Chapter Three

A Bat In My Belfry

Erin sat in her seat with her elbows propped up and she stared into her coffee. The coffee made ripples every time she breathed onto it. Harley sat opposite her, giving her lectures on dieting, finding a good boy friend, etc, etc.

"Are you even listenin' to me?" Harley asked.

Erin smiled sadly, "Personally, not really. I just have things on my mind", she shrugged while emphazing things.

"Well, after you got off work. I heard one of the doctors say Mr. Wayne is comin' by to visit the children's wing", Harley replied, snapping her gum like she was in high school or something.

Erin just sat back and crossed her arms. She was in charge of the children's wing. Which meant, as of right now, she was back on duty. But it didn't really matter. She was better off here then out on the street.

"Want to walk out to my car with me?" Erin asked.

"Sure. I could use the exorcise", Harley said in a chipper voice.

Erin just rolled her eyes. As annoying as her best friend was, she loved her like a twin sister. As they approached her car, a black four door sports car entered the parking garage. Erin and Harley watched as the car parked one space over. Erin wrenched open her back seat door and grabbed her nurses uniform. The doors of the black car opened and four men stepped out. Security detail and a tall, handsome man with dark brown hair, nicely trimmed.

"Oh my god, do you know who that is?" Harley asked grasping Erin's shoulder.

"No, I don't. Let's go", Erin replied.

As they and the four men approached the elevator, the young man with the brown hair stepped aside.

"Ladies first", he replied smiling.

Harley smiled and began giggling like a school girl. Erin, however, gave him a court nod and nothing else. Who did he think he was? Casanova? Erin found herself strangely, hating the elevator stopped at the lobby floor, Erin turned to Harley.

"I'm going to change, tell Dr. Swanson I'll be down to the children's wing in a few minutes", Erin said.

"Okay", Harley responded in a casual manner.

When Erin disappeared into the woman's restroom, the young man turned to Harley.

"Excuse me but is she in charge of the Children's wing?" He asked.

"Yepperz..I mean..why yes she is. She's the best nurse in that ward. The kids absolutely love her. And your name is..?" Harley asked.

"Bruce Wayne", He replied shaking her hand.

Harley tilted her head and smiled, "Well, Mr. Wayne, the children's ward is upstairs and to the left. Ms. Knightly will be right with you".

Bruce nodded. He and his security detail followed Harley's directions.

"Ms. Knightly? Am I really that lucky?", Bruce thought to himself.

After leaving her change of clothes in her locker, Erin clocked in and went up to the children's ward. The three security men were standing outside the door way. Erin sighed and took a deep breath. Erin went into the room, the children weren't in this room today, they were in another room down the hall. Bruce turned around.

"He's that guy from the parking garage", Erin thought to herself.

Bruce smiled, "You must be Ms. Knightly".

"Erin Knightly. And how can I help you?" Erin asked as politely as possible.

"I'm Bruce Wayne. I came to donate some money to the Cancer fond", Bruce replied.

Erin gave him a small smile. Nothing too toothy or too flirtatious. She was finding herself thinking of the Joker as she stared at Bruce. Erin wondered when the torment was going to stop.

"Are you okay?" Bruce asked touching her shoulder lightly.

Erin shook his hand off, "I'm fine".

She didn't want him touching her. It wasn't his fingers she wanted touching her shoulder lightly. Erin wanted to turn tail and run but she just stood there until she remembered why Bruce was actually there.

"The nurse at the front desk has the jar for the Cancer fond. But I thank you for donating. These children thank you too. Anything else I can help you with?" Erin asked kindly this time.

"How about dinner? Say...tonight?" Bruce asked.

Erin was taken aback by this. He was asking her out? Why would he ask her out? Of all the beautiful nurses here at the hospital? He had to ask her. Bruce just stood there with his hands in his pockets. He wasn't leaving until she answered.

"Sure", Erin muttered.

Sure? Yes? Why not? Damn. Erin just smiled as he passed her.

"I'll pick you up here around seven?" Bruce asked.

"Sounds great", Erin said nodding.

After he and his security detail left, Erin went to find Harley. She found her putting clean sheets in an empty hospital room. Harley looked up as Erin came in. Erin shut the door and turned back to her friend, Harley raised a think eyebrow.

"Are you going to have a seizure?" Harley asked.

"No. But I might as well. Bruce Wayne asked me out to dinner. Tonight. He's picking me up here, tonight", Erin replied.

Harley let out a shriek of happiness and hugged her. Erin found this rather annoying. Harley noticed how uncomfortable she looked and let go.

"Sorry. But oh my god. Bruce Wayne asked you out. Aren't you happy? Joyous? Anything?" Harley asked.

"He's not my type", Erin muttered.

"And who is your type? The psychopath they locked up in Arkham a few years back? Bruce Wayne is Gotham's richest millionaire. He's good looking, smart, charming. He seems to like you. He even asked about you. He really seemed interested", Harley said crossing her arms across her chest.

Erin sat down on the half made bed. She stared at the floor. Her face reflected off the mop job the floor had gotten. She might as well give him a chance. Who knows? Maybe this will give her a chance to start over, to live freely again. She thought she saw her reflection smile back at her. Erin looked up at Harley.

"Fine. I'll go out with him. But I can't promise you anything", Erin replied.

Harley hugged her again but this time Erin hugged her back.

- -

6:55 pm.

Erin had nothing glamorous to wear. She put on her black pleaded skirt, her black work shoes, black nylons, a black long sleeved shirt and her black button sweater from her nurses locker. She left her hair down and put her black head band in her hair. She applied a light red lipstick.

7:00 pm

He wasn't here. This had to have been a joke. HA! A joke. Erin had a sense of humor, she laughed to herself as she sat in the lobby. Harley came over, carrying a clipboard.

"Ain't here?" Harley asked.

"Nope. It's a big joke. One big fat joke and guess what? The joke is on me", Erin replied smiling sarcastically and pointing to herself.

Just then the elevator opened. Instead of nicely dressed Bruce Wayne, Batman stood there, holding no emotion what so ever.

"Wayne sent the Batman to pick you up", Harley said squealing and punching Erin's shoulder.

From the news Erin had heard, Batman was an outcast to the Gotham's citizens and police force. What on earth could the Bat want with her?

"Are you Erin Knightly?" Batman asked.

"Yes", Erin said standing up.

"I need you to come with me", Batman replied.

Erin nodded and followed him. Upon reaching the parking garage. Batman grabbed hold of her and pushed her against the wall.

"Where is he?" Batman asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about", Erin said feeling a little threatened.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. Now, where is he?" Batman asked.

"I don't - ", but Erin was cut off. Batman punched her in the face, knocking her down.

"Joker escaped Arkham last night and I know you were with him two years ago. I'm going to ask you again, where is he?" Batman shouted.

"That's impossible", Erin muttered holding her face, letting tears sting her eyes for the first time in months.

Batman stood over her. He wasn't getting anywhere with her. Erin sat up and watched as he turned and began walking away. Erin felt her face. She raised her hand to eye level, blood stained her fingers. He had hit her. Erin began to shake. Erin didn't dare go back to the main floor looking like this. She really didn't want to explain any of this to anyone, especially Harley.

"How did he know? How could he of known? How could Joker escape from Arkham? It's just so impossible".

Erin finally blacked out from the pain. The pain in her face seem to melt away and her body seemed lighter and seemed to hurt...the blood felt warm around her mouth. Someone would discover her soon.

"I need some ice...", Erin moaned as her eyes began to open.

Her sight blurred at first. She closed her eyes again. A hand softly touched down the side of her face. It felt nice. Erin opened her eyes again. Someone was kneeling near her.

"I need some ice for my face", She said softly.

"Ssshhh. Everything is going to be just fine", the softness became cold and mad, "He did this to you didn't he?"

"Yes", Erin breathed, answering the sound.

But...wait!

Erin opened her eyes. His eyes met hers. The garish smile grinned crudely at her, even though his lips were held tigtly. He knelt so close to her that their faces were just inches apart. His hand was brushing her hair away from her face.

"Welcome back", the Joker replied in a deathly calm whisper.

"At that moment, I knew, there was nothing I could do. This was real. But how? How did Batman know? How did the Joker find me so easily? Those thoughts swirled in my head. But my head became numb. A chill crept down my spine as it had two years ago. And all I could do was stare back into his eyes".

Author's Note: Sorry for the delay. Read and Review!