinner, this morning." She rolled her eyes, still annoyed at Marina's last minute change of plans.
"Practice for what?" He asked, slightly intrigued.
"Ballet. I was just invited to join the Gotham Company yesterday. It's a really big deal, seeing that my prime age has passed."
"Is it a lot of work?" She nodded once his question left his mouth.
"Extremely. It takes a lot of dedication and practicing the fundamentals. Also, in the very beginning, it was quite painful." He nodded thoughtfully as he accepted his drink from the bartender.
"Is is stuffy in here, or is it just me?" He offered her his arm and led the way out into a courtyard.
BRUCE WAYNE
Bruce led Nicolette outside, where it was quieter and much less crowded. A few people roamed around the courtyard and the small garden paths that twisted around the center. He was honestly intrigued. From the little she had spoken so far, he already knew that she was a very dedicated person. Much like himself. It took a lot for him to keep his light, richy-rich attitude in place.
"So is the dance industry all you do?" He asked, wanting to keep her talking.
"I teach European History at the local college during the week." Nicolette replied. "I have Ballet classes on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday. Rehearsals every other day, before or after work. I practice martial arts on Thursday mornings at my Studio. And then regular workouts too of course. " Bruce was surprised at her answers.
"You sound like a busy woman." He chuckled, leading her through a cobblestone path lined with sweet-smelling trees.
"I am. But I don't really mind it. I guess I've just gotten used to it. There's nothing else I'd really rather be doing." She noticed that he kept the conversation to light topics.
"I used to be a polo player. It was tough work." He added. Internally, Bruce grimaced. He hated lying, but how else was he supposed to relate to her? Without giving away his secret at least.
"That's what I've heard. Training is everything for those sports. Though I guess it's applies the same to ballet." She laughed and Bruce smiled. "But really, enough about me. How is Wayne Enterprises?" She asked, turning to the one thing she really knew about this man.
"Currently undergoing some… internal changes. For the better of course." He smiled when he remembered that Mr. Fox had come back to run the company.
"What exactly is it that Wayne Enterprises does?" Nicolette had to admit that she honestly had no clue.
"We specialize in more of the technology side of things as of late. Unfortunately I can't disclose our secrets." Bruce laughed.
"Damn. There goes my plan for unraveling the mystery of Wayne Enterprises." Nicolette and Bruce emerged from the tangle of paths, back into the courtyard. Nicolette looked at the delicate silver watch on her wrist and sighed. Bruce glanced over at her.
"Something wrong?"
"It's almost eight. And I am, quite honestly, really tired. I should be going."
"Well then, have a good night and try to keep up with your crazy schedule." She laughed and Bruce placed a kiss on her cheek. "Maybe you can work in some time to go out to dinner?"
"I- I'll have to see. You know, rearrange things." She blushed and then departed, exiting the courtyard with one last glance at Bruce.
NICOLETTE ANDERSON
Nicolette had made it home, unaware of the atrocity that happened across Gotham. She had only taken another shower, gotten comfy in a pair of old pajamas and opened up her laptop to double check her lesson plan for tomorrow. Outside the moon was full and she thought back to a few hours before.
"Bruce Wayne…" She laughed at herself. She'd humor him and go out to dinner. When she had time. She permitted herself a small smile. Nicolette Anderson, the only person the would have to make Bruce Wayne schedule dinner around her life. She had to give it to the guy though, he kept her talking and kept her interested. Just as she was about to head off to bed, her cell phone rang.
"Hello?" She said, answering it.
"So how'd it go?" Marina questioned. Nicolette sighed.
"Horribly. The people were rude and I ended up becoming Bruce Wayne's new 'exploit.'"
"Woah. What!" Marina muttered something in Spanish that Nicolette couldn't quite translate. "If I knew Bruce Wayne himself was going to be attended I would've made sure I had been there. He is just… fine." Nicolette laughed.
"I had to sit next to him at dinner. And then we strolled through this flower-filled courtyard under the stars." Nicolette said this with a wistful, dreamy air to her voice.
"Did his kiss you? Ask you out?" Marina sounded doubly shocked.
"On the cheek. And yes, but it's around my hectic schedule of course. No date has been officially set."
"Oh dear. This is serious. You do realize that you are going to get hounded by every reporter in Gotham?" Marina sounded extremely serious.
"Sure Mar. Now I have a class tomorrow. I need sleep. Good night." Nicolette hung up and went to bed, her thoughts circling around Marina's words.
BRUCE WAYNE
Not half an hour after Bruce had left the banquet, Batman was patrolling the streets. He ended up in the Narrows, searching for more Phoenix members. Tonight though, no one was out. It set a shiver down his spine to hear silence throughout the Narrows. He hopped a few rooftops, listening for the tiniest sound. Batman picked up on a few cats and even fewer cars. Idly, he wondered what happened to make everyone so silent.
Perhaps the Phoenix are up to something tonight. They might be a bigger terror to the people here than I thought.
Batman stood near the edge of a rooftop, looking into the alley below. He sensed something was off. As he scanned the street and the alley below, he thought he saw a waft of smoke drifting out a small, cracked window. He tried to peer inside, but the window was dingy and covered in grime. He was about to disregard it when a singed and slightly aflame object was propelled out the window, slowly dropping towards the alley below. The odd occurrence made him pause a second, but soon he was floating down to the alleyway, his cape whispering through the air.
Batman landed with a muffled thud. He smelled smoke and went to investigate the charred remains of the object. He picked it up gently, not wanting to damage the article. A quick survey told him that it was a shirt and the word Everman in black lettering. The bottom was completely charred and most of it was reduced to ashes. He knew it was a key piece of evidence. Now it was time to find out more.
Again surveying the alley, he noticed an older door that was slightly ajar. He crept towards it, staying in the shadows. He gloved hand slowly pushed the door open wider and a blast of heat met his face. Momentarily stunned, he backed away from the door. The heat was now radiating around the open door and more smoke drifted lazily out the door. Taking a deep breath under the mask, Batman entered the building.
The small part of Bruce under all the Batman layers was slightly appalled. Batman made his way up the stairs, only to find a large room with only the small, dirty window. The shocking part was the large incinerator tucked neatly into the wall.
"What…" He growled, moving towards the beast, the shirt still in his hand. The door had blown open and inside the flames were ravaging…something. It was too late for him to recognize the lump of ashes, but Batman knew. He looked down at the shirt in his hands and he knew. The flames were bright and occasionally flicking out of the machine like a snake's tongue. He stood there, mesmerized by the fire. It was the unbearable heat that eventually cleared his head.
"Gordon." He rasped, the cell phone already to his ear. The commissioner was a little shocked to hear the malice in the Batman's voice. Batman told him the address and then paused. "I found a shirt. It was one of the girl's that went missing recently, I'm almost positive." He hung up and left the building, hiding out on the next rooftop, waiting to speak to Gordon in person.
The police arrived fast, and for that Batman was thankful. As the team rushed into the building, Gordon detached himself and soon was face to mask with the Batman.
"I found the shirt in the alley. I have good reason to believe that it was her in the- incinerator." Batman continued to tell the commissioner about the previous nights events.
"We'll call her parents. Do you believe this is the work of the Phoenix?" Commissioner Gordon's face was grim and there were worry lines on his face.
"Yes. The Narrows were unusually quiet tonight. The people here know something's up. I'll be in touch." Batman disappeared, leaving Gordon to investigate the building and it's atrocities further.
"Master Wayne?" Alfred stumbled upon Bruce in the cave, taking off the suit. Bruce didn't say anything. He didn't know how to even explain what he had found tonight.
"I think the Phoenix is even worse than the Joker was Alfred. And tonight was just the beginning." Memories flashed through Bruce's mind of the Joker and his demented, yet comical demeanor. The Joker had been insane, crazy, and ruthless. He had taken away one of Bruce's dearest friends. But whoever was running this cult scared Bruce more.
"Well Sir, whenever you wish to talk about it." Alfred went back upstairs in the lift, leaving Bruce wondering the fate of the other two missing girls in the dark cave.
SO~ I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. There was a lot of Bruce in this chapter, but that's ok! I have a feeling I'm going to have to boost the rating up to mature, just so ffnet doesn't get on my butt. XD
Thanks again for all the reviews!
My friend and I are currently working together on the villainous subplot so be prepared for a bunch of stuff! I really hope you're enjoying this fiction so far!Please keep reviewing. The reviews inspire me to not drop this story, so I want at least three more. That's not too hard is it?
UNTIL NEXT TIME!-K