Chapter 13

"Are you sure you're alright?" Rachel asked Alexis for what seemed to be the hundredth time that morning.

"Yes Rachel im fine, I promise." Alexis let out an airy laugh hoping Rachel would drop the subject.

"Okay. So are you going to help me pick out a new swim suit for Hawaii?" Rachel asked, taking a sip of her coffee. Dick had presented Rachel with a plane ticket last night for Hawaii. He had never done anything like that for Alexis. She was jealous but then felt selfish and foolish for even thinking that. Then she thought about Bruce and how he never asked her to go on a tropical escape or any sort of get away. She mentally scolded herself again for thinking such things. Bruce was a wonderful man who loved her. She didn't care if he was a billionaire, all she cared about was that he loved her and treated her with respect.

"Of course I will." She smiled at Rachel who returned it and then looked serious, even apologetic.

"Alex I know this must be hard for you and im sorry." Rachel said sincerely. Alexis linked her arm with her best friend and shook her head.

"Don't be sorry Rachel, im very happy for you. You're my best friend, nothing will ever change that." Rachel smiled at her.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. I want a very expense souvenir gift when you go." Rachel laughed and Alexis joined in.

"You got it." She took another sip of her coffee. "So how much work do you have?"

"I have some paper work I have yet to fill out and a three cases to prepare. One of them is tomorrow dealing with a man who was beaten outside his apartment the perpetrator left his wallet after the attack." Rachel laughed.

"How uncommon for a criminal in Gotham City. He must be a newbie." Alexis nodded in agreement.

"A newbie that will be put into jail before he can get tips from the upper class of criminals in Gotham."

--

Alexis stared blankly at her computer screen. It was nine o'clock and she still hadn't finished her paperwork for her case tomorrow morning. She sighed heavily and rubbed her eyes tiredly. She should leave and go home to get some rest but she couldn't leave until the paperwork was done. She looked out of her office and into creepy emptiness. No one was in Wayne Enterprises except security guards and the cleaning crew. Alexis wished someone would walk by so she could start a conversation. She laughed at her desperation and stood up from her chair, stretching. She walked over to the window and looked outside. She stared at the people below and watched them walk into their destinations. She looked up at Gotham City National Bank and saw a dim light coming from a single window on the fifth floor. She squinted her eyes to try to get a better look but only saw shadows. The light suddenly flickered and went off.

"Nosey aren't we?" A female voice said, making Alexis scream. She whirled around to see a woman standing in the middle of her office wearing a black leather suit. The street lights below illuminated the office in a soft, eerie glow and Alexis could see what looked to be small ears protruding from the woman's mask.

"Who are you?" Alexis asked shakily, wishing she was standing closer to her desk where the panic button was underneath. One thing she loved about Bruce was how seriously he took security and only bought the best.

"I'm Catwoman... Obviously." The Catwoman said dryly. Alexis felt stupid for a moment at how obvious it was that the woman was indeed dressed like a black leather cat. The only part of her face that was showing was her ruby red lips. Alexis felt a chill go up her spine.

"What do you want?"

"Nothing to much. I just want to know where Bruce Wayne keeps his most precious items in Wayne Enterprises. I'm talking about his Weapons Department." Alexis looked at her like she was crazy.

"I've never even heard of that Department." Catwoman rolled her eyes.

"Don't play dumb with me now missy. You are Bruce's girlfriend aren't you?" Alexis nodded slowly and walked closer to her desk. "He must tell you everything. Even his secrets. You don't expect me to believe you never heard of his Weapons Department do you?" She cackled and sat down in a chair in front of Alexis's desk. Alex slowly crept her hand under her desk until she found the button. But before she could press it a flash of leather leapt up from the chair and onto her desk, Catwoman grabbing her throat and pulling her close.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." She hissed, digging her sharp metal claws into her neck. Alexis choked, gripping the Catwomans wrist with both hands, gasping for air. Catwoman smirked wickedly at her and continued to hold her grip. She was stronger than Alexis, much stronger.

"Now tell me where it is!" She growled, Alexis feeling the hot liquid of her bloody trickle down her neck.

"I... don't know... what you are... talking about!" She choked out, her grip getting tighter with every word. She could feel the fuzzy feeling in her head meaning she could pass out at any moment.

"Let her go." A deep, gravely voice ordered from behind Catwoman. It was Batman. Or better yet it was Bruce. Catwoman smiled evilly at Alexis and quickly dragged Alexis across her desk, her flesh ripping away by the claws that were dug deep into her neck. She dropped her onto the ground a thud and then turned to face Batman. She held up her hand that had seconds ago been holding Alexis. Blood covered her metal claws and she smirked at Batman before reaching behind her and pulling out a whip, letting it unravel.

"Hello lover." She purred, cracking it against the floor a mere inches from him. Batman didn't flinch or move. He just stood there staring at the mad woman in front of him.

"What do you want?" He growled, as the Catwoman cackled again.

"Like you can help me!" She cracked the whip again, now wrapping itself around Batmans throat. With a quick move he twisted his fist into the hard leather of the whip and jerked it. Catwoman flew across the room into the wall, breaking a small bookcase. Alexis looked up from her spot on the floor, gripping her neck, trying to stop the bleeding but to no avail. Catwoman quickly leapt up from the floor and through a punch and a kick towards Batman who deflected them. She grabbed her whip in a flash and cracked it in fluid motions making Batman back up away from the slaps.

"Sorry to ruin the fun lover but I must be off." She blew him a kiss from her ruby red lips and ran and jumped over Alexis and her desk, cracking a the whip and making the window shatter, and jumped from the tenth story window into the night. Bruce quickly ran to Alexis, kneeling down he picked her up bridal style and walked over to the now opened window.

"I'm taking you to the hospital." Bruce said deeply, pulling out what looked like a gun and shot it out into the darkness. He pushed a button on another gadget and Alexis heard the faint rumbling of a vehicle in the distance. Alexis coughed and choked as Bruce quickly jumped out of the window and landed with ease onto the ground, the Tumbler waiting patiently waiting for him. He hit another button the top of the Tumbler opened and slid back. Bruce placed Alexis softly in the passenger seat before jumping into the drivers seat as the Tumbler quickly sealed back. And with a hit of the gas they sped down the streets of Gotham to Gotham General Hospital.

--

Alexis awoke in the hospital. She looked around and saw Bruce asleep in a chair by her bed, his head resting on her own bed. She smiled softly at him and ran her fingers through his hair slowly. He stirred and slowly opened his eyes. When he saw her smiling at him he sat up and smiled back at her, taking her hand and kissing it.

"Hey beautiful. You've been out for ten hours. How are you feeling?" Alexis shrugged, and tried to speak but nothing came out. She then remembered the night before and quickly let go of Bruce's hand and brought her hands to her neck, feeling the bandages wrapped around her neck. Tears pricked her eyes from panic and fear and she quickly looked at Bruce who had stood up pulled her hands away from her neck.

"Alex look at me. You're alright." He said calmly, looking her straight in the eyes. She blinked and the tears fell down her now red cheeks. Bruce cupped both sides of her face and gently wiped her tears away with his thumbs. He placed a kiss on her forehead as she gripped his shirt, pulling him into a hug. Just then the door opened and in walked a doctor, a nurse and Alfred.

"Hello Ms. Parker, my name is Dr. Roleson." He stuck out his hand for her to shake and she did, nodding in greeting. "I have some good news and some bad news Ms. Parker. The good news is that you are going to be able to talk again. I promise." Alexis looked relived and Bruce smiled reassuringly at her, giving her hand a small squeeze.

"And the bad news doctor?" Bruce spoke for the both of them.

"The bad news is that you won't be able to speak for four months. The damage that was done to your throat was quite harmful to you're vocal cords, larynx and esophagus." Alexis felt more tears falling down her cheeks at the doctors words. "I have prescribed you some antibiotics and throat spray. I think taking these medications will speed up your process of recovery. Also I want you to get lots of rest, drink plenty of fluids and only eat soft solids like mashed potatoes and mac n cheese. And try not to talk so you're wounds can heal." Alexis nodded mutely and Bruce gave her hand another reassuring squeeze.

"Hi Ms. Parker, my name is Alice and im going to dress your wounds before you leave today." The nurse named Alice stated, a sweet smile gracing her elderly features.

"She can go home today?" Bruce asked, looking glad that she could already leave so quickly.

"Yes. Alice here will show you how to dress her wounds before you leave so you can tend to them at home. Would you like her to show both of you or just one?"

"Both sir." Alfred spoke up before Bruce could. Bruce smiled warmly at him as did Alexis knowing that Alfred was the medic in the home anyways. He always tended Bruce's wounds when he came home from being Batman, and he always did a great job of making sure Bruce was spick and span. Hence why Bruce was never in a hospital. Alexis wondered why Bruce just hadn't taken her back to the Manor so Alfred could patch her up. Her wounds must have been to serious.

"Alright lets leave Alice to tend to her wounds and then she will tell you how. I'm sure Ms. Parker would like to get dressed as soon as she can." Dr. Roleson smiled at her and shook her hand again. "Take care Ms. Parker. If you need anything, if you're having any pains or anything out of the ordinary don't hesitate to call me." Alexis nodded and smiled at him in thanks. He nodded and walked out of the room with Bruce and Alfred. Alice walked over to Alexis and patted her shoulder.

"You sure are a lucky girl to be dating Mr. Wayne. You can tell that man is deeply in love with you." Alexis smiled and closed her eyes as Alice started dressing her wounds.

--

The next morning Alexis awoke to Alfred snapping back the large curtains of her and Bruce's bedroom to let the sunshine in. Alexis blinked and covered her eyes, throwing the huge devout over her head like a stubborn child. Alfred chuckled and walked to the table he had set her breakfast and medication onto. He picked up the silver tray and walked over to her bed, setting it on her bedside table. He pulled the devout back from her and smiled down at her.

"Sleep well?" He asked, receiving a curt nod from Alexis. "You have to eat dear. Doctors orders." She sat up and let Alfred set the breakfast tray on her lap. "For today you have oatmeal and orange juice." Alexis scrunched up her face and looked up at Alfred sadly. He shook his head in understanding. "I know dear but its all you can have. Here, take your medication before you eat." She did as she was told and then started to eat. "Right, I'll leave you be. I'll be back shortly." He nodded and left for Alexis to eat in peace. She grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. She watched the news and then watched some cartoons, making her feel like a child again like she was home sick from school. She grinned at the memories and then sipped her orange juice. Fifteen minutes later Alfred returned, happy to see she had ate all her oatmeal and drank all her juice.

"Did she eat like a good girl?" Bruce teased from the doorway. Alexis snapped her head in his direction, sticking her tongue out at him in a childish manner. Bruce chuckled as did Alfred. "I'll take that as a yes." Alfred nodded. "That's my girl." Bruce cooed, coming to sit down beside his mute girlfriend and kissed her gently. He was still in his pajamas and robe.

"Already done eating your breakfast Master Wayne?" Alfred asked with a raised eyebrow. Bruce grinned and nodded.

"Of course." He smirked pointedly at Alexis who grinned and rolled her eyes.

"Good. I'll leave you two alone. Are you going to dress her wounds Master Wayne or should I?"

"I'll do it Alfred, thank you though." Alfred nodded curtly and left.

"You look beautiful as always." Bruce commented, brushing the back of his knuckles along Alexis's cheeks. She quirked an eyebrow and Bruce laughed. "I'm just stating the truth." She smiled and leaned up to kiss him deeply.

"I don't have to work today or for the rest of the week. I'm staying here with you." Alexis wanted to protest through her body language but Bruce knew she would and stopped her. "It's already done. I am. I want to." She looked lovingly at him and patted the spot next to her where he slept beside her every night. Even if it meant coming in at three in the morning. But still, he was always there when she woke up. He crawled over her and sat up against the headboard as she curled her body into his. He kissed the top of her head and rested his cheek where he had kissed her. She felt herself become drowsy again from being woken up early and being on medication. The doctor must have given her the drowsy kind so she would get more rest. Her eyes became heavy and that's when she felt Bruce's breathing become slower and more relaxed. He had fell asleep. She smiled and looked up at his beautiful face, and felt her heart melt.

'Even when the man is sleeping he still makes my heart melt.' She thought, and closed her eyes, letting sleep overtake her.

A/N: I hope you all can forgive me for not updating sooner but I've been really busy but now I have some time off to continue my stories! YAY! I hope everyone likes this chapter I really like it! I seen The Dark Knight opening day and saw it again today and probably going again tomorrow lol the movie is just completely AMAZING and INCREDIBLE! Heath Ledger and Christian Bale were utterly fantastic! Heath made you believe The Joker was real and he did a wonderful job, I hope he gets the Oscar Nomination even in death he deserves it, he was SPECTACULAR! If anyone who reviews has seen it I would like to hear what you thought of the movie! Me personally I thin it's one of the best movies of '08 and even in movie history! Thank you for reading and reviewing! I promise I won't keep you all waiting again! Oh and seeing the movie also helped my writing juices start flowing again of course! :)

OfLoveAndLust