AN: Here's the final chapter of "Aggressive Expansion." Thanks to those of you who stuck with the story till the end! And a special thanks to angelfishlex and Ossiana of the B.P.R.D. for reviewing EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER!! You guys rock!!! I hope you all enjoy the conclusion, and please feel free to leave a review and let me know how you liked it and the story. Thanks everyone! Enjoy...

SIX MONTHS LATER

The past few months had been a complete whirlwind, despite not having to worry about The Joker and his lovely antics. We had to announce the engagement officially, which of course sent the media into a frenzy that "Gotham's most eligible bachelor" was actually tying the knot. Then there was the planning of the wedding.

I had tried to convince Bruce to just hop on that private jet of his and go to Vegas. He thought that was cheesy though. Plus he argued wanting to give me the "perfect" wedding because "you only get married once." I had laughed and told him that in this day and age, most people got married and divorced at least once. Except, I knew I wouldn't be divorcing him.

We argued many nights about the wedding. He wanted to give me that big wedding that every little girl fantasizes about. I insisted that's not what I wanted. Let's face it, simple was fine for me…I wasn't most girls anyways, so why did we have to be so fancy because I was marrying a billionaire? I would much rather it be just me, him, Dad, and Alfred as opposed to the entire city. I grinned as I remember that disagreement.

"It won't be the entire city, Melanie," he insisted.

"Oh, sure. When 'Gotham's most eligible bachelor' gets married, you can be sure there'd probably even be media coverage of the event as live proof to those who wouldn't believe the playboy Bruce Wayne would actually settle down with one woman."

Bruce sighed in defeat. "Well then what is it that you want?"

My answer had been simple: "Let's just sail away together."

Naturally, that had puzzled him. So I had to explain that I didn't need the big to-do. Quite honestly, The Joker may be locked up, but I still wasn't willing to believe that my dream wouldn't come true. I mean, The Joker had escaped twice before from that horrid place.

Finally, we had agreed that we would use his boat. We would set sail in Gotham Harbor and be married just a few minutes before sunset as we sailed out of the harbor and into the open ocean. We would only invite Alfred and my dad. I had attempted to invite Mom, but she didn't really seem to want to see my father so she politely declined. We would drop them off at the next port after a light dinner. Then Bruce and I would set sail to on our honeymoon, destined for the Caribbean.

And now it was merely a few days before I was to be married to a man that had been insanely kind to me, comforted me every time I needed, protected me from one of the most notorious criminals, and had chosen to love me despite my indecisiveness. If someone would have told me upon moving to Gotham, I'd be marrying him, I would've told them they were insane…but here I was, about to become Mrs. Bruce Wayne.

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I continued to remain locked up in this damn cell. Unfortunately, they decided to keep a better eye on me this time around, so there was no escaping. At least, not yet. It wasn't impossible and I had every intention of finding a way out. The trouble was that I wasn't going to leave my little accomplice behind. So to get Benjamin out as well as myself took more planning. Hell, I was even considering breaking The Riddler out too. Sure I didn't like his stupid riddles, but he could be an asset.

I may have been locked up in this retched place, but I wasn't without contact to the outside world. I had heard all about Bruce and Mel's wedding plans. With me not terrorizing the wonderful people of Gotham, Mr. Playboy and his bride-to-be were the biggest headline for the news.

I scoffed when I heard about the finalized plans. Leave it to Melanie to have to make it overly simplistic. Hell, if I would've said yes to her begging proposal we probably would've had to just run off somewhere and elope. Actually, she probably would've rather we just go to the courthouse for the marriage license but I doubt that would've worked well…

I still felt shoved aside to not be invited. I mean I had showed her what this city was all about after all. I'm actually partly responsible for her meeting Bruce…or maybe her being so drawn to him in the end. Oh well, it didn't mean that someday I couldn't get her back from his grip. I laughed at that thought and how crushed poor Brucie would be.

I wrote them a letter too, wondering why I hadn't been invited. I never got a response though. Somehow that hadn't surprised me.

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The day had finally arrived. Bruce had insisted that if we had the wedding my way then we had to at least keep to the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride until she walked down the aisle on wedding day. I had agreed to that condition. I spent the night before at my dad's house. I then spent the morning getting ready and pacing the entire house out of anxiety.

Before I knew it, my dad called me to the car. It was time to go. We arrived at Gotham Harbor in plenty of time. I could make out Bruce's figure on the boat already. My heart skipped a beat as I wondered if he was as nervous as I was.

My dad helped me out of the car, and began walking me down the dock to enter the boat. I drew in my breath as I saw how beautifully the boat had been decorated. It was covered in white ribbons, lined with white roses and pale lavender lilacs. A rolled up banner had been attached to the back of the boat, and I knew what it probably said.

Once my dad and I were on board, the boat set sail, headed for the entrance/exit of the harbor. The boat drifted slowly and I did my best to remain calm, though my hands felt sweaty.

Finally the time had come. The magical wedding music had begun to play. My dad and I walked down the "aisle" to the bow of the ship where Bruce was awaiting. I smiled as naturally as I could with my stomach doing summersaults. Bruce returned the smile as his eyes danced with wonder.

When Dad and I reached him, Dad placed my hands in Bruce's. "Take good care of her," Dad whispered.

Bruce nodded, "I will." Then he turned to me and said, "You look beautiful."

I beamed, "And you're more handsome than I had ever dreamed."

Bruce turned slightly red as we turned to the preacher. We exchanged our vows, promising to love each other in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, until death do us part. I placed a simple silver band upon Bruce's ring finger. He placed a matching, though much smaller, one upon my ring finger along side the heart-shaped diamond.

The preacher gave Bruce permission to kiss me. Bruce leaned in, and before allowing our lips to meet, he whispered, "I promise I will never leave you alone in this world." Then we kissed as the sun sank into the water and the world disappeared.

The banner had been dropped, reading "JUST MARRIED." The ship made it's way peacefully to the next harbor in the next city. We enjoyed Alfred and Dad's company until we reached that destination. They both wished us a safe and enjoyable trip as they stepped off the ship.

I went to bed in Bruce's arms and awoke the next morning with the same strong loving arms wrapped around me. I knew from that moment on, I would always awake to find him with me. I would never have to feel threatened again because he would always be there keeping a watchful eye over me. I smiled as I kissed him lightly, thrilled that I had found arms that I would always be safe in.

His eyes fluttered open and he smiled. "Good morning, sunshine!"

"Morning," I replied.

Suddenly, Bruce's cell phone rang. He answered, "Hello?"

I was sitting close enough that I could hear Alfred's voice, "You're not to return from your honeymoon, Master Wayne. Not when you're halfway to the Caribbean already. But I feel you should know…"

"Know what?" Bruce asked.

"The Joker has escaped from Arkham once more."

"Alone?"

"No, sir. Benjamin and The Riddler are also gone."

"Thanks, Alfred," Bruce replied.

"Yes, sir, Master Bruce. Do try to enjoy your honeymoon though."

"That shouldn't be a problem," Bruce said, shooting a smile at me. Then he disconnected the phone call with Alfred.

I gave him an uncertain look. Would The Joker try to find us or just wait till we return? Would he go after Dad or Alfred to make us return early? Would he come after me when we got back?

Bruce gave me a reassuring look, hug, and kiss. I knew once more that I was safe with him. He would never let The Joker win. And he would never let that murdering psychopath do me harm again. "It just never ends, Mel," he sighed.

I leaned against his shoulder. "I suppose, but at least I've got a personal protector in Batman."