I'm posting this chapter today in order to get it up. It's already written and I might as well right?

I don't know how long it will be until my next update, seeing as how the internet is not going to be active at my mother's till October. I'll try to get a library so I can update.

But anyway, hope you enjoy the chapter.


As Gordon finally made his way into the alley, he looked around for his masked friend. He looked down at Scarlett and saw her eyes half dazed. Almost as if she was drunk. She had been clutching his coat when they had been making their way through the bats but now she was limp.

"How is she," a voice said from behind him.

Gordon turned and was met by Batman. He rushed over and deposited Scarlett into Batman's arms. He was shocked when Scarlett made no movement.

"She's fading. We gotta go. I'll get my car."

Batman turned on his heel and walked quickly to the Tumbler that was hidden on the side of the alley. Pressing a button on a remote, the top slid open. He set Scarlett down carefully before climbing into the driver's side. He then yelled to Gordon.

"I brought mine."

"Yours," Gordon yelled, turning around.

Bright lights suddenly hit him in the face and the Tumbler whizzed past him.

"I've got to get me one of those."

Driving at full speed, Batman drove straight towards a police car and without a second thought, drove over it. As he hit the open streets, he looked over to Scarlett. She was looking around and jumping at all the bright lights.

"Stay calm. You've been poisoned."

Scarlett jumped again and pulled her legs to her chest.

"I can't breathe," she said.

"Breathe slowly," Batman replied.

Looking out the window, Scarlett saw the lights glowing bright and everything seemed to be moving much faster than it really was. Groaning, she leaned her head against the glass window. Batman looked quickly over at her and he gripped the gears.

"Hold on."

He continued to drive through the streets of Gotham, the police tailing him. They were having a hard time keeping up with them though. Taking a turn into a parking garage, Batman drove up the winding ramp rapidly. Scarlett looked out the window and saw that the ramp was spinning.

"What are you doing," she screamed.

"Shortcut," Batman replied.

Driving faster, Batman finally reached the top of the parking garage. He did a quick turn and jammed up the tumbler in the middle of two cars. Shifting, he drove the Tumbler and angled it towards the end of the roof. The cops had cornered him and a helicopter light was shining in his face.

"Trust me," he said turning to Scarlett.

She nodded at him and closed her eyes tightly. She didn't know long her eyes were clamped shut but before she knew it, the Tumbler was driving again. It flew over the side of the garage and began to drive over the roofs of Gotham. Scarlett screamed and covered her head in fear. They drove over the rooftops for quite some time until he shifted and moved onto the freeway. Weaving in and out of lanes he pressed a screen on the side of the hull, which caused the vehicle to go dark. He guided the Tumbler back so the police cars would not see him. Looking back to Scarlett, he saw her staring out the window. He reached out his hand and grabbed hers tightly.

"Stay with me Scarlett," he said.

She looked over to him, her eyes looking at him questioningly. He then let go of her hand and turned back to the road. The lights around the Tumbler turned back on and he whizzed past them before the cops knew what hit them. He then crashed through a stone barrier and through a metal gate. Driving under a bridge, he began to drive down the familiar path back to Wayne Manor.

Scarlett stared blankly out the window. She tried to keep her eyes open but she wasn't doing so well. Trying to concentrate on the tress whizzing past, Scarlett's eyes widened when she saw the trees were beginning to become faint and not vibrantly lit like they had been. Reaching her arm towards Batman, she clutched his upper arm as if to say that something was not right. She would have spoken but she couldn't find her voice.

As Scarlett clutched Batman tightly, he drove faster.

"Just hold on."

"I can't," Scarlett whispered.

As the words left her mouth, her small hand dropped from Batman's upper arm and dropped lifelessly onto the leather seats. Turning quickly to Scarlett, Batman's eyes widened when he saw her head drop against the window.

"SCARLETT!"

Hitting the gas with force, he guided the Tumbler over the end of the road and flew over the small river. Bursting through the waterfall that concealed the cave, Batman drove the Tumbler as close to the work table as he could. Not even bothering to turn the tank off, Batman hit a switch which caused the roof to open. Hopping out, he flew to the table and swiftly took a glass tube filled with the antidote. Inserting it into a shot holder, he flew quickly back to Scarlett's side. Grabbing her bare arm, he stuck the needle into her arm and administered the shot.

Lowering his head, he climbed off the hood of the Tumbler, and walked around to his side of the tank. Removing the mask, Batman was gone for the moment. Stopping to sweep the sweat from his brow, Bruce turned off the Tumbler and headed back to Scarlett's side. Reaching carefully in, he picked up the lifeless girl without effort and carried her over to a stone table. Setting her down, he stroked her face before turning back to the Tumbler and sitting back on the hood. Reaching to his side, he pulled his mask back over his head and waited.

Seconds turned into minutes. Minutes turned into a half hour. By this time, Scarlett should have woken up. Beginning to panic, Bruce tried to remain calm but his emotions got the best of him. If he lost her, Bruce knew he would give up all hope. He could never be happy because everything he loved was taken away. Just as he was about to give up and call Fox, Scarlett's arm moved. Perking up on the Tumbler, he watched as Scarlett's eyes fluttered open.

"Damn bats," Scarlett muttered.

Rubbing her eyes, Scarlett moved her arms and legs and smiled when she felt them move. Looking around, she was shocked when she looked to her right and saw Batman sitting on the hood of his tank, waiting. She smirked and turned on her side.

"How do you feel?"

"Where are we? Why did you bring me here," Scarlett said.

"If I hadn't, your mind would now be lost."

Groaning, Scarlett hoisted her body off the table. She didn't see Batman stand quickly and walk towards her.

"It's... where is Dr. Crane?"

Suddenly she felt a tug on her neck. Looking up, Scarlett saw Batman staring back down at her.

"Rest. Gordon has Crane."

"Is Sergeant Gordon your friend," Scarlett, lowering herself back down on the table.

"I don't half the luxury of friends," Batman said, a half smile gracing his lips.

"That sucks."

"I'm going to give you a sedative. You'll wake up back at home."

Without warning, Scarlett sat up and looked at Batman, a glare in her eyes.

"Listen. I've had enough injections and inhaling for the day. I don't want that sedative. You can trust me because who would I tell? Who would believe me?"

Smiling at her outburst, Batman said, "Fair enough. But I do want you to give these to Gordon. And Gordon alone. Trust nobody."

Looking down at the glass bottles in Batman's hands, Scarlett said, "What are they?"

"The antidote. One for Gordon to inaugurate himself, and the other for mass production."

"Mass production," Scarlett asked, taking the bottles from his hand.

"Crane was just a pawn. We need to be ready."

Nodding, Scarlett placed the glass bottles in the pocket of her dress. When she was finished, she looked back up to see Batman standing by the Tumbler. He obviously wanted to take her home. Scarlett, however, had other plans. Sliding her body off the table, she slowly walked over to Batman.

"You know, you've saved my life twice and I don't even know your name. Or your identity for that matter. How bout you be nice and tell me both. I won't tell."

Turning towards the waterfall, Bruce closed his eyes. He seriously considered what he was about to do. He didn't want her to know for the fear that someone could come after her. Yet, he loved her and was willing to have her be the only person, besides Alfred, to know who he truly was. Turning back to Scarlett, he saw her eyes filled with wonder. Taking a deep breath, Bruce reached behind his head and pulled the mask from his face. As the mask finally revealed that it was him, Scarlett smiled softly.

"Why am I not surprised?"

Bruce smiled, and set the mask down on the Tumbler. Scarlett looked down at her heel clad feet and then looked back up to him. Sensing something was wrong, Bruce touched her arm lightly. Flinching at his leather clad touch, Scarlett grabbed his hand and pulled the glove off, freeing his hand. Looking down at her as she stroked his hand softly, Bruce put his remaining hand to his mouth and pulled the other glove off with his teeth. Taking her remaining hand in his, he squeezed it.

"I don't want to feel what you hide behind. I want to feel you. Not some cocoon," Scarlett said softly.

"It's my wall."

"Your wall doesn't need to be up around me," Scarlett said, smiling.

Smiling, Bruce pulled her into his arms and held her tightly, his chin resting on her head. Scarlett thought he was holding her a bit too tight, but she didn't complain. She knew he wanted nothing more than to protect her. They stood quietly for few minutes until Bruce's head snapped up. Feeling nothing resting atop her head, Scarlett looked up at him.

"What?"

"My birthday party. I forgot," Bruce said, sheepishly.

Making an O shape with her mouth, Scarlett took a hold of Bruce's hand and they walked towards the back of the cave. Stopping in front of what looked like a large closet, Bruce let go of Scarlett's hand to open up the doors. On one of the doors hung a black suit. Without warning, Bruce undid what was holding the top half of his suit and let it fall to the ground leaving his chest, arms and back bare.

Scarlett raised her eyebrows and raked her eyes across his physique. It took all her willpower to not throw him to the ground and have her way with him. Attempting to concentrate on something other that Bruce, Scarlett turned in the direction of the Tumbler and pretended to admire the cave. As she looked away, Bruce slid the bottom half of his suit off, leaving him in a pair of black briefs.

He then slipped the pants of his suit on and buttoned them. Looking over to Scarlett, he smiled as he saw her turned away, attempting to be polite. Bruce reached over to her and stroked her bare shoulder. Startled, Scarlett turned to him, her eyes wide. She walked to him slowly and wrapped her arms around his waist. He responded by claiming her mouth with his own. Letting out a moan from the back of her throat, Scarlett lowered her hands to the buttons of his pants and began to undo them.

"Not here," Bruce said, breaking the kiss.

"Why not," she said, pouting.

"Do you really want to do this in a damp cave? Besides, we have a party to attend."

"WHAT? I'm not going," Scarlett screeched.

Smiling, Bruce continued to dress. As he put on his shirt, and buttoned it up, he tucked it into his pants and grabbed Scarlett's hand. Resisting as he dragged her to the elevator that would take them up to the manor, Scarlett groaned as he pushed her into the elevator and closed the door behind them. Grabbing a lever and twisting it, the contraption shot up. Shrieking, Scarlett grabbed Bruce's arm tightly.

"What," Bruce said.

"Nothing. Just feel like I'm going to vomit," Scarlett joked.

As they reached the top, the two disembarked and walked along the short corridor and at the end, Bruce hit a button, causing the paneling to slide aside. Scarlett giggled, as she saw Alfred standing with Bruce's coat and bowtie. Looking very un-amused. Stepping into the brightly lit library, Bruce walked quickly over to Alfred, leaving Scarlett to stand by the piano. Alfred looked over at her and gave her a small smile.

"Scarlett. Still haven't changed yet. It's alright though. You look beautiful anyway."

Scarlett smiled and walked past the two men and into the brightly lit marble hallway to wait for Bruce. And to overhear their conversation.

"When you told me your grand plan for saving Gotham, the only thing that stopped me from calling the men in white coats, was when you said it wasn't about thrill seeking."

"It's not," Bruce said, tying his bowtie.

"What would you call that," Alfred said, pointing to the TV.

Craning her neck, Scarlett's eyes widened when she saw the whole chase captured on video.

Bruce shrugged and looked straight ahead.

"Damn good television."

"It's a miracle no one was killed," Alfred said, his voice rising.

"I didn't have time to observe the rules of the road Alfred."

Scarlett flinched inwardly. Bruce on the other hand, turned his back to Alfred, who slipped the coat on him.

"You're getting lost inside this monster of yours."

"I'm using this monster to help other people, just like my father did," Bruce said, growing irritated.

"For Thomas Wayne, helping others wasn't about proving anything to anyone, including himself," Alfred replied.

Turning to back to Scarlett, Bruce saw her standing a few feet away, looking down at her shoes. He studied her figure for a moment which was basked in the dim light. She almost looked angelic.

He then turned to Alfred, and said, "It was Scarlett. She was dying. Is it wrong that I care for her and wanted her to live?"

Walking away from Alfred, Bruce walked into the marble hallway and grabbed Scarlett's hand, and they began to walk down the hallway before Alfred's voice stopped them.

"Well we both care for Scarlett. But what you're doing is beyond that. It can't be personal or else you're just a vigilante."

"Is Fox still here," Bruce said.

"Yes sir."

"We need to send these people away," Bruce said, turning back to walk down the hall. But the fact that Scarlett pulled him back stopped him.

"Those are Bruce's Wayne's friends out there. You have a name to maintain," Alfred said.

"I don't care about my name," Bruce yelled.

"It's not just your name sir. It's your father's name. And it's all that's left of him."

Bruce stopped and turned back to Alfred. He had struck a nerve and Scarlett could see it written all over Bruce's face.

Alfred glanced over to Scarlett and he knew that she understood what he was trying to say. Walking over to the couple, Alfred put his hand on Scarlett's shoulder and said, "Don't let him destroy it."

With that, he turned and walked back into the library. Scarlett turned to Bruce and saw him looking down at his feet. Giving his hand a squeeze, she said, "C'mon. You have to go schmooze."

Nodding at her, Bruce turned and walked down the hallway and towards the sound of guests. Scarlett thought she would just stand by the entrance, considering she was not dressed for a party but as Bruce rounded the corner, her hand still grasped in his, all the guests turned and the band struck up a tune. The sound of "Happy Birthday" sounded throughout the large banquet hall and Scarlett blanched at the scene. It was all so fake to her.

A man with champagne walked by and Bruce took a glass from the tray and he raised the glass high. Looking down at Scarlett, he saw the perplexed look on her face and he smiled before walking into the banquet hall. Surprised that he was pulling her into the party, Scarlett's eyes widened.

"What are you doing? I'm not going in there. I look horrid."

Planting her feet and holding on to the marble column, Scarlett tried to resist him tugging on her.

"I'm not moving," Scarlett whispered.

Smiling, Bruce wrapped his free arm around her waist and kissed her on the forehead. In front of all his colleagues. Many of the older people smiled at the gesture. But many young women scowled. Looking down at Scarlett's surprised face, Bruce said, "I think you look beautiful and I love you. That's all that should matter."

"I'm sorry I just hallucinated. What did you just say," Scarlett said her eyes wide.

As the song finished, Bruce stopped in front of Earle, his arm still wrapped around Scarlett's waist. Mr. Earle's eyes widened at the sight of Bruce and his assistant arm in arm.

"Mr. Earle," Bruce said.

"Happy Birthday Bruce. And… Scarlett is it," Earle said.

Scarlett nodded politely at Mr. Earle before she spotted Emily across the room, in a black floor length dress.

"How did the stock offering go," Bruce said, appearing interested.

"Prices soared."

"Who was buying?"

Bored out of her mind, Scarlett tapped Bruce on the shoulder.

"What's wrong," Bruce said, turning to her.

"Not to be rude but I'm bored out of my skull and I see Emily over there. A wildflower it seems. Can I go over to her?"

Bruce gave her a smile before letting go of her hand. Pulling away from Bruce, Scarlett walked quickly over to Emily, who had a grin plastered to her face. As she stopped in front of her, Emily grabbed her hands and said, "Oh my gosh. Tell me everything!"


Yeah, I'm stopping at a cliffhanger. Right when it's toward the climax of the movie. LOVES IT! Anyway, leave me a review and hopefully I'll be up with a new chapter this weekend.

And I laughed when everyone commented on the Katie Holmes issue.