Chapter 13: Taking Action

I watched as the small raindrops hit the window like bullets. I couldn't help but think of all that was to come, it actually was the only thing I thought about these days. What would be the outcome of this madness that unleashed itself. As much as I believed in Bruce; I couldn't help but think that this time there would be a good possibility that he might lose. As much as I hated reminding myself of this, I did because I have to face the harsh reality. Although to the outside world my life might seem like a fairytale...it was far from that.

I leaned my forehead against the window pane and sighed in frustration. He didn't even want to tell me what he was up to next. It was the same speech over and over again. "I don't want you to get in more deeper than you already are Vi. It would be less dangerous if you didn't even know where I was at night." I didn't want to argue but he knew I wasn't happy about it. I looked down the windows to see a small little girl about the age of five, she looked up at her mother. The mother picked up her little child and ran into the building next door to escape from the light drizzle. Seeing the mother and child it reminded me that have been putting off to visit my mother's grave.

My phone rang from across the room. I floated toward the vanity and looked down at the phone to see who it was. Audrina.

I clicked the small button to the left. "Hello."

"Violet, are you alone?" Her voice seemed frantic.

"Yea, I am at home actually. Why?" I was truly confused as to her tone of voice. But she quickly took a breath in relief when she heard the word home pour from lips.

"Oh, well then. It's just with Commissioner Loeb's memorial service and the recent threat on the mayor, its nice to know you won't be there."

"Bruce forbid me from going out today because of that." I sighed and fiddled with the necklace that my father had left me. I had an urge to go and visit my mother's grave without anyone knowing, I was going to have to sneak out. But somehow I would have to devise a plan for Bruce to not find out.

"Well you shouldn't disobey him."

I laughed. "Audrina, I won't. It's just..." My mind drifted as pulled out the an old picture of my mother. I had to go.

Audrina waited silently on the phone. "Its just what?"

I shook my head put the picture in the drawer. "Nothing. Listen I will call you later, I have a headache, I think I will get some shut eye."

"All right, then get some rest." Audrina hung up.

I waited for a few minutes. I could call and tell him that I am not feeling well and that my phone will be off so I won't have any interruptions. Yes, that will work perfectly. Better yet I will just send him a message that way I could avoid his questioning. I grabbed my phone and typed away.

I'm not feeling well so I will turn off my phone for no interruptions. I will be here waiting for you. I love you. I pushed the 'send' button and threw my phone in my bag and headed downstairs to get my coat.

I wrapped my coat tighter around me as the cool crisp air hit me. I ran across the street to the flower shop to get a bouquet of red roses. It was deserted on this side of town, everyone was going to the memorial service in spite of the threat to murder the mayor. But then again Commissioner Loeb was one of Gotham's finest, so it was only fair to honor him. Unfortunately it would be hard to get to the cemetery because of the crowd, that's why it was best to walk.

I gave the man more than what I should have but I didn't care, I needed to get to the cemetery fast before Bruce found out that I was gone. I took the roses. "Keep the change."

The man seemed dumbfounded but didn't argue. "Thanks lady."

I walked and walked for what seemed like miles but I arrived to my mother's grave without any trouble. I stood in front of it, trying so hard to fight back the tears but I couldn't. I fell to my knees and sobbed into my hands. I cried because I realized what she had died for. And it was also going to be my fate, I know it is.

I ran my fingers across her name...Viviana Rose Montgomery. I can't believe I let them use Montgomery. That wasn't even my name anymore, not even hers. But I guess this was my grandfather's doing, along with Adam's. As much as I was not content with my real father, it was the man she loved. What should be engraved on their is her real last name. Viviana Rose Ducard. I gently placed the flowers by her name and wiped my tears away but it was no use, they kept pouring out.

"I know your secret, mom." I whispered quietly. "I know who Henri is and I know everything you went through and I wanted to tell you that I am sorry...for everything. Now, I see the resemblance between me and you. Our lives are almost exactly the same. I mean, we both fell in love with men who would possibly takes us to our grave. But yet we loved them so dearly and so passionately that we didn't care about anything else but them. One look into their eyes and they would makes us melt until we were jelly in their arms. But then they disappeared and we had to marry men we despised, men we wanted to rip out theirs heads and feed them to the dogs." I took a deep breath and looked around, I was alone. "But for you it was a different story, you never saw him again. Yours was tragedy. Unlike mine, I saw my love again and married him, but our so called fairytale is slowing turning into tragedy that he is trying so hard from it turning into tragedy. As much as I love you mom, I don't want to end up here." I looked at my watch and it was almost time for the memorial service to start, I should get out of here. "Bye mom."

I walked back into town and saw that the avenue was completely blocked off. I would have to take another route home. I was walking fast, not really paying attention to what was going on that an officer bumped into me. I looked up at the pale man, he looked very odd, somewhat paranoid as he looked at me. I took a look at his name badge, and to my horror it was another sign of death.

Officer Rachel Dawes.

Before I could yell he disappeared into the crowd. I looked around to see the police fill the avenue. I looked up toward the podium to see the mayor ready to go. Gordon is right behind him and I spot Harvey sitting next to Rachel. I took out my phone and dialed Harvey's number but it went straight to voicemail. I had to warn him about Rachel. I shoved my way through the crowd not caring about the people getting angry.

The mayor's voice faded into the back of my mind. "And as we recognize the sacrifice of these officers, we must remember that vigilance is the price of safety." The mayor wrapped up his speech and the honor guard stepped forward and raised their weapons. I got closer to where Harvey was.

"Harvey!" But he didn't here because they fired the guns and it was aimed at the mayor. All hell broke loose as I tried to reach Harvey. Everyone was screaming and running around me, that I was being shoved everywhere. I saw Gordon on the floor, he was out cold. My breathing became gasps. I tried to move as fast as I could but I could not move my feet. I felt everything spin around me, I managed to make my way to a building and lean against the wall. I closed my eyes for a minute until I heard my name being shouted.

"Violet!" I turned to see Harvey approaching me.

I half smiled. "Harvey, Harvey thank god...I have to tell you something. It's Rachel...she..she."

Harvey shook me before I went unconscious. "What's going on Violet?!"

"She will be the next target. I saw her name on the name badge of an officer from the honor gaurd. Keep her safe Harvey." I warned him as I managed to compose myself.

"Okay, but let me get you home. And where is Bruce?" Harvey looked around.

"I don't know, listen be careful Harvey." I persisted.

"I will, now get home." Harvey led me to a patrol car and tapped the officer. He turned around. "Take Mrs.Wayne to Gotham Century towers now!" The officer nodded and opened the car door for me. I hugged Harvey good bye. "Stay safe and thank you." He whispered and kissed the top of my head.

He closed the door and didn't say another word. I laid against the back seat, trying to breath normally. I watched as we whisked by the streets of Gotham, when I noticed a man in a gleaming MV Augusta Brutale and it was the only one in Gotham. It could only belong to one man...Bruce. "Stop!" The car came to a screeching halt that caught Bruce's attention. I opened the door and got off. Bruce took off his helmet and stared at me, completely shocked. I ran toward him and he caught me in his arms. "Oh, Bruce." I kissed him as if it were my last time. Every time I am in danger I always become terrified at the thought of never seeing him again. But I never learn my lesson, which makes it more difficult for him.

Bruce gently pushed me back. "Why were you out knowing exactly that all hell was going to brake loose!" His eyes blazed fire as he grasped my arms.

"I..I.." I was at loss of words. This was his Batman side, but there was some Bruce in there. He shook his head and just sat me at the end of the Ducati. He didn't say anything more and we both sped off home.

"Damn it Vi, why do you always do this!" Bruce took off his jacket and threw it across the room. He was so angry, but it was mostly fear of losing me. But I was tired of seeming this damsel in distress.

"For your information I went to visit my mother's grave if you must know!" I yelled as I walked right behind him. At the corner of my eye I saw Alfred staring at us.

"Of all days, why today!" Bruce turned to me and stared into my eyes.

"Listen, I am not going to be locked up in this fortress, I am not going to let the joker run my life! I need to get out Bruce, I need to breathe fresh air. I was going to comeback home before the memorial service but I ran late and I was caught in it. I'm sorry." I had to put my foot down.

"I cannot afford to lose you right now." He whispered softly but it was still deadly.

I looked away. "I also saw that Rachel was the next target, I had to tell Harvey. Do you have any idea what would happen if he lost her? And I also did it for you because she is your best friend, I am so sorry for trying to help out. If I am such a burden to you then why in the hell did you come back to me, why did you sweep me off my feet again, why did you rekindle my love for you!?" I screamed this time and fell to the ground sobbing into my hands for the second time today. But no, that is it, I am done crying. I stood by myself and wiped my tears away. I looked up Bruce, who seemed deeply hurt.

"You know why I asked you to be with me." He said quietly.

"You know...sometimes I don't." I turned away and headed upstairs without looking back...

A/N: Awww, poor Bruce and Violet. I hope they can forgive each other soon.

Alright so, thanks to "onetreefan, hotforjensen101, QuietOne364, BirdieInABox16, DancingWithOceanWaves" for reviewing, you guys always make my day with your reviews so keep them coming!! And sorry I took too long to update, school started this week, so you all know how that is.

And if you are wondering how Audrina, Violet's mom, father, and her ruth less step dad look like and you are curious...there are links to their pics on my profile, so go and check it out. Thanks! 3 Michelle