This is my first fanfic. I would love comments on it. I have no idea how long it will take me to finish the story.
Disclaimer: Rachel Dawes and the Batman people do not belong to me. They belong to DC comics. I think.
Rachel Dawes was puzzled. She slouched in her chair, her mind racing through the recent leads she'd stumbled upon. Normally the work she was given wasn't detective type of work Her job as an attorney required that she get the facts on her client and prove the case to his or her favor, not search for clues or connections. What was all of this paperwork doing on her desk anyway? With Bruce…Batman working double time to capture criminals (easily as it appeared to come to him, she knew his difficulties and conflicts), she had been promoted and was given the privilege of passing on assignments at her leisure.
Not that Rachel Dawes was lazy…no, any scarface or jailbird could tell you that, as they glared from the confines of their inward and outward prison. However, her hours spent at work had been taking their toll on her health in all avenues. Both Bruce and Alfred had urged her to slow down. After consulting a doctor, Rachel decided to take everyone's advice. She'd taken advantage of her position and surprisingly begun to enjoy her job again. A vacation was in the works as well…Bruce had graciously offered her a week at his mountain resort. Alone of course, because Batman couldn't take a vacation.
The past few weeks had been encouraging. Until she realized how quickly the cases stacked up again. Rachel gave her head a quick shake, coming to the present. She leaned forward, determined to put all her focus on the top priority, which seemed to be this mystery straight from a novel. She shuffled through the reams with one hand, sipping her now lukewarm coffee with the other. The papers cascaded from her fingertips into a neat pile. Her mind wandered again…that vacation would be nice. If only Bruce could come…
Her cell phone vibrated, buzzing angrily. Rachel scrambled for it, tipping her mug in the process. The coffee spread all over her desk while she picked up the papers and tried to answer her phone at the same time.
"Hello?"
Silence.
Rachel almost screamed in frustration. Now she was dripping coffee, had no idea who had called, and would have to sort through every single folder and dry the sopped pages. She slapped the phone shut and slammed it onto the desk. I can't handle this right now…I can't handle this…ran through her mind over and over, her eyes squinched shut, fingers wiping her forehead.
A moment passed when she realized everyone in the room was staring at her, no doubt surprised at her outburst. Embarassment filled her stomach.
"Uh…excuse me. I really didn't mean to...get so angry. I think I'll go clean up."
Heads nodded around the room. They understood frustration…they just didn't usually associate it with Rachel Dawes.
With everyone's attention back on work, Rachel walked briskly to the ladies' room. She had to hurry, so the papers wouldn't stick together, and she must find out who it was that called…not to mention the budget meeting, the intern that was coming in two days, and that…strange mystery file.
She was concentrating so hard she nearly didn't hear her supervisor's voice call after her.
"Miss Dawes? Miss Dawes! Rachel!"
Sighing, she turned around.
"Sir, I really need to go wash up…"
"I agree. I only hope you won't go into the men's room to do so."
Rachel's eyes widened. She slowly turned to see the door of…yes. The men's room. She nearly collapsed.
It was time for that vacation.