Alright. SO! If you haven't noticed, this story is quite long. I want it to be long. Hang in there. This isn't a frilly little story. There is much, much, MUCH more to come. I'm going to be cranking out updates the next few days. As always, thank you for the reviews and support. Forgive the errors and – as always – enjoy. :) - D

Saturday morning came. I had three surgeries scheduled back to back to occupy my time, I figured it was enough to get out of the party. I woke up around 9:30, just two hours before I was supposed to be at the hospital. I pulled up my online calendar to make sure everything was in order. I opened the website, clicked on my schedule and gasped. Where the fuck did all of my surgeries go? The list was just there yesterday! I double checked the date. Yes, Saturday, May 5th. I refreshed the site and felt my stomach drop as my schedule came up empty again. I hate technology. Leave it to the boys. I don't need it. I picked up my phone and called IT immediately, some snide ass girl named Amanda answered the phone.

"Hello, this Amanda from IT for Gotham Medical," she stated, popping her gum loudly into the receiver. I flinched and pulled the phone away. Thank you so much, Amanda.

"Uh, yeah, can you explain to me why my schedule is blank?" I asked, scowling as I tried to reopen the program on another browser, viewing the same blank page. Amanda sighed loudly, typing wildly on her keyboard, I could hear it from over the phone.

"Name?"

"Holly Engel." She clicked through a few things and popped her gum loudly again. I clenched my jaw and spun in my chair, looking out into my bedroom. She mumbled a few things as she clicked.

"You're schedule for today was changed to Monday."

"Excuse me?!" I asked, my voice rising in pitch. Who in the hell approved that? I didn't!

"Yep, a Mr. Bruce Wayne called and said that he needed you for a consult the entire day. Didn't you get a message?" Mother fucker! He must have had someone hack the system. Lucius popped into my mind first. I might like you Lucius, but you wait until I see you again. I cursed loudly. "Excuse me, ma'am?"

"Oh, don't ma'am me, you fucking farm animal," I growled, hanging up the phone. I sighed with force and pushed my hair back, curling my fingers up in it, pulling. Fucking men. Infuriating. I pulled my phone back up and dialed Bruce's cell phone. He answered the phone with his fake, phony smile and that just made it worse. "Want to explain to me what you're doing?" I hissed into the phone. He laughed.

"Just clearing up your schedule," he replied.

"Clearing up my schedule. Exactly. What gives you the right to do that? You're just a man, Bruce. You're not the President."

"You have a party to attend, I didn't want you to be too tired. I didn't want to hear any excuses for why you couldn't make it after you said you'd be here." I scrunched up my face and stared at the phone. I have a party to attend? I don't have shit to attend.

"And what makes it such a big deal if I come or if I don't?" I asked, my knee bouncing wildly. I tried to get out of this thing. I was going to have to face Bane – Liam. Ugh. No. Jesus. I thought I had this covered.

"I paid a lot of money for the dinner - almost five hundred dollars a person. There's going to be dancing, drinking, Venus will be there, and Gordon's going to be there. I know you're pretty fond of him, almost as much as I am. So, any excuses now?" His cockiness was making it hard for me to concentrate.

"Most people with common decency know they're not supposed to tell people how much they spend on parties and what not," I clipped. Bruce laughed again.

"You're so stubborn," he breathed, laughing again. "A driver is going to pick you up around 7. Don't make me leave my own party to come and find you in the Batsuit, because you know I will." Big old scary Batman is going to come hunt me down and take me hostage. Never thought I'd hear the day.

"I thought you and Lucius turned the sonar off," I quipped back.

"I have other ways, Ms. Engel." I grunted and hung up the phone, not even allowing him to continue the conversation. I threw my phone onto my bed and stood up, looking around the room, not sure of what I should do. Damn. I rubbed the back of my neck, walking to my closet to find something to wear. What does one wear to a Bruce Wayne party? I tapped my chin as I walked through my closet, searching for something extra fancy. That invitation was super fucking fancy. I was going to have to go to the salon, going to have to get a pedicure and – I glanced at my nails – a manicure. I found my pale pink Herve Leger bandage dress that I had to buy a few years ago for a fancy networking party at work. It wrapped around one shoulder, wasn't low cut, and ended just above my knee. I pulled it out, holding it up to the light. Perfect. I searched for the matching high heels I had bought for it and sat them out on my bed. I hardly ever wore any lavish jewelry aside from my watch or a tennis bracelet and earrings. I took my watch off and tossed it into the jewelry box, retrieving my bracelet with matching earrings. Done. I nodded in approval at my decision and heard my phone ding from a text message. I read it almost immediately. It was from Bruce. I rolled my eyes at the name.

"Bye, see you at 7, Holly," I read out loud. Oh, believe me, Bruce, you'll see me at 7.

It was 6:50 and I stood outside of my apartment building feeling as exposed as ever. I wore some pretty tight clothes to work, but wearing a bandage dress in front of your fellow neighbors and people you don't know very well definitely makes you feel a bit – awkward. I didn't take a clutch with me, because I always felt weird carrying one, I didn't my phone and I damn sure didn't need any money. I fiddled anxiously with my tennis bracelet, staring at the cars that passed by. The hairstylist at the salon had left my black hair straight, parting it down the left instead of down the middle. I had opted for a regular french manicure on my toes and fingers, regardless of the fact that no one could see my feet under my covered heels. I was also given a gray smoky eye that I was totally not used to. Most of the time I put on eye shadow, but not this dark, usually it was just neutral coloring with the basics – eyeliner and mascara. It had taken a shit load of concealer and make up to cover up the bruising around my neck, but the make-up artist made it happen. There was no way I was going to go to a Wayne party looking like the abused housewife. I released another anxious gust of air and watched as another car drove by, just as one stopped in front of me. It was a white Koenigsegg Agera. As if I have any idea what that means. I gaped at it as Liam got out of the driver's seat.

"Thank God, you're a girl who is ready on time," he joked, walking around the front of the car. He had on a black tuxedo with a white dress shirt, and a black tie. Very formal. Thank God I decided to wear this dress. I nodded and pointed at the car. "It's Bruce's, he's been letting me drive it on loan."

"Pretty nice fucking loan," I mumbled as Liam opened my door. I got into the low car and smoothed out my dress, watching him walk back around to his side of the car. He took off slowly, not driving like a reckless idiot. Surprises everywhere with this one.

"You look lovely," he stated as we stopped up at a stoplight. I don't know why I caught myself blushing - I had heard a comment before, but something about the situation made my cheeks flush. I felt like a grade-A Venus. What in the world? I gaped at myself silently. Did I really just blush? The feeling was so alien to me. I didn't know how to handle it. I took in a slow breath.

"Thank you," I responded, dropping my head down to avoid his gaze. I caught him smiling out of the corner of my eye and we took off again. I waited a few minutes before talking, enjoying myself as I watched people's reactions to the car. "You know, Bruce didn't tell me you were driving tonight." He laughed.

"Didn't think I could, huh?" he asked, the joking apparent in his voice. Well – with your size and reputation and all… I remained silent and bit my lip. He laughed and lightly touched my knee. "You can say it, you know? It takes a lot to offend me."

"I didn't think ex-super villains were the type to drive themselves around." He nodded his head from side to side, his mouth dipping down into a slight frown.

"I suppose they don't if they actually remember being a super villain."

"Touché," I breathed, adjusting the bracelet on my wrist.

Bruce's home was immaculate. It had a large yard that was decorated with tents, candles, and paper lanterns everywhere. There was a jazz band playing with people in uniforms passing out champagne and small finger foods to people. I glanced over at him and raised an eyebrow. He smiled.

"Temporary home," he announced as we drove up the gravel drive to a valet podium just before one of the tents. The man working the valet nodded to Liam and drove the car away, leaving us to the endless crowd of people. I swallowed the anxiety rising in my throat and followed Liam into the horde. Gordon was standing on the edge of one of the tents, sipping champagne with who I assumed to be his wife. Her brown hair was shoulder length, she was wearing a very conservative black shift dress with black heels, and pearls on every part of her body that could hold jewelry. She seemed very motherly, but uptight to me. I had heard quite a few things about her, all of which made her seem amazing from an outsider's view.

"Gordon!" I cheered, walking over to embrace him. He smiled widely and hugged me tightly.

"You look great, dear," he assured me holding my hand out as I stepped back.

"Thank you."

"Holly, this is my wife, Beth," he introduced us to each other happily. We shook hands before Gordon introduced Liam to Beth. She flushed as he smiled at her, dipping her head down as they shook hands. Well, I'm kind of glad it's not just me that feels this way. We might be working with a more effective playboy over here. A waiter handed us both a flute of champagne and quickly flitted away into the crowd. I clanked glasses with the three of them and drank a generous amount of the alcohol. That tasted amazing.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Holly, I've heard wonderful things about you. I'm extremely thankful that you were there for Gordon when I couldn't be," she praised, giving me a large grin. Beth had moved away for year or so while Gordon and Bruce worked on eliminating the corrupt from the streets. She had recently returned about a month ago after the hype from Bane had died down.

"Don't thank me, don't thank me at all," I told her, waving a hand at her. "Your husband has helped me get through my trails a lot the past few months. I couldn't ask for a better patient." He smiled and patted my shoulder. So, true. I couldn't even begin to explain to you how amazing your husband is.

"Holly!" cried out a familiar voice. I turned to look at the crowd, eyeballing each person. "Holly! Over here!" cried out the voice again. I looked more towards my right and felt my jaw drop open in shock when I noticed who was yelling my name.

"Venus?!" I asked, flabbergasted beyond words. Venus stepped out of the crowd, wearing an emerald green dress, low cut, grazing the grass as she walked over to me. Her usually brown frizz ball mess of hair was curled into soft, large waves, her make-up caked on in the most beautiful way. "Oh my god!" I screamed, almost like a schoolgirl. I cannot believe I am seeing what I'm seeing! I hugged her tightly, giving her a small squeeze. "You look-" I pulled away and looked down at her dress. "-stunning!" She giggled wildly, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

"Thank you. You don't look that bad yourself," she teased, pinching my arm. "I can't believe you're here. I thought you wouldn't show."

"Oh, I had someone convince me otherwise," I told her with a serious expression.

"I think I know who you mean."

"The same for you?" She shook her head.

"I've been working with Bruce and the enterprise in general the last few months." That's way I haven't heard from you. "It's been insane. So much work and networking and getting things figured out," she waved her hand around. "Bruce is my boss now and I was ordered to change my look, so-" she gestured her hands down her body. "Selina helped me out."

"She did a fantastic job," I assured her, nodding my head in approval. She flushed a brighter shade of red and smiled. I felt a hand on my lower back and watched her eyes widen. Who's touching me? The warmth spread and knew who it was without looking, especially after the cologne hit my nose. We're at touching level now? What?

"Hi Liam," she chirped, giving a flirty smile in his direction.

"Hello Venus," he replied, returning the same large smile back to her. "You look very nice tonight." No lovely comment? Is that reserved? I felt an unfamiliar feeling inside of me as I thought about it. Why was I being called lovely and she was just nice? Meaning behind that or what? Not quite sure how I feel about that. I took a sip of my champagne and looked around for the waiter again. I was ready for more. "Would you like more?" he asked. The whole bottle if you got it, Chief.

"Yes," I answered. He took my glass from my hand.

"I'll be back," he told me, walking away in the direction of a catering table in the corner of the tent.

"That man is something else," Venus whispered, stepping over to join me as we watched him walk to the table. I suppose. I mean – I was still having major doubts. I wasn't about to go all crazy goo-goo eyes over him. He was attractive and seemed to have his shit together, but how can you really believe that? How do you honestly know someone? Especially when they spent about four years of their life being a fucking ass. Yeah, that might be all men, but not all men hold an entire city hostage.

"Yeah, no kidding," I agreed. Was it all an act? Was he just doing this to get some sort of approval before raping Gotham again? I felt a cold chill run down my spine.

"He's not the same person." So, I keep hearing. "He's so brilliant," she gushed, a dreamy look in her eye. When did that change from Bruce? Had I not spoken to her in that long?

"Maybe you should ask him to dance," I told her, turning to look away from Liam.

"Oh, no," she choked, holding a hand up to me. "I couldn't do that to you. He asked you to come here, you should dance with him." I scoffed and pushed her hand down. Please, girl.

"We're not dating or anything. He only wanted to talk. Which I can do, after an enormous amount of alcohol. These people are about to make me flip and I can't dance with a gun to my head. You're obviously crazy about him. You should go for it." Please do. I don't want to be dragged out to a dance floor only to make a fool of my fucking self. She bit her lip and looked from me to Liam, then back to me.

"You're really sure?" she asked.

"One hundred and ten million fucking percent sure," I answered. She nodded and watched him as he walked up, the want in her eyes was apparent to me the entire time. He handed me the glass and smiled, warmly. I held it in my hands and drained it almost immediately. "Well, if you two will excuse me, I'm going off to find the restroom." Venus gaped at me as Liam scrunched his eyebrows up, staring in my direction. He turned to look at Venus, who blinked and made a face at me. "Do it," I mouthed, taking a few steps away.

When I returned from pretending to use the restroom I was on my third glass of champagne and had returned to Beth and Gordon's side, watching Liam and Venus dance. She had this blush on her face that I hadn't seen before. Liam would smile occasionally at her, but I caught him glancing off, looking into the crowd a few times. Me, the ever avoidant eye contact maker, would casually look away when I noticed him looking. I wasn't going even go there.

"I don't know about you two, but I need something way stronger than this bubbly shit," I mumbled, taking two glasses off of a tray as a waiter passed me. Beth laughed and nodded.

"No kidding. I hate this stuff," she commented, slowly sipping on her glass. I tossed back both of the glasses and let out a very small and silent burp. I could imagine my uncle hawking over me. He tried so hard to teach me proper manners after he took me in. He never really knew how to deal with me. I was so moody and angry for months when I moved in. If only he could see me now- holding my glass all fancy, dressed up, at a fancy party… Venus and Liam walked up to us, her grinning like an idiot, him with a smug expression on his face as they approached us.

"He's an amazing dancer," Venus commented, thrusting a thumb to him.

"As are you," he added, bringing his blue eyes to mine.

"I can imagine she is. She's always been a good dancer."

"And you're not?" Gordon asked. I shook my head vehemently.

"Not in the slightest."

"I doubt that," Liam cut in with a smirk. You know don't me, Mr. Dorrance, but thank you, again, for assuming that you do.

"Oh, and why is that?"

"Everyone can dance," he insisted. I grabbed my sixth glass of champagne and smirked, feeling the warmth finally flood over my system- anxiety and inhibitions slowly floating away.

"Not me," I clipped back as I sipped on the glass.

"Prove it." I giggled stupidly. Oh, no, I'm seriously tipsy. I covered my mouth and laughed again as Gordon laughed.

"I don't think I've ever heard you do that before," Gordon stated with a smile.

"Me neither," added Venus, her brow dropping. It's not because of your lover boy. Chill. Women and their men. So catty and feisty.

"Prove it," Liam repeated, I raised an eyebrow at him and smirked. He returned the smirk, his eyes churning with that mysterious emotion that I had yet to figure out. I took another drink and handed my glass to Gordon. You want to challenge me, Liam? I'll take it.

"Fine," I clipped, walking past him towards the crowd of dancers. Damn, I'm feeling pretty brave.