*Chapter 8: Date with a Bat*
Bullock sat across from the man who is in handcuffs. A member of the Penguin group. He was caught in a streets last night while he and the others tried to break their boss out of Blackgate. Too bad Penguin will have to wait a little longer to get out of jail.
"We have a couple of questions for you, buddy." Bullock said. "You're lucky the Bat isn't here to interrogate you. So, you got me. Now, did you or did you not cause the fire at one of the apartment buildings here in Gotham City weeks ago?" He threw the newspaper down for the man to look at. The thug scoffed at the detective.
"Ya think I did it?" He asked.
"You were there." Bullock said. "And you had to be the one who traveled to Ms. Harlow's hometown three years ago and set the apartment building on fire. You been to Bridgeston? That was Ms. Harlow's hometown of where the fire happened and got her husband killed."
"You got the wrong guy, detective." The thug laughed. "I never been to a place that is hours away from this damn city." Bullock lights his cigarette, glaring at the Penguin thug. "And I never heard of this Ms. Harlow."
"You know something!" Bullock said, slamming his fist down. "You must've know something! Tell me!"
Behind the mirror, Jim and Ben watched the interrogation in silent. Jim shook his head. They caught the wrong person. The killer is still out there. But then, something caught the commissioner's attention. The thug told Bullock that he has seen suspicious people around Arkham City and there was a hideout somewhere. Whoever this man is, he could be in Arkham.
"Think he's telling the truth?" Ben asked.
"He ain't the killer, that's for sure, but he could be the key of where this hideout could be in Arkham City." Jim said. "We will search there tonight. We will contact Batman." Ben crossed his arms and look at the thug. Next stop is Arkham.
"Oh my god, you serious?!" Trixie gasped. Mia had told her that she is going on a date with Bruce tomorrow night. A real date this time. "Wow. You two could make a great couple!"
"I...doubt it." Mia said with a blush. Dr. Raymond walked in to hear their conversation. He recovered after the shock from the rabbit mask days ago. At least no one else got hurt. When he asked what had happened, Mia had to tell him that the Mad Hatter was caught earlier by the cops after she called right away. She couldn't tell her boss that she went to Hatter alone and found out the truth of the fire.
"Ladies, I know Valentine's Day is tomorrow and have important things to do after, but get back to work." Dr. Raymond said. "I pray that no surprises will come in after the masked men came in here." He shuddered a bit.
"Right. Sorry, sir." Trixie said. She gave Mia a wink before walking away. Mia rolled her eyes before walking around the desk. She picked up the poem from days ago and wondered who sent it to her. Maybe it was Bruce? She could ask him if he knew poetry.
In the corner of the hospital, a figure in a trench coat watched the nurse with a glare. He walked away, plans forming in his mind.
It was Friday evening, and Mia didn't waste time but come home and had to be ready for the date. She doesn't know why, but she felt nervous. A real date with Bruce Wayne. He did say he had a good time with her the other night.
"You sure you gonna be okay?" Mia asked her son while she is doing her hair. She is wearing a dark red dress with red heels. "Call me if there is an emergency."
"I'll be fine." Axel said, sitting on her bed. "Unless I have to contact Batman if there is real trouble going on around here. Which I doubt." Mia got up and grabbed her keys and purse. But, they hear a knock on the door. Mia and Axel walked out of the bedroom and Mia opened the door and there was Bruce. He is wearing a suit, showing his small smile.
"Bruce?" Mia gasped. "You...you're here?"
"I thought it would be fair if I pick you up instead. Alfred is preparing dinner for us." Bruce said. "May I come in?" Mia stepped back and let him inside her apartment. "I hope you don't mind me coming early."
"No. I just got ready. But, please make yourself at home." Mia told him. "Just give me a minute. Axel, can you give him something to drink?"
"I'm good. Take your time, Mia." Bruce said. Mia smiled and walk back to her room. Axel and Bruce walk in the living room and sat on the couch. Axel scratched the back of his head, trying to come up with a conversation. "You like it here so far?" Bruce asked the boy.
"Yeah, it's fine." Axel said. He leaned over to him. "Any leads yet?" He whispered. "About...who caused the fire?"
"Don't worry about that. It may take a while to find the criminal." Bruce told him. "If Gordan found something, he will let Batman know. But he won't be available tonight. I talked to Dick and he said he would take my place in case something comes up tonight."
"What if they need you?" Axel asked.
"If it's really that important, I will be there." Bruce said. "I just...don't want to cut this date short. I've always been told to take a night off every now and then."
"So...you like my mom?" Axel asked. "Ever since she met you, she's...happy. Seeing her happy makes me happy. She hasn't dated in over a year. And I'm not gonna lie to you, Bruce, but...I think you are a perfect choice for her."
"That is up to her. I can't rush her to be in a relationship with me." Bruce told him. They both hear footsteps. Bruce stood up to see Mia. "You ready?"
"Of course." Mia said with a nod. She turned to her son. "Axel, I'll be back later. Don't stay up late." She gave him a kiss on the head before heading out with Bruce. The man patted the boy's shoulder, giving him a wink. Axel smiled at him.
At Wayne Manor, Bruce and Mia walked through the hallway with glasses of wine. Mia looked at the paintings and a replica of Gotham City with Wayne Industries and Wayne Plaza. She couldn't help but to think that Bruce is like a prince of this city. But as Batman, a savior. But has Bruce ever thought of marriage? Any woman could be lucky to have him as a husband.
'Mia! Stop! You sound you like you wanted to marry a man you only met a week ago! Snap out of it!' Mia thought. She accidently bumped into him.
"You okay?" Bruce asked, facing her.
"I'm sorry." Mia said, blushing again. "I was...lost in my thoughts." Bruce chuckled at her and took her hand to lead her. "So, how was your day?" Mia asked, trying to think of a good conversation.
"The usual. Lucius has been working on a upgrade of my car." Bruce told her.
"Lucius?" Mia wondered.
"Oh, right. You never met him. He works for me at the Wayne Enterprises and creates some of the gadgets for Batman." Bruce said. "I told him about you. Maybe you two could met one day."
"I'd like that." Mia said.
XX
Bruce and Mia are eating at the table that Alfred made for them. The two got along very well. Mia felt happy and safe with him. But, dinner isn't the only thing that Bruce had in mind for tonight. After their meal, Bruce took Mia by the hand and lead out of the dining room.
They walked in the ballroom. Mia was amazed by the size of it. She figured this room was used for parties. She wondered how often did Bruce have parties here or at his company.
"Would you like to dance?" Bruce asked.
"Of course." Mia said. Bruce walked over to the record player. Familiar music started to play. The song by Seal. Mia frowned a bit, but she wipes it off as Bruce returned to her. "You like this song?" She asked.
"One of my favorites." Bruce said. "If you don't like it, I could change it-"
"No. It's fine." Mia said. Bruce held her hand as his free hand went around her waist. Mia's free hand is on his shoulder and look up at him as the song plays.
There used to be a graying tower alone on the sea,
You became the light on the dark side of me.
Love remained a drug that's the high and not the pill,
But did you know that when it snows,
My eyes become large and the light that you shine can be seen?
They waltz around the ballroom, smiling at each other. Mia couldn't believe she still danced like this after a while. Memories of her and Walter danced to this sing is coming back. Their wedding song. Now, here she is, dancing to this song with Bruce. Mia looked into his blue eyes, giving him a small smile.
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah.
And now that your rose is in bloom,
A light hits the gloom on the gray.
"This was our wedding song. Me and my husband's I mean." Mia spoke. "It's one of his favorite songs and he picked it for our wedding dance."
"I don't mind if you want to change the song." Bruce said, slow dancing with her now. "I want to make you comfortable." Mia shook her head at him.
"No. I'm fine with it." She said. "I'm happy to be out and about again and..." She paused when she started to have tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry." Bruce brought her close. "God, I'm such a baby." Mia giggled.
"It's okay." Bruce whispered to her.
There is so much a man can tell you, so much he can say.
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain, baby.
To me you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny,
Won't you tell me, is that healthy, baby?
But did you know that when it snows,
My eyes become large and the light that you shine can be seen?
They continue to dance around the ballroom. Mia felt her heart pound as she rests her head against Bruce's chest. She felt his chin resting on her head, barely feeling his lips. Mia dried her eyes and took a breath.
"You're so patient." She said. "Most men aren't."
"You could say I am not like the others." Bruce said, wiping her tears away with his thumb. "We both go through tough times. I think about my parents' death everyday. A day I never forget. But they would want me to be happy and move on. If they were alive right now, things could be different. I wouldn't be Batman. And I would be with a woman I love."
"I tried to do the same after Walter died. A year after his funeral, I dated and things weren't meant to be." Mia said. "But I was so afraid..."
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah.
Now that your rose is in bloom,
A light hits the gloom on the gray.
"Of what?" Bruce asked.
"Of..." Mia paused again, shutting her eyes. "Oh, I can't talk about it. Not now. This is supposed to be a good night. I feel like I'm ruining it." Bruce kept her close to him to comfort her. "I'm sorry, Bruce."
"Don't be. Never say you are sorry for anything you didn't do." Bruce told her. "I'm here for you. I'm not here to judge you for anything. You and Axel are the ones that matter to me now. You two know I am Batman and I trust you both or keeping a secret." Mia looked at him. He trusts her. "And I promise the killer will be stopped once he is found."
I've been kissed by a rose on the gray.
I've been kissed by a rose on the gray.
I've been kissed by a rose on the gray.
(And if I should fall, would it all go away?)
I've been kissed by a rose on the gray.
Mia didn't say a word. She embraced him. Bruce gently rubs her back up and down. Mia thanked him for everything. She pulled away and wanted to continue their dance as her tears are dry.
"How could I repay you for this?" Mia asked him.
"You don't need to." Bruce said. "I only want to keep you and your son safe."
There is so much a man can tell you, so much he can say.
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain.
To me you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny,
Now won't you tell me, is that healthy, baby?
But did you know that when it snows,
My eyes become large and the light that you shine can be seen?
Bruce gently strokes Mia's left cheek, looking into her eyes. Mia smiled by his touch. Her free hand went to his chest and felt his heartbeat. Bruce held her hand with the other. He brought his forehead towards hers, closing his eyes. Their noses barely touched. Mia felt her cheeks burn up. The moment between them is silent other than hearing the song that is close to an end. Bruce grew attached to this woman. He never felt anything like this before. The women he dated before were nothing like Mia. His heart felt warm.
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah.
Now that your rose is in bloom,
A light hits the gloom on the gray.
Yes, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah.
Now that your rose is in bloom,
A light hits the gloom on the gray.
"Mia..." Bruce spoke.
"Hm?" The woman looked up at him. Bruce leans towards her. Mia didn't try to stop him. She closes her eyes and lean up.
Now that your rose is in bloom,
A light hits the gloom on the gray...
"Master Bruce!" Alfred called. Bruce and Mia moved away and turn to Alfred who held a cellphone. Mia hides her blush. "Forgive me sir, but this is urgent! You and Ms. Harlow must return to the apartment right away!"
"What? Why?" Mia asked.
"There is a fire!" Alfred said. Mia gasped. Her apartment is on fire. Her son is there. Bruce rushed out of the ballroom, telling Mia to follow him. They have to get Axel out of there. Mia prayed for her son to be alive and out.