Author's Note:

Hello to my valuable readers, before I say anything, I must sincerely apologize for this long hiatus. I know it's been nine months since my last update, and I honestly did not intended to take so long to update, let alone finish this story; but unfortunately school and life has been all consuming of my time; especially as I'm looking to graduate this year, which is an exciting and scary experience all together; but thank you all for your great reviews and your continued support. Please remember to review, and please check out my profile for other stories, outfits and pictures. Now for the newest chapter of The Light In The Dark, Enjoy!

Chapter XXXVI

BRUCE POV

My nerves were anything but calm as I awaited Candace's call. My concern for Elena's mental and physical health only increasing ten fold as she was away from me; but not wanting to smother her and allow her to heal in her own way, I let her go; but at the same time I couldn't help but think I was being too lenient with her as my own guilt in the death of our child ate away at me.

When my cellphone finally rang, my heart leaped into my throat as I quickly dug my cell phone out of my trousers' pockets, and immediately pressed it to my ear as I answered, sighing at relief that it was Candace; but what she had to say was much worse than I would have liked…and by the next hour, Alfred and I were on my plane to a hospital in Paris, where Elena was admitted after Candace found her unconscious in her hotel room.

WAYNE PRIVATE JET EN ROUTE TO MALDIVES – ETA 17 Hours 10 Minutes

Now not a day later, the soft hum of jet's engine could be heard as I sat in my private jet, Elena's sleeping head resting within my lap as I ran my fingers through her dark brown tresses.

According to her doctor, Elena had passed out due to malnutrition and great lack of sleep; and in his medical opinion was severely depressed, as he recommended that she receive psychiatric help, to which Candace assured me that she would never go for…and although I didn't like it, I knew she was right; if Elena wasn't going to talk us then she sure as hell wasn't going to talk some stranger about her problems, especially considering she could never truly be honest with them.

Thinking more on it, I knew her condition was my fault. My decision not to 'smother' her, was only my desire to distance myself from my own guilt; when now more than ever Elena needed me the most. She needed my comfort, and my love, as her own guilt towards her miscarriage was far greater than my own.

"Are we heading back to Gotham?" Elena's slurred voice asked, penetrating the silence within the jet, as her tired eyes met my own. "No." I whispered softly in reply, continuously running her hair through my fingers. "Then where are we going?" She questioned, undoubtedly struggling to remain conscious.

"The Maldives." I answered, watching her eyebrows crease in confusion. "Sleep…I'll explain more when you're rested." I commanded softly, watching the inner debate flash briefly through her tired eyes; on the one hand wanting to know more, but on the other, her tired body demanding rest; thankfully her body won out as she slipped into unconsciousness once more, and leaving me once again to my thoughts.

My thoughts drifting to Rachel's note, her last words to me, I scolded myself for letting my guilt cause me to almost let this amazing woman slip from my grasp. I needed her, my light and my love, and I vowed here and now that I wouldn't lose her forever. So like our trip to Aspen, Elena and I needed to get away from Gotham, from the prying eyes and ears of the paparazzi to properly heal and talk about where we stood, and the future that we wanted together; and if everything goes as I hoped, our future together would be secured.

SHANGRI-LA'S VILLINGILI RESORT & SPA – ADDU ATOLL, REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES

When we finally touched down in Addu Atoll, after getting some much needed rest myself, Elena having showered and changed into a cream spaghetti strap goddess dress, with her hair flowing naturally down her back, we exited the jet as a transport waited in the air field to take us to our hotel. [AN: Outfit on profile].

"It's beautiful." Elena murmured from my side, her eyes watching the turquoise water and beautiful white beaches that surrounded us. "Yes it is." I agreed, intertwining her hand with my mine, causing her eyes to leave the shining water to meet my own, seemingly surprised at the contact.

"How long are we staying?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper as a storm of emotions raged within her eyes. "As long as we want." I answered, using my free hand to cup her cheek that was exceedingly thinner than normal as I caressed her smooth skin when the transport came to a stop in front of the hotel's reception area.

"Stay here, I'll get us checked in." I said; she nodding in reply, and with a soft chastise kiss to her lips, I released her from grasp, exiting the transport as I headed to the front desk, quickly getting us checked in and immediately ordered some food to our room, knowing I had to get Elena's weight back up; before returning to her side and we were taken to one of the resort's more private accommodations, which would be our room for the duration of our stay.

"What are we doing here?" Elena asked once we were in the privacy of our room that was surrounded by the beautiful turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. "I thought this would be the prefect place for us to get some privacy, and heal." I replied, standing in front of her, keeping my eyes firmly upon hers.

"Do we need to be healed?" She questioned, her eyes shining with unshed tears as the walls holding all that pent up of grief and anger began to break. Sighing in resignation, I paused for a moment, considering my next words as I stepped closer to her, taking her face in between my hands as I spoke.

"I love you…and there is no doubt in my mind on whether or not you love me…" I said, my eyes firmly on her tear brimmed eyes. "…But after everything that has happened; Rachel, Harvey…our baby." I continued, and at the mention of our unborn child, the tears began to flow, her lips trembling as silent sobs began to rack her body.

"I killed our baby." She whispered, her voice and heart broken as my own tears began to fall at hearing the conviction in her voice. "No, you…" I began to protest before she cut me off. "My baby…our baby should have been safe in MY body. He should have been protected." She argued, her voice rising in anger and despair as her frame continued to shake under the weight of her emotions.

"You didn't kill our baby…it…it just wasn't meant to be." I declared, making sure she could hear the conviction in my voice as I said the only thing that I could that get us past this; and we needed to get past this; and Elena blaming herself, or me blaming myself would only do the opposite.

We couldn't change the past, and as much as it hurts, our baby was gone; and although he or she would never be forgotten, we couldn't spend the rest of our lives mourning, and allowing their death to continue to hang over our relationship if we ever wanted to move forward.

"We've suffered…and as much as I, we wish for things to be different, they aren't…but if we stick together; if we love each other, we can move past this…and later, at the right time, our child will live again." I avowed, watching as the grief and anger begin to gradually fade from her eyes with every word.

"I love you." I proclaimed, my conviction clear as a tearful smile graced her lips as she spoke, her conviction matching my own. "And I love you."

GENERAL POV – ONE MONTH LATER

A month had passed and Elena and Bruce remained in Maldives, both healing and repairing their relationship as they moved past her miscarriage; and now they were finally returning to Gotham, before Elena would eventually have to go to New York for the fittings for the Victoria Secret Fashion Show that was set to take place in three months time.

The soft white light of the sun woke Elena gently from her sleep. Her body was warm, but comfortable as her bare legs lied intertwined with Bruce's, their bodies sharing their warmth, at a comfortable temperature, as Elena made no move to move away as she turned her head slightly and smiled, looking upon Bruce's handsome face that looked so peaceful, now more than ever, his eyes no longer shut in exhaustion due to spending his nights fighting crime as Batman.

And although Elena wasn't happy with outcome of the Joker incident, she had to admit that she was elated that Bruce no longer had to put on the cape, thanks to the Dent Act that was being put into effect. Now although the act was based on a lie, and with Batman labeled public enemy #1, Elena couldn't find in herself hate the fact that the act meant there would be no more bruises or knife wounds, and no more going to sleep or waking up to an empty bed sick with worry.

Smiling, Elena gently removed Bruce's arm from her waist as she tried to sit up, but not before she felt a tug on her arm. Looking back, she saw Bruce smile tiredly. "Hey." He whispered; his eyes alight with happiness and…apprehension? Ignoring the latter, a smile graced her own lips as Bruce dragged her down onto his bare chest, reveling in the sudden warmth; laughed lightly when he began to kiss her neck, slowly trailing downwards in light touches.

Almost an hour later, lying in tangled sheets and heavy breathing, after an exchange of passionate kisses, soft, but heated caresses, they finally parted as their stomachs demanded substance. "C'mon get up." Elena commanded, moving backwards to escape his embrace.

Groaning, Bruce fell back onto the bed, arm thrown over his eyes as Elena smiled sympathetically at his dramatic behavior, grabbing her robe as she made her way into the bathroom, the natural light of the sun coming in from the windows providing more than adequate light as the surrounding water shined a bright turquoise in the morning sun.

Taking a hairbrush into her left hand, Elena began running it slowly through her soft brown tresses when her eyes caught glint sapphire and diamond glint on her finger. Gasping, too stunned to say anything, Elena placed the brush back unto the marble counter before pulling her own hand closer, so she could get a better look at her hand's newest accessory; and as her mind finally registered what it was and, what it meant, Elena quickly ran from the room and into the bedroom, where Bruce sat on the end of the bed, his eyes firmly upon hers.

A HOUR EARLIER

Bruce was already awake as the sun began to peek over the turquoise horizon. Looking down to his side, his eyes rested on Elena's peaceful form as she slept, her weight once again back to normal and the dark circles around her eyes having vanished as she was once again fully healthy, both physically and emotionally.

Reaching over into his bedside table, he took out a small black velvet box, flipping It open with his thumb and taking the ring within into his hand, he returned the box to its drawer before closing it softly and Taking Elena's left hand gently into his own. Sliding the ring – a oval blue sapphire framed by round diamonds in a 18k white gold band – unto Elena's finger, he gently kissed her knuckles before placing her hand back at her side as his heart beat wildly in his chest.

Bruce knew this wasn't the most romantic of way of asking, but right now he hardly cared as all there was left to do was wait; and it seemed he wouldn't have to wait long as he could see Elena stirring as he relaxed back against the sheets, pretending to be asleep once more.

PRESENT TIME

Elena and Bruce stared at each other for a moment, before Bruce caught her eye looking down at the ring again, and his throat caught. He wondered what she would think of it, and with his heart was pounding more fiercely than it ever had in battle; and although he was confident she wouldn't say no, he couldn't help the nervous flutter that rose in his stomach just the same; and as tears brimmed Elena's chocolate brown eyes, Bruce finally found his voice.

"Elena… will you marry me?"

CLIFFHANGER! Will Elena say yes?

REVIEW! Please remember to review!

- Dark Alana.