Lying with her feet on the headboard, Jules hummed to herself as she stared at the ceiling.
With her busy schedule, there was rarely any time to just RELAX.
Smiling to herself, the brunette shook the curls from her face before rolling over and grabbing her remote control.
The TV was relatively small, only meant so she could keep in touch with the happenings of Gotham.
All she had done before becoming Batwoman was volunteer, work, eat, and sleep.
Now, she needed to always know what was on the news…
'It's not like they ever have good news…They're always talking about all the crime or guessing who we are…'
Running a hand through her hair, she turned on the TV and switched Spongebob Squarepants to the news.
The happy song was replaced with the most frightening picture she'd ever seen…
"Oh my GOD…"
It looked like a dead body being lowered from the side of a building.
A body dressed like BATMAN.
"Oh holy Jebus cakes!"
Jumping off her bed and falling when the sheets tangled around her legs, Jules grabbed her phone as she kicked her legs free.
Punching in the numbers with a bit too much force, she waited as it rang…
"Hello?"
"ALFRED! Have you seen the news is Bruce alright if he's hurt I'll personally rip apart whoever-!"
"Miss Julia, calm down. Master Wayne is perfectly fine."
"…Then who's the Batman on the news?"
There was a moment of silence before the butler's muffled voice could be heard asking for the channel to be changed.
More silence…
"Perhaps you should come to the penthouse, Miss Julia."
"I'm on my way."
Hanging up, Jules managed to stand up and straighten out her yellow 'Sunshine Day' shirt before jogging to her closet.
The fundraiser was tonight, and Rachel had insisted that she actually TRY to look nice.
The assistant DA had even dragged her unfortunate friend all over Gotham looking for the perfect dress…
Pulling out said dress, in its dry cleaning bag, and folding it carefully into a bag, she tossed in all of the things she'd need to get ready.
Hesitating for a moment while looking at her closet, Jules dragged the duffel bag inside and put her other outfit choice inside.
'Can't be too careful…'
Zipping it up, Jules stepped out of her room, smiling as her grandfather and Tiny sleeping on the couch.
The Great Dane lifted his head, looking at her curiously, and she patted his head.
"Want to stay with grandpa today?"
He seemed to shake his head, licking her hand and whimpering like a wounded puppy.
"Alright, alright…"
Shaking her head, Jules pulled on her sneakers and picked up his leash, which caused Tiny to bound towards her like she was holding bacon.
'I won't try that EVER again, thank you very much…'
Clicking it on and shouldering her bag fully, Jules turned on the new security system before opening the door.
Waiting patiently, Tiny looked down the hallway almost warningly as his mistress locked the door.
"Come on, boy. Let's get going."
When both stood up to their full height, it was almost funny how strange the pair was.
Jules was a bit petite for her age, more like a bird or a cat with her thin muscles and light frame.
Tiny was big-boned and big-jawed, a heavy-set, muscular dog with the most intimidating size.
He was taller than her hip at the shoulder, and was actually strong enough to carry her for short periods of time.
All the exercise with the children and walks was certainly doing some good…
Tiny pulled her towards the elevator, as if to take her away from some threat, and Jules rolled her eyes.
'Overprotective dog, overprotective friend, overprotective butler…How many more are there going to be?'
Pressing the button that would take her down to the lobby, her senses perked.
It was the feeling that someone was watching her…
Breathing deeply, Jules fought down the panic threatening to engulf her heart.
The feeling seemed to follow her everywhere she went, and there was never any proof that anyone was watching.
'You're just getting paranoid, Jules. Bruce is rubbing off on you, that's all. Just remember those breathing techniques.'
By the time the elevator pinged, Jules felt much calmer, and she smiled to the doorman.
Once outside, Tiny almost growled at everyone walking by, despite Jules admonishing him on the way to the car.
"Get in, you cranky Chihuahua." She ordered, a slight teasing note in her tone.
With a soft bark, almost like a 'HEY' in dog speak, Tiny hopped into the back seat.
"You know you have the personality of a Chihuahua." Jules explained, getting into the driver's seat.
Turning on the car, she decided to take a page out of the book of Bruce Wayne and floor it to the penthouse.
'I have better reflexes than him, what could go wrong?'
Three near-crashes later, she was at the penthouse…
'Hope no one saw that…'
Walking into the lobby with Tiny, Jules was almost amused at the receptionist's immediate reaction.
"Penthouse again, miss?"
"Isn't it always the penthouse?" She replied teasingly, stepping into the large elevator.
"Have a good day!"
The young woman nodded, smiling brightly as though unused to such a kind greeting, as the door closed.
Releasing a breath, the brunette patted her dog's head as the contraption lifted them to the top floor.
'So many FLOORS…'
Concern about the news returned full-force, and she started to fidget as the numbers slowly went up…
'Come ON…'
When the doors opened, Jules rushed in and jumped on a surprised Bruce, who was seated on the couch within hug-leap of the door.
"You're okay I was so worried did you see the news I can't believe someone did that is it still on-?"
"Jules!"
Pausing, she blinked at him as innocently as a puppy wondering why their bone was taken away, and Bruce sighed.
"I'm fine, Alfred's fine, everyone's fine. The news is coming back on."
After a moment, Jules nodded, crawling off and sitting on the soft cushions herself as Bruce got back up.
The news did come back on, showing the police lowering the dead body of a Batman copycat.
Jules almost felt sick, seeing his mouth cut into a grin and the noose around his neck.
A card had been found on the body, a Joker card from a playing deck, and she could just read what it said…
'Will the real Batman and Batwoman please stand up?'
Then the video tape was put on…
The urge to throw up grew strong, and Jules felt her heart shake at the poor man's fear.
Already knowing his fate, she couldn't help the childish impulse to hide herself in Bruce's side.
Hugging him tightly, Jules couldn't let go of the irrational fear that he might be next on the Joker's list, either as Batman or Bruce Wayne.
'If that clown tries to hurt Bruce…Well, I don't know what I'd do, but he won't like it!'
Bruce was feeling the same uncertainty and protectiveness, and held her close in a one-armed hug.
'Of course he'd try to get to Batwoman first…She's not as physically strong as me, and definitely not indestructible…'
"Perhaps we should think about this as we prepare for the party this evening?" Alfred suggested.
Joker's words still ringing in her head, Jules nodded and reluctantly let go of Bruce before standing…
'Every day we don't reveal ourselves, people will DIE…'
Shaking the thought away, she grabbed her duffel bag and patted Tiny on the head, a shaky smile on her face.
"Right. Don't want to rush into anything."
Alfred could barely hide his concern, nodding as she rushed off to get ready.
Jules had always been a sweet girl, innocent and generous, and Alfred had always admired that about her character.
If anyone had a stronger sense of justice than Bruce, it would be the young brunette.
Always the voice of reason and forensics expert, she had steered most of their 'cases' in the right direction.
It was nice, seeing her showing her true intelligence without hiding behind her childish ways…
But this whole disaster might prove too much for her fragile spirit.
Stepping into a spare bathroom, Jules dropped her duffel bag on the floor and considered taking a shower.
'It'll definitely help me relax…'
Stripping once the door was closed, she took a moment to study the lavish setup.
Everything looked expensive, newly polished and shined, and almost too good to mess up…
'ALMOST.'
Throwing her clothes on the counter, she turned on the water in the glass-door shower and laid out her clothes.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Jules took a moment to stare at herself.
There was something about studying her own body naked that made her feel almost vulnerable.
As the saying went, you are your own worst critic.
The scar from that bullet wound was still present, its spider web legs starting to blend more with her skin.
Bruises colored her skin in blues, purples, yellows, and reds.
Jules couldn't help but wonder what a man would see in a child covered in scars...
Smacking herself on a bruise to dislodge the thought, Jules winced before going to immerse herself in hot water.
Releasing a breath as it soaked her hair and warmed her muscles Jules' half-lidded gaze stayed on the smooth tiles.
So much was going on, what with the mob's trial coming up and now the Joker…
Her brain felt full to bursting.
"Snap out of it, Jules." She admonished herself.
"Gotham's counting on you. BRUCE is counting on you. This isn't the time to turn into a baby."
With that, she grabbed the shampoo and conditioner, ready to focus on getting clean.
After half an hour in the warm mist, Jules stepped out dripping wet, reaching for a towel.
Glaring at the curling iron Rachel had 'accidentally' left at her apartment, Jules sighed.
'Might as well…If I don't, she'll see and drag me off to do it herself…'
Letting her hair dry a bit, she pulled on her undergarments after toweling off.
Resigned to her fate, Jules curled her waist-length hair and pulled her hair up with clips on both sides of her head.
With that done about an hour later, she held up the dress Rachel had insisted she would love.
It was a deep emerald color, floor-length and with strips of darker shades in criss-cross designs all over.
Certainly elegant, it shimmered almost beautifully as she shook it.
Admiring it for a while, Jules finally decided to pull it on, careful as she could manage.
When she stepped out of the bathroom, the decorations were all in place and Alfred was instructing the other servers.
Smiling, Jules walked around to see where Bruce had gone off to while she was busy.
Opening his bedroom door, she stopped in her tracks at the sight of his exposed chest.
'Holy CRABCAKES, he's hot!'
"Jules?"
Bruce was just as shell-shocked as she was, stunned by the sight of her in anything other than jeans and a t-shirt again.
The dress hugged her curves, flowing past her legs to the floor, and had a deep v-neck that attracted attention.
"Bruce, I…um…"
Blushing, she took a step backwards over the threshold, pulling her gaze away from the chiseled muscles…
"Just wanted to know if you were busy…I'll just…LOOK, IT'S SUPERMAN!"
Bruce couldn't believe he fell for that…
Watching as she practically ran away, barefoot without her heels, he couldn't help his eyes locking on her behind.
'Damn it, eyes! Why can't you listen?!'
But they were determined to tell him something, and only relented when Jules turned the corner and was out of sight.
'This is gonna be a LONG night…'
Standing beside the champagne table, Jules watched the party go on around her without really seeing it.
There were more pressing matters than who was with whom or what the stocks were.
Jules had to worry about an entire city, all the lives she had taken under wing, and didn't have time for much else.
It was sad, considering all of her favorite shows were always on when she was busy…
'I'm missing a House marathon…'
A middle-aged man, clearly married if the ring on his finger was any indication, walked up to her.
His intentions were clear, especially to Jules' quick eyes, but she still smiled welcomingly.
"What's a pretty girl like you doing here all alone?"
"Standing?" She replied innocently, blinking in slight confusion.
"Why don't we get a drink together?"
"I would, but I'm waiting for my boyfriend to get here…"
That was enough to dissuade him, and the man left to find someone else to coerce.
Shaking her head, Jules looked towards Rachel and Harvey as they entered, glad they made it safely.
'Stop worrying, Jules. That's Bruce's job.'
Blinking in confusion, she looked around wondering where her friend happened to be during HIS OWN FUNDRAISER.
'If he's leaving me to be bored while he goes out as Batman…'
Well, if he had, he had better be prepared for her welcome back present…
The thrum of helicopter blades caught her attention, and Jules looked out to see one coming towards the landing pad.
Through the glass wall, she could see him coming in with three models, all fake smiles.
Jules couldn't help a twinge of sadness and the urge to punch those women in the mouth.
Reminding herself that Bruce only brought them to keep up the playboy act, the feelings were dispelled.
Coming back to reality as Bruce finished his speech, she smiled slightly at the relief in his eyes.
It was strange, actually feeling slightly rejected at the sight of Bruce with his 'dates'.
The off-kilter emotion had developed over time, and Jules couldn't exactly place why…
"Jules?"
Back in reality AGAIN, Jules smiled up at Bruce, shifting her weight from one leg to the other.
"Bored already? You just got here! It takes a few minutes for the boredom to really sink in."
Chuckling at her brightness, Bruce offered a hand.
"How about a dance to relieve the boredom?"
Her heart started to pound like she was about to break up a drug bust, and Jules nodded, accepting the hand.
Pulled slowly onto the dance floor, she blushed as a hand settled on her hip.
The music barely registered as her free hand went to his shoulder, and Jules couldn't think of anything to say.
He held her closer, and the brunette couldn't seem to find anything in her brain, anything at all, except the warmth she could feel from his closeness.
Bruce couldn't even breathe, her scent was too tempting to risk such an act.
Like chocolate and cinnamon, intoxicating to the point that he hadn't realized she was so much CLOSER.
Their chests were almost touching, but Jules couldn't find the strength to pull away as she looked up into his eyes.
His heartbeat was soothing almost, and she couldn't resist resting her head on Bruce's chest…
Carefully resting his head on her hair, Bruce gave a tentative inhale as he closed his eyes.
Maybe, just maybe…
An alarm went off, vibrating against his wrist, and Bruce pulled away.
"We have to go."
"Go?"
Blinking the trance away, shaking off the fog in her mind, Jules almost yelped as he pushed her towards the room she'd left her things in.
"Someone's here to get Harvey."
Understanding now, the brunette nodded, running as fast as she could in high heels and a dress.
The door was thrown open, and Jules shushed an excited Tiny as it was closed once more.
Pouncing on the duffel bag, she rushed out of her dress and into her other suit for the evening.
Adjusting everything so they fit properly and pulling the clips out of her hair, Batwoman found she didn't have time to braid her hair.
'Leave it. There's no time!'
A warning to Tiny was all she needed before leaving, heart pounding.
In the shadows of the hallway now, Batwoman took a breath to steady her soul as she slipped into the persona.
The party was within hearing range, but it was silent except for…
"Good evening, ladies and gentleman…We are…tonight's entertainment."
'Oh CRAP…'
Already identifying the basturd that wanted her identity, as well as Batman's, she slipped into the room unnoticed.
The entire room seemed frozen in terror, with clown henchmen going around with guns to keep it that way.
Joker was in the midst of it, asking where Harvey Dent was, and she stopped behind a table nearby.
'The moment he tries something-.'
"We're not intimidated by thugs."
'Or the moment an idiot decides to antagonize the MASS-MURDERING PSYCHOPATH WITH A SHOTGUN.'
A moment of silence, a heartbeat, and Batwoman was praying the man's brains wouldn't be blasted out of his skull…
"You know…You remind me of my father…"
The sound of a knife being unsheathed, and the voice of a demon.
"I HATED my father."
"Okay, STOP."
'PLEASE tell me that wasn't Rachel…'
Tonight wasn't her lucky night…
"Well, HELLO beautiful…"
'Oh dear lord, why do you hate me? Haven't I been a good girl? I'm stopping crime, aren't I?'
"YOU must be Harvey's SQUEEZE…"
'Touch her and die, Chuckles.'
"And you ARE beautiful…"
He circled her, like a predator scouting its prey, and Batwoman tensed in the shadows.
In one leap, she could be there and punching him in the face…
'Wait for the right moment…He'll spot you if you go now…'
"You look nervous…Is it the scars? You wanna know how I got 'em?"
A knife was at Rachel's mouth, and their eyes locked despite Batwoman being in the shadows.
"So, I had a wife…She was beautiful, like you…Who tells me…I worry too much…Who tells me I gotta SMILE more…"
'BREATHE, Jules…It'll be okay…'
"Who gambles and gets in deep with the sharks…One day, they carve her face…We don't have money for surgeries…She can't take it."
'You WILL NOT endanger Rach…You WILL NOT…'
"I just want to see her smile again…Hm? I just wanted her to know I didn't CARE about the scars."
'RELAX and BREATHE and everything will be FINE…'
"So…I stick a razor in my mouth…and do this…to myself."
Batwoman was getting tunnel vision, every detail of them being stored away…
"And you know what? She can't stand the sight of me! She LEAVES…NOW I see the funny side…Now I'm always smiling."
The brunette could tell he was going to do something, it was clear even to Rachel, and the ADA kneed him in the stomach.
The Joker stumbled back, laughing breathlessly, and it sent a chill down her spine…
"There's some fight in you…I like that."
Batwoman was in action already, a shadow leaping into view.
"Then you'll LOVE me!"
Her fist met the Joker's face the next moment, and the crime fighter stepped back to shield Rachel.
Wood rattled somewhere in the penthouse, and Batwoman knew she didn't have long until Tiny busted in.
The Joker seemed to be recovering from his latest laugh-attack, appraising her thoroughly with his eyes.
"I didn't expect such a…RAVISHING creature to be here so soon…"
"Flattery will only get you a broken nose." Batwoman warned in her signature drawl.
"Now why don't you leave before I have to hurt someone?"
Emerald eyes flickered as two men positioned themselves on either side of her, looking ready to charge.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
They didn't listen, charging recklessly, and she almost rolled her eyes at their predictability.
'Of course…'
When they were moments from impact, people screaming in fear, Batwoman jumped into the air.
The henchmen collided below her, and the femme fatale flipped to land on her feet.
Both hit the floor, already unconscious, and she flicked some hair over her shoulder.
"I told you."
The fight REALLY broke out when Batman made his appearance, and the pair were in the middle of the swarm.
They were completely in sync, in harmony with each other's fighting styles and patterns.
It was almost a dance, the way both took down their enemies…
"Well, well! Aren't the little lovebirds just amazing?"
"WE'RE NOT LOVEBIRDS!" Batman and Batwoman shouted in unison, striking down a man in one hit to make their point.
One of the henchmen grabbed Batwoman from behind, pinning her arms and lifting her off the ground.
If he thought this would stop her, he had another thing coming…
Using only her legs, the femme fatale crime-fighter proceeded to kick and throw henchmen when they tried to strike.
"Just give up, princess! It's not like you can kick me!"
A smirk crossed her face, and it made the poor guy's stomach fall so far it reached China…
"Oh really?"
Every muscle taut, Batwoman proceeded to lift her entire lower body over her head and strike him in the face with both feet.
When he stumbled, she clamped her ankles on the man's shoulders and lifted him over her body.
Landing on her feet, Batwoman released a sigh as she brushed off her shoulders.
"Guess you're not a betting man."
Rachel's startled cry caught both vigilantes' attention, and Batwoman froze at the gun Joker was pointing at the woman's head.
Fists clenched, she fought down the panic coming up from her soul.
"Drop the gun." Batman ordered roughly.
"Oh, sure! You two just pull off your little masks and show us all who you really are?"
"I have a better idea. Why don't you come over here and I beat your ass?" Batwoman replied, almost grinding her teeth.
"As much FUN as that sounds…"
She couldn't help a shudder at the twisted lust in his eyes…
"There's work to be done!"
The Joker shot a volley of bullets at his back, and the window shattered before he held Rachel out.
"Don't." Batwoman warned, already tense and ready to jump…
"Let her go." Batman added.
"Very poor choice of words…"
With a cackle, Joker released his grip, and Rachel screamed.
Set off like a coiled spring, Batwoman rushed forward faster than anyone could follow, leaping out of the broken window after her friend.
Sliding on her stomach, she grabbed hold of Rachel and pulled the older woman to her as she twisted onto her back.
Rachel clinging to her front, Batwoman pulled out her grapple gun and fired.
It zoomed through the broken hole, the end lodging itself into a wall.
There was a jerk, and she thought they were safe…
The Joker's blood-colored smile made her heart stop, and his knife cut the line swiftly.
A weightless moment as she almost reached the edge of the roof, Rachel clinging to her suit...
Batwoman's eyes immediately locked on Batman, and he leapt out after them despite all his logic.
Her cape wasn't large enough to save both of them, and he wasn't about to let them die.
He wasn't about to let BATWOMAN die.
Rolling over the edge, Batwoman held out a hand to him as the other held Rachel securely.
Gripping tightly, Batman was pulled off the slick glass roof with them…
Making sure Rachel was between them as the trip tumbled downward, the crime-fighting duo stiffened their capes.
A whirlwind of sound and lights passed her vision, and Batwoman tightened her grip as gravity seemed to speed up.
With a twist, Batman was below them moments before the landed on a taxi.
Breath knocked from her lungs, Batwoman coughed to try and retrieve it as she sat back on her ankles.
Slightly light-headed and dizzy, she put a hand on Rachel's neck and tried to focus her eyes on Batman.
A pulse beat under her palm, and the black-clad body was already moving, so her fears were dissolved.
"Remind me to never do THAT again." She whispered, smiling slightly at the ones she received in return.