Thanks to all my anonymous reviewers who have been reviewing every chapter! I cant send you a reply so I just wanted to give you a little thank you here:

So thanks to marislily (you need to get to see DK missy!), missy88, and ally!

Chapter Thirteen: The Morning After…

Julia slowly opened her eyes wondering when and how she had even fallen asleep. She stretched languidly, feeling happier than she had for quite some time. Memories from the hour's previous rushed back to her, making her sigh in pleasure and lingering disbelief.

She had kissed Bruce. Well, technically Bruce had kissed her, but who was keeping a record? In the end they had both been guilty of enough kissing to make it an Olympic record.

She closed her eyes, visualizing the mornings events with a smile, wondering what would happen now. She decided to turn and embrace the man that so vividly occupied her current thoughts but it seemed that she was too far away.

It was a king bed after all.

Julia rolled with her eyes still shut blissfully; hoping to come in contact with Bruce's sleeping form – but again nothing.

"Bruce?" Julia muttered sleepily.

As soon as she said his name though, another less attractive memory flooded her senses. A memory that she was now sure she should have paid heed to only hour's before.

x.x.X.x.x

Princeton, The night before the hearing……

Julia woke, drowsy and smiling like an idiot on parade. Bruce, her Bruce, had said he wanted her. He wanted her!

It was safe to say that she was still in shock about where the night's events had taken them, but it was also safe to say that Julia didn't regret one minute of it……

They had sat out by the lake well into the night, kissing and exploring each other –both completely lost to the notion of time. They didn't speak, afraid that if they broke apart some sort of spell would be broken, and they were currently too overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sensations they were provoking to risk it.

Hours went by before Julia decided to speak; she could no longer ignore the frozen digits that were entangled in Bruce's dark hair. The chill was distracting her from giving in to the acts they were taking part in, and she wanted to soak in every moment of his lips crashing onto her own, his mouth sucking and kissing lightly on the pulse point of her graceful neck – his hand rubbing expertly in between her legs. Her cold fingers were taking her focus away, and she was not about to let that happen.

She pulled away looking disheveled and thoroughly kissed. "Bruce, we need to stop."

Bruce froze at her words, afraid that she had come to her senses. 'It wouldn't be the worst thing." He thought.

"Your right." Bruce accepted her refusal to continue, wondering why his chest felt so tight at the rejection.

Julia understood immediately what he was thinking and rushed to reassure him that she wasn't asking him stop all together. "It's just that…well…quite honestly, I'm freezing!" She laughed out.

Bruce looked at her, understanding rushing to him relieving the tightness that had resided in his chest and abdomen. He took off his coat and put it around her silently, draping his arm around her shoulder as well for added warmth.

"Perhaps we should head back?" she offered in suggestion, feeling painfully awkward. Could he sense how aroused she still was? Were they going to forget about this and say it was a mistake? Julia couldn't tell what he was thinking but he didn't look very hopeful.

Bruce stood and pulled her up, linking hands to her delight. "I'll walk you back to your dorm." He told her, keeping his eyes averted.

"Listen I understand if you have come back to your senses Bruce, I promise I wont let this become some sort of awkward thing between us. I'll just pretend like it didn't happen if that's easier." Julia said with a tone of defeat.

"What?" Bruce stopped and turned to her, her face illuminated with silvery moonlight.

"I won't become some sort of Bruce Wayne groupie." She assured him. "We're friends and I know your going through a rough time so I won't hold it against you if you…"

Bruce cut her off quickly with a searing hot kiss that made every nerve in Julia's body burst with sensation overload.

"I meant what I said back there." Bruce said passionately and it was enough for Julia. Pushing down her insecurities she gave in to the familiar sensation of trusting her oldest friend.

Feeling that she didn't want to let the night end, Julia drew up all the courage she could muster and asked a question that would alter their relationship forever.

"Bruce, do you want to come up?" she asked timidly, but soon realized that she had no need to feel at all apprehensive about his answer. His lit up face said it all.

Bruce pulled her through the doors of Rowan Hall, kissing her madly. They stumbled loudly through the doorway, laughing, but never once losong each others lips. Bruce pushed her up against the wall, his need for her smell, taste, and lips making him uncharacteristically spontaneous. Julia didn't complain, she merely gave back what she got.

They heard voices down the darkened hallway, making them move from their spot on the wall and toward the staircase.

They broke apart briefly, Julia running up ahead of him, teasing him as she swayed her hips back and forth. Bruce gritted his teeth and wondered if he was drunk. He certainly felt as though he was – how could kissing Julia make him feel so alive?

They made it to the second floor, where Julia pushed open the door from the stairwell and held it open with a smirk on her glowing features.

Bruce attacked her again, 'What is wrong with me?" he thought as he picked her up and kissed her fervently. Julia yelped in surprise as he lifted her, but instinct soon overcame as she wrapped her legs tightly around his toned torso.

Bruce kept up his ardent battle for dominance in the kiss as he moved, with her around him, down the hall to her dorm.

They had a hard time with the door, Bruce didn't seem to want to loosen his grip on her ass, and Julia afraid to let go of his neck. They both decided to try for it at the same time, their hands meeting as they both laughed and turned the metal knob. Bruce stumbled forward and losing his balance, fell forward with Julia onto her tousled bed.

...They had made love five times that night, both of their appetites insatiable.

Julia was reliving the night in her head as she sat up in her small bed, wincing at the sunlight that seemed to change the environment entirely. She looked around with sleeping eyes hoping to see Bruce, but he was nowhere to be found.

"Bruce?" she called out. She had a sinking feeling take over her bright and cheery disposition as she wondered where he had gone.

That was when she saw it.

He had left her a note.

"Bruce?" she tried again weakly, but she knew it was too late…he was gone.

x.x.X.x.x

The memories over took her as she dared to open her eyes and see it for herself.

Nothing.

He wasn't anywhere in her sight, making her stomach drop from realization.

"You bastard!" she screamed violently as she jumped out of the bed, vigorously pulling at her twisted clothes thanking god, she had had enough sense to not sleep with him.

She marched out of the vast bedroom that was now illuminated by sunlight; only one goal in mind – castration.

"Alfred!" Calling out fervently, Julia put her hand up and cupped it to her mouth, tossing manners out the window. "Alfred where is HE!" she screeched out in annoyance.

"Ms. Julia, are you quite alright?" Alfred said as he practically skidded to a halt in front of her.

"Where's Bruce?"

"Well I…" Julia couldn't believe he was stuttering - something was going on.

"Where is he?" Her voice sounded as if it was laced with venom.

Alfred saw no point in lying, instead deciding to toss what Bruce has said to tell her and made to expose the truth.

"He's on his way to Harvey Dents press conference." It was the truth, just a cut off at the knees slightly.

"What times the conference?" Julia asked without missing a beat.

"Eleven o'clock if I'm not mistaken." Which he knew for certain he was not.

Julia didn't say a word as she moved for her small bag of clothes near the couch. Without paying attention to Alfred she started to violently shake out the contents of the bag, sifting through to find something that was suitable for a press conference.

"What time is it?" she asked distractedly.

"No, no, no. I think not." Alfred scolded knowingly.

"I think so." Grabbing an arm full of things, she made her way to the bathroom to change.

"I will accompany you if you give me one minute."

Julia stopped what she was doing, taking a second to consider what Alfred was up to. When she finally nodded, he reciprocated the gesture and made his way past her to seemingly get ready to escort her.

Julia trusted her instinct that told her he was lying. She was not about to let him tie her to a chair, so it was with a great amount of courage that she ran, clothes in hand, straight for the elevator.

She pressed the button and started dancing about nervously, watching the foyer like a hawk.

It felt like years passed before the 'ding' rang into the open space, the doors opening slowly.

Julia rushed in before the doors had fully parted, pulling off her shirt and dressing like a woman possessed. She hit the door close button, her timing perfect as she saw Alfred appear just as the doors started closing.

Julia smiled in relief just before realizing she had forgotten her purse. "Fuck!" she yelled to no one as she rummaged around the clothes on the floor. Pulling off her jeans, she replaced them with a pair of black slacks, finishing her look right as the doors opened to the industrially decorated lobby.

'Now what?" she thought bitterly. Without her purse she couldn't get a taxi, and there wasn't a chance that she could run there in the pumps she now had on. She stepped out of the elevator and assessed her options.

Her thoughts were cut off though by a booming voice echoing in the lobby. "Julia?" it burst out around her making her jump and turn around in circles.

"Rachel?" she yelled back completely confused.

"I don't know if you can hear me but if you can, there's a door to your left. The code is four, seven, five, eight, seven. Go get him." Her voice disappeared as quickly as it had arrived leaving Julia stunned.

She moved without hesitation and punched the numbers into the keypad on the wall, surprised when the door actually popped open. She stepped inside and was floored at what she saw.

If she hadn't been in such a hurry she would have stayed and keyed every car in her anger, but instead she made her way to the wall where dozens of keys hung and smiled in relief.

Thank god for Rachel.

x.x.X.x.x

Julia parked the bike she so gratefully borrowed from the man she wished to kill, feeling woozy. The last time she had driven a motorcycle she had been a teenager - and it was safe to say that it was not like riding a bicycle. She grabbed a nearby light post and clung to it, mentally chastising herself for her rash choice in transportation.

She stayed there until she could find control over her nausea, belatedly remembering that she hadn't taken off the helmet that did nothing but make her feel claustrophobic.

She tore it off hastily, drawing stares from bystanders as she ran her hands though her hair and threw the helmet on the bike. She left as fast as she could walk, her legs shaking from the fear she had experienced whilst driving what she now considered to be a death trap disguised as a vehicle.

It only took her a few minutes before she struck luck again. Not even ten feet away stood Roger Radcliff, waiting for the signal to walk across the street. He had to be on his way to that conference, and possibly Julia's only chance at getting in.

Hoping he didn't hate her as she feared he might, she yelled out, "Roger!"

He turned but didn't seem to see her. "Roger!" she tried again. He looked around for a second time looking right at her but turned around again. Julia, forgetting about her change in appearance strode up to him and tapped him on the shoulder with irritation.

"Roger." She said softly, hoping he would push aside any anger and resentment toward her and help her out.

He turned and looked her straight in the eyes, confusion stirring behind his hazel ones. She looked back, waiting for him to respond.

"Julia?" he said in awe.

"Hey." She said with a smile.

"What the hell happened to you?" Surprise couldn't even describe what Roger felt at seeing his ex-girlfriend.

She self consciously brought her hands to her shortened hair and laughed. "Oh well, drastic measures had to be taken." She said still laughing.

Roger looked at her skeptically, not sure what to make of her laughter. If he want mistaken, he would say she was angry about something but at what he couldn't be sure.

"Roger I know this may be awkward but I need to ask you for a favor." Julia pressed, reining in her laughter.

"What have you gotten into now LaPointe?" He said with concern and utter disbelief that she seemed to be yet again, in the midst of some variety of chaos.

"Well, I left my purse at home and I need to get into that press conference."

"Why?" Roger wasn't an idiot; she had to be on the tale of something good to come out of hiding.

"Personal reasons."

"What, are you worried about what will happen to Batman?" He joked.

"What?" Julia said completely confused.

They started walking across the street with the crowd, blending into the masses as they went forth. "Please tell me you know what this farce is about." Roger said as they walked up the stairs to the building that harbored their destination.

"Not exactly." Julia admitted.

Roger looked at her skeptically. "You really are here for personal reasons aren't you?"

She took the steps two at a time to keep up with him. "You thought I was lying?" She said as though hurt.

"I haven't seen you for the better part of a week Julia." He said irritably. "Then, you appear out of nowhere looking frazzled asking for my help. What the hell am I supposed to think?"

Julia stopped on in front of the door, shocked by the anger behind Roger's words.

He turned and looked at her, having already made his decision. Roger stared at her with an air of exasperation. "Come on LaPointe." He said with a gesture to the door. "Dent's not going to wait for us."

Julia, not caring to push her luck walked through the door, Roger following behind her.

"Red's a good color for you." He whispered in her ear, as they made their way to the press tables.

x.x.X.x.x

Julia made her way into the conference room, butterflies taking over her abdomen. She was eaves dropping like mad, trying desperately to find out what the address was all about. As she did so, hers eyes scanned the room for Bruce – anger flooding her veins as she thought about the bastard.

"If looks could kill…" Roger trailed off as he took Julia by surprise. "So, who's the unlucky chum who is on the receiving end of the famous LaPointe death glare?" He continued, clearly amused.

"No chum, I pretty much want to set the whole universe on fire." Julia said shortly.

"Its almost time, lets take a seat." Roger took her elbow and guided the distracted redhead to her chair.

As she sat the room went suddenly quiet, nothing but the sounds of shutters flapping as Harvey Dent flew in from the side door. Flashes sounded as he took the podium; thoughts of JFK same into Julia's mind as she watched him take over the room with his presence.

"I have called this press conference for two reasons," Dent started without preamble. "the first is that I would like to assure you that everything that can be done about the Joker killings is being attempted. Our tactics may seem futile, but we believe they will be more effective as we proceed in our fervent pursuit. The second is to announce that the Batman has offered to give himself up."

Julia gasped audibly at the admission, drawing eyes to her from all around the small room. Harvey was staring straight at her as he continued but Julia hardly noticed. Her eyes had found Bruce, standing nonchalantly against the wall and staring straight at her – he looked at her as though he had never seen her before.

"Let us consider this situation." Dent continued, but Julia had long since stopped listening.

'He cant.' she muttered under her breath.

Roger heard her despair at the notion and out of instinct and his own need, he grasped her hand in comfort.

"Should we give in to this terrorists demands?" she heard Dent speak.

"What do you want us to do, let more citizens of Gotham die?" A journalist shouted from behind Bruce.

Julia stood and retaliated. "That's not what he's saying at all. Who are we to demand that he turn himself in when we have willingly and gratefully taken him in as our defender?"

"She has a point." Roger said from beside her, still sitting down.

Harvey continued un-phased by the commotion. "The night is darkest just before the dawn and one day the Batman will pay for laws he has disregarded."

"That day is today!" Someone shouted from the back.

Julia sat down; dread and anger restricted her line of sight. Tears were threatening to spill down her face any moment.

"So be it, take the Batman into custody." Dent said morosely.

Julia looked to Bruce then, finally finding her proof. Bruce began to step toward the podium but didn't make it far before he was halted by Harvey Dents next words.

"I am the Batman." He admitted with conviction as he thrust his writs out to be cuffed.

An outcry erupted through the crowd, everyone in shock at what they were witnessing.

Julia jerked her head to back to Dent to see that he was already being escorted out by Gotham's finest.

"What are you up to Dent." She said aloud, forgetting where she was.

"Julia what are you thinking?" Roger asked without getting the benefit of an answer. Julia had stood and was now walking toward Bruce Wayne looking utterly livid.

Julia pushed through people with a total disregard for their personal space or comfort, shoving and pushing at every turn completely oblivious to the "hey's" and "watch it's" that were yelled behind her.

She only had one thought.

Bruce had used her again.

She walked straight up to him, his eyes watching her as she approached, and slapped him as hard as she could.

"I can't believe you." She ground out with disappointment and fury.

Bruce reacted quickly by grabbing her arm and forcefully shoving her to the door that led to the lobby.

"Let me go Bruce."

"You're making a scene Julie."

"I don't give a shit if I'm causing a scene!" Julia yelled, drawing the attention of ravenous journalists.

Bruce gripped her arm tighter making her wince, but the desired effect was achieved – she shut her mouth.

Bruce pulled her outside, letting her go when they reached the massive stone stairs that led down to the streets of Gotham.

"How the hell am I supposed to protect you when you don't listen to reason Julia." He spat with what sounded like resentment.

"I don't need protection!" Julia all but screamed at him, edging closer to his face.

"Your actions consistently contradict that." Bruce snapped back at her.

"Who nominated you to the task Bruce? I certainly didn't!" That seemed to do the trick; he just stared at her open mouthed.

"That's what I thought." Julia said triumphantly.

Julia thought she should have the last word, so she spun on her heel and jogged down the steps.

Bruce was quicker than she expected and caught her before she even made it half way down.

He turned her roughly and whispered in her ear. "How long have you known?" he said shaking her slightly, internally and physically jarring her.

"For certain…..about five minutes."

Bruce grabbed her by the shoulders, relaxing his grasp and stated simply and in a more pleasant tone. "We need to talk."

Authors Note: I hope you all love me right now! I was so excited to get to this part I just had to post it now! I have been craving another Princeton flashback, but I had no idea that it would be this chapter! Hoorah for instinct!

Thank you to everyone that wished for me to get better, I am on the mend and getting out of the house finally! Yay!

Your reviews have been flooring me and making me feel like this is worth writing, and for that I can't thank you enough!

So most of you called my bluff….of course I wouldn't kill Julia! ;) I will however hold the long awaited smut scene for ransom if you all don't review! (Ducks quickly from flying tomatoes!) It's not me I would fear but remuslives23. I think she may go mad if I withhold this treasured scene too much longer! You know you love me Julie! (You have one coming soon that involves our favorite werewolf wink! wink!)

Love ya!

Trisky