Bruce Wayne downed another shot from his glass of chardonnay and looked about the room. Most of these people he didn't recognize, but the ones that he did see seemed to avoid him. Maybe because last time there was a big event, his home burned down.

Nearby, an older man, round and balding, obviously had a few two many and was laughing a deep belly laugh as he shuffled past Bruce. He gave him a once over and raised his eyebrows practically above his hairline…if he had one left.

"My god, Bruce! Bruce Wayne! Well, it's a surprise to see you here!"

"Quite a surprise." Bruce smiled good-naturedly and tried to hold the smile as the man leaned in, reeking of sweet liquor and schnapps.

"I do hope you donate to this charity my boy. It's quite good, yes? Good. Good. Carry on with the festivities!" Bruce blinked as the man stumbled away guffawing and nothing in particular.

"Oh how I love these little events." Bruce muttered, grinning ear to ear. He surveyed the massive banquet hall for any sort of fun he could have. He had flirted with the bar attendant and got free drinks for it, but now he was quite bored again. He wished Rachel was there. Usually they could get along just fine. But she hadn't seen him for weeks upon weeks. Bruce had to get his mind off her until she came around. His eyes stopped on a young lady in the distant part of the room seated at a small table near the entrance. She wore a snow-white cocktail gown with ornate black deco creeping up from the hem. Bruce cast a side glance from the corner of his eye and spotted a waiter slowly approaching with a tray filled with drinks. As he drifted by Bruce, the young man plucked a glass of white wine from him and started towards the young lady.

As he approached, she watched him with a blank, indifferent look. Bruce set the drink in front of her and smirked.

"It's a party. Don't look so 'thrilled' and have a drink on me."

The young woman eyed the wine before a smile graced her pale face. "On you? I thought I just saw you take it off of that waiter's tray," She giggled, pointing a dainty finger across the way.

Bruce pondered a moment before snatching a seat across from her and resting her arms on the table.

"So you saw that, huh?"

"Yes I did."

"Hmm. Well, then that makes me look like a thief doesn't it?"

"Yes it does." She picked up the glass so delicately it looked like it would fall from her fingertips. "But how can I blame you. Half of these guys either ignore you or forget to bring you something. Am I right, Mr. Wayne?"

Bruce was a bit surprised. She knew his name? How? The young lady seemed to respond to his surprise with a soft laugh.

"I read a lot of newspapers, Mr. Wayne. I recognized you from some of the photos. Does that answer your question?"

"Why, yes it does. But I believe I've never seen you at one of these events," Bruce stated plainly and smirked. "So what is your name, miss…"

The girl looked up from her glass, but her look gave Bruce sudden chills. "Adriana," She murmured, giving him a faint smile once more.

Bruce cleared his throat as he fixed his bow-tie. "Adriana? That's a lovely name." Bruce folded his hands together and stared at the empty chair beside her. "Adriana, may I ask you something?"

She shrugged her shoulders and nodded, taking another pull on her drink.

"What is a charming lady like you doing here at this lavish overkill of a party? You can't possibly enjoy it?"

"Well, I'm here more for the…charity work. You see my husband is…was…on the police force."

Bruce didn't like the way her tone seemed to drop from cheerful and receptive to cold and reclusive. But something about her voice was so dismal, he couldn't just up and leave.

"Was? What do you mean 'was'?"

Adriana looked down at her hands and pursed her lips. "Well, he was killed while on duty. It was hard to let go, but I think he would want me to be happy now. Plus, if this place is giving the money to help rebuild the jail and asylum, we can get those criminals off the streets. That's what my Carlos did." She smiled proudly, her tone warm once again. Bruce nodded.

"I'm sorry to hear about your husband. But it's nice to see you've taken a step to get out."

Adriana sighed before frowning and taking a quick look around. "Mr. Wayne, do you perhaps know when the dinner will be served?"

"Dinner?" Bruce didn't know the reason for the sudden change in direction of the conversation, but he looked down at his watch and shrugged. "Probably another half hour or so."

Adriana began rummaging through her purse, smiling to herself. "I knew I should have eaten lunch. You have no idea how hard it has been to remember the simplest things!"

Bruce chuckled. "Oh I know, trust me." He watched as she pulled a round, maroon object from the purse and set it down before her. He frowned at it, then looked up at her. Adriana was smiling at him.

"I can see you've never eaten a pomegranate before? What can I say, I'm a health nut." She stared at the object for a moment and her smile wilted. "Carlos used to love these." She looked up at Bruce and laughed. "We actually planted a tree of these for his birthday. Ever since he passed away, the tree has been going along with him."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You know…my grief counselor, Sandy, she told me the best way to move on is to give small things that remind you of lost loved ones." Adriana picked up the fruit a moment before placing it in Bruce's hand. "Here. Take it."

"Wh-what?"

"You've been quite a nice man to chat with, Bruce. You're not like many of the guys that come around me. I liked the change. Very gentleman-like."
Bruce smiled at the compliments from a total stranger and laughed. "Well, I…er…" He stared at the pomegranate and grinned, holding it up at her. "Thank you. Once I get food in my stomach, I'll eat this for dessert."

Adriana smiled and nodded faintly as Bruce got up when the lights dimmed. "Enjoy your evening Bruce. Perhaps we can chat soon again."

"Perhaps we can." Bruce smirked and turned on his heels, stalking towards his table.

Adriana wrung her hands together, waiting until he was far enough away, before stealing off into the crowd and making her way towards the exit. A security guard held out his hand and raised an eyebrow.

"Leaving already, ma'am? Dinner is about to start."

"Yes sir. Well, I completely forgot to give the sitter keys, just in case she wanted to leave the house and bring my son for a drive. I have to leave now if I want to make it back in time."

"Oh, well, go right ahead, miss." The guard smiled and gave a quick nod as she glided out the door.

Outside, the air was cold. Adriana pulled her black coat tighter around her and let out a long breath that chilled into a white fog, hanging in front of her like a phantom. She checked her watch, muttering to herself, as she quickened her pace. She wanted to be at home when the news came over the television:

"Bruce Wayne found dead in his home." Or…even better. Found dead at the banquet. Adriana smiled, wrapped up in her dream-like state. She didn't see the man standing on the curb as she walked by. Nor did she hear him start to follow, his footsteps light and quick. She only felt a warm arm link with hers and jerk her around a corner. Her head snapped around and she stared at the offender. His face was smooth and his features were round and shapely. His dark hair fell into his face, but she caught a glimpse of him and let out a gasp.

"YOU…"

"Just keep walking Mrs. De Soto."

Adriana tried to free herself, but the man held fast. She glowered at him. "You're the man from the cemetery. You're a stalker aren't you!"

"Stalker? No. I prefer the term 'faithful observer'."

"Observer? How about observing my fist in your mouth?"

The man chuckled icily and tugged at her again, picking up their gait. "You are in no position for threats, Mrs. De Soto."

"I can do just as I please."

The man looked her up and down from the corner of his eye and snorted. "Of course you can."

"Just who the heck are you?" She snarled and yanked on her arm, but it was no use. He held fast.

"Me? My name is Jonathan. I thought I told you that at the cemetery. Or did you ignore me there?"

"I probably ignored you, you little worm."

"Oh that's rich. Worm." He held out his hand as they turned another corner. "My name is Jonathan Crane."

Adriana refused to grab his hand. "You already seem to know my name. I see no need to tell you it."

"As you wish…" He grinned.

Jonathan pointed to a black convertible car, practically hauling Adriana to it.
"Well…get in."

Adriana shook her head and whipped around, struggling to break free from his grasp.
"Let me go! I'm not getting in your car!"

"Mrs. De Soto, I don't think you want to start a scene. The police are the LAST people you want to see…"

Adriana growled as she was shoved into the front seat and watched as Crane gave her a cool, knowing smile. She slammed her fist against the glass and sneered as it cracked and spider-webbed beneath her hand. Crane crossed over to the driver's seat and frowned disapprovingly at the young lady.

"Now, now…that wasn't very nice."

"Kidnapping isn't very nice either."

"You're not a kid. And I never said I was nice. Don't worry," Crane began, his faint smile appearing once more as he started up the car, "I'll give you the bill for that window."

Adriana scowled and turned, staring out the cracked window. After a while of driving, as well as complete silence, Jonathan cast a glance from the corner of his eyes at Adriana.

"You're quite silent for a woman stuffed in a car with a stranger. Any thoughts? Feelings?"

"I feel nauseous."

"From nervousness?"

Adriana faced him with the same calm demeanor he had displayed earlier. "I'm nauseous from being stuck in this car with some guy and his cheap cologne."

Jonathan grinned. "My cologne's not cheap. And if you feel so sick, open the window a bit." He paused and gave a soft laugh. "Oh that's right. The window is damaged." He made a sudden sharp turn, sending Adriana against the passenger's door and slamming her head against the glass. She let out a painful cry and sat very still until she felt the car roll to a stop a few seconds later. Crane exited the car and walked over to open her door, holding out a hand to help her up.

Adriana looked up from his hand and locked eyes with him. They held a sympathetic look, but it was still eerily ice cold.
"You really should learn to wear a seatbelt. That might turn out to be a nasty little bump."