On to Chapter Twelve, it is! All right, well I really have nothing to say, minus the thank yous and the disclaimers, you know, Batman and all its affiliated characters belong to DC Comics and only Elise belongs to me. However, really, to all my reviewers, thank you very much. Happy reading!

Chapter Twelve;

Perhaps it was the comfort of knowing that she was safe. Maybe it was the fact that for the first time in over a week, she was not sleeping next to or in the same building as a serial killer, arsonist and complete maniac. Whatever the cause, Elise slept better, than a baby or the anonymous narrator in Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club after his group therapy began, the night that she stayed at the penthouse that Bruce Wayne resided in. It was utterly lovely to sleep in for once and naturally as well. Elise had become more than accustomed to being knocked out or, even on the singular occasion, taking a sleeping aid without her knowledge.

Elise wasn't sure how long she had slept by the time she had woken up. Ever since her captivity, she had lost track of time, save for the occasion where she had been able to watch the local news with the Joker standing menacingly behind her. She sat up straight in bed, rubbed her eyes to get the grog out and reluctantly climbed out of the massive bed and stretched. She wondered around the quarters for a little bit, simply examining and admiring. Eventually, Elise found what she was looking for, the time and date. It was roughly six thirty in the evening and she was relieved to discover that she had been out for only a day.

Finding not much else to do, Elise strolled back to the bed and took a seat. She was a naturally curious observer of detail and it wasn't a surprise to Elise that she had noticed a stark white note that stood out brightly from the darkness of the room. Stretching, Elise both switched on the lamp next to the bed and grasped the note that shared the same nightstand. A smile flied to Elise's lips when she saw her name written in a very familiar penmanship: Rachel's. Elise jovially unfolded the note and she read:

Dear Elise,

I know you all too well to know that when you read this, you're going to say, "Rachel, why didn't you just wake me up?" And do you know what? You need your sleep, Ellie. You have no idea how amazing it felt to hear that you were alive and okay, sleeping soundly here. I doubt even if I wanted to wake you up that Alfred would let me. Haha, but I know we both can't help but to love him. We have so much to talk about when you wake up. I don't know what else to say but that I'm so glad you're all right and at home. I love you, Elise. Find Alfred when you wake up. He'll know where I am. Be safe, Ellie.

Love, Rach

Elise smiled sadly after she concluded reading the note. Rachel knew her all too well; she truly wished that she'd woke her up. After all, whom else would a girl want to see after she had just survived a near death situation? Elise imagined the only answer would be her best friend. On the other side, she also understood where Rachel was coming from. She was, after all, a lawyer. Another thought then struck Elise's mind: the other things up for discussion. Elise knew that, sooner or later, she would have to help plan her Uncle Jim's funeral arrangements.

Funeral…



The fact that her uncle had died while protecting the city he served, loyally and righteously, broke Elise's heart in half. The truth still hadn't hit her yet and she guessed it wouldn't until planning actually took place. Elise knew she was strong and figured that Rachel, Bruce, Alfred and her aunt and her cousins would help as well.

Elise let out a long sigh and decided to find Alfred to discover where Rachel had gone and where she could find her. Elise power walked out of the room and back the way from whence she came with Alfred the day before. Her walk turned into a jog as she turned the corner to reach the main marble staircase. She took the stairs down and walked through one of the sets of double doors to the right. It was presumably the dining room, with a long rectangular table and a huge, shining crystal chandelier. It reminded Elise of the Phantom of the Opera and she smiled to herself. Then, her eye caught the man she was looking for.

Alfred was sitting on one of the mahogany chairs, watching the news on a huge widescreen, HD television screen. Elise smiled at the old man and walked on over to him. When she was halfway to him, Alfred turned to his left and smiled warmly at the guest.

"Sleep well, Miss Elise?" he asked politely.

Elise nodded and stood next to the butler, crossed her arms and turned her head to the news report. What she saw shocked her. Harvey Dent was being taken into custody by the Gotham Police and was currently being taken down to county jail. The headline under the footage stunned Elise even more. It read: D.A. DENT CONFESSES TO BE BATMAN.

'But that can't be right…' Elise thought to herself. She then spoke aloud, "Alfred, what is going on?"

Alfred sighed and Elise imagined that he was trying to decide within himself what do tell Elise or not. Elise prayed he wouldn't hide anything from her. She had been put through worse and she believed she could handle any truth, good or bad. Finally, he spoke, "I believe Mr. Dent is trying to lure the Joker to him as to capture him and bring him into police custody, Miss Elise."

Slowly, Elise nodded her head, absorbing what she had just heard. She hated hearing the Joker's name, but knew she would have to deal with it in order to life live. She also hoped that Harvey Dent, Gotham's knightly District Attorney and Rachel's boyfriend, wasn't actually as stupid as she was picturing him to be right then. She also was trying to imagine how much more worried and upset Rachel was.

Elise turned to Alfred, "I truly hope Harvey Dent knows what he is up against, Alfred. As much as I hate the man for what he's done to me and my family," Elise bowed her head in respect to her uncle for a moment, "I will admit this: the Joker is no fool. If Harvey doesn't do this the right way, the Joker will turn Harvey's plan against him and it'll all be downhill from there."

Alfred gazed at the girl with sad eyes. Elise could only fathom what could possibly be running through his thoughts. He then nodded his head reluctantly. She knew that he knew that she was right. Quietly, Alfred stated, "All we can do now is hope for the best."

Elise only pursed her lips and looked back to the television. All reports had stopped after Harvey left the police station. Without turning his way, Elise asked, "Where has Rachel gone?"

"She left as soon as Mr. Dent announced his identity, Miss Elise. She went down to the station to convince him otherwise, I believe. I'm assuming to no avail, as well," the elderly butler added quietly, "About an hour or so ago."

Elise turned her head to him and declared, "I'm going back into town and I'm going to find her," she immediately turned on her heel. Elise hoped that Alfred was an accepting person and could understand the ways of the insanely stubborn, for Elise knew she was just that. Much to Elise's gratitude, she heard the footsteps of Alfred echo through the hall behind her.

"Miss Elise!" she heard Alfred call out from about twenty feet away. Elise halted and turned, out of breath and refreshed with new ambition, to face him, "I'm not one to tell you what and what not to do. But, to be blunt, you've been put through hell for a week, Miss Elise. Are you ready for it out there?"

Elise simply looked at the kind elderly man, thought first before opening her mouth, and then decided on, "Alfred, I'm no fool either. I lived with that lunatic for a week and I know he wants me to be afraid of him. But, Alfred, it's more than that. I know that if I stay here, he will find me here eventually, which means he finds you and Bruce. I can't endanger either of you. I need to go out there. I need to find my best friend," she turned back around and walked to the guest room, "She needs someone more than ever," she said loudly as so Alfred could hear her, "You know she must be worried sick."

"She left you some clothes to change into in case you did decide to leave, Miss Elise," Alfred called again at her back. She assumed he saw her reaction, for he added, "I'll be outside in the car waiting."

Thankfully, Rachel had left Elise multiple outfits to pick from. She decided that jeans, a pair of sneakers and a jacket would be fine. Much to her relief, Elise also noticed that Rachel had packed a gun in the bottom of the gym bag. It was out of character for Rachel to do so, but she supposed that desperate times called for desperate measures. These times were definitely desperate. Elise still felt empty without her purse but settled on the knowledge that items could be replaced and a person couldn't. Elise broke out into a run through the penthouse and out to the car to join Alfred in the Bentley.

With shaking hands, Elise locked in her seat belt, sat back in the leather seat and clutched the door handle with whiting knuckles. As Alfred began to drive to the police station, he turned to her and asked, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Elise considered Alfred's question for a moment and then nodded, "Yes Alfred. If I don't do this now, I'll regret it later. At the moment, it's the least I can do for the people I care about the most." Her response was final and permanent and she sensed that Alfred knew this, for no more questions were asked on the way to the station.

When they finally arrived, Elise took in the gloomy sight of the building. She finally gathered up her strength, took a deep breath and leaned over to hug Alfred, "Thank you, for everything, Alfred. I hope I see you soon," Elise gave him a weak smile and opened the car door. She heard him bid her good luck and be careful and prayed to herself that she was going to get out of Hell alive.

As if she were approaching her final judgment, Elise slowly walked up the steps and opened the heavy doors into the police station. Loud noise and commotion immediately met her ears. Something huge had happened, Elise told herself. She starting walking faster, believing she was headed towards the main site of the wildness. She knew these corridors like the back of her hand; she had been there a thousand times with her uncle and various other members of law enforcement.



When Elise got to her final destination, where the holding cells were located, Elise had to swallow back her own bile in order to not become physically sick. She could only stare in amazement and let out a loud gasp. At her sound, the majority of the Gotham Police Force turned their attention to her and Elise wasn't sure who was more astounded: the police officers or herself. Suddenly, a voice boomed, "EVERYBODY OUT!"

It was all Elise heard before she fainted.

Alright, that's the end of twelve! I hope you like it and please review!