A Few Years Later

I dropped Timmy off at the middle school. He was 13 now. A seventh grader. I wave as he runs in a little late. Dante had been unable to take him to school and I had to rush from Wayne Tower to the house to grab him. The teacher was kind and let him come in a little late knowing how it was. She herself was a single mother and struggling to get along.

I sent things to her every now and then. I rush into work again. My hair was up in a bun like most always. I had on my usually business attire as I rushed into the meeting room. Heads turned to look at me as I rushed in breathing a little hard.

"Sorry, took the stairs," I breath out before falling into the chair next to Lucius and opening my briefcase.

"Timmy get to school alright?" Lucius asks, obviously, to inform them all discreetly why I had been late.

"Yeah. A little late, but got there," I say with a smile at him. "What are we here for?"

The person at the front of the table looks upset with me having to ask.

"A representative asking for funding."

"For?"

"A new medicine."

I look at the speaker. Look at the folder in my hands and pull out the request form.

"No."

I write rejected across the form. The person glares.

"Who are you to reject it? Do you even know what it is?"

"Mr…" I glance at the form, "Johns, I do know what this 'medicine' is. It is a new form of a drug, I personally had removed from this city a few years ago. It is the chemical that Dr. Crane invented. Yours is a stronger, more focused form. I reviewed this request last night. A waste of our time." I look up from the form and lock eyes with the man. "Did you think we were fools? Stupid enough to give you money to make a drug that is not only illegal, but its creator is in the asylum, insane and locked up from it? It is just stunning how naiveté you think we are. Thank you for coming. Nice try. Have a great day."

I gather my things and stand. Lucius was smiling as he too stood. The group left quickly. The leader glaring back at us.

"Any plans for tonight, Maeve?" Lucius asks as we leave the meeting room and head to Bruce's office.

"Not that I know of."

"Are you not going to attend the Fundraiser for Mr. Dent?"

I flush. "I forgot about that!" I cry while reaching for my planner. There it was in huge red letters. "Thank God I have dresses at home."

I look at the time. The Fundraiser was in a few hours. I pale. I grab my purse and forget the over time I planned on doing.

"I'll see you later, Lucius," I call as I brush past Bruce as I run out of the room.

My phone was already dialing. Dante picked up smoothly.

"You forgot."

"I'm sooooo sorry. Are you at my house?"

"Yes. Timmy is getting in his suit now."

I sigh thankfully.

"I'll be there in a few."

I hang up. I was like a blur once I got home. Rushing every where after getting a shower. I had my hair up in curlers as I went around in my under garments covered by a towel. I was putting make up on as Timmy and Dante sat in the living room. I had only a few minutes left as I pulled my dress on careful of the ringlets cascading down my back. The front was pulled back neatly. My make up was subtle and light.

The dress was a powder pink sequin dress. It was a halter that demanded that I go braless and the sash under my chest was wide. The ribbons in the back were longer than the dress. The dress reached my knees. I ran out the door with the boys already out there.

"Tim, be good alright," I say as the elevator doors open and we have our arms linked. He was close to my height now. The heels gave me the height to be a little taller than him. He was a lot like me. He only smiled for me and Dent. He was always calm and composed. Cold as some would say. I didn't.

"Mother," Tim says as he sends me a look.

"I know. You're not nine. Just don't be rude."

We both had calm, composed looks on. Dante went in ahead of us to find his assistant David.

Tim and I melted into the crowd and mingled silently.

"Miss Lorcan," a voice says happily.

I glance over at the person. Vicki and a smiling man. The man was Garcia's younger brother Richard. Richard was my age. 27.

"Where is your date?" Vicki asks. Gossip ready.

"That would be me," Tim says in his normal, cold tone.

"Miss Vale. I seem to loose focus of why my date is of concern," I say just boredly as Tim sounded.

"Isn't he a little young for you?" she demands, pushing.

I sneer at her.

"He is my son," I hiss. "What ever you are implying is sickening."

I link arms with Tim and leave her. I go for the window. Alfred was there. I smile as I see him. He smiles as well.

"Miss Lorcan, Mr. Lorcan," Alfred greets formally. "How are you this evening?"

"Great, Alfred," I say with a smile. "How are you?"

"Same as ever. Find anyone yet?"

I look at him, a little shocked.

"What?"

"He is wondering if you have settled on a man yet, mother," Tim says.

"I know what he meant, Tim," I snip lightly. "I didn't think anyone was interested in me."

"Mr. Richard Garcia is."

"As I said, anyone."

He chuckles as I smile.

"Miss Lorcan?" a male asks from behind me.
Tim had been watching him for a while now. I turn around. I was calm and composed. He was Trenton Onpret. Gotham's second most eligible bachelor. He was the heir of Onpret Inc. He was tall, handsome, black hair, green eyes and built a lot like Bruce. He looked a little shy, but determined.

"Yes."

"She's taken," Tim says with a little heat.

"Tim," I say as I send him a look. "I'm sorry about that. Tim is protective. What can I help you with?"

"I'm Trenton Onpret," he says holding out his hand.

"I know who you are. Every woman in the building is looking at you. The women at work praise you like they do my boss. You're the second bachelor of Gotham, Mr. Onpret, I know who you are."

"Is that a good thing?" he asks with a laugh and a hand brushing his hair back as a nervous habit.

"He's nervous," Tim says while staring at the man with his cold eyes.

"Timothy, go find Dante. You're being rude."

"Yes, Mother."

He turns after sending Trenton a glare.

"Did I do something wrong?" Trenton asks as I turn my attention back to him.

"No. Tim doesn't like most men. He seems cold, but he isn't. Just ignore it. He'll be fine."

"Maeve," Bruce calls as he comes over.

"Bruce," I say while smiling at him.

"I thought you would be late again," he laughs as he reaches me. He glances at Trenton but does not acknowledge him.

"Mr. Fox reminded me. I didn't have much time to get ready. If it hadn't been for Dante I would have been. He got Tim ready and such."

"Where is Tim?"

"I sent him to find Dante."

He glances at Trenton again. He holds out a glass of champagne. I take it and smile again.

"Thank you again for helping sponsor Dante. He would be good for Gotham."

"Just like you were, Maeve," he says smiling.

"Mother," Tim says, appearing silently from the crowd.

I glance at him.

"Gordon is looking for you. Along with the Chief and Garcia."

I furl my brow.

"What do they want?"

"He's out."

I pale. I drop my glass and grab Tim's arm. I quickly pull him behind me as I rush from the party. Alfred looks up at I push the kitchen door open. I let go of him as I look at the boy.

"When? How?" I demand.

"A few hours ago. He blew up the asylum and Harleen went with him."

"Harleen?" I ask in a shocked tone as I hear the blood in my veins and feel myself pale.

"Gordon wants you to get to a safe place."

"Miss Lorcan, are you alright?" Trenton asks as he enters the kitchen quickly.

I glance at him once. I was leaning on the counter.

"Fine," I say waving him off.

I grab Tim again and rush out of the room as Bruce rushes over. He pulls me toward the lift quickly. Dante was watching with shock.

I rush from the lift at a run. I had to get away from Tim.

"Bruce, take Tim to your place. Tell nobody," I order as I rush down the block at a run.

I got in my SUV and drove fast. My phone was ringing non-stop. I answer without looking.

"Maeve," Gordon says in relief. "Where are you?"

"Heading to you. GCPD. I'm speeding so if cops call it in you know."

I scream at an explosion in the street ahead of me. I swerve quickly. Curses flying from my mouth fill the car along with Gordon's panicked voice. A car swerves out behind me. Chasing. Joker was leaning out the window. I hit the gas and canear around a corner suddenly.

"Gordon!" I yell in panic. "He's behind me with a RPG!"

I was swerving so it was hard to lock on me. I made a plan quickly.

"Gordon, don't worry," I order as I spot the harbor.

My SUV goes faster still. I spot the rocket flying for my car in the rearview mirror.