Author's Note: I know Niamh was a bit weak in the last chapter, but she comes into her own a bit here! Hope you enjoy! And yet again – I own nothing.

Chapter 9: The End

"Any luck getting hold of Miss Niel Sir?" Alfred questioned as Bruce sat staring at his phone

"No nothing, I know she's trying to pretend that everything is fine with James to keep him calm, but I'm worried, she's not even sent me a message to say she's on her way. Maybe I should..."
"yes, sir, maybe you should go over there. Take your suit in the car and some folders, in case James is there and you need a reason for calling in." Alfred advised.

Bruce parked his Lamborghini on the pavement outside the apartment block at an angle. He darted through the security door as another resident left, he bounded up the stairs, as he reached the fifth floor he noticed a small group of people around Niamh's front door. They looked at the celebrity business man worriedly.

"What's going on?" He questioned

"We don't know, but Niamh's been shouting for the past twenty minutes. We can't make out what she's saying and no one's answering the door. Security are on their way, but they were at another bloke owned by the company across the city." One of the neighbours explained. Bruce could hear Niamh screaming from inside.

"Stand back" Bruce ushered the people away, before using his considerable muscle to shoulder the door open. It swung on its hinges, before he stormed in shouting her name.

"In the kitchen!" She replied. Bruce grunted in anger as he saw his friend tied to a chair, eyes swollen from crying and her voice hoarse from shouting. "James is convinced we are having an affair I think he's gone back to Arkham." She tried to explain as Bruce untied the rope binding her.

"Does he know we know about the weapon?"

"What weapon? What – the machine is a weapon? Oh my god!" She gasped "I mentioned it I was trying to make him see sense." She tried to explain, Bruce nodded and turned to leave "Wait there's more. I found some of his research diaries – it's not good, the drugs he's developing are aimed to control patients to make them subservient to James' bosses. But he can't get the drugs right – they are testing them on a lot of the patients and some of them have been killed. It also looks like he's been taking lower doses in order to test them – it explains his behaviour. I don't know what the hell he's doing but it's bad!"

"Jesus! He doesn't do things by half does he." Bruce began, the lights went out "James has been using the power mains to charge the weapon but its causing the powercuts. It means they are working on it again. I need to find a way into Arkham, I've got the suit in the car. I need you to take my car back home and tell Alfred to get Jim Gordon on the case."

"how are you going to get into the Asylum?" Niamh demanded "You won't be able to – you need me!" She decided the only way Bruce could prevent James' crimes was to swallow her fear and take a stand in whatever way she could.

"No way – look what happened this morning when I let you do something I thought was dangerous." Bruce was trying to reason with her. "I'll manage somehow – right now I want you safely back at the Manor." Niamh wasn't having any of it

"You said yourself that even Batman couldn't get into Arkham, but I can walk straight through the gates and let you in. Then I'll get straight out – I promise." She grabbed his forearms "Bruce if there was any other way then fine, but there isn't." Bruce looked into Niamh's eyes, she was determined. He couldn't stop looking into her eyes; she was still holding onto his arms, he leant forward slightly. Niamh's eyes searched his, there was no trace of pity, just concern and something else she couldn't put her finger on; she noticed him lean forward and panicked slightly – now was not the time. She pulled away "Come on, we've got to go."

Bruce changed into the Batman suit in the apartment and followed Niamh who was driving his car to Arkham. They had agreed that if Niamh could get in she would open James' office window to let Bruce in without alerting security which had been drastically tightened around the building in recent months. Niamh successfully managed to charm one of the night guards into letting her into the office. Bruce's hands formed into fists as he noticed one of the other guards staring at Niamh's backside as she walked towards the main building. He cursed himself, knowing the need to focus. As soon as the guard had left Niamh alone in James' office she ran straight to the window and flung it open, within seconds Bruce had gracefully slipped into the room.

"Are you sure he didn't suspect you?"

"No I told him that I'd lost my bracelet and thought it might be here; I said it had been a present from James and I don't want him to know that I haven't looked after it!" Niamh nodded, quietly proud of herself.

"Good. Now you know the deal – you get out of here. Quickly! Take the car, straight back and wait with Alfred – don't deviate!" Bruce insisted.

"Yeah ok. Good Luck!" Niamh smiled before turning to the door.

"One more thing" Bruce said, as he gripped Niamh's arm and turned her back to face him. She looked at him questioningly. He kissed her lips quickly. "Now go!"

As Bruce began to work his magic as the Dark Knight of Gotham, Niamh was almost at the gates, she was walking quickly. She had almost made it when a voice made her jump.

"And just who are you?" The deep American voice asked. She turned and came face to face with one of the men she had seen with James at the restaurant. A chill ran down her spine.

"I'm Niamh, James' partner. I was just leaving."

"Really. Were you looking for him, he's in one of the labs."

"Errr no. No its ok – I dropped my bracelet earlier and I just came to pick it up." Niamh tried to sound convincing and hoped her voice wasn't trembling. "So I'll just be going"

"I don't think so. You see it's funny but James told me that he had tied you up at home so imagine my surprise when I saw you here." The man grinned, revealing nicotine stained teeth. Niamh tried to turn but two men had appeared behind her and held her arms to prevent her from moving. She struggled against them but it was no use, she cursed herself deciding if she got out of this the first thing she would do was get Bruce to teach her a few tricks.

"You won't get away with this!" She shouted as the men dragged her away.

"You foreigners always thinking people say that – what is this a cartoon? If it wasn't for you meddling kids!" He added sarcastically before walking away.

Bruce had managed to get into the basement and lay small explosive charges around the weapon James and his 'friends' had created. He was about to detonate them in order to destroy it when he became aware that he was not alone in the room any longer.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you!" The same man who had questioned Niamh said from the top of the steps. Bruce turned eyes narrowing.

"did you really think that you would be able to make this without arousing suspicion. That no one would act to stop you!" Bruce demanded in the gruff voice he used when acting as Batman.

"It was always a possibility, but then there are security measures that can be taken. For example I know that you will not detonate your explosives."

"And why do you think that?"

"I said I know it. You see I know who you are Mr Wayne – oh yes I like to be informed. And I have also worked out that you are very fond of a particular person. A person who was helping you this evening. A person who never managed to leave." Bruce panicked, not only did this man know his true identity, but he was also suggesting that he had Niamh. As suspected a burly man entered the basement holding Niamh roughly; for the second time that day her wrists had been bound.

"Let her go!" Bruce insisted

"Now why would I do that when you are threatening to destroy all of our hard work?"

"ok I'll leave the machine alone. But please let her go!"

"No!" Niamh screamed struggling against her captor. "Bruce blow it up. Don't listen to them!" She was insistent. Bruce looked from her to the man who seemed to be in charge and back again. Niamh wasn't crying as he had expected, she was calm and collected.

"Looks like our hero is in love, what a problem!" the yellow teeth appeared again.

"Bruce listen to me – I'm one person, but if you don't destroy this then the whole city will be in danger. You have to blow it up!" Niamh pleaded with Bruce to do the right thing. He looked down at the detonator in his hand, his thumb hovered over the button. Bruce couldn't believe Niamh was willing to sacrifice her own life to save the rest of a city that wasn't hers – she had so much courage. He was struggling to make the decision, when he heard a noise that made him want to shout for joy. It was a tiny noise but he knew what it meant – he wasn't alone in this fight anymore. Jim Gordon and Gotham's police force has arrived to join the battle just in time.

As the police officers burst into the room, Bruce pressed the button and a huge bang filled the room, he flew across to the top of the steps. In seconds he had knocked the thug restraining Niamh out. He pushed her against the wall so that he could continue to help round up the other criminals.

When the police had finally rounded up all of the criminal gang, Bruce returned to Niamh, she looked small stood with against the wall with her hands still tied. He was slightly out of breath, and he cut the ropes around her wrists. Niamh rubbed the red marks where they had cut into her skin.

"You made the right choice!" Niamh said quietly.

"And you Miss Niel are the bravest woman I have ever met. " Bruce smiled "Now come here, because that bloke got one thing right – I am in love – with you!" He wrapped his arms around her waist.

Jim Gordon searched the room with his eyes to find Batman. He spotted him and Niamh at the top of the stairs, arms wrapped round each other. They were kissing as if the world was ending; but in reality for them it was just beginning.