Wow! 3 1/2 months without an update. I am really sorry to any of my readers I just caught up with summer vacation and then school and all that great stuff. My school year is kinda back in swing and I am in the groove so I will try to update more. Well I will get on to the long awaited chapter without further ado.

April 22nd

5:10 P.M.

Gotham City

Courthouse Lobby 3

Phoenix exited the courtroom with Maya close behind. He continued straight to from the courtroom to the door avoiding reporters from the harping press. He ducked and dodged his way to the door avoiding an especially persistent reporter from The Daily Planet. He opened the door for Maya and stepped into freezing rain. The rain was an odd mixture of ice and water particles. He turned to Maya to see her shivering to her bones in only her spirit medium clothes. Phoenix sighed and pulled the wet jacket off his back and put it around Maya. She startled a little bit from the unexpected contact but looked up at Phoenix with a blush. "T-Thanks Nick," was all she managed to stutter out. She inwardly cursed herself for not be so flustered at the smallest gesture.

Phoenix looked down at her, paying no attention to how flustered she was, and smiled. "Don't mention it." He turned back to the road and waved down a nearby taxi. He and Maya quickly climbed into the back seat and shut the door. Phoenix turned to the taxi driver, "Take us back to the Gotha-"

"Make that the nearest burger joint!" interjected Maya. I could've swore I just heard my wallet cry, Phoenix sadly thought. He opened his mouth to protest, but promptly shut it knowing how his arguments go with Maya.

The taxi driver just shrugged and pulled away from the curb and into the street. Maya took this moment of silence to steal a glance over at Phoenix who was soaked at this point. Gosh, he is hot right now. Wait a minute Maya I thought we've been over this. We've known each other how long and he still hasn't confessed, there are no feelings there right? Or maybe he is just scared like me. He could very possibly love me and just not want to ruin our friendship. I like that idea better. Maya could feel her face heating up once again and quickly looked out the window. She started to notice that they weren't actually heading into the city, but instead the opposite. She turned to Phoenix who had his eyes closed and whispered, "Psst, Nick. Haven't you noticed that we are heading the wrong way?"

Phoenix poked one eye open and glanced out the window, he looke back down to Maya, well now I have. He called up to the front seat, "Hey you know you are heading the wrong way."

The driver looked back with a wicked grin. "Quite contraire lawyer. I am heading the way I want to." He reached to the dashboard and flipped a switch putting up a barrier between him and the backseat. He then pushed a button next to the switch.

Phoenix and Maya looked to see what the button just did when they saw a green gas oozing out of the air vents. They pair began to cough violently and began to lose sight and hearing. The last thing Phoenix's saw was Maya's limp body collapsing onto him then him losing conscious.

April 22nd

7:02 P.M.

Gotham City

Wayne Manor

Bruce leaned back in his chair and looked around the room. The room was a library that was stacked with books from floor to ceiling, putting to shame even the great Gotham City library. He remembers spending hours of his early childhood in hear with his father, reading stories of great heros and villains. It is his greatest memories of what little childhood he seemed to have with his parents. He turned as he heard the door close and saw Alfred approaching him. "Evening Master Bruce. I am sure heard heard the news."

"I have Alfred."

"I am sure you a thrilled then."

Bruce looked at him and replied with a monotone voice, "Ecstatic."

Alfred sighed, "Right, there is a package here for you sir." Alfred pulled a medium sized box that was wrapped in bright red Christmas wrapping paper and and large white bow on the top of it. "It was recovered by the police at the courthouse and addressed to the Batman. The police sent it to your Batcave at the studios for you, so I went and picked it up for you."

Bruce looked at the box with a questioning look. He grabbed the box and asked, "Who is it from?"

"It doesn't say sir."

"Huh," was all Bruce said before starting to slowly untie the box. He threw the bow to the side and tore the wrapping paper carefully and methodically. He opened the wrapping paper to find a box with a lid on it. He glance at Alfred for a second before gripping the lid and started to slowly pulled it off to reveal a small flip phone that didn't even take up one-tenth of the box. Bruce carefully picked up the already ringing phone and answered it, "Hello?"

"Well batsy I was wondering when you would pick up." It was the Joker, "If you were wondering you little boy wonder is on another. I left him his present in his car. You know it isn't easy giving you guys gifts with the whole secret identity thing. Anyways I was wondering if you heard the news that a certain lawyer and his girlfriend went missing."

"Where. are. they?" Bruce growled.

"Me! I never said I did it... Ok I did it you caught me. I am going to tell you where you can find them, but you only get 5 minutes to get here or they're dead! Hoho. They are at Arkham Asylum, you'll find you way from there. Bye bye now! Hahah-" *click*.

Bruce than heard Robin from the other line say, "I am going to get them Batman."

"You can't it is a trap. I need to go alone."

"But your not going to reach there in time. I'm sorry Bruce, but I going wether you like it or not."

"Wait Robin!" but there was nothing. Bruce threw the phone against the wall, smashing it, and started running to the Batcave. He descended down to the cave and ran to his suit chamber. Suiting up in his armor, belt, and cowl. He turned as he put the cowl on and ran to the batmobile and started it up, punching the gas and driving out of the cave at full speed. As Bruce sped down the road thousands of thoughts raced through his mind, I need to get there NOW! The Joker set this trap up and Robin is taking the bait. Why doesn't he think!

After 3 1/2 months I finally did it, I got an update in. Again thanks to anyone who is still reading this story after such a long time, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter.