Disclaimer: Batman and all associated characters, from either the comic books or the movies do not belong to me. However the story and some related characters are original and mine.
A/N: Thank you to all reviewers. I can't stress enough how much I appreciate any commentary, but please keep in mind constructive criticism is better because it helps me improve my writing, and there is ALWAYS room for improvement. PLEASE give me feedback! ;) Thanks.
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Over the course of six months I underwent my police training. It was all the foundations: laws, regulations, hand-to-hand combat at an intermediate level and firearms training. I learned quickly, picking up each new skill as it was taught to me, with ease.
I decided, for my own good, to join some kick-boxing classes in the evenings, and after a couple months my trainer told me I'd benefit from a mixed martial arts class. So, at his recommendation I switched over, impressing my new sensei and even my teachers at the police academy. I couldn't believe the change in my body; my strength, my endurance, the sheer control my training had taught me.
Not to mention I looked better than I ever thought possible.
My dedication to my new occupation was bordering on obsession, as my best friend Tanner pointed out one evening.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you moved out of your apartment, blew your savings on this place," He waved his arms around for dramatic effect, and then ran a hand through his short blonde hair. "And joined the bloody, Gotham, police force?" I nodded and he sighed. "Excuse me for asking, but are you nuts?"
"Don't be a dick..." I rolled my eyes and continued setting the table.
"Seriously, Audrey, a cop? Really?"
"You're just upset because you don't have someone to bitch about Summerfield's lectures with you..." I tried to smile, but he gave me a very serious looking return. I sighed and stopped what I was doing. "I believe in this."
"You use to believe in getting out of this city." Tanner countered, inching towards me.
"Don't you find it funny that our ambitions amount to nothing else but getting out of Gotham?"
"No I don't. We hate this city. Or, at least you used to, and now I'm just trying to understand on which whim you've decided to throw away your entire future. You know I ran into Professor Marks and you're name came up? He couldn't believe you'd drop out. He called it a shame - actually an 'utter waste' was his exact wording. I can't imagine what he'd think if I told him what you've given up the academic world for."
I bit the corner of my lip. "Tanner."
He met my eyes, and I couldn't resist pressing my hand to his cheek. He closed his eyes and I sighed, "I'm doing this because I believe I can make a difference. I believe that fighting now will make Gotham a better place for the future."
"And you think you, one lone person, can make a difference?"
"Maybe not by myself, but it's a start."
"You're too good for this..."
"'What chance does Gotham have when the good people do nothing?'" I quoted. There was a moment of silence, and then he took my hand and gave it a little squeeze. "But enough about me," I continued. "I heard you wrote your dissertation and blew the review board away. Did they actually call you a master of the craft-?"
He laughed, "Don't try to change the subject by cuddling my pride."
"They asked you to stay on didn't they?"
He nodded, "Yeah."
"That's amazing Tanner, I'm so happy-"
"I said no."
"What?"
"I've joined the mayor's campaign; you know he's running for re-election."
"Tanner!"
"C'mon! You join the police force, I joined the politician game. I think it's a fair trade, especially if our plans to flee the city have changed. I'm here for the long run - as long as you are."
I couldn't help but smile, "As long as you know what you're getting yourself into."
"I think the real question is, do you know what you're getting yourself into?" He raised his brows in question, his blue eyes hazy.
"I'm not sure, but I think I'm about to find out."
Tanner and I had first met in first year poli-sci, and we'd been pretty much inseparable ever since. Just to set the record right, we weren't those two best friends that were secretly in love with each other and who are just waiting for the right moment to reveal their feelings for one another. To be honest, Tanner and I went down that road in second year, and it lasted for about two months, until we both decided it was just beyond ridiculous, that we were much better off as friends. Our relationship had been great ever since. He was the closest thing to a family that I had left, and I'm grateful for him. It's why it was so important that he understood or at the very least respected my decision to leave school. With some hardcore explaining and sucking up, he seemed to, or at least after a while he stopped bringing it up.
--
I officially joined the police force in November of that year, gaining a partner named Anthony Tepitti, who like myself, was a new recruit except, that he'd been out in the field for the duration of my training. He was well built, fairly well mannered and distinctively Italian. In short, we made a decent duo, keeping mainly to ourselves, completing parole rounds and job responsibilities in general compliance. We didn't see a lot of action in the early days; basic domestic problems, a few gang disputes - nothing that made me fear for my life.
It's what I expected. At least it was, until the commissioner called me into his office one afternoon before my night shift began.
"Please have a seat, Marsh."
"Am I in some kind of trouble, Commissioner?"
"Not that I know of, Marsh. That is unless you're hiding something, I'm not aware of?"
I shook my head.
"Well then," He looked through some papers. "I'm very impressed with you. All the trainers at the academy gave you excellent reviews. You're fieldwork with Tepitti has been outstanding. You've got the makings of good cop, Marsh." He took a sip of his coffee. "With that said, I'd like to ask a favour of you. One, which may seem a little... out of the ordinary. I'm hoping that my request won't offend you, but it is necessary sometimes, to look to others for a little help-"
"Just ask me."
Gordon cleared his throat and leaned forward, "Marsh... Audrey. After the Joker's devastation we've been trying to build up our force again. So far, we've done well recruiting - you're a fine example. But- we need financial backing. Our funds are exhausted with the re-building. We don't have the money to invest in new cars and equipment. We need to turn to an outside source for donations and financial support."
"Who did you have in mind? And why do you need my help?"
Gordon paused, and took another swing of coffee. "Well, I was going to campaign to Bruce Wayne. You've heard of him, right?"
"The billionaire? Yeah, I've heard his name once or twice." I laughed. "But, I still don't see what this has to do with me."
"Well- I thought perhaps if I brought you to the interview, we might have a better chance of..."
"Excuse me?"
Gordon fidgeted with some papers on his desk. "Well it's no secret that Mr. Wayne is quite the- 'libertine' so to speak, and ah-"
"You were hoping to inspire him, by me being present at the meeting?"
Gordon met my eyes, sighed, and nodded.
"Wow." I stood. "I'm a cop, Gordon. You want someone to entertain Mr. Wayne, hire a stripper!" I moved towards the door.
"Audrey." He stood, moving around his desk. "That's not what I meant, at all."
I looked at him.
"Please, just hear me out."
He indicated for me to sit, and I did, with a heavy sigh.
He returned to his desk. "I want you to be present at the meeting tomorrow with Mr. Wayne for the obvious reasons. You're a woman; you have certain 'feminine appeals' that might give us a better standing." I was about to interject when Gordon raised his hand. "What I mean by that, is you're a fine example of a police officer, but, you are also a woman. Given Mr. Wayne's very- public activities, he seems to spend a great deal of his time with women, and I'm hoping that with you by my side, we can interest Wayne enough to secure financial support."
"Your plan is ridiculous! Not to mention unbelievably crude. Suggesting that Mr. Wayne may be more likely to invest in us, simply because a woman is present, or there to 'perk his interest', is assuming that Mr. Wayne is nothing but a womaniser who is willing to throw away money on the affinity of a woman. It's ludicrous." I finished my rant, and sat back in my chair. Gordon watched me, but didn't say anything more.
"You honestly think my presence will make a difference?"
"It might, and right now, we need all the help we can get."
I shook my head, rolling my eyes slightly. "Fine. I'll come. But I am not doing anything that might compromise my integrity."
Gordon laughed. "I'm not asking you to sleep with the man, Audrey. I'm asking you to wear some makeup, curl your hair and smile a little. Just help me hold his attention, so he'll give our situation some honest consideration. That's it."
I nodded, and stood. "This is extremely sexist."
"You're absolutely right."
I shook my head again. "Fine! Whatever! I'll do it!"
"I'll pick you up tomorrow morning, at nine."
"Yeah..." I neared his door, but paused, and looked over my shoulder. "Gordon?"
"Yes?"
"Do you honestly think, he's that superficial?"
"I hope not. But everyone knows he's a bit of a playboy, with a lot of free time on his hands. I'd like to give everyone the benefit of the doubt- but a picture is worth a thousand words." He rounded his desk and gave me a newspaper.
Bruce Wayne was on the cover; two women on either side, the article was entitled 'The Antics of A Billionaire'. The article went on to outline Mr. Wayne's 'evenings of wild parties and even wilder women'.
I shook my head. "I'm a not wearing a skirt!" I handed back the paper.
Gordon nodded and smirked. "Be safe tonight."
I bobbed my head in reply and took off to find Anthony.
