Tapping her foot on the air, Jules leaned back in her chair and spun it lazily, looking up at her ceiling.
Her bedroom ceiling needed a mural or something…
"Sweetheart?"
Her gaze flickered to the doorway, and the brunette smiled at her grandfather as Tiny, lying on her bed, lifted his head.
"Hey, grandpa. What's up?"
"Gordan called. He said it was important."
Slightly concerned, Jules stood up, grabbing her Marine jacket off the desk as Tiny stood, barking shortly.
"Come on, boy. We're going in early."
Shrugging it on, the brunette stopped by her grandfather's side and kissed his cheek.
"Call Yammerkin and tell her something came up at the station."
"Will do, sweetie."
Grabbing Tiny's leash and clicking it on, Jules made sure she had her phone and house keys.
"Bye, grandpa! I'll probably go by Bruce's after seeing what's going on!"
It was her code, saying she'd confer with her crime-fighting partner about any important cases, and Grandpa Mike nodded.
"Have fun."
"I'll try!"
Once she locked the apartment door behind her, Jules patted Tiny's head as he looked around excitedly.
Pulling her hair into a ponytail, she started down the hallway, and the Great Dane trotted at her heels.
He was tired from the games they'd been playing in her room that morning, so the canine was probably regaining his energy.
The elevator ride was silent, Jules never seemed to see any of the building's other tenants, and it sometimes made her suspicious.
Still, the building was nicer than most, and she'd never let anything happen to Grandpa Mike.
If anything DID, whoever was responsible would have their head sticking out of their ass…
Grandpa Mike had been a Marine once, like her father, and was as close to one as Jules could hope for.
He had taken her in after his wife had died of cancer and his only son was murdered, and they clung to each other.
Jules became the daughter he never had, and she was only glad to help him heal.
The streets of Gotham were still bustling, they never stayed silent in some places, and it snapped Jules back to reality.
Tiny barked to make sure she had returned before tugging her, and the brunette followed him.
He was smart for a Great Dane, and seemed to know they were going to the police station instead of the child care center.
"Good dog…"
With Tiny leading the way, Jules was free to wonder what had happened that was so serious Gordan would call her in early.
The lieutenant was always saying how she should work less, so something big must have happened.
It didn't take very long to get to the station, probably because she was too busy thinking to notice, and Jules skipped up the steps.
Opening the doors, she was slightly surprised to see so many people in the large front room.
Gordan and Commissioner Loeb were the most prominent, and Tiny's tail wagged good-naturedly.
"Hey, Jim. Commissioner."
The Commissioner sighed, looking towards her as if regretting something.
"It seems we have a problem, Ms Waters. Gordan believes you'll be able to solve it.
"Well, I am a problem-solver." Jules joked lightly, a hand on her dog's head.
"What can I do for you gentlemen?"
"Gordan is being his own unit to run, the Major Crimes Unit. He insists that he'll need a forensics specialist of your caliber."
Emerald eyes darted to Gordan, and she almost smiled at the thoughtfulness.
He was like an uncle to her, always taking care of her at the station, so it was no wonder he'd want to keep her close.
"As you can tell, I'm not eager to let you go from the main station. He insists that it should be your choice where you work."
"…You're serious? You're not making this decision for me?"
Loeb nodded grimly, as if he was telling a child they could eat as much sugar as they wanted, and Jules grinned.
"Then I'm going with Gordan! Besides, the Major Crimes Unit sounds like fun!"
Commissioner Loeb knew that was coming, and resigned himself to the fate as Jules hugged Gordan.
After a few minutes of figuring out how this was going to work out, they agreed to make her a new lab under the new building.
It would be more high-tech than the one she adored now, and that was saying something, though there were some things Jules couldn't part with.
Everything was settled within half an hour, and she called Alfred to ask for a ride.
Apparently, he was free because Bruce was working on something at the docks, and this stimulated her curiosity.
'This'll be interesting…'
"Come on, Bruce! One karaoke song? You KNOW I love karaoke!"
Bruce rolled his eyes, not wanting to get into an argument with Jules over singing.
They were having an evening together with Rachel so they could all have some fun, not embarrass each other.
"Come on, Jules. You know you can't sing."
"I can!"
Rachel couldn't help a short laugh, thinking that Batman and Batwoman, the two most feared crime fighters in Gotham, were fighting like children.
"Then let me? PLEASE?"
Who could say no to that face, when Jules made her eyes look even bigger and somehow made them shine like jewels?
Bruce was, unfortunately, all too susceptible, and he sighed in defeat.
"Alright…"
"YES!"
With a grin that threatened to split her face open, Jules rushed to find Alfred and get out the old karaoke machine.
"Don't be so rigid, Bruce. It's December." Rachel advised.
"I guess you're right…"
Jules came back in dragging the karaoke machine behind her, assuring Alfred that she didn't need any help, and plopped it down.
"Alright, now where are the outlets?"
Not looking forward to having his eardrums shattered by bad singing, Bruce hesitantly pointed one out.
"Oh, thanks!"
Rachel smiled to assure him as the brunette worked.
"She's actually grown into her voice. It's not that bad, actually."
"You say that now…"
With everything set up, Jules plopped down on the floor, much to Alfred's amusement, and started searching through the songs.
"Oh, I like this one!"
The music that starts is actually slow, almost sad, and Bruce can't help but notice how it clashes with her normally hyperactive personality.
Something like sadness or understanding crosses Rachel's and Alfred's faces…
"Where are you Christmas/Why can't I find you/Why have you gone away/Where is the laughter/You used to bring me/Why can't I hear music play?"
Jules' expression slipped into something deep, like deep ocean water that moved with the tides…
"My world is changing/I'm rearranging/Does that mean Christmas changes too?"
Bruce had forgotten how she could move with people with her voice, but he hadn't heard her sing since…
Since they were kids…
"Where are you Christmas/Do you remember/The one you used to know/I'm not the same one/See what the time's done/Is that why you have let me go?"
The emotion in her voice could make mountains bend with the sadness…
"Christmas is here/Everywhere, oh/Christmas is here/If you care, oh/ If there is love in your heart and your mind/You will feel like Christmas all the time…"
It was like she was trying to convey something with her eyes, something she couldn't say herself…
"I feel you Christmas/I know I've found you/You never fade away/The joy of Christmas/Stays here inside us/Fills each and every heart with love…"
The music began to wind down, and the emotion hid behind her eyes once more, like a wall was being pulled up…
"Where are you Christmas/Fill your heart with love…"
Bruce decided he'd figure out what she was hiding.
