Chapter 22

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New Chapter, read, enjoy and review.

Seven years and two months before the siege of Gotham City

"I can always push but I'm going to need more than that." Rachel said as we stepped into Joanna's office.

"I know." I answered. "Problem is that no one's seen or heard anything."

"You'd think that with this new Harvey Dent Act, tongues would untie." Joanna said sitting down behind her desk.

"Yeah, well, people are still scared." I retorted. "Most of them refuse to talk." I shoved my hands in my pockets and stood straighter. "We may have a lead, though."

"And what is that lead?" Jonna asked leaning back in her chair

"Words on the street is that Zucco has a drug lab in the Narrows." I answered. "The most prolific lab the Carmine's family has ever got."

"Words on the streets?" Joanna repeated.

"My good informant." I smiled.

"Your good informant's words won't hold in front of a judge." Joanna said.

"True. Stephens is working on Zucco's books as we speak. Edward Skeevers is ready to testify against him, in exchange of a good deal." I continued. "All we need right now is to prove how and from where Zucco is smuggling the drugs."

"And if we can prove this lab is in fact his." Rachel added. "The biggest drug dealer of Gotham won't see the light of day for a very long time."

"And one more blow to the Carmine's family." I finished. "I will need a warrant to search and seize any evidences, I may find."

"I think Rachel can convince Judge Surillo to hand it to you." Joanna said.

Rachel stood up. "I'll call you as soon as I have it."

It's been ten months since Harvey Dent died. ten months since the Dark Knight was last seen. Life was following its course. It was almost as if nothing ever happened. Almost as if the Joker hadn't put Gotham into complete chaos, months before. But he had. And Gotham was rebuilding itself slowly. Was still grieving the death of their White Knight and the loss of their Vigilante. Because in spite of what we affirmed to the media and the public. People still believed in Batman. They still believed that what he did good by them. They believed that he would come back one day. I knew he would but not right now. They would have to wait.

I had contemplated the idea of laying out, onto papers, everything I knew…about Bane, about Talia and the chaos they would cause in Gotham. In seven years, from now. I have decided against it. I did it once before and it costed me my best friend. This world took her from me. As if warning me against my involvement. As if telling that the story couldn't be changed. I learned my lesson.

I won't change it.

But I would be prepared. I would be trained and stronger for when they'd come. I would be prepared.

My fear came from what happened before, with Sue's death. If I write down what I know, if I tried anything to change it. A worst outcome than the movie may happen. That Batman may really die. Whether at the hands of Bane or in the explosion. That Gordon may die instead of being injured. That many other people may be killed. It wasn't a risk I was willing to take. Everything had to be exactly as it should be. Exactly like in the movie.

And already I was running into troubles. Rachel Dawes was still alive. The Joker seemed to know about me. Who was to say that Talia and Bane didn't know about me. Also, there were no reasons for Alfred to leave Gotham. Because no fight about Rachel. (Although, that one was a long time coming since Bruce never had feelings for Rachel.) Most importantly, I was part of this world. My presence itself was already changing the story.

No matter what happened. I would not change the story. I would not make it worse.

"Mr. Wayne." I greeted him as I let him in my flat.

"Detective Sanders." He smiled back before kissing me quickly.

Bruce and I tried to spend as much time together as possible. We were taking small steps in this relationship. We were moving slow. Taking our times. Enjoying this relationship as much as we could.

"I brought some wine." Bruce announced putting the bottle down on the counter.

"Great." I said taking the bottle. "It'll go well with spaghetti."

He sat down at the table as I grabbed the glasses from the cupboard. "How did it go?" He asked me.

"Well." I replied putting a wine filled glass in front of him. "Rachel is appealing to a judge for a warrant. I'm just expecting her call." He served me a plate. "Thanks for the tip."

"It's not really like I can use this technology anymore. Not after…" He trailed off.

"I know." I said softly. "Anyway, to Joanna you are my good informant."

"A very handsome good informant, I hope." He joked.

I scoffed. "She doesn't have to know that."

"Bon Appétit." He said.

"Bon Appétit, Monsieur." I said back.

"Will you, one day, ever let me take you on a real date?"

"This is a real date." I frowned. "We are eating, drinking, having fun."

"I meant take you out on a date." Bruce corrected.

I huffed. "Bruce…" I put down my fork. "You're the Prince of Gotham and I am just a cop. Not really a pairing the public would hope for."

"I don't care about what the people hoped for." Bruce answered. "I care about you. And I want to be able to take you out in a fancy restaurant. I want to show you. I want to be seen with you."

Don't get me wrong, readers. I didn't care about social differences between Bruce and I. I didn't care about journalists or public opinion. And for all I knew, people wouldn't even care. But I grew up in the streets. Ran away from a broken home. From a mother that didn't love me and a stepfather that seemed to love me too much. I was never safe, never protected. And everything I had was taken away from me. I just wanted to keep this for as long as I could. But despite this stupid fear…

"I want to be seen with you too." I smiled. "I just…I don't want…"

"You don't want what?"

"I really want this to work." I continued. "For once in my life, I really want this to work. My past relationships weren't successful. And I didn't really care about those when it ended." I explained. "I'm just being careful."

"So, you want to take it slow. Don't worry, it will work." Bruce assured me. "As long as we talk and trust each other. We'll make it work." I smiled at him.

"Alright." I nodded. "Alright." I pulled my hand from under his. "But not too fancy."

"What?"

"The restaurant. Not too fancy."

I worried. I wanted it to work. And at the same time, I didn't. I tried with all my might to put Talia and Bane at the back of my mind. Lock them away somewhere I couldn't reach. But they came back at the forefront. Small things, small words would bring them back. The most important being the bridge. But also, my relationship with Bruce Wayne.

He was single in the movie Single and broken. And now, we were dating and he seemed hopeful. He was better and I wanted to keep it that way. But what if this relationship caused his downfall. Caused his death. I couldn't let that happen. However, I didn't want our relationship to end.

I had another seven years or so, right? I had time to figure out something.

Seven years before the siege of Gotham City

"You didn't have to do that." Gordon said as I put down his laundry.

"Of course, I have." I replied. "I can't let you show up in dirty clothes."

"Thank you, Emma." Jim nodded. "But I can take care of myself."

"I know." I smiled softly. "Did you talk to the kids?"

"Last night. They're having fun with their grandparents." Gordon took a swing of his beer. "Barbara started a new job. Librarian."

"Is she going to file for a divorce?" I asked carefully. Not knowing how he would react.

He looked at me for a few seconds before answering. "She already did."

"Jim, I'm sorry." I said sadly.

"Don't be." Jim shook his head. "I'm not surprised it happened. Not after what Harvey put them through. I understand. I just hoped that we could work it out. For the kids, at least."

"Maybe, you still can." I said hopefully.

Jim shook his head. "It's better this way. I keep thinking what if Batman wasn't there? What would have happened then?"

"But Batman was there. And Jimmy is safe." I countered. "You should not torture yourself with what-ifs."

"It's hard not to." Gordon scoffed. "What happened that night," he shook his head. "with Harvey…with Batman…I have to live with that. With that secret. It's not right."

"We have to live with that." I corrected. "And I know how heavy it is but we have to keep up appearances. For Gotham." I exhaled. "The crime rate is starting to drop. I hate that we have to lie but I see the necessity…It's a sacrifice we have to make. A sacrifice for a difference."

It's been one year since Harvey Dent died. One year since the Dark Knight was last seen. James Gordon was going through a separation. Barbara and he had been struggling for almost a year. Their marriage was going through a rough patch or so I thought. It all imploded when Barbara took the children and left for Cleveland. She couldn't do it anymore, she said. He understood. But it was killing him. I knew it. So, I was trying to be there for him as much as I could. Thankfully, he had his job to keep his mind clear. Away from his failed marriage and his kids being away.

The reconstruction of Wayne Manor had finished right on time for the Harvey Dent's Day. The new Gotham holiday where people were to gather in remembrance of their fallen hero. Bruce had wanted the official ceremony to be held at the Wayne Manor. I knew it was supposed to happen but…strangely enough, I argued against it. I didn't think it was a good idea. Even when this world was just fiction to me, I never quite understood why he would hold the remembrance ceremony at the Manor. Bruce really respected and admired Harvey Dent. He had really hoped that he would make a difference. And Harvey Dent had. But after his death. Death only caused by himself and yet, everyone was blaming Batman. And unknowingly blaming Bruce Wayne. I sincerely thought that he really wanted to pay homage to Harvey. To the good side that people remembered. The good part that he remembered. The best part of Harvey Dent that we all remembered.

Unfortunately, this day was also the anniversary of the disappearance of Batman. It's already been a year. And those who knew the truth had been grieving his loss as much as we grieved Harvey Dent's death. None of us were taking it harder than Bruce himself. He had wanted to let go of Batman. It was his desire. But it wasn't the way he had wanted to do it. He wasn't ready. In the eight months, we had been together I could feel it. His anger. His pain. His regrets. But he was hiding it well. He was wearing a mask still.

And I realized that he hadn't really let go. The Dark Knight was so ever present. Living as a ghost in the caves of the Manor.

The Manor was filled with people. Police officers, Commissioner Gordon, Mayor Garcia. D.A Joanna Pierce and her assistant Rachel Dawes. Mostly the big oils of Gotham. Some of them probably working with Bruce at the Wayne Enterprises. Waiters and waitresses were walking around with silver tray. Champagne filled glasses, cocktails, salty and sweet toasts on them. Journalists were here with their cameras to cover the event and broadcast it to the rest of Gotham.

"This was a great speech, Mr. Wayne." I said sipping from my flute.

"Thank you, Detective Sanders." He said grabbing his own glass of Champagne.

"You can breathe, now." I said rubbing his back. "I know how hard that must have been." I looked at Gordon who was talking to Mayor Garcia. "It was certainly hard for him."

"Bruce Wayne." A blonde woman came towards us. Clearly ignoring me. "You have given the best speech tonight." She said smiling flirtatiously.

"Thank you. Harvey Dent has earned my respect. And of those who came tonight." Bruce answered politely. "And the Mayor and Commissioner Gordon have given far stronger speeches than mine."

"You're too modest, Bruce." She answered. "Anyway, I've heard terrible news about you."

"Terrible news?" Bruce asked her confused while I just rolled my eyes.

"Words on the street is that you are taken. Is it true?" Here we go.

I grabbed a stronger drink. Bruce chuckled and put his arm around my waist. "Julie Maddison meet Emma Sanders. Emma meet Julie."

She shook my hand. "So, you're the one."

Julie Maddison looked me up and down. "Yeah, I'm the one."

"You have to share your secret with me." She continued. "How did you manage to pull Bruce Wayne, Billionaire, off of the market?"

"Mystery and a bit of chasing." I smirked at her.

"I must try it sometimes." She chuckled. "I may find a billionaire myself."

"Best of luck, then."

The guests were now leaving. A parade of cars was exiting the Manor. Bruce stood in the entrance hall of the Manor. Watching the cars drove out of his property. I walked up the stairs to join him.

"Sanders, need a ride?" Stephens called behind me.

I stopped at the bottom of the stairs as he stopped in front of me. "It's alright, I have a car." I replied. "But thanks."

"Alright, Rookie, see you tomorrow." He pecked my cheek quickly. "Don't keep your boyfriend waiting."

I snorted and punched him slightly in the shoulder. "Goodnight, Old Man."

"Goodnight."

I climbed the stairs to join Bruce in the entrance hall. I put my hand in the crook of his right arm. We stood together watching the cars drive by. He seemed exhausted and to be honest, I was too. I couldn't wait to take off those heels.

"I'm sorry." Bruce suddenly said.

"What for?" I frowned

He turned around pulling me with him. "About Julie." He said looking down at me.

"It's alright." I shrugged slightly. "It's a little price to pay for dating Bruce Wayne, Billionaire." I chuckled. "Plus, she wasn't that bad. Compared to others."

"Don't worry. We are not making the headlines anymore." Bruce said softly.

"I saw. We are on page ten. And apparently we are on the verge of breaking up."

He chuckled. "Do you think we'll reconcile by next week?"

"I don't know." I frowned. "It depends on whether my job is getting in the way or not. Or you may be seeing someone else."

Bruce chuckled. We stopped in the doorway of his bedroom. We faced each other and he grabbed a hold of my face. My hands went behind his waist "You looked beautiful tonight." He kissed my forehead.

"You weren't so bad yourself." I answered as he kissed my nose. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I am." He said quietly before claiming my lips.

I tasted the fullness of his lower lip, the perfect cut of the upper. His mouth was firm and soft. Generous and delicious. And I opened to the taste of him, breathing it in. Between kisses, I was aware that we were moving to his bed. That the door closed behind him. That his hands pushed away my blazer. His fingers felt rough against my skin. His jacket fell on the floor. His tie joined it seconds later.

It was a distraction for him. A way to avoid speaking of Harvey Dent. To avoid speaking of Batman. Nothing mattered in that moment as we fell onto the bed. Wayne Enterprises, Harvey Dent, Batman. They were all away…far away from our minds. All that mattered…right here, right now…was us.