A/N: Here's the new Chapter 7 and I hope you like it! Small reminder: might want to start reading from chapter 5 if you have not read the changes yet. Thank you again for reviewing, following, alerting, and favoriting.

Chapter 7

"Sylvia," Gordon spoke into his phone as he suited up.

"Yeah, I'm here Gordon," Sylvia responded.

The police around her sped up to get in front of her but not to stop her like she feared. They positioned themselves two in front and two remained behind. Another cruiser came out a few streets onward to clear out the streets ahead. Sylvia sighed in relief but she had to remind herself her life wasn't in the clear just yet. Her car was still in the middle of Gotham.

"How far are you from the highway," Gordon asked.

"Not far," Sylvia answered, "About twenty minutes or so."

"Who did this to you Sylvia," Gordon continued questioning.

"Two-Face and Joker," Sylvia gave her answer easily.

"Are they working together," Gordon wondered aloud as he climbed into his cruiser.

"I don't know but it seemed like it," Sylvia answered honestly trying to keep her attention on the road and her conversation with Jim. "Gordon, what about Riddler?"

"I'm sure Batman has it under control," Jim assured her hoping to keep her calm during this ordeal.

"I'm not talking about Batman, Jim," she proclaimed, "I'm talking about Riddler."

When Gordon didn't say anything, Sylvia continued.

"The guy disappears for two months and comes back out of nowhere, pissed beyond belief and bumping up his crimes from burglary to murder."

As Jim drove to the Gotham tunnel, he listened to Sylvia's reasoning and agreed. It was too abrupt.

"Well, you're the Riddler professional, what do you think happened?" He asked.

"Nothing good," Sylvia voiced sternly, "I'm not talking about small instances like someone cut him off on the freeway. No, I'm talking about something life changing. It's too random for someone like him to want to kill."

"I need any available units here at the Gotham Bay docks now," a female voice came through Gordon's cruiser radio.

"What's happening, Colson," a male voice asked.

"I have a crowd of people down here saying they're saving the Batman," Colson responded speedily.

Samuel Hallow sat on his couch watching his son march around the living room in his toy walker and his wife Debra in the kitchen finishing up dinner. They were both still recovering from the news segment they had watched.

Apparently, there had been a breakout at Arkham and Harvey Dent was amongst the escapees. Jack Ryder had spilled the whole story about what really happened to Dent and the Joker; everything that had really happened to that Juarez woman. It was a huge blow to hear the full story. Dent was as crazy as the Joker. Who would have guessed?

Gotham had spent months hating a man who had done everything in his power to protect them. The police had hated the wrong man. The working class of Gotham was united in their hatred and now they were united in their guilt. The Batman was a hero. Suddenly, the Commissioner's speech ended and the screen was taken up by someone else. Debra came in wondering what had happened when she was silenced by the man on the television.

"Good evening, Gotham," he said with an accent that was not from the States, "Now you know the truth –"

Samuel listened intently to who he figured was that thief Riddler, on the television as he recited a poem; or riddle. His wife came and sat next to him their son now in her arms.

"But now it's time for the citizens to do the saving/ Can you solve my riddle?/ Or will the Knight be left asphyxiating,/ In an underwater receptacle? / What a climactic scene/ For there is no story of more plight/ Than that of my Queen/ And her Dark Knight!" He ended with a grin before the screen went back to the podium where the Commissioner had been speaking but now there was no one standing behind it.

"Oh, dear," Debra breathed from beside him holding their infant closer to her chest.

Soon, she headed back to the kitchen to serve dinner. Samuel, however, stayed behind and sat on the couch as Ryder continued reporting but now on the threat of the Riddler. Samuel blocked out the sound solely pondering Riddler's poem. He used the word 'receptacle'. That was a funny way to just say box. The term reminded him of work. The Gotham City Shipping Dock was closed for the weekend. He was in charge with working the crane and moving the right receptacles onto their corresponding shipment order. Most orders were through Wayne Tech. Those containers were impossible to break through. With one of those put underwater that person would have a very short amount of oxygen. Water would most likely start filling it –

Sam jumped up from his seat running to the kitchen.

"Deb! I have to head to the ship yard for a bit," he told her heading to the entry hall to grab his jacket from the coat rack.

"What? Why?" Debra questioned speedily. It was obvious his wife was startled by his random declaration.

"I think I know what that Riddler guy was talking about," he admitted pulling on his jacket.

"Sam, what are you going to do," Debra asked putting her son down on his booster seat with a bowl of Cheerios.

"Some of the language he was using reminded me of work," he explained, "and if that guy is in one, underwater, he doesn't have a lot of time."

Debra stood at the kitchen entry way staring at her husband like he was a stranger. Samuel looked back at his wife. Her expression caused him to pause.

"Sweetheart, don't look at me like that," he pleaded, "I'll be back. I just want to make sure nothing fishy is going on at the yard."

"And if there is?" she inquired curiously.

"I have to do something Debra," Sam persisted, "The man could really need help."

"You mean the Batman," Debra stated.

"Yes."

"Sam just a few minutes ago he was believed to be a killer," Debra continued in disbelief.

"Yes, he was Debra but the important thing is he's not," Sam defended, "You can't expect me to just sit here while a man could possibly be dying at my workplace."

Debra sighed attempting to quell her worry and allow her mind to think rationally. Her husband was right. If what the news said was true then the Batman was a hero. And right now he needed help.

Sighing again, Debra walked up to her husband and embraced him.

"Please, come home safely," she begged holding him tighter as he returned her hug.

"I will," he promised.

There was a knock at their door.

"Sam!" a voice shouted from behind the door.

"Steve?" Debra questioned looking up at Sam who mirrored her puzzled look.

Sam opened the door to admit his co-worker and friend Steve Hong.

"Steve, what are you doing here," Sam inquired staring at his breathless friend.

"Did you watch the news," Steve asked his friend before noticing Debra behind him. "Evening, Deb," he greeted politely.

"Hello Steve," Deb returned with a smile, "and yes we did. Sam was just on his way to the yard."

"Oh, good I won't have to explain on the way," Steve commented in relief. "C'mon we got to hurry. Most of the guys are on their way down there."

Sam planted a kiss on his wife's cheek before ushering Steve out the door.

"I just got off the phone with Mark – Goodnight, Deb," Steve called behind Sam's shoulder before allowing Sam to push him out of the house.

"Goodnight, Steve," Debra giggled used to Steve's sporadic antics.

From the open door way Debra watched them as they headed to Steve's awaiting car.

"I just got off the phone with Mark and he said there were people already looking around," Steve revealed.

"That puzzle guy is losing his touch if his riddle was so easy to decipher," Sam commented as he buckled his seat belt.

Steve nodded in agreement as he started the car and drove away. Debra remained at the door for a few moments watching as the car disappeared around the corner.

"Be safe," she muttered to herself a silent hopeful wish to whoever or whatever might be listening.

A/N: Please, please, please REVIEW!