The overwhelming fear of the evening was finally wearing off, leaving behind a rampaging drummer on a sugar high right behind her eyeballs; and the din surrounding her was doing nothing to calm the maniacal miniature musician. Thankfully Matt noticed the crease in her forehead and began rubbing soothing circles on her temple with his thumb. "How did I let you talk me into visiting Gotham again?" she asked, her usual humor compelling her to reach around and poke him in the ribs.

"You love me too much to say no," he responded lightly, squirming away from her prodding. A moment later, however, he added, "But you're never coming back to this town again, baby. Soon as I can, I'm moving."

"Good," she replied dryly. "It's about time."

She poked him one last time for good measure before they lapsed into silence again, waiting to be summoned to another room. They had been trying to leave town and head back to college after a few days with Matt's family when the evacuation had been called and they were caught on the ferry, waiting hand-in-hand for death to erupt around them. Then, once the catastrophe had been averted, they had been amongst the select few rounded up by the police to give statements down at the station. Now they were seated in the lobby, seemingly forgotten as cops in and out of uniform ran past them, shouting and swearing and looking for all the world as if Armageddon was about to strike. I wish it would, she thought, squeezing her eyes shut and rubbing her forehead. At least this headache wouldn't be a problem anymore.

A cop came out and motioned for Matt to follow him. "Don't get mugged while I'm gone," Matt joked halfheartedly, grasping her shoulder gently as he left.

"I make no promises in this town," she shot back, settling as comfortably as she could into her chair.

Alone, Ann couldn't help replaying the evening over and over again through her mind. She'd never felt fear like that anywhere but in Gotham. Twice she had come to Matt's hometown, and twice she had nearly been killed. No wonder the people of the city were so unapproachable - you never knew if the next apparently friendly face was going to kill you or take your last dime. You're darn tootin' I'm never coming back to this city, Matthew, she informed him within the confines of her own mind. I love you, boy, but your hometown stinks. Literally.

She jumped slightly as the chair Matt had vacated was filled. Tired but kind brown eyes stared at her through horn rim glasses. "Were you one of the people on the ferry?" he asked gently.

Ann nodded, tucking her hands between her knees.

"You holding up all right? Can I get you a cup of coffee?" he went on, genuine concern in his voice. "You still look a little . . ." he paused to rub his own eyes while he hunted for the right word.

"Wacked out?" Ann supplied helpfully.

He grinned. "I guess that works."

"I'm fine, really," she assured him. "But thank you for asking. Aside from my boyfriend's family and Batman, you're the only person I've met in this town nice enough to care."

"You met Batman?" he asked, wary interest in his voice.

Ann nodded again. "Last year. I was visiting Gotham for the first time. My car broke down and Batman had to save me from three less than savory individuals."

"How many times have you been back?"

"This is only my second time," she said, rolling her eyes. "And probably my last."

"Good grief," the man muttered, leaning forward to rest his head in his hands. "Gotham certainly hasn't treated you well. I don't blame you for wanting out for good. Especially after tonight." He paused. "Do you mind if I ask what exactly happened on the ferry?"

Ann shrugged. "They're just going to ask again when they remember that I exist, so I might as well get it all straight in my head now." She explained how she and Matt had been caught in the evacuation and the palpable fear that had overtaken the crowd as soon as the Joker's voice came over the speaker. She told him about the arguing, and the indecision, and the agony of the wait. She explained how everyone seemed to freeze in the last seconds, watching the clock, before they all exhaled in simultaneous relief once they realized that they weren't reduced to debris in the water.

Then, just because she could, she began complaining about the interminable wait in the station and how she and Matt were going to be late for classes in the morning at the rate things were going.

Once she had exhausted the topic and gotten a great deal of frustration out of her system, she fell silent, the throbbing in her head worsened by her rant.

Somewhere in the hubub a voice called out, "Commissioner! Call for you from Arkham, line 6."

She suddenly felt a soft pat on her shoulder. "I gotta go," the man said. "Take care of yourself, kid."

"Wait," she said, opening her eyes. "What's your name?"

"Jim," he replied before slipping into the crowd.

Shortly after that, Matt returned and pulled her carefully to her feet. "Let's get out of here," he said determinedly. At her confused look he explained, "They just told me we could both go."

"But what about my statement?" she asked.

"They said you already gave it to the commissioner," he said, gesturing back over his shoulder to indicate the unnamed 'they'.

Ann smiled. So that was Commissioner Jim Gordon. She slipped her arm through Matt's and began leading him to the door. "You know, Matt," she began, "you're right. I'm not coming back to this town for a good long while. But you never know, with a commissioner like that, this town might be ready for our kids to visit when they're in college."


Up next, Sparta's Ghost!