Chapter 7: Unexpected Guest
Before I entered Bruce's office I took in a deep breath. I decided to go to the ladies room before I went in. I looked in the mirror and I was completely flushed. I was more then angry, I was enraged by that she...she out of all people yelled at me for treating Bruce and Harvey the way I did. How could she say such a thing? I am not like her—but then again I did the same thing she did to Bruce...I did the exact same thing to Harvey—no, stop it! I would never go down to her level. I fixed myself and headed for Bruce's office.
He sat calm and collected at his desk, going over a portfolio. As soon as he saw me he shoved away and came to my arms. I hugged him tightly, inhaling his intoxicating scent that was like candy to me. I wondered what was going through his head, obviously he looked like he was deep in thought. Did Rachel tell him anything...that conniving—selfish—little—
"Are you alright Vi? You seem tense?" Bruce interrupted my thoughts.
I shook my head and moved away from him. "I'm fine. I just missed you that's all." I felt his arm wrap around my waist and kiss my temple. I don't know why I began to sob but I did. Why did I feel so guilty about this? Rachel made me out like I was the wicked witch of the west and she was the Glenda, the good witch. I hated her. Bruce held me tighter as I sobbed into his arms. He didn't ask or say anything; he just held me and kissed the top of my head. After fifteen minutes he pulled back and studied my face.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But know that I will hold you and comfort you." Every word that came from his mouth made me melt. I wanted to cry even more but I decided to compose myself. I was done shedding tears. I didn't have to shed tears for other people.
"Thank you. And I'm sorry...I...I guess I just needed a breakdown from all that has happened. And that I am constantly worried about you when you go flying about the city, knowing that Joker could strike any moment. I'm scared and I don't know how to deal with it." I started to break down again, but Bruce cupped my face into his hands and made me look into his eyes.
"You will never lose me. I will always be locked away in here." He pointed at my heart and I couldn't help but smile.
"I know." I kissed his lips softly. "But remember, I went into this marriage knowing your dark side and I embraced it in which case I have to live with it. You are doing justice; it's not revenge anymore, like it used to be. Now it's different and like I said before people will see that in time."
"Thanks for the support."
"No problem. Why was Rachel here?" I was still curious why she was here. She wouldn't have the guts to tell him because she was afraid he would call her a hypocrite.
"She needed me to sign a few papers for the new shares I bought. Did you see her?" Bruce intertwined my hand with his.
"Yes but only briefly." I wasn't going to tell him anything.
Bruce looked at his watch "It's getting late. We should get home before Alfred starts to worry." We stood and gathered our coats and walked out holding hands into the grand city that was now rotting away.
Once we arrived home Alfred had the table already set for us. He received us with a warm smile without even asking questions as to why we came home late.
"Sorry for arriving late, Alfred." I apologized. Maybe Alfred has been working a little too hard and I was feeling guilty.
He smiled. "No need to Miss Violet. At least you are home safe and sound. Now I suggest you to wash up and sit down to eat."
We both obliged as if he was our father and we were his children. Soon enough we were already eating and not saying much. I studied him as we ate; he had something on his mind. It was more like fighting going on in his mind than just pondering. I decided to interrupt his thoughts and tell him about my new job.
"Bruce." I said his sweetly making him look up at me.
"Hmm?" Bruce smirked.
"I have something to tell you. I got a job at—" Before I said anything else I heard another pair of heels clacking on our marble floor. The goddess—Lorraine Drake—came in with all her glory with Alfred in tow looking slightly disgruntly.
"I'm sorry but I couldn't deny such a persuasive creature as her." Alfred smiled sheepishly.
"No that's alright Alfred." Bruce practically choked on a piece of sushi when he saw Miss Drake burst into the dinning hall. "Bruce, babe! Are you alright? Here drink some water." I handed him the glass of water and he gulped it and then reached for the wine. I raised my brow in confusion and turned to Miss Drake. "What can I do for you Miss Drake?"
She looked about the penthouse and then her eyes narrowed at Bruce and she smiled. "Hello Bruce, I am sorry for the intrusion but I needed to speak with Violet." She turned her tantalizing gaze back at me. "Violet, I need you to design a brand new lay out for the fall spread, the one that Andre did was a complete disaster and you were the only I could trust right now. I will need it by tomorrow morning."
Bruce interrupted clearing his throat. "What is going on?"
I turned to Bruce. "Oh well that was what I was going to tell you, I got a job at Crimson magazine." He stared at me and then he glared at Lorraine. Did they know each other?
"Oh, calm down Bruce." She flicked a stray bang from her brow while shuffling through her bag looking for the blackberry that was ringing. She couldn't find it but her eyes shot up at Bruce who was giving her hell through his eyes. She kept his gaze just as intensely.
"Am I missing something here? How do you two know each other?" I looked at both of them who were still shooting daggers at each other.
Bruce took my small hands into his. "I have something to tell you." Oh no what on earth is going? Is he having some sort of affair? I mean, look at her the very essence of perfection. Of course not that was a ridiculous thought! They could not be having an affair. I slowly took a breath and heaved it out. I was ready. Miss Drake sat down and nodded for Bruce to proceed with his explanation. "Raine is helping me out with cleaning up the city. In other words she helps out Batman." His jaw flexed at something that passed between them. Raine's lips moved into a smirk that gave her a cute dimple in the side of her cheek. Was she dating anyone? Because that shouldn't go to waste…
Bruce heaved a heavy sigh before he continued. "Quite frankly she is—the Batwoman."
I was shocked and at a bit at a loss. A Batwoman? I never heard of such a thing and the last person I imagined to be involved in this would be the infamous fashion goddess Lorraine Drake. I turned to her. "I have never seen you in the papers...a Batwoman I mean. So how does this work out?"
A sly smile graced her lips. "You weren't looking hard enough. No one cares for a female who kick's everyone's ass. They have the Batman. What would they need her for?" She stood and briskly walked past us and looked out the windows into the busy night life of Gotham City. "Besides, it's more fun this way. They don't expect me to show up, sometimes I do...sometimes I don't. No matter what I am always watching over Bruce though, and the moment I sense things getting heavy...I help him. The costume is quite complimenting to my figure as well."
In a way I felt relief rush through out my entire body. Thank god that he wasn't alone in this. And Lorraine Drake seemed strong enough to help, the confidence she had was almost one that her enemies—along with Bruce's—could fear. I was surprised to know that Bruce was alright with this. I didn't say or question any further as it was all to clear me. How could I when I lived with Batman and everything that seemed impossible was possible?
"Vi, are you alright?" Bruce was concerned because I had not said anything.
"Yea, I'm fine. Excuse me I have some work to do." I decided to leave, I was not entirely comfortable with how they acted around each other. It was almost too heated…too—camaraderie-like. And I was going to have to pull an all-nighter if Lorraine wanted the design by tomorrow. Maybe it could help me keep my mind off of everything that was spinning out of control around me.
A Batwoman…hmmmm…
Bruce and Lorraine watched as Violet left the room with both of them feeling a bit guilty to have thrust this on her. Bruce was angry that he had to tell her now after all that had happened to her.
Bruce's eyes turned to bore into Raine's head while she flipped through her messages on her recently found blackberry. Her eyes constantly flicked up to his and he was surprised that she didn't blush.
"For Christ's sake, Bruce! Stop looking at me like that."
"You know, I was going to tell her in time. You coming in unexpectedly did not help the situation at all." Bruce growled at Lorraine, who only snickered.
Raine took Vi's fork and stabbed a piece of lettuce, chewing slowly to allow the crunching noise fill the room. She was used to his violent tempers being as she was just like him. "Oh face it Bruce, you were not going to tell her." She walked around Bruce studying him. "I know you want to protect your little flower from all that has fallen upon her and I understand that. I know exactly how you feel. And it is best she found out now before it was too late. At least you still get to protect the one you love, so be grateful for it."
Lorraine started walking to the elevator, the doors slid open and she walked into it. "I'll be watching whenever you need backup." The doors shut and Bruce was left to contemplate what will happen now with Violet, Lorraine and the city of Gotham...
A/N: Thanks to DazzledInDarkness for being my beta reader. And of course letting me borrow the lovely Lorraine Drake or batwoman as I should say...lol. Once again if u all wish to know Raine pov and her story check out "Everlasting Raine" It is a VERY brilliant piece of work from my friend, DazzledInDarkness.
And thanks to my reviewers who never fail to review
DazzledInDarkness, DancingWithOceanWaves, Batman'ssidekick16, CompleteSolitude, Christina1666! Keep them up!
