Bruce plopped Harvey in a supply closet and turned to me. "Stay hidden."
As I watched him leave the small room, I looked back at the closet. I just had to leave my suit at home. Frustrated, I paced the room. I could hear a few people scream from the main room. God, help us.
Suddenly, after a few minutes, I heard gunshots and more screaming. I felt my heart racing. What could I do?
Harvey hadn't made a sound so I assumed he was unconscious. Quickly, I hurried to the door and reached out to open it. It opened before I could touch it and gasped. My heart stopped.
His hair was a mess. His make-up was rushed and poorly done. Gun in hand, he raised both eyebrows. "Well, this is unexpected."
I swallowed. He stepped into the room as his goons rushed past the room. "All alone?"
I didn't know what to say. "Look, take my purse. Just t-take it...and go."
He raised an eyebrow."I'm not after your purse. I'm looking for a guy. You might've heard of him. Harvey Dent? He worked with your father. You know, before got fitted for a halo."
I clenched my fists but paused before speaking. "He's not here. I told him to go home. He was drunk."
He seemed to buy it, but his next move made me doubt it. "Well, that's too bad."
I shrugged. "You got a message for him? I'll try to-"
BANG!
The pain didn't come fast. Air rushed out of me and then the pain came. I slowly fell to the ground, holding my side. My hands started to feel wet and I knew I was screwed.
"Hope the message isn't delivered too late," he said, leaving with a cackle.
Every breath I took hurt my side. I wanted to scream. I tried but my voice was hoarse. After a few seconds, I heard heavy footsteps and a few grunts.
Batman rushed to me and kneeled down. He didn't say a thing. I knew I must've been dying because my eyes were wide and I honestly just wanted to let go. But, Batman wouldn't have it.
"Breathe and don't panic. Stay with me."
His hands were gentle, believe it or not. He reached into his belt and pulled out a few gauzes. It hurt when he put them on my side but I didn't care.
I stared at him. "Where's my dad?"
He didn't answer. He took out his communication device and called for Alfred. His breathing was surprisingly calm, but I still felt tension from him.
Alfred came a few minutes later and his face turned pale. "Good God."
"Help me take her to the spare bedroom," Batman ordered.
I don't really know why he called Alfred. He carried me himself and all Alfred did was watch and hold a door open. I was put on a bed and Batman turned away and left. He took a final look at me and turned to Alfred
"Take care of her," he said.
Alfred put a wet towel on my forehead and sighed. "You're actually very lucky. The bullet only grazed you."
I wanted to talk but I must've been in shock because I couldn't. I mean, I couldn't really find the words. Alfred tended to my wound in silence for a bit. Finally, I felt movement in my mouth again.
"Bruce...where..?"
"Taking care of business, I suppose."
"Harvey..?"
"He was found and rushed to the hospital. He's alright. No need to worry."
After a few hours, I fell asleep. Alfred stayed by me the whole time, reading. He shook my arm and my eyes opened.
"I'll leave you two alone, Master Wayne," I heard him say, quietly.
Bruce sat down where Alfred was sitting and gently held my hand. "Feeling better?"
"Anything is better than being dead. How are you?"
He shrugged. "Harvey's safe."
"I didn't ask about Harvey. Forget Harvey. Okay?"
His hand squeezed mine. "I'm having you pronounced dead."
My mouth went dry. "What?"
"The Joker knows Harvey cares about you. If you're dead, he can't use you to get to him."
"How can the Joker know that? He just tried to kill me."
"He grazed you. He did it on purpose. Babs, he was right in front of you. How could he miss? It was a warning to Harvey. To show that he'd do anything to force Harvey to turn himself in to him ."
I lowered my eyes. "So, I'm guessing my father will think I'm dead."
Bruce hesitated but nodded. "Yes."
"They'll want a body, Bruce. You can't just fake-"
"I have it under control. Just trust me."
"When haven't I?"
He paused. "You'll stay here until you're healed and the Joker is caught."
I looked up at the ceiling and sighed. "I figured as much. I guess Harvey won't want to marry me when he finds out I was alive."
Bruce raised both eyebrows. "He wants to marry you?"
"Well, yeah, who doesn't?"
We exchanged smiles and he stood up. "I'll leave you alone to get some rest. If you need anything, Alfred's room is right across from yours."
I shook my head. "Don't you ever give him a day off?"
"If he wanted to, I would."
