Marie just stood out in the balcony in the bitter cold, trying slowly to comprehend what had happened to her. Never in her entire life had she been in danger, she was always the hero in a life and death situation. Being the victim to fate this time was just unknown to her, something that was out of her comfort zone. She fealt very uneasy about this city when she boarded the plane and now she was completely in doubt that she would adapt well to this place or even learn to live with the constant chaos that swirled around the city.

"Marie?" Marie turned when she heard her friend's familiar voice. From Kimberly's facial expresssion, Marie could tell that it was already late and that she had woken Kimberly up. "What are you doing out here?"

"Oh, um...well I just arrived. I wanted to see a little bit of the apartment before I headed off to bed. I am sorry I woke you." Marie blushed and walked past Kimberly and went to her room. She just couldn't believe it or yet understand why a man- dressed up in a bat suit- is going around town terrorizing criminals and saving people. What was his motive to do this without there being any chance of a benefit, a recognition of some sort on his behalf. But then, maybe he didn't want anything in return. Maybe he just wanted to be a silent guardian.

Marie shrugged off her coat and flicked on the lights of her new room. It was very comfortable and much too stylish for her taste, however there was no reason to complain. As long as there was a bed and a desk.

Unfortunately there would be no sleep for her tonight. Thoughts of this so called "Batman" kept going around in her mind. Who was he? And what was his deal? Of course she was thankful that he came to her rescue but how does he know when trouble lurks around? Does he keep watch all night? Or what happens in the day time if there is trouble? So many questions and no one to answer them. Maybe she would have to encounter him again, if she was lucky that he would actually answer her questions. He seemed like someone that would not reveal any sort of secret no matter how scandalous it might be. Finally sleep drifted over her like a blanket and she sunk into deep slumber.

Chaos swarmed all over the hospital. Much to Marie's dismay, the staff was very unorganized and the doctors were not doing there jobs. After so many doctors they fired, one would think there would be some order restored in the hospital. But of course not, this was Gotham City, order was completely out of the question. It took about an hour for one of the nurses to get a chart for one the patients, another hour to find that patients daily medication, and two hours to get a second opinion from another doctor. Marie ran her hand through her hair, exhausted of all these people on her first day.

She hated Gotham. It was a horrible city, sure it had its ups, but it was all corrupt. How can people live like this? Marie couldn't comprehend how her Uncle Jim enjoyed working for the GCPD. Maybe because the only motivation for some actual protection in this city was him and the Batman. Then, it hit her. Harvey was another hero too. He was certainly a heart breaker but he was good at his job and maybe he was another decent person for this city. Which he was according to this morning's paper.

Marie tried to push Harvey's handsome face out of her mind as she walked down the hall to the nurse's station. To her annoyance it was empty. Marie glanced around to see if anyone was near, but it seemed like a ghost town. Suddenly, she heard giggling coming from down the end of the hallway. She slammed down the chart and walked hastily toward the direction of the laughter.

She came to a sudden stop when she saw all the nurses surrounding a very handsome man. His face was chisled and fair, his chocolate brown eyes were piercing and oddly observant. His body was toned like a greek god statue, but covered up in a deep blue long sleeve shirt and a pair of dark washed jeans. He had the most sexy smirk upon his lips when he saw Marie standing right in front of them, tapping her foot in irritation.

"Ladies, this is not a Starbucks where you can lounge around and chatter mindlessly about inane things. This is a hospital, where there are sick people waiting to be cared for. Now, I suggest that you all go back to your posts before I have a visit with the chief." Marie had her arms behind her back, as she mimicked the stance of a royal navy officer.

All of the nurses gave her dirty looks but obeyed. Marie was not surprised that she was known as the shrew amongst the entire staff. She didn't care because she was not here to make friends, she was here to cure the sick.

The handsome man chuckled as they all walked away murmuring naughty things about the new doctor. Marie caught his name as one of the nurses said good bye to him. The notorious Bruce Wayne. His playboy reputation did not impress Marie at all. In fact she already despised him, well not so much hate him, but feel a bit uncomfortable around him.

"I am sorry for distracting them." He finally said to break the awkward silence.

" this is hospital, please control yourself. This is not a night club either." Thanks to all those tabloid magazines, Marie knew all about Bruce Wayne, the handsome prince of Gotham that every woman dreamed of marrying. He was the ideal man for any woman, honestly. But not for Marie, her ideal man was romancing someone else, someone entirely different from Marie.

"Again, I apologize but you shouldn't be hard on them. I am fully responsible." He placed a hand over his heart.

"Try not to let it happen again." Marie was indifferent and pivoted around to the nurses station. Bruce smirked as she walked away. She was the same woman from last night, when he saved her. But he didn't catch her name. Somehow he would have to cause another encounter with her.

"She is a doctor here Alfred, that's all I know." Later that night Bruce confided in Alfred as he laid in the hospital bed watching Bruce pace back and forth the entire afternoon. Alfred had suffered a stroke last night, right when Bruce came home from prowling around the city. It was lucky that Bruce was already there to call 911.

"You don't even know her name?" Alfred rose his brow as Bruce sighed and shook his head. "Well, I am sure you will see her again. When something is on your mind, especially now that it is a lovely lady as you say, you won't be able to let this go."

Bruce laughed this time. "Well, she wasn't much of a lady this afternoon. Her claws finally came out."

"What did you do?"

"Nothing, well alright, I distracted a couple of nurses from their work and it sort of ticked her off."

Alfred gasped. "The first time a lady has put you in your place. Usually they all swoon at you but this one didn't fall at your feet. I think I already like her."

Bruce gave Alfred a withering look. "Haha, very funny."

"It is a first I must say sir."

There was a sudden knock at the door. Both men turned to see Marie standing in the doorway. Marie looked at Bruce and sighed, but then she was all smiles to Alfred. Bruce nodded toward Alfred that this was the same lady who he saved and the one who put him in his place.

"Mr. Pennyworth, I am Dr. Marie Spencer." She stuck out her hand shook Alfred's gently.

"Pleasure to meet you."

Marie smirked and nodded toward Bruce. "Mr. Wayne I hope you haven't caused anymore trouble today."

"I kept him under close watch Dr. Spencer." Alfred beamed.

"Thank you." Marie took his pulse and scribbled some notes on Alfred's chart. While Bruce watched her intently and Alfred quickly noticed this. She was indeed attractive, but what intrigued them both was that she held sorrow in her eyes. "Now, , I hope you already know that you had a minor stroke. I took a look at your charts and saw that your cholesterol is high, which means we must monitor what you eat and take it easy for the next few months. I mean, it was lucky that it was minor."

Alfred sighed. "Will you be prescribing anything."

"No, not for now. We can lower your risk by keeping track of you eat and make sure that your stress level is down, I do want to see you within the month and see how you are progressing. And if it does not work then we will have to prescribe some type of medication." Marie smiled at him and set the chart at the end of the bed. "I hate giving medication for something that one could help themselves to solve. It's like cheating."

"So he doesn't need it?" Bruce looked at her.

"No, not now. But please I urge you to take it easy, I assume you wouldn't want to be in here again." Marie continued to look at Alfred. "And I don't want distracting my nurses."

Alfred chuckled and Bruce growled under his breath. "Will do ."

""Thank you. And you will be released tomorrow. Good night Mr. Pennyworth, ." Taking one last look at Bruce, Marie left before either of them could respond.

"I definitely like her." Alfred responded as Bruce kept staring at the empty doorway in irritation.

Marie rubbed her neck as she walked out of the hospital after a long days work. Will it be this hellish every day? She silently thought to herself as she walked down the small path that led to the street.

"!." Marie sharply turned as she heard her name being called out. She rolled her eyes as she saw Bruce Wayne coming toward her.

"I don't think there is anything left to say about today's incident ." Marie started to walked away.

Bruce finally catched up with her and matched her pace. "Will you just listen."

Marie came to a sudden stop and turned to face him. "I am listening intently."

"Listen, I am very sorry for what I did today. I didn't think that being friendly with the nurses was against hospital policy."

"You were flirting with them. And yes it is against hospital policy because there were patients who needed help and the desk was swamped with charts that needed to be signed, but no they were too busy entertaining you. , I am a person who was brought here to restore order, not cause even more chaos, that is why I am strict and now known as the shrew since seven this morning. Now if you will excuse me, I am very exhausted and must get home." Marie pushed past him and continued to walk down the street.

"Not until you accept my apology." Bruce hissed.

"Fine, apology accepted." Marie waved her hand away.

"You don't mean it."

"Yes I do."

"No you don't."

"Okay, what will it take you to understand that I do." Marie stopped once more.

"Dinner tomorrow night."

Marie frowned. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. Dinner tomorrow night, I would like to be under your good graces for the next time Alfred has his check up. I don't want you to hate me because of today's incident." Bruce tucked his hands into his pockets.

"This is not appropriate and it is very unnecessary."

"It will be inappropriate if you don't accept." Bruce challenged.

Marie thought of this carefully. She hadn't been out with anyone ever since Harvey, frankly she didn't give anyone a chance ever since Harvey. Maybe this could be pleasant. Maybe she could get to know the real Bruce Wayne and see if all that tabloid stuff was true. "All right, but under certain conditions."

"Which are?" Bruce was not at all surprised.

"First I am not one of your normal air head bimbos, and I will not tolerate being treated as such so let's go somewhere where the media won't follow you. Second, I am not your operation "divide and conquer." And finally, I take things seriously."

"Your points are well made. See you tomorrow night then." He nodded and walked away leaving Marie more annoyed and intrigued at the same time. Bruce Wayne was a truly the type of man she has never encountered before.

A/N: Sorry this took so long to get out, I was rather busy and distracted with a few other things. I hope you all had a good thanksgiving! Thank you to all who reviewed and subscribed and added to favorites. I will try to get more updates out sooner.