I sat at my desk, typing away. Shockingly, I wasn't blogging. I had an essay due from my English class in school. College was actually an escape from the chasing criminals life.

It let me worry about my own problems. Dad, of course, wasn't home. He had to meet with the Batman that night. I typed away, thinking about Bruce. It had been a few months since the whole making out at his burned mansion thing.

I sighed and decided to take a break from my essay. A knock at my window made me jump. I turned and saw him there. I opened the window and climbed out onto the fire escape.

"Aren't you supposed to be meeting with my Dad?"

"I have. It was a short meeting. We talked about the clown again."

I nodded. "No word on him yet?"

"No, but rumors say he's in Gotham."

I raised my eyebrows. "He's here? How are you going to find him. This guy looks like trouble."

"You've done research?"

"Any guy that likes to play dress up is worth looking into," I shrugged with a smile.

"What have you learned?"

"Well, he's got a good name for himself. Joker. He's a bit different from you. He's a fan of smiling. Leaves paintings, billboards, posters with red smiles. This guy's trying to convey a message."

He nodded in agreement. "I need you to come by the house tonight. I might need your help. This guy sounds serious."

"Okay. I'll head out when my Dad gets home."

"Don't be late."

He walked across the fire escape as I climbed back inside through my window. I closed it and exited mt room when I heard Dad had gotten home. I hugged him and he yawned.

"You should get some sleep," I said.

"No need to tell me twice," he nodded, heading upstairs.

When I heard his bedroom door close, I hurried out. I got into my car and drove to Wayne manor. I knocked on the door and was greeted by Alfred.

"Evening, miss Gordon. Master Wayne is waiting inside," he smiled.

The mansion was halfway finished being rebuilt. I walked across the marble flooring and thanked Alfred.

"How's he doing?"

"I worry about him. Always running around in the middle of the night. Running into dangerous men. And, this joker fellow seems no different," he replied.

I nodded. "He thinks it's serious."

"Do you agree?"

"Yeah, I mean, he doesn't usually like to ask me for help. So, I figured this might be serious."

We entered the music room and Alfred played three keys on the piano. The secret door on the wall opened and Alfred led the way. The elevator took us down and we entered the cave.

Bruce had his suit on, but had taken his mask off. When we approached, he gave me a nod.

"You made it."

"Well, I wasn't going to miss another chance to see Alfred, was I?"

Alfred smiled, humorously. "I'll leave you two alone to get things sorted."

When he walked off, Bruce shook his head. "You're very funny."

I shrugged. "I try. Maybe one day you'll cheer up and laugh."

"You heard about the heist at the bank today?"

I nodded and he raised his eyebrows. "The Oracle never misses a thing, does she?"

I grimaced. "When I bank robbery involves most of the robbers dead and a school bus busting in, I think everyone would know about it, Bruce."

"The police didn't share the identities of the dead robbers. Your dad tell you anything?"

I shook my head. "No, but the Joker was involved in this. The robbers wore masks. Clown masks and wore suits or clothing similar to them."

"So, why kill your own men?"

"Dead men tell no tales. Or he just wanted the money to himself. But, this doesn't sound like a guy interested in money."

Bruce thought about it and looked at me. "You think he'll use it for something else. Maybe hire a terrorist?"

"Or more experienced thieves and killers."

Bruce shook his head. "We can't let that happen. He's got the mob involved. They're our new target."

"And, the Joker?"

"He can wait."

I sighed and nodded. "Figures."

"Your father told me about the new DA. Seems to trust him."

"Harvey, you mean?"

Bruce paused. "Dent. Harvey Dent, yes. Told me he's a bit stubborn."

I shrugged. "Never met him, but I'm supposed to. Tonight."

Bruce raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

He turned his back to me as he removed his belt and placed it on the table. Several other weapons laid there.

"Wasn't really my choice. He kinda...asked my Dad for permission and he gave him the green light. Dent asked and I couldn't really say no."

Bruce shrugged. "With a face and personality like yours, why wouldn't he ask? Why wouldn't anyone ask?"

Sighing, I folded my arms. "You tell me."

He hung his head as if he was expecting me to say that. "Barbara...I said I needed time."

"Time is something you don't have, Bruce. This is the price you pay of living a double life."

Bruce closed his eyes in annoyance. "Now, you're sounding like Alfred."

"Alfred's always been the one with sense between the two of you," I shrugged.

He side-smiled. "I'll make time. I promise. There's just a lot going on."

"A town like Gotham will always have things going on. You just need to make your own time," I said, holding his hand.

He held mine tightly and his mouth formed into a smile. "I have something for you."

I raised my eyebrows. "For me? I'm flattered."

"Just watch."

He grabbed a remote and pressed a button. Suddenly, from the water, came a large glass case, holding a suit. The bat symbol sat on its breast. The suit itself was dark gray, with the gloves and boots black.

The mask was similar to Bruce's in that it covered the head and eyes.

"I thought you'd need something to replace that hoodie of yours," he said.

I gasped. "It's...it looks amazing."

"It's got an opening behind the mask, so you can let your hair down."

He stroked my hair and I smiled. "I gotta say that I'm surprised."

"Why? You want to spend more time together. I thought this was a step towards that. We can move up from here."

Shaking my head, I pulled him into a hug and rested my head on his chest. I traced the bat symbol on his chest with my finger. What a future.