A/N: So sorry this took so long to come out but I was trying to do some research and figure the best way to introduce this villain. Hopefully, it's not too bad and hopefully you all enjoy it. The epilogue will be in two parts (unless it turns into 3. I'm still not sure.). Please review!
UPDATE A/N (12/21/10): Okay so I changed my mind this is the Epilogue for this story but there will be a second installment called Through the Eyes of a Martyr. I'm not sure how long it will be. It'll probably short since I really want to work on my Inception and Harry Potter fic. Working on all three is pretty exciting. So keep an eye out for the next installment.
"Master Bruce, the guests are arriving," Alfred announced standing in the bedroom doorway while Bruce sat on his bed dressed in a tux looking down at his hands. He looked to be miles away. "Master Bruce?"
Bruce snapped out of his thoughts and looked towards Alfred doubt and guilt written all over his face.
"I'll be there soon, Alfred. I just need a few moments," Bruce replied his hands clenching and unclenching in his lap.
"Is something bothering you Master Bruce?" Alfred asked.
"What do you think of Sylvia, Alfred," Bruce asked looking at his charge and long friend.
"I believe she is an extraordinary and brave woman and I have become quite attached to her," Alfred answered with all honesty.
"Am I being selfish Alfred?" Bruce asked abruptly. Alfred's confusion was apparent.
"I don't follow, sir," the wise butler confessed.
"For the past month that Sylvia and I have been together, each time I make plans with her I have to cancel," Bruce groaned miserably still looking down at his hands.
"Master Bruce-"
"She doesn't deserve this Alfred," Bruce argued. "It's Rachel all over again."
"Now, sir, to be fair, Sylvia is not Rachel Dawes," Alfred said understanding where Bruce was coming from but he disagreed with him completely.
"That may be true Alfred but the fact still stands that this month has been a disaster," Bruce fought, one night in particular standing out.
Alfred had given him the idea to host something at the penthouse for the two of them. The last few 'dates' between Sylvia and him were at high restaurants with him not showing up because he had 'things' to look into for work. Those incidents were continuously posted in the tabloids but Alfred assured Bruce that Sylvia paid them no mind and understood completely. So to save Sylvia anymore 'embarrassment', Alfred suggested having the date at the penthouse. Sylvia excitedly agreed.
"Ms. Juarez," Alfred greeted her from the front door.
"Evening Alfred," she greeted with a smile.
Alfred proceeded to help her out of her jacket when Bruce entered the foyer. He wasn't overly dressed but wore an overcoat with black slacks while Sylvia wore a v-necked, ¾ sleeved, just above her knees, red dress. She looked stunning but then again when didn't she. Bruce smiled and walked over to greet her.
"Sylvia," he said with a smile, "you look stunning."
"Thank you, Bruce. You look very handsome yourself," she said returning the smile.
Bruce bent slightly to kiss her before Alfred showed them to the dinning table that was already set up with dinner.
"Oh Alfred, it smells delicious," Sylvia commented taking a seat that Bruce had already pulled out for her.
"Thank you Ms. Juarez. I can only hope it tastes as good as it smells," Alfred said with a smile. Bruce and Sylvia laughed. "If you'll excuse me, please enjoy your dinner."
"Thank you Alfred," the two said watching Alfred leave.
The two sat in a comfortable silent as they both took a sip of their Passatelli in Brodo soup.
"Mmm, absolutely delicious," Sylvia sighed.
Bruce agreed before offering her fresh bread.
"It's a great compliment," she commented when she took the first bite.
Bruce laughed and returned back to his dinner.
"So how are things at the company," Sylvia asked putting her spoon down in her empty bowl.
"Good," Bruce answered continuing with, "we may be branching with a new company."
"That's great," Sylvia said a smile gracing her face, "how-"
"Master Bruce," Alfred said from the doorway looking quite put out.
"What's the matter," Bruce said looking concerned.
"You are being summoned, sir," he replied looking regretful toward Sylvia who was looking more worried than upset.
"Bruce," she said. She understood fully what being 'summoned' meant it was just alarming that it was becoming much more frequent the past few nights.
"I have to go," he muttered walking away from the table and to the hallway.
"Bruce wait," she yelled clambering out of her chair to follow him. "What aren't you telling me? Has this got anything to do with the Joker? Or Harvey?"
"No it doesn't, at least not yet," he said mumbling the last part and continuing toward the elevator.
"Then Bruce, what is going on?" Sylvia begged catching his arm.
Looking into her eyes Bruce saw raw concern. He felt terrible doing this to her…again. He didn't deserve her. It still blew his mind to know that she cared for him.
"I'll explain later," he said bringing his hand up to caress the side of her face before turning around and calling the elevator.
"That's what you always say," Sylvia whispered but Bruce heard her loud and clear. Her tone made him clench.
He turned back to her making no attempt to touch her and just said, "I'm sorry."
The elevator doors opened and he walked in pressing the button to the bottom floor before anything else could be said. Sylvia stared at the closed doors of the elevator her eyes misted with an emotion Alfred could not decipher.
Alfred remembered perfectly the rest that happened that night. The rest that Bruce had not become privy of because of his early summoning. So the butler decided to enlighten his charge.
"Master Bruce, I think there is something I should tell you," Alfred said before continuing on with what happened through the rest of the night.
In a sort of trance, Sylvia turned from the elevator and walked back to the dinning room. Alfred followed a few steps behind and found her sitting at the table eating. It was only a few moments before Alfred stood by the table and cleared his throat.
"Do you mind if I join you Ms. Juarez," Alfred asked once Sylvia had looked up at him.
She smiled brightly and gestured to the seat saying, "Of course not, Alfred."
The two sat eating but soon the food was gone and the silence was becoming too much for Sylvia.
"I feel like we're drifting apart, Alfred," she admitted quietly, looking sadly down at her empty plate.
Alfred sighed. The two were perfect for one another, but Bruce had no idea what to do. His playboy façade was becoming too real and it seems to be affecting Sylvia now. A person's patience can only last for so long.
"Do not fret, Ms. Juarez, please," Alfred said piling the dishes in the center of the table then turning back to her, "Believe me, you are not the only one being left in the dark."
"You don't know why he's been summoned all these times," Sylvia asked completely shocked. It was not like Bruce to not tell Alfred something.
"It doesn't seem to be anything serious, he tells me," Alfred revealed, "for now."
"I'm afraid, Alfred. I have a very bad feeling," Sylvia said looking serious. "The Joker was only the beginning."
Alfred stared back at her knowing full well the legitimacy of that statement. He had been feeling the same way and now that it was confirmed by someone else, he had mixed feelings. But one question came to mind, why was Sylvia still there?
"I know what you're thinking," she said with a rueful smile, "but you are just too polite to ask it. I wasn't able to leave Bruce or Gotham when a maniac was threatening my life. I didn't leave when my parents died. I didn't leave even after I myself nearly died."
Alfred remained silent as she continued speaking. Each word spoken with complete honesty that left Alfred speechless.
"I knew that there would have to be sacrifices. I know my job won't be the last one I'll have to make but I do know that it will probably be the easiest and simplest one I'll have to face. But I can face all of this with Bruce. I love him, Alfred. I love him very much," she said a tear slipping from her eye. "But I can't stand that he's hiding something from me."
The old butler scooted his seat closer to the ex-reporter and patted her shoulder.
"Sylvia," he called gently. It was the first time that he used her first name and they both noted the change, "Master Bruce has never had someone, other than myself, stand by him completely like you have. Someone to believe in him and what he stands for. He's not sure how to trust what you are offering him because he himself believes that he doesn't deserve it. Believe me, Sylvia, he needs you."
Sylvia smiled gratefully putting her hand over Alfred's. The rest of the night was spent talking about Bruce and her background before she left around three in the morning.
Bruce sat on the bed slowly absorbing what Alfred had said. Bruce had noticed the change of familiarity between the two the past week and now he knew why. It warmed his heart to know the friendship that had developed between them. It made Bruce's mind grow easy but doubt still reared it's ugly head in the back of his mind. However, Bruce knew that he loved Sylvia as well and with more confidence than what he actually felt, Bruce stood from the bed.
"Thank you Alfred," Bruce said appreciatively before walking out the door.
Alfred smiled and watched his charge walk down the hall to join the charity party he was holding for Gotham's finest.
"Gordon," Sylvia greeted happily embracing the Commissioner.
"Sylvia," Gordon returned as his wife came to his side.
"Barbara, how are you?" Sylvia asked moving to hug her.
"I'm fine thank you, and you?" she asked returning the hug.
"Good, good," Sylvia responded, "How are the kids?"
"They're good," Jim said with a smile before spotting Bruce over Sylvia's shoulder before greeting him as well, "Mr. Wayne."
"Commissioner Gordon," Bruce said taking the proffered hand before him, "so glad you and your wife could join us tonight."
"Of course. And I'd like to say thank you for doing this," Gordon said gratitude laced in the words.
"Ah, don't mention it," Bruce told him in true Bruce fashion.
Most of the guests, including Gordon, we're not aware of Bruce's real reasons for holding this bash. It was more based on art. He shortly excused himself and Sylvia from the couple and walked away to mingle with the rest of the guests.
"You had me a little worried there," Sylvia said her lips barely moving and keeping her smile in place, "thought you weren't ever going to come down."
"Oh yeah, sorry about that," he said sincerely, "I just needed some time to think."
"Okay," she simply replied before stopping to talk to Mayor Garcia and his wife.
The tension was obviously there but she tried to ignore it or act oblivious. After everything that had happened, it didn't look like Mayor Garcia was up for re-election.
Before long the couple was separated once more. After dating Bruce for a month, it was strange that Sylvia had become so easily accustomed to these upper-class shindigs. Not that she enjoyed them by any means but…it seemed like Bruce was rubbing off on her.
There it was again. The feeling of being watched. Sylvia had been feeling it all night. She inconspicuously observed the crowd around her. The first few times she had this feeling creep up on her she had excused it and let it slide off her shoulder. Now it was getting ridiculous and she couldn't pass it off as paranoia any longer. The first thoughts that popped unwittingly in her head we're those of the Joker, and Dent-
"Sylvia," a familiar voice said behind her. The voice snapped her out of her thoughts making her gasp.
She turned around only to see Alfred with a tray of drinks giving her a concerned look.
"Alfred," she breathed her hand splayed on her chest as she tried to even out her breathing.
"I'm sorry, Sylvia, I didn't mean to startle you," he said observing her before asking, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine Alfred. My mind was elsewhere," she answered with a smile. "Where is Bruce?"
"He's speaking to a group of entrepreneurs about some of the new pieces the museum is getting," Alfred informed her as a guest took a drink from the tray.
"Our museum's getting new stuff," she asked with a surprised look as Alfred nodded, "Huh. I didn't know Bruce was the artsy type."
Sylvia observed three men and a woman Bruce was conversing with. He looked as if he was really paying attention.
Alfred chuckled before replying, "Neither did I."
The two laughed as another person stepped up to take a drink. The man knocked harmlessly into Sylvia before quickly apologizing.
"I'm so sorry," he said a slight giggle escaping from him.
Sylvia went to reply but was stopped by his bright green eyes…they were completely alight with mirth and mischief.
"Must be the champagne," he said tipping his hat slightly to her.
"It's fine," she said coming our of her thoughts and smiled. The man bowed before turning and leaving Alfred and Sylvia standing as they were before. "Anyway, if Bruce asks can you just tell him I went to powder my nose?"
"Of course," Alfred said but stopped her, "Are you sure you're alright, Ms. Sylvia?"
"I will be," she said simply throwing him a reassuring smile and then turning to go to the bathroom.
"Sir," a security guard whispered as he reached Gordon.
Gordon turned and when realizing it was security he instantly went into his commissioner mode.
"What's going on," he asked quietly putting his arm around the boy and taking him to a secluded area.
"He was here, sir," the guard said cryptically, "and He left this."
In the guard's out stretched hand lay a symbol he was hoping not to have to see tonight.
"Damn," he mumbled running a hand through his hair. "Alright here's what I want to do. I want everyone evacuated not just here but in the entire building and I want it searched and all civilians need to show I.D. No one leaves unless they show I.D. And they need to be asked if anything has been stolen."
"Yes, sir," the guard said before leaving to tell the others.
Within seconds about 10 officers came through the elevator to begin evacuation of the party.
"Ladies and gentleman," Gordon shouted over the crowd gaining everyone's attention, "I need you all in an orderly fashion to leave the premises immediately. Please check your belongings and if you are missing anything let an officer know and please explain what the object is. Thank you."
Bruce was at his side quickly asking, "Commissioner Gordon what is going on?"
"I'm afraid Mr. Wayne, that we have reason to believe a thief has infiltrated the building. It is also best if you get out of here as well," Gordon told him.
"Commissioner," Bruce spoke grabbing onto the older man's arm. There were not many guests around anymore so Bruce felt safe to do so.
The two stared at one another both trying to read the other. Gordon knew as he gazed at the man next to him. Did Bruce know that he knew his secret?
"It's Him," Gordon muttered quietly. Bruce nodded and quickly turned to find Sylvia.
"Alfred," Bruce called as he spotted the butler coming out from the kitchen. "Where is Sylvia?"
"She went to powder her nose, sir," Alfred said, "Is everything alright-Master Bruce?"
Bruce ran to the bathroom the moment Alfred had said where she was. He turned the corner to the bathroom but collided with someone. Realizing it was Sylvia he grabbed her and held her to himself. Sighing in relief.
Sylvia let herself be held and embraced him back. It wasn't until he pulled away that she asked, "Bruce, what is-"
He interrupted her by bringing his lips to hers. It was short but it said plenty.
"I need you to go with Alfred," he whispered to her. His eyes pleading with her to not question and just do what she was told.
"Bruce, what is going on," she whispered back trying to get something out of his expression.
"I'll explain later, I promise but right now I need you to leave the penthouse and go with Alfred," he said taking her hands into his and rubbing them softly. "Please."
Sylvia sighed and pulled away from him. For the past month since all of this began to happen he had said, "I'll explain," but he had never given her an explanation. This time however he was promising.
"That's what you always say," she mumbled.
Bruce knew very well the way he'd been acting the past month but he knew that if he never wanted to see her in a hospital bed again… Without a second thought Bruce pulled her to himself again, inhaling the smell of her hair that was so uniquely hers.
Before Sylvia knew what was happening she found herself being kissed by her boyfriend once more. This time however, he took her in slowly letting their lips touch in slow, deep brushes. Her hands gripped his upper arms as they wrapped themselves tighter around her waist. Bruce couldn't lose her. She meant too much to him now. There was nothing more that Bruce wanted to do then to take Sylvia to his room and show her just how much she meant to him, but at the moment there was hardly time. So with a heavy heart, Bruce pulled away and gazed down at her now red lips. Her eyes hooded as she looked up at him.
"I love you," he uttered before turning to get to his room so he could make his way to his suit.
Sylvia stood their in a daze for a few seconds letting the events that just ensued really sink in…he had never kissed her like that before…his kisses usually left her weak at the knees but right now all she could acknowledge was her frustration that he had stopped…who knows how far they could have gone…wait…he said "I love you."
That's when she snapped out of her desire induced stupor, only for it to be replaced with an exhilarating feeling. Bruce loved her. She felt the stupid grin come to her face as she walked down the hall to find Alfred. The ever faithful butler stood to the side conversing with Jim Gordon who was standing with two other guards.
"Gordon," she greeted her grin still in place, "what are you still doing here?"
"We have a bit of a situation on our hands right now. It would be best if you left now," he said looking down at a piece of paper he had in his hand.
"Situation?" she asked, "Here?"
"Yes, it seems we were visited by this thief again and he left us something new," he said turning to her.
"Thief?"
Now Sylvia was thoroughly lost. Apparently this was happening a few times now because Gordon didn't seem surprised at all.
"Yeah," Gordon looked up at her and seeing her puzzled look only served to confuse him, "you know."
"Do I?" she asked her happy whimsical feeling quickly dispersing.
"Boys can you get Detective Murphy up here for me please," he asked.
When the two officers were gone he spoke freely with her but still quietly.
"Okay they're gone you can stop acting," he said turning his attention back to Sylvia.
"Who's acting?" she hissed.
It wasn't until then that Gordon realized she was actually serious.
"You don't know?" he asked. Sylvia shook her head, "I find that hard to believe."
"Why?" she asked her brows furrowed.
"Because you're friends with…you know. I've been telling him everything. He's even been at some of the scenes," Gordon explained.
Sylvia's blissful bubble popped and it seemed hard to even remember it had ever been there. She was furious.
"Batman, you mean," she said her fist clenching at her sides.
Gordon nodded and Sylvia struggled to keep her anger in check.
"What the hell is going on, Jim?" she asked slowly unclenching her hands.
"A few weeks ago there was a bomb threat called in at the downtown mall," Gordon began, "The place was quickly evacuated but when bomb squad filed in to disarm it, it turned out to be a fake. Inside we found a piece of paper that looked just like this."
Gordon handed her a small clear evidence pouch. Enclosed was a grey piece of paper, printed on it was a dark green question mark.
A/N: Hope you liked it. Tell me what you thought of it in a REVIEW!