Aftermath

Abby groggily opened her eyes the next morning. As she moved her neck to get up, a sore pain struck her. Alfred had stitched up her cut, but it was still sore more than ever. She sat up in bed, not moving for a few long moments.

The incident that happened last night had not sunken in yet. It seemed so surreal now. A madman had come into her home, threatened the life of Harvey Dent, nearly killed her mother and almost carved Abby like a pumpkin. She had tried desperately to forget her encounter with the Joker, but all attempts had failed. Before she had gotten to bed that night, Dent had been found in a supply closet unconscious and Rachel had returned to the penthouse with no harm done.

Just as Liam had promised, he took her friends back home. Although Aaron was reluctant to go, Abby was able to convince him that she would be fine for the rest of the night. She had not been able to speak to Bruce though. Abby couldn't imagine what he was going through at this point. The death threat that the Joker had made was more real than ever and everyone was involved including his family.

After realizing that she had yet to have breakfast, she got up from her bed and put on a fresh set of clothes.

The sweet aroma of cinnamon rolls ventured into Abby's nose as she entered the kitchen. She found Alfred by the counter, setting up a plate of freshly baked cinnamon rolls.

"Glad to see you finally got up, Miss Wayne," Alfred greeted.

She gave the best smile she could. "Yeah, I had a rough night."

"I know, but what I would like to know is how you feel."

"My neck still hurts a little, but it's not too brutal."

"I meant physiologically," he corrected while handing her a cinnamon roll.

Abby accepted it. "I still don't know. I just want to forget it happened."

When she looked up from her food, she saw Bruce silently watching them. His emotions were hard to decipher. It was only a blank expression. Abby didn't know if he was angry that she had disobeyed him or he was horrified that the Joker had nearly killed his only daughter. It may have been a mix of both.

"Well I'd better get started the laundry," Alfred turned to leave. "Let me know if you require anything."

They both waited for Alfred's footsteps to disappear until someone spoke.

Bruce was the first to speak. "How are you?"

"I really don't know. First I see a clown threatening other people's lives in order for you to reveal yourself then that same clown comes in here, throws my mom out the window and literally scares me to death. You tell me how I'm feeling."

"I'm so sorry, Abby. I should've been there when he hurt you. If I had taken care of him before then maybe…"

"Dad, it's not your fault. I'm the one who didn't listen you. Like most things, this," she pointed to her cut, "is my fault."

The guilt on his face didn't melt away one bit. "I should've locked you out in the balcony or in your room so that you wouldn't have gotten yourself hurt."

"Dent would've been dead then. There was barely any time from the balcony to the Joker coming in. You said it yourself; you can't be concerned about me when you're Batman. You had a right to be concerned about Dent or Mom over me."

"Yes, but out of all of them you were the one who got hurt in the end."

"It's just a cut. Alfred said it would heal without leaving a scar."

"It doesn't matter," he snapped. "If the police hadn't shown up, I couldn't imagine what he would've done to you. He could've taken you with him if he wanted to like Ra's did."

"I may have been petrified, but I can easily snap out of it when someone tries to pull me away. You should know that. You're the one who taught me the many ways to struggle out of it."

"This guy is different, Abby. I can't figure out what he's after and it's obvious he's not going to stop."

"He's after your mask," Abby stated. "He wants you to reveal yourself so that he can come after you."

"That's the problem. He won't only find me, but he'll find you. I can guarantee you nothing scares me more than lunatics going after you because of what I do."

Abby didn't say a word to that. There seemed to be nothing to say to the statement.

Bruce's voice became soft and firm. "I want you to stay inside this penthouse until everything is fixed. Do you understand that?"

She glared at him. "You seriously think keeping me prisoner here will keep him away from me? He broke in here once, he can do it again."

"I've doubled security and had the system updated."

"Technology can be easily manipulated. You can thank people like T.J. for that."

"We can only do so much to stay as protected as we can. All I'm asking you is to stay here for the time being."

Abby tapped her chin. "Hm…what does this remind me of? Oh right, both you and mom kept me prisoner in the manor last year. Except this time this isn't for major bonding time. It's for the fact that you don't trust me enough to conquer to world on my own."

"You clearly disobeyed me and look where it got you." Bruce raised his voice once again.

"This is my problem not yours. You've got Gotham to worry about and not some stupid fifteen year old girl."

"That fifteen year old girl happens to be my daughter. Don't ask me to ignore that."

"I'm not asking you to ignore that. I'm asking you to let me grow up for a change in this kind of situation. Anytime something like this happens you always tell me to stay on the sidelines."

Bruce fumed. "Then what would you do out in the field then? As far as I've seen all you've ever done is gotten hurt."

"Are you seriously trying to tell me I'm weak?" she scoffed. "I already get enough of that from Renee. Not to mention I was the one who found out that Crane was going to ship off those drugs last year. It got you hurt and you didn't see me putting you on lock down. I have a lot more resources than you think."

"This discussion is over."

"You're right. It is."

Abby gave him a quick glare before storming off to the front door.

"Where do you think you're going?" he shouted after her.

She grabbed her bag and jacket from the couch. "Somewhere other than here!"

"You're not going anywhere if I have a say in it."

Abby could hear her father's footsteps quicken behind her.

"As of right now, I really don't care what you say," she snapped as she pressed the button for the elevator. "Besides I still would've gotten away anyway. I've done it plenty of times before."

Thankfully the elevator doors opened quicker than Bruce could catch up to her. She leaped inside just as Bruce nearly grabbed a hold of her.

Tears flooded her eyes as the elevator doors closed. "Just leave me alone for now."

She slid down the elevator wall. Abby wiped the tears off of her cheeks. This was too much to take in all in one day. Bruce had expected her to stand down as her home was being overrun by a madman. He had treated her as if she was seven years old again. A fight like this had not occurred for some time now. Abby just needed space from the situation.

The Joker had caused all these conflicts. Aaron had a right to be worried beforehand. She even felt uneasiness whenever the fundraiser was mentioned. But it was all in the past now. The best thing that could be done was to try to handle the situation somehow. Abby didn't know what she could do to help the situation herself to be honest. She could barely move when she came face to face with the man. She showed him weakness. An irritated groan escaped from her lips. Maybe if she hadn't acted the way she did, the Joker wouldn't have promised for a second meeting.

Abby wanted to convince herself that he had only said that to scare her but the lingering words from his horrific video still was clear in her mind. "I'm a man of my word," he had said. And he was. The Joker had almost taken a life from Harvey Dent and most likely succeeded in taking others. Bruce needed help. Batman needed help. There was no way that he could do this on his own. Even with Gordon's help this man was unpredictable.

But what could she do to help? Abby didn't have any superpowers nor was she proficient in martial arts. She had to admit though that she could catch on to small details easily as Bruce could. Then a thought occurred to her.

Bruce was never alone when he went on patrol. Technically he was alone, but he had Lucius to make all of his gadgets and Alfred to do his research. He had people he could trust watching his back for him. He literally had a team.

Abby didn't have to be alone either. T.J. could easily help with the technical components; Sasha would be able to do the research, Aaron would be able to get information from the inside of the police department and Heather…could be there for moral support. Each of them had a special talent and Abby this was the time to use it. She didn't know how, but they would.

She jumped from her sitting position when her phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket.

"Hello?" Abby answered it.

"Hey, Abby," said Heather's cheery voice. "I wanted to see how you were doing. I tried calling your home phone, but Alfred said you went out."

"Yeah…I just needed air."

"Well I know one thing that will get your mind off of that horrid clown: shopping."

"Shopping?"

"Yeah. You can at least dress better than him."

Abby gave a small laugh. "Is it just me or are you critiquing a clown on fashion?"

"Well it's true. No man needs to wear that much makeup."

"In my opinion, the makeup works for him. The scars don't seem that terrifying with it on."

"I guess that's the exception then," she sighed. "So, are you up to go to the mall? I think T.J. and Aaron are going. T.J. told me something about getting Aaron's mind off of the whole thing too. He was going to come over and check up on you, but he didn't even get the chance since T.J. nearly tackled him to the ground to get him to go to the arcade."

"Sounds like Aaron and T.J. Sure, I'll go. I kinda want to talk to you guys about something too."

"Do you need a ride?"

"Nah, I'll just take the bus."

"Can't Alfred just take you?" Heather questioned.

"No. If I go back up to the penthouse, my dad won't let me out until I'm thirty."

"Did you get into an argument with him?"

"Something like that…He just got overprotective and all that."

Heather's voice became worried. "What if he decides to call the police if you're gone too long?"

"I've done this before. He'll get over it. I'll meet you at the mall in twenty."

She turned off her phone before either of them could exchange goodbyes. Bruce was bound to find her faster if she had her cell phone. Abby charged out of the elevator once it reached the bottom floor.

Thankfully nobody had recognized her on the bus ride to the mall. Abby had briefly passed by a newsstand on her way to the bus stop and many of them consisted of the Joker invading the penthouse. Not to mention her own encounter with the man.

She found Heather waiting outside the mall doors, tapping her foot.

Abby approached her. "Hey, Heather."

Heather widened her eyes. "You look like a mess."

"Yeah as if that comment is marked as acceptable."

"I didn't mean it like that. Didn't you brush your hair this morning?"

"No. I meant to after eating breakfast and then my dad got all fatherly on me."

"Well let's get that hair taken care of before we meet the guys. Aaron will explode if he sees you like this after last night."

Abby let Heather lead her inside of the mall. As usual, Heather carried her own hair salon in her purse. She once again used Abby as her doll until her hair was the least bit frizzy. Unlike Sasha, Heather didn't question what the argument between Abby and Bruce was about. Abby didn't feel like talking about it anyway. This was cool down time, not a therapy session.

They ventured around the mall after Heather was finished. Abby did her best to avoid the subject of the Joker at all costs in their conversation. It only brought up memories of her fight with Bruce and her deep cut that pierced through her neck. To prevent people from recognizing her, she pulled up her hood to cover her stitches.

"You really shouldn't worry, Abby," Heather hissed. "Nobody cares what happened last night. Well—they care—but not in zealous way obviously."

Abby shook her head. "I'm not taking any chances. The last time I thought nobody cared about Bruce Wayne's daughter I was hunted down by reporters for a week. This situation just gives them another reason to hunt me down again."

"I'm just saying you look kind of emo with the hood on and all."

"Thanks for the concern anyway."

"So how long do you think it will be until your dad figures out you're here?"

"I'm not sure. I think after our argument this morning we both need a break."

"Fair enough, I guess." Heather's head perked up. "Hey look, the guys are at the food court now."

Abby looked in the direction Heather was facing and saw T.J. eating a hamburger while Aaron was staring thoughtfully at the table. Did he really feel bad about the situation as Bruce did? She didn't blame him for what happened, but that didn't stop Aaron from blaming himself. He was the one holding her back firmly up to the point where Rachel was thrown out the window. Maybe seeing Aaron wasn't such a good idea after all. It would only make his guilt worse.

Heather wouldn't have any of it obviously. By some strange intuition, Heather must've seen Abby's hesitation so she decided to take it upon herself to push Abby towards Aaron and T.J. Abby didn't put up much of a fight anyway.

Heather was the first to greet them. "Hey guys."

T.J. looked up from his food. "Hey, what's up?"

"Not much just hanging out like I said I would with Abby."

"Same thing here with Aaron."

Abby and Heather sat themselves across the table from the boys. Abby tried to resist from looking at Aaron's depressed expression as much as she could. The guilt for causing him this pain probably would've eased better if she didn't leave her room that morning.

"So how are you, Abby?" T.J. asked.

"Fine," she simply said.

"OK…See, Aaron, she's fine."

Aaron showed no sign of response.

"You blame yourself too, don't you?" Abby blurted.

She shut her mouth as soon as the words escaped her. Those words were meant to stay in her private state of mind.

Aaron looked up from the table. "In a lot of ways, yes I do blame myself."

"Well don't," she said. "I was the one who ran without thinking."

"I had you there for a second protected, but then I just let you go."

"Look he would've came up to me anyway with the way I was screaming. Then he would've hurt you."

"I don't care. You're the one with a scar on your neck and I did nothing to stop it."

"It's not going to be a scar, Aaron," Abby assured. "Alfred said as long as I keep on the stitches that it'll heal without making a mark."

"He shouldn't have left so early," he muttered.

"Who?"

He exclaimed the name, "Batman! He shouldn't have left so early. Didn't he realize that the clown was still inside with a big crowd of people?"

"It was either stay or save my mom."

"Well its one life versus a hundred others."

Abby snorted at the accusation. "Oh, so you're saying that he should have ditched my mom like she was nothing, Aaron?"

T.J. smiled nervously. "You know what? This looks like this is turning into one of those couples fights, so I'm gonna head back to the arcade."

Heather stood up from her seat. "I second that."

Both Aaron and Abby screamed at them. "No! You stay!"

Heather reluctantly sat back down in her seat. "Fine, make us apart of your old married couple argument…"

"Heather, I don't think this is an old married couple argument," T.J. whispered warily.

Abby ignored them. "So my mom's life is basically less than those rich snobs, is what you were saying?"

"N-no, that's not what I meant," Aaron stuttered. "I just meant that there are more citizens in Gotham than just your mom to worry about."

"I'm still taking this as my mom should've just perished outside of that window."

"Calm down, let's just forget about your mom for a second and focus onto Batman here. If he hadn't been so slow at revealing who he was then the Joker wouldn't have shown up at the fundraiser at the first place."

She fumed. "He's the only one that can stop the Joker, Aaron. I don't think he'll be as effective if he takes off his mask."

Aaron leaned over to her. "Two people died last night. Commissioner Loeb and Judge Surrillo. Not to mention Harvey Dent was one of the Joker's targets. All of which, may I add, play a big part in our government. My dad could be next, Abby."

Abby understood Aaron's place in his argument. His father was in danger. But unbeknownst to Aaron and the rest of the world, Abby's father was in more danger than anyone else in Gotham.

"I get it," she said, "but what am I supposed to do about it? You have no idea how much I want to help. The truth is though, I'm just a kid. I don't know anything that could be resourceful to stopping the Joker."

"I'm not asking you to battle the Joker for God's sake. I'm just saying this guy is waiting too long and needs to take action like he usually does."

"It's not that simple."

"And how would you know that?" He eyed her suspiciously. "Have you been talking to him lately?"

"No," she answered automatically. "Last night was the first time I've seen him in over a year."

"It sure doesn't seem like it. I understand that he saved your life from a few muggers last year and helped to reconcile your relationship with your dad, but this is getting beyond that. Lives are being lost because he is hesitating."

"You don't understand what you're saying," Abby's eyes averted to the table.

"I understand enough to know that if Batman wants to protect the city he'll do what he has to and come out of the shadows."

Aaron was right. Harsh, but right. It was the bitter truth that Bruce was trying to take in at the moment. Abby knew that she wasn't making it any better by running out on him that morning, but she couldn't handle his controlling attitude. At this rate, Batman would reveal himself if more deaths occurred. A tear streamed her cheek. It seemed as if her father had returned the day before, now he there was walking out the door again. Aaron didn't understand the complexity of the problem. He didn't know that Batman was Abby's father. She wanted to tell him greatly. Unfortunately with Joker on the rampage, she had to keep that part quiet in order to keep him safe.

Abby rose from her seat. "You know, this really isn't making me feel any better. I might as well go back home or somewhere else."

Aaron sighed. "Abby, I didn't mean to—"

Then that voice came again. The voice that made Abby freeze inside all over again. Her cut even pained at the sound of it.

"Hello ladies and gentlemen," it said over the intercom. "Gotham City Mall is coming to an abrupt close today due to a very special event. We're going to play a game."

Abby looked to her friends who held the same fearful expression. The voice was unmistakably the Joker.

Sorry if this took awhile to get out. I thought I was going to do the NanoWrimo this year, but my schedule already busy enough with school and water polo. Well I hope everyone had a great thanksgiving. The next chapter should hopefully be out soon if I finish it today or later this weekend.

~Emyrox567