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Maddie stared out of the rain spattered car window from the backseat as the town car rolled into the busy downtown area. The city of Gotham appeared to be business as usual without Batman. People were walking on the sidewalks on cell phones, getting out of cars, walking kids to school. She still couldn't believe Bruce had given up. She hated to put it that way. Giving up wasn't something her brother ever did. But that's what it felt like.

"It's not the right time." Bruce had explained to her, before slipping out to one of his many business meetings he had had over the past few days. "Harvey's death changed things. I'm not the hero that they need."

She didn't believe that and his eyes told her that he didn't either. Not deep down anyway. Maddie sighed as they turned into the gates of the Gotham University campus. She told herself today was the day she would return to the real world. Back to her old life and routines. As dull as they might have been, they created a sense of normalcy that she needed. Now more than ever.

But all she had to do was look into the front seat to know that nothing would ever be normal again. That the kidnapping, in her own second home, had put everyone close to her on high alert. Before she could even step out of her bedroom that morning, Bruce was briefing Alfred for the fifth time about new security precautions. She could only hear half mumbles behind the closed door, but didn't need to hear the words. She knew exactly what they were talking about. Her IPod distracted her long enough to get ready for the day without gritting her teeth.

Bruce had also bestowed Harold to Alfred and he was instructed to keep it with him at all times in case anything were to happen. Harold was the name Maddie had given the "bat phone" when she first discovered that it existed. It basically had the ability to reach Bruce anywhere he might be at any given moment if there was an emergency. Wayne Industries, any one of his numerous cars, the bat cave, ect. To her it was ridiculous. It just made him look more paranoid. If that was possible, which at this point it wasn't.

And when Maddie pled her case and tried to explain to him just how crazy he was acting, he just gave her one of his annoying smirks, the one he gave the floozies he tried to pick up at parties, and adjusted his tie. "I want you safe and to stay that way. End of discussion. Alfred will take you wherever you need to go."

She pulled away from him slightly when he kissed her temple and let out a deep breath. Alfred could only give her a knowing side glance as Bruce disappeared behind the elevator doors. There was obviously nothing he could do to convince her brother of her safety. And he had tried. Countlessly to no avail.

But as he stopped the car in front of the stone steps leading to the double doors, Maddie noticed Alfred's head turning slowly in every direction, scoping out the premises. Probably his army instincts kicking in. She had only seen that happen a few times in her life. He would get very quiet and watchful and have an expression like he was ready for anything. But unlike Bruce, he was more reasonable about it.

Maddie half waved to Alfred on the way up the steps, trying not to draw too much attention from the passing students. He rolled down the window and leaned over the seat. "Do you have the...?"

"Yes." She assured him with a sigh. "I have the number and I promise if I see anyone leering from a dark corner, I will call it."

And then he was gone. Finally. Alone for the first time in almost three weeks. It was a good thing she wasn't in high school anymore. Her brother would have had the security team at the private academy on high alert with one phone call. Fortunately for her, Gotham University was a public institution that didn't care as much about students' safety in the daytime while on campus.

She arranged some books in her bag as she walked and was suddenly stopped by someone's hand on her shoulder in front of her. She let out a small gasp, startled out of her own little world, and her eyes fell on Adam. His expression was bright and excited. She smiled up at him warmly. "You're wet." She said with a soft chuckle, brushing some rain off of his suede jacket.

Rather than responding verbally, Adam enveloped her in a tight hug. It was the first time she'd felt completely calm in awhile. She noticed students staring over his shoulder. Her cheek dropped to his shoulder and she secretly wished he would take her hand and drive off with her on the back of his motorcycle.

He exhaled with relief and kissed her hair. "I was so worried about you." Adam said, facing her. "I've been calling and calling, but I figured..."

"I've been kind of out of it. I'm sorry. I should have called you back."

Adam adamantly shook his head. "Don't apologize. I didn't have class today, so I thought I'd take a chance. Can't believe you're back so soon after everything."

Maddie lead him inside the lobby and sat across from him on a sofa in the far corner. She could feel all of the eyes on her without having to look up. Adam followed her line of vision and found himself glaring menacingly. He quickly rectified the situation by switching places with Maddie, so that her back was to the crowds.

"Better?" Adam asked hopefully. Maddie smirked and nodded, hand on her forehead. "I was the only one who thought I could deal with this. Obviously. It took days to convince Bruce. God, Adam, it's terrible. It's like I'm a prisoner."

Adam's face darkened at the term prisoner. "He's just looking out for you. If I were him I'd be doing the same thing. I still can't believe it. When I heard one of the witnesses being interviewed on the news describing what happened at the fundraiser..."

He had to hold onto the sides of the couch cushions to control himself. The thought of her in that kind of danger made his blood boil. He'd never wanted to help someone, to save someone, more in his whole life. She had been at the mercy of a cold blooded killer with no conscience to speak of. His unrequited love. His Maddie.

Snap out of it, idiot. You're here to help. Not to stir up more unwanted problems for her to deal with. "I keep thinking I could have done something if I'd just been there like you'd asked me. The scientist guy didn't even show up that night. I waited at the lab all night. I'm sorry I wasn't there, Mad."

She put a comforting hand on his and stroked his thumb. "Adam. Come on. What could you have done?"

"Something. Anything." Adam answered, dragging a frustrated hand over his face. "I didn't know what to think. If you were alive or... I'm just glad you're okay. Physically at least."

That last comment made Maddie look away from him. No. She was not okay emotionally. Not even close. And then something Adam said got her attention and quick. "What?" She asked.

"I said at least he's locked up until the trial." Adam repeated.

For some reason, she hadn't thought about that. The fact that Joker would be tried and convicted and put behind bars was completely foreign to her. What else had she thought would happen? It was only a matter of time before his crimes caught up to him. Her kidnapping certainly wasn't the first.

"They set a trial date on Friday. Two months. They're building this massive case against him. It's been all over the papers and let's just say Mike Engel's about to have the best year of his life. Hopefully they have enough to put him away forever. Bury the key."

But his words still weren't registering with her. She'd have to testify. Could she do that, knowing what she knew? Having done what she did? Falling for him? Even if it was for a second. She certainly didn't feel anything but hate for him now after what he'd done to Rachel and Harvey, but the line was still blurred. All she would have to do was look into his eyes, over the microphone on the witness stand, and it would all be over.

Shit.

She couldn't even begin to imagine him in an eight by ten cell at Arkham with a cot taking up half the space. He was too powerful, too outlandish. He'd die in that place. That closed in. There was no way he would survive. And as much as she hated to admit it, that bothered her. It bothered her a great deal.

SHIT. You have ruined my life.

Adam watched as Maddie's skin turned to a pale shade of white. His hand grazed her cheek and lifted her chin so they were at eye level. "Hey?" Adam said softly, trying to read her expression. It wasn't terror, just blank. He could feel her body trembling and hands shaking. He hated seeing her like this. "You okay? Say the word and we're out of here. My bike's parked outside."

Maddie opened her mouth to say, "Yes, let's get the hell out of here and never come back," but knew she had to stay. "No. I need to do this, Adam. Get back to my life."

Adam half-nodded, not really believing that was for the best right now. But he left it alone and took her hand again, trying to reassure her. "Look, I know you're scared. But he's locked up. He can't get to you."

Maddie glanced at the clock behind his head. "I've got to get to class."

"Yeah. Okay." Adam said, worriedly. "Do you want me to come back tonight and take you home?"

Maddie stood up and secured her bag over her shoulder. "My trusty steed will be here at six on the dot. You know I'd much rather have a ride on the bike though. I miss the bike."

Adam chuckled. "Bike misses you more."

She promised to call him before he left her there. The rest of the day didn't go as planned either. The constant staring was becoming a "thing" in all of her classes. They obviously were very well informed as to what happened to her. Poor little rich girl. A walking target. It was like her childhood happening all over again after her parents died and she resented every one of them. But instead of telling them all to go to hell, she sat quietly and took kick ass notes.

After the bell for the second to last class rang, she jolted from her seat and headed out as if struck by lightning. No reason to stay longer than needed. She squeezed past everyone and burst into the hallway, heading for the student lockers.

She leaned against the ugly grey metal, breathing in and out. Just keep breathing. Only one more to go. Thank God the film class was next and all she would have to do was sit in a dark room for two hours. She whipped around and opened her locker, only to drop to her feet as stuff began falling out.

One envelope caught her eye as she stuffed the contents into her bag. It was light purple with a white ribbon wrapped around it. Unmarked. She turned it over and the words written in black ink stopped her breathing again. This time for a whole minute.

ANGEL FACE.

Open Me.