Bruce had been distant the last few months. I knew it was because he was busy and he had a new job to do. But a phone call wouldn't hurt once in a while. Dad didn't know about us.

He was still under the impression that I disliked him. At this point it wasn't completely untrue. Harvey was everywhere. TV, newspaper, social media. Gotham's white knight.

I knew he was trying to help and was very good at what he did. I just wasn't sure he had his eyes on me. Of all the women in the world.

I just shrugged it off and went to meet him at the fancy restaurant he reserved for us. He wore a suit and I wore a simple red gown my father gave me for my birthday last month. Funny. Bruce didn't send me anything or at least tell me happy birthday.

Anyway, Harvey smiled at me the whole time. As I sat down, he sighed.

"Man, took me three weeks just to get us a reservation."

I sipped my glass of water. "Really?"

Poor guy. Such struggles. Moron.

"So, Barbara, I understand you're very close with your father."

I shrugged. "Yeah."

"I was close with mine. Before he died, he gave me this," he said, taking out a silver coin.

"That's quite an inheritance," I said, dully.

"Oh, no. That, he sent in a check. This, my dear, is his lucky coin. I take chance into my own hands."

"Sounds exciting."

He rested his hand on mine and I felt my skin cringe. "I'm trying to change your impression of me."

"Impression?"

"You think I'm some high class, stuck-up, little girl's blouse with money to burn. Am I close?"

"I wouldn't say little girl's blouse," I chuckled.

He laughed. "You and your father are exactly the kind of people that Gotham needs. But, I'm not here to talk about that."

Well, that wasn't what I expected.

"I'm here with you because you've got a spark that I've never seen. You're funny and just so opinionated. I like that about you, Babs."

I could feel my cheeks turning red. "Thanks, I guess."

"I'd like to get to know you a bit more. If that's alright with you?"

I swallowed. "Well, uh,...I don't think it would hurt anyone-"

"Barbara!"

Oh, God, you've gotta be kidding me.

I faked a big smile. "Bruce!"

He walked up to our table with a bkinde chick with him. "Fancy seeing you here."

His hand took mine and he shook it.

"Yeah, real fancy," I said, squeezing his hand really hard.

Harvey looked at Bruce, then at me. "Well, well."

I raised my eyebrows. "Oh, Harvey this is Bruce."

"Bruce Wayne. Barbara's told me all about you."

Bruce smiled. "Well, I certainly hope not."

I rolled my eyes and cleared my throat. His date looked at me with a smile.

"Barbara, this is Natasha. Natasha, Barbara," Bruce said.

My smile got more and more fake. "Natasha...aren't you part of the-"

"Russian ballet from Moscow," Bruce finished with a nod.

Natasha nodded. "Yes!"

Bruce's hand went to her waist and my chest tightened. He wanted to play dirty? I could play dirty.

"Harvey said he'd like to take me next week," I smiled at him.

Harvey nodded and smiled back. Bruce looked at me and at our table.

"Why don't we bring together some tables?"

Harvey looked at me for a response and said, "Uh, I don't know. I don't think they'd let us."

Bruce shook his head. "Oh, it's not a problem. I own the place."

I smiled wide. "Of course you do."

A waiter brought more chairs and we all sat together. Natasha drank some wine and smiled at me the whole time.

"Who would want to raise their children in a town like this?" She asked.

"Well, I grew up here, and I turned out okay," Bruce grinned as he looked at me.

I choked on my water and Harvey patted my back. "You okay?"

"Yeah, just got a really bad taste in my mouth all of a sudden," I said, throwing Bruce a glare.

Natasha just kept running her mouth. "I'm talking about the kind of city that idolizes a masked vigilante."

Harvey shook his head. "Gotham city is proud of an ordinary citizen standing up for what's right."

"Gotham needs a man like you, an elected official. Not a man who thinks he is above the law," Natasha argued.

"Exactly," Bruce said, "Who appointed the Batman?"

"We did. The ones who stood by and let scum take control of our city," Harvey replied.

"But, this is a democracy, Harvey," Natasha said.

"When their enemies were at the gate, the Romans appointed one man to watch over the city. It wasn't considered an honor, it was a public service."

I glanced at Bruce and noticed how he kept a solid eye on Harvey.

"Look, you either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain. I mean, whoever the Batman is, he doesn't want to do this the rest of his life. How could he?"

Bruce lowered his eyes at that and kept listening.

"Batman is looking for someone to take up his mantel."

"Someone like you, Mr. Dent?" Natasha asked.

Harvey shrugged. "Maybe. If I'm up to it."

"What if Harvey Dent is the caped crusader?"

She picked up her menu and covered the top half of Harvey's face. He smiled and Bruce did too.

"If I were sneaking out every night, I'm sure someone would've noticed," Harvey said, carefully holding my hand.

Bruce noticed and sighed. "Well, you've sold me, Mr. Dent. I'm going to throw you a fundraiser."

Harvey shook his head. "No, thanks. I'm not up for reelection for another three years."

"No, you don't understand. Help from me and my money, you won't need another cent. Ever."

I showed up at Bruce's penthouse a few days later. Alfred was there and we sat down in the living room with tea and just talked.

"I never saw such a bad side of him. It's like I didn't even know who I was talking to," I sighed.

Alfred nodded. "The price of living a double life. You start acting like it and soon, you don't know where the bloody hell you are."

"I thought...when he showed me my suit...things would get better. But, then, he shows up and just embarasses me in front of Harvey. I mean, how did he even know I was there?"

Alfred lowered his eyes and I scoffed. "I think you already know the answer."

"Does he do that often? Stalk me?"

"It's not you he watches, it's Dent."

"Did he tell you that, Alfred? I'm at perfect liberty to spend time with whoever I want."

"But, it's not to make you happy. It's to make Master Wayne turn his attention to you."

I lowered my eyes and ran a hand through my hair. "I'm losing him, Alfred. Every time we get close, he pulls away. Harvey is making this harder, it's not his fault. I feel...wanted when I'm around him."

He nodded. "I understand. But, maybe, you need to tell Master Wayne. He has several things going on at the moment. He's in Hong Kong as we speak."

"And, he didn't even tell me. What if something happens when he's gone? I won't know. I wouldn't be there."

"You need to tell him, Miss Gordon. He needs to know."

With a sigh, I nodded. "Yeah. I should get going. Thanks for the tea."

"Anytime. Nice to have a chat since Master Wayne is always busy with his schedule. It'll be nice when the mansion is rebuilt. He might feel more at home."

I hugged him and went on my way. He was right. Bruce and I needed to have a serious talk.

After a few days, lots happened. Some chaos went down in Hong Kong with the Batman, and Bruce was back home. I hurried to his penthouse as soon as I heard.

Alfred smiled and wished me luck when he answered the door.

"He's had a rough night. Take it easy on him."

I smirked. "I'll certainly try for you."

Bruce came downstairs putting a bowtie on. He saw me and quickly came down, surprised.

"Barbara," he said as he shook my hand.

"I need to talk to you, Bruce." Lots of things are.. "

I glanced at the TV behind him when I saw a strange headline.

BATMAN DEAD?

"Oh my God..."

Bruce followed my gaze and turned the volume up on the TV. A man in a Batman suit had been killed. Hanged. The news revealed footage of him before he died.

He was in a room, tied to a chair, with a bruised face. The camera shook as the person holding it, laughed.

"Say your name."

"Brian."

"Are you the Batman?"

"No...no..." the man said

The cameraman took off Brian's mask, roughly. "Then, why do you dress up like him?"

Bruce and Alfred watched in horror. I put a hand to my mouth, holding back a gasp. Then, the Joker revealed himself as he pointed the camera to his face.

"The Batman must take off his mask and turn himself in. Oh, and every day he doesn't, someone will die. Starting tonight. I'm a man of my word."

Bruce turned the TV off. I glanced at him and shook my head. "Still holding the party? You need to lay low."

"Everything will be fine. You just be watchful. You're my eyes and ears out there, understand?"

He walked past me and Alfred remained behind. "He'll come around."

I shrugged. "Maybe. I'll see you tonight, Alfred. Let's hope he doesn't embarrass me too much."