Chapter 5: A Dark And Stormy Knight
Jervis and Alice were walking back to Alice's apartment with their arms linked to one another. Alice could tell by the smell in the air that rain was on its way. "Smells like rain's coming.", Alice said. Jervis took a whiff of the air too and agreed. "Indeed. I'm familiar with that scent as well. We better get back to your apartment quickly before it starts to rain.", he said. "It's also almost never safe to be walking the streets of Gotham at night, especially during a rainstorm.", he said. "You got that right.", she agreed. As they were walking, she noticed that he kept looking up towards the sky or specifically the rooftops above them as if he was watching out for something from above. "Are you alright?", she asked. "Yes, I'm fine. Why do you ask?", he responded. "I just noticed that you keep looking up at the sky and I was just wondering if something was wrong.", she said. "Oh, I'm just watching out for the rain.", he said, but she could tell there was something more too it. She then realized what it might be and asked, "Or are you nervous about Batman seeing us together?". "Sort of, yes.", he admitted. "Don't worry. If that does happen, I'll clear things up for you.", she assured him. "Thanks. You know, now that I'm leaving my past life behind me, I do start to realize that he really has done this city good. I know lots of people were frightened and didn't have any hope at all until he came along. He really gave the people of this city hope when all seemed hopeless. I now am starting to hate how I got on his bad side and even try to kill him on more than one occasion.", he admitted. "Well, that's nice that you feel that way and I do too. But don't be too hard on yourself, you're not who you were anymore. And again, I'm proud of you for that.", she told him and gave him a warm smile. He smiled back in response and kept on walking. Meanwhile, high above Gotham, Batman was doing his nightly patrol of the city he vowed to protect. He didn't see too much activity going on, so he decided to call it a night. He got in touch with his loyal butler and surrogate father, Alfred through the earpiece in his cowl. "Hey, Alfred. I wanted to let you know I'm coming home a little early.", he said. "Very good, Master Bruce. Even Batman needs to give himself more time at home every so often.", Alfred responded. Before Batman said anything else, he noticed two people walking along the sidewalk and he recognized immediately who they were. He saw that one of them was his employee, Alice Pleasance, and the other was one of his rogues, Jervis Tetch who he could never forget she was the reason he turned to crime in the first place. He was shocked to see them together. He figured she would want nothing more to do with him after he kidnapped her and brainwashed her, especially since he assumed she was still with her husband. Batman thought he must have brainwashed her again and was about to take action. "Hold on, Alfred. I think there's something going on after all. I'll be home soon.", he said and then went off. Batman then glided towards Tetch and kicked him, which knocked Tetch against a building. Alice jumped at what just happened and was shaken to the core at the sight of Batman at first. Jervis laid down against the wall and didn't get back up yet, but shook when he saw his former nemesis. "You just can't leave this girl alone, can you, Tetch? And to think Arkham willingly let you out after all your good behavior.", Batman angrily asked. "Batman! I know how this seems, but it's not what it looks like.", Jervis tried to explain. "It looks to me as that you've brainwashed Alice again to fulfill your delusional Wonderland fantasy.", Batman said. "But, Batman, that's not true! I'm not brainwashed! He was with me!", Alice explained to the Dark Knight. Batman looked confused about this and asked, "He was with you? I would imagine you would not want him around you after what he did to you and your husband, Ms. Pleasance?". "Actually, ex-husband now. We're not together anymore. And I've forgiven Jervis for what he did and I remembered how good of friends we were. I wanted to rekindle our friendship after we ran into each other yesterday.", she said. "And believe me, it's the truth. I truly now see the error of my previous ways and I'm willing to make up for it. And I mean that whether or not we ran into each other.", he said. Batman looked dumbfounded at what just happened. "Oh! Well, if that's the case than I apologize, Jervis.", Batman told his former enemy. Batman then held out his hand in a way to offer to help Jervis back on his feet. Jervis grabbed Batman's hand and stood back on his feet. "I guess I'll leave you two alone, then.", Batman said as he turned away from them. Before he was about to grapple up, Jervis said, "And Batman, I just wanted to say that I am truly sorry everything I ever did to you and I meant it when I said I'm willing to change my ways and once again be a member of society.". Batman responded by saying, "Glad to hear that. And forget about our past altercations. We're square you and me.". He then grappled up onto the building and vanished into the night. "Well, that was something.", she said. "Indeed. But at least now that worry has subsided.", he said. It then began to drizzle down onto the city. "Oh, dear! Here comes the rain. We better hurry.", he said. They then continued moving, but by the time they got back to her apartment, it was pouring. They got in the building and to her room halfway wet. "Well, we made it!", Alice remarked. "Yes, but it's unfortunate that we couldn't make it back before getting as wet as we are.", Jervis replied. "Yeah, that's true. Thanks for walking me home, Jervis. I really appreciate it.", Alice said to her. "Of course, Alice. I would do anything for you.", he told her. She slightly blushed after he said and felt nothing but warmth inside of her. "Well, I guess I better get going. It was wonderful to see you again and thank you for being so kind to me even after all that we've been through.", Jervis said as he was about to leave. "Oh, you can't go out there with how bad it's storming. Why don't you spend the night?", Alice offered. Jervis was shocked at this invitation and asked, "Spend the night? Are you sure?". "Of course. Billy didn't take all of his clothes, he left some here. You can put them on to get changed into something dry. You can stay in my guest room while I get a shower.", she told him. "Thanks, Alice. I really appreciate it.", he said and they then hugged. Once they unhugged, they looked into each other's eyes and before out of nowhere, they kissed each other. It was sudden, but passionate. While they were kissing, Alice thought how soft and passionate he was, unlike Billy who was sometimes rough in kissing. Jervis couldn't believe that he was actually kissing the woman he loves and still does. After they were done, they looked shocked and both said, "Sorry." simultaneously. "I'm going to get a shower. You can go get changed and make yourself at home.", she said. "Thank you.", Jervis said. Alice went into the bathroom to get a shower while Jervis was still contemplating over the kiss the two of them just shared. Could this mean she's starting to actually feel something for him like he always wanted her too? He didn't want to think about it too much right now. He just wanted to get into some dry clothes and turn in for the night.