Hi everyone! Sorry it's been so long since my last update. I really hope I won't take this long for the next chapter. Thank you all so very much for reading, reviewing, following and liking this story. It means a lot to me. :) Hope you'll enjoy this chapter.


I put down the morning paper, folding it neatly and placing it on the table. I pretended like I hadn't seen the image of me on the front page. The picture that had burned itself into my eternal memory. A white dress, stained with blood.

The first time I had seen the image and the footage, it was hard to believe that was really me.
Looking at Bruce's facial expression in the picture made me sick to my stomach. I remembered when he looked at me that way, thinking I wouldn't make it.

It didn't help that the tabloids were still obsessed with the story. It seemed there was non-stop appetite for stories about us and each time they showed the images of me getting shot over and over again.

I had stopped watching a long time ago. In fact I had turned away from social media and the internet as much as I could.

I didn't need that reminder every day that I almost died. In fact I needed the opposite.

"We got an invitation to Sam's birthday next week." I said.
Bruce looked up at me with serious eyes. "Where is she celebrating?"
"In Gotham. She's going to be in the city for an event and she's inviting her friends to this fancy new bar."
He sighed. "Catherine…" He placed his hand on mine.
"Don't 'Catherine' me! It's been three months! Three months of me being trapped in this house and barely being able to do a thing."
"I know it's been frustrating but you have to give your body time to heal."
"I have!" I said as I got up, walking angrily to the windows and looking out.

The healing took longer than I had patience for. Granted, I was a very impatient person. It was almost a month before I was allowed to leave the hospital. Then there had been follow-up appointments. Staples being removed. Wound care. It was a long process. But given the alternative, I was just happy to be alive.

For several weeks now I had been feeling like myself again. I had regained strength and felt normal. But Bruce didn't treat me like that. He treated me like I was breakable.

"The doctors gave me the green light weeks ago. You and I both know that's not what this is about." I said as he was walking up to me.
He sighed. "What is it about then?"
"You want to keep me in your golden cage because you don't think I'm ready. It's driving me crazy, Bruce! I haven't felt like a full human being in months! I've been either locked in here or, if I dare to walk outside, I'm surrounded by security personnel."

Bruce had hired my own security guards. They were with me 24/7. If I decided to take a walk in the park in the morning - one of the guards would be available. Midnight snack in the city? No problem - my guards were right there.
This wasn't because I couldn't take care of myself, Bruce explained, but ten eyes are better than two.

"Of course you're surrounded by security personnel." He responded in a raised voice. "Should I remind you what happened just a few months ago when you weren't."
"Please! Remind me." I said, rolling my eyes. "It's not like that moment doesn't come up every day of my life now."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that it has changed everything! The way you look at me. The way we interact. Everything."
"That is not fair."
"But it's the truth! You look at me as if I'm this damsel in distress."
"No." He shook his head. He looked to the ground for a moment and then cleared his throat. "No, that's not how I look at you. I look at you every day and I'm so incredibly grateful that you're here, that I didn't lose you that day. When I look at you, I don't see a damsel in distress. I see that life has given me a second chance to be with the woman I love."
I bit my lips together and looked to the ground.

He sighed. "I'm sorry I've been overprotective. I certainly don't want you to feel like you're in a cage. I'll work on that." He said.

I knew why he acted this way. It was his trauma all over again. His family member shot in front of him by a random guy. And once again he couldn't prevent it from happening.


Going to Sam's birthday would be the first public outing we've done since the shooting.

It took some convincing, but Bruce was finally on board with it.

I was putting on my earrings, seeing him watch me through the mirror.

"Stop it." I said.
"Stop what?" He asked.

I turned around. "You are worrying too much."
An angry smile went across his face as he was buttoning his shirt. "I worry too much. That is the problem. Not the fact that you had a crazy stalker shoot you until you almost died."
"Well you died in, what looked like, a nuclear holocaust and I actually had to bury you." I said angrily.

He was quiet, his jaw tight.

"I actually thought you had died. For weeks." I continued, walking closer.

"I'll stop worrying if you stop holding this against me forever." He hissed.

I kissed him hard, pressing my body against his. For a second I got lost in the kiss, tasting him, leaning against his body.
I knew what would happen next.
Almost instinctively, his hands wrapped around my shoulders and he gently pushed me away.

It had been three months, but he was still pretending I was made out of glass.

"Easy." He said.
I nodded, biting my lower lip. "Right. Let's just say I'll let this go if you stop treating me like I'm about to fall apart."

I walked away.

"Where are you going?" He asked.
"I'm going to change." I said.
"What's wrong with what you're wearing?"
"I don't feel like it anymore."

It was everything I hated. I was the princess in the golden cage. Not to be touched. Not to live a life. I was rather something to be held in a vault. Like some old family heirloom.

I needed some emotions from him. Anything else than worry and concern that seemed to be crowding his face of late.

That's why I had to get out of the dress. I grabbed the zipper, the anger still burning inside of me. Instead of the elegant dress, I opted for a revealing black dress, hiding just enough under lace.

I changed my makeup slightly, going for a bold red lip and put on red high heels.

I walked downstairs where he was sitting, looking at his phone.

He stood up and was about to say something but the words froze in his mouth. He just looked at me, scanning me from head to toe.

"Ready?" I asked.
"I don't think it's a good idea to…"
"That's a nice story, you wanna continue that in the car?" I asked with a smile as I walked out.

We sat in the car, he looked serious. "Why are you doing this?" He asked.
"Do what?"
"Dress provocatively? On your first time back in the public's eye?"
"Since when have you turned into a prude?"
He sighed in frustration. "I'm not a prude. You almost died because a guy was obsessed with you…"
"Oh I get it! It was my fault."
"I never said that."
"Because I don't hide in a potato sack this guy couldn't help himself but shoot me. Of course! It all makes sense now."
He shook his head. "You know that's not what I was saying."

I tried to control my anger, taking a deep breath. I looked at him closely. "I know you're worried. But you can't put me in bubble wrap and store me away."

Sam's party was a welcomed distraction. A breath of fresh air in my life.

I was at the bar, ordering a drink when Sam walked up to me.
"He's not letting you out of his sight." She said with a smile.
I looked over her shoulder and saw Bruce looking at me, a woman next to him, talking to him.
I sighed. "I know. It's driving me crazy. He doesn't let me live. He's so worried about me that I can't do anything anymore."
"Have you talked to him?"
"Yes, it doesn't seem to do much."
"Give him some time. He's in shock after what happened. We all are."
"I know and I get it. But this is just too much. See that guy?" I pointed with my eyes.
"The blonde guy?"
"Yeah."
"He's hot." Sam said excited.
I rolled my eyes. "That's not the point. He's one of my security guards. In fact we have about ten in here tonight."
"Holy fuck."
"Exactly. You know what? I'll introduce you."
"Really?"
We walked over to him and Bruce's eyes shot at me like darts. The whole point was to have them undercover.

"Sam this is Eric."
The tall security guard looked unnerved.
"Mrs. Wayne…" He said just above a whisper. "…we are undercover."
"I know. What better cover than pretend you're with the party." I said, putting my hand on his arm. "Now as I was saying, this is my very good friend Sam."
"Nice to meet you." She said.
"Likewise."
Suddenly I was swooped away, Bruce grabbing my elbow as he was walking and pulling me along.

"What are you doing?" He asked with anger in his voice, his hand still holding tightly onto my elbow.
"I just introduced them. Sam thought Eric looked hot."
"Why would you risk his undercover work?" He said as he let me finally go, far away from the rest of the people, in a hallway.
"Because I think at least someone should get laid."
His bit his teeth together. "Ouch."
"What? It's the truth. You haven't touched me in months."
He didn't respond.
I moved close to him, our bodies touching.
"Alright big guy, prove me wrong." My hand moved slowly to his belt but he grabbed my wrist immediately.
"I didn't think so." I said.
"We haven't had sex because you…"
"…almost died. Yes, I remember." I said, pulling my wrist from him. "At this rate I might as well be dead. I sure as hell am not living."
He looked hurt by that statement.

I started walking down the hallway.
"Where are you going?" He asked me.
"To the bathroom." I said, turning around and walking backwards. "Or do you want to make sure I'm safe in there too?"

I walked into the bathroom, still furious. I knew it wasn't exactly fair. I knew he had been through a traumatic moment. Especially since its as opening old wounds, reminding him of his parents death.

At the same time I was suffocating. He was not letting me live. I felt like a caged animal.

Someone knocked on the door.

"Sorry it's occupied." I said.

Then another knock.

Annoyed I opened the door. Bruce was standing there, immediately pushing me in and locking the door behind him.

I sighed. "You know, I was kidding when I said you'd want to make sure I'm safe in here."

He pulled me towards him, his hand supporting the back of my neck as our lips met.

With his other hand he moved me closer against his body and then pushed me against the wall.

His hands were gliding down my body and then his fingers slipped between my legs.

"You want this?" He whispered into my ear.
I nodded. Wasn't it obvious?

His hand continued as he was kissing my neck.

Then he pulled down my panties, opened his belt and moved my legs around him.
Holding onto his back as he entered me, I had flashbacks of our first time in that storage closet. His muscles tensing in familiar fashion. His breath heavy.

I was worried he might be holding back, but my worries were erased instantly. He grabbed me, moved me around, his hands firm but seemingly having memorized every inch of my body, including my injuries. His hands knowing where to touch me and where not to.

Where we back to normal? Or would he turn over protective again the second we left this room?


Alfred opened the door of the Royce for me on our way home.

"Good evening Mrs. Wayne." He said with a smile. It had been strange to have him say my new name now that it was officially mine. I remembered the dark days of Bane's reign when Alfred calling me 'Mrs. Wayne' was a symbol of hope. Of a better future yet to come.

"I hope you had a fun night." Alfred said.
"It turned out to be even better than I expected." I said as I went into the car, Bruce following me and smirking at me mischievously.

As we were driving, Bruce took my hand, holding it firmly.

In that moment I was just grateful that after everything, we were both still here. Beating hearts and all.

We had barely walked through the door when the doorbell rang.

"Who could that be?" I asked, checking the time, as I was taking off my earrings.
"Beats me." Bruce said as he took off his blazer and cuff links.

We walked downstairs again.

"Mr. Goodwyn for you." Alfred said.

Daniel was here? I felt Bruce instantly tense up.

"Goodwyn?" I said and Daniel turned around in the hallway.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you." He said.
"Nonsense." I responded.
"It is almost midnight." Bruce mumbled under his breath, his hands still in his pockets.
"Good to see you." I said as I gave him a hug.
"Likewise. I'm so glad you're in one piece."

He had called me in the hospital to check up on me.

The two men still hadn't really acknowledged each other yet. Daniel was making the first step.

"Wayne." He nodded at Bruce, who looked at him with carefully guarded anger.

I didn't understand why he disliked Daniel. He had been nothing but helpful.

Bruce nodded at him. "I take it this is not a social visit?"
"No, it's not." Daniel responded.
"Wanna come in and chat in the kitchen?" I asked.
Bruce shot my an angry glance.
"I hate to impose." Daniel said.
"You're not." I said.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" I asked as we walked into the kitchen.
"I'm fine." He said.
"Sure? We have great scotch." I said.
Bruce's eyes narrowed in on me. Not only did I invite Daniel into our kitchen, now I was giving him some of his finest scotch.

"Why not. Thanks." Daniel said.
"So what brings you to the states?" Bruce asked, clearly wanting to speed this up.
"We're watching this guy very closely. He's up to no good, I can sense it." Daniel said.
"Who is he?" I asked, sliding the glass of scotch his way.
"He's in his mid-30s. Connected to the mob in London but we have nothing solid on that yet. He's funneling money through his nightclub, I know it."
"But you're missing proof." Bruce injected.
Daniel nodded, taking a sip of his drink. "Oh my, that is darn good scotch. Anyway, back to our guy. He has made a trip to the states. Right before one of his associates had bought a bunch of interesting things. Most of them seemingly harmless but you could make explosives with them or even chemical weapons."
"So, arrest him?" I offered.
"Again, we could only get his associate. He's been good at covering his tracks. I went and talked with your buddies at the FBI and CIA only they too would need something more concrete."
"Break it to me." Bruce said, crossing his arms and leaning against the marble counter. "Why is this guy so special?"

Daniel took another sip. "I guess it's mostly a hunch. But I chatted with the bloke. He's smart. Cunning, I'd say and he's ruthless. He has a bigger plan and I don't know what that is yet, but it's something diabolical." The two of them looked at each other. Even though Bruce disliked Daniel, I could tell that he respected him. Maybe that's what made him dislike him even more.
"What's his name?" I asked.
"Oswald Cobblepot. Goes by Penguin because of his nose."
"I'll look into it." Bruce said.
I bit my teeth together. "We will look into it."

Bruce's eyes darted at me as if he wanted to say - we'll see about that.


I put on his cozy Yale sweater after I had showered. When I didn't see Bruce anywhere, I knew where to look.
I walked to the piano, pressing the combination and unlocking the door to the elevator.

Shooting down, the air in my hair, I felt instantly free. As if this was the door to my true self.

The elevator arrived at the bottom and the sound of bats flying in the distance and the roaring waterfall brought instant adrenaline into my body. Like a breath of fresh air.

I saw Bruce sitting in front of the monitors.

"Researching our British Penguin?" I asked as I walked up to him.
"Seems like a complete scumbag but Goodwyn was right, he appears squeaky clean on paper." I sat on his lap, he put an arm around my waist.

"That's him?" I asked, looking at a picture of a slender man, short brown hair that looked oily, mud-green colored eyes and more than 4-day stubble. But what was most prominent on his otherwise forgettable features was his nose. Large and crooked. Like a beak.
"That's the Penguin."
"With that nose he should be named the Crow or something."
Bruce laughed. "Yeah not a good-looking guy."

"I'd say that. So, nothing that ties him to Gotham? There must be some reason he wants to come here."
"That's what I thought." He said as he pulled up some data on a different screen. "And there is a connection. A personal one at that."
"Oh? His father tried to make a business deal with Wayne Enterprises?"
"It's more complicated than that. Enterprises was run by this douchebag back then. He had a very different business philosophy than Fox does. He looked at Cobblepot's company and liked it."
"Then what's the problem?"
"The two most feared words in the business world."
I looked at him puzzled.
"Hostile takeover." Bruce said. "Enterprises swallowed the company whole. They were in financial trouble, which is why Cobblepot wanted Enterprises help."
"And then what?" "Based on the newspaper articles and the paper trail I can find, Cobblepot went back to England. Now the family had fallen from a luxurious lifestyle to that of poverty."
"So Cobblepot Junior is looking for revenge?"
"I wouldn't be surprised."
"Revenge on Enterprises or revenge on Gotham?"
"I'm guessing both."

I was silent for a moment, letting the information sink in. "So what's the plan of action? Surveillance?"
He nodded. "We need to get a better idea of what he's up to. Who he meets with."
"I can do that."
"Not a chance." He said determined.

"It's just surveillance…"
"No." His voice was stern.

I got up and sighed annoyed. "Bruce you can't keep me locked…"
"Goodwyn is taking the day shift and I'm taking nights." He said as he got up.
I crossed my arms in front of me. "You let Daniel in on this? I thought you hated the guy."
"Hate is a strong word. Neither of us can do surveillance in the day, and he knows Cobblepot."
"Then why can't I take some of those night shifts?"
He ran a hand over his mouth. "I know you think I'm overreacting but put yourself into my shoes for a moment. It's been just weeks since…since that day. I'm not ready yet to have you out there."
"What if we both go?"
He shook his head. "Let me do this. Please."

I sighed. "Fine. But you can't keep me away forever."


Bruce had asked for Daniel to meet him at Enterprises, away from Cat. She would kill him for that.

"Mr. Wayne, your 3 o'clock is here." His assistant said as she opened the glass door to his office.
"Thank you. He can come in." He responded.

A few seconds later Goodwyn walked in, looking apprehensive.
"Have a seat." He said, gesturing to the chair in front of him.

The Brit sat down, looking uncomfortable. Bruce wasn't exactly thrilled to be working with him either.

"I looked into this Penguin guy." Bruce said.
"And?" "I agree, something is off." He didn't volunteer any information about the connection to Enterprises.
"Good. So what do you have planned?"
"24/7 surveillance until we understand better what he's up to."
"I agree."
"I'll cover nights for obvious reasons and you'll cover days."
He nodded. "I can do that."
"And about Cat, I'm keeping her out of this."
"Of course. Why? Is she trying to go out there already?"
He nodded.

"Bloody hell, she's mental." Daniel said with a laugh. "She almost died and then she wants to just jump right back into it?"
"That's exactly what I said."
"Might be hard to keep her away. She's a stubborn one."
"Oh I know."


I was in the Batcave from sunrise to past midnight every day. Bruce came back around sunrise and David took over.

Bruce walked up the ramp, mask in hand. Something about seeing him in armor, minus the mask, was still surreal.

"And?" I asked.
"Nothing. He went back to his hotel at about 1 a.m. and then he never left. No chatter on his phone."

I sighed in frustration. "Nothing on his emails either. Are we chasing a dead end?"
He shook his head. "Something is off with that guy, I know it."
"Maybe we're going about it the wrong way."
He smiled. "Honey, we've been doing this for three days now. That's not exactly eternity in surveillance."
True.

"We will find something soon enough." He said with a reassuring smile.

I guess ever since I saw City Hall crumble in front of me I was worried about coming too late to save people. What if he if this Penguin guy had something planned and we took too long to figure out what.


Bruce made it to the office around noon. Yawning, he filled himself a big cup of black coffee.

"Long night?" Fox asked with a grin. He laughed. "Just out partying, looking for kicks."

Bruce walked into his office, barely able to keep his eyes open. He didn't have to come into the office, really. He was his own boss. But he knew, to avoid any suspicion, he had to have a normal looking life.

This was part of the price he had to pay for being Batman.

His phone rang, it was Goodwyn.

"What's up?" Bruce asked short and to the point.
"Well, I'm following our guy and guess where he's headed now?" Bruce rubbed his eyes, far too tired for this game. "Mars?"
"Very funny. No, he just walked into Wayne Enterprises."

Bruce felt adrenaline immediately shoot through his body.

Why was Cobblepot coming here? He didn't know Bruce was Batman. Bane and Miranda Tate took that secret to their graves.

"Thanks for the heads up, I'll handle it from here on."

He got up in a fast motion, buttoned his Armani blazer and walked over to Fox's office.

"What can I do for you today?" Fox asked with a smile.
"Does the name Oswald Cobblepot ring a bell?"
"Cobblepot…" Fox closed his eyes, thinking for a moment. "Yes, he has a meeting with the local business division today."
"I want to be filled in about every little detail of that meeting."
Fox raised his eyebrows. Usually those were screening meetings before anything of interest was filtered through to the higher levels.
"Keeping an eye on Mr. Cobblepot?" Fox asked.
"Yes. Can you get me any business dealings we might have had with his father."
"Of course."
"Who is holding the meeting?"
Fox looked in his calendar. "Roger Anderson."
"Anderson?" Bruce asked, the name not ringing a bell.
"Works on the third floor. Has been with the company for three years."
Bruce shook his head, still not knowing who Anderson was.
Fox grinned. "You might want to get familiar with your own staff."
"Yeah."

When he walked back to his office he stopped by his secretary.
"Could you make sure Roger Anderson comes by my office as soon as possible?" He asked.
She immediately checked the calendar on her computer. "He's currently in a meeting, sir. Would you like me to interrupt the meeting?"
"No, that's not necessary. Just have him come after that."
"Absolutely, sir."


Sweat was dripping down my forehead as I took a big sip from my water bottle after my workout.
I was pushing myself further and further, testing how far I could go physically.

As I walked towards the bathroom to take a shower, I realized I had crossed the line today.
One hand instinctively went to the big scar on my stomach, the other against the wall as I was stabilizing myself, the pain ringing through me with sharp agony.

"Are you alright, Mrs. Wayne?" Alfred asked concerned.
I immediately stood up straight again. "I'm fine Alfred." I lied under sharp breaths.
Alfred didn't say anything, he simply walked up to me, placed one of my arms around his shoulders and helped me walk to the bedroom.

"I have to take a shower first." I protested, the pain still zipping through me.
"No ma'am. First you have to lay down and take pain medicine."

Once I reached the bed I slowly lowered myself until I was on my back. I closed my eyes, clenched my jaw, waiting for the throbbing to stop. Seconds later, Alfred arrived with a glass of water and some painkillers.

I took them without protest and closed my eyes.

I woke up again, feeling much better. Alfred was sitting next to the bed, reading the paper.

"How long was I asleep?" I asked.
He checked his watch. "About 45 minutes."
I sat up slowly, leaning my back against the headrest.

Alfred folded the paper and put it on the table next to him. "Can I ask you something?" He asked.
"Sure." "Why are you here?"
The question confused me. "You helped me to the bedroom."
He chuckled. "No, I'm not asking why you're in this room. I am wondering why you, why Master Wayne, why both of you are back in this godforsaken city?"

I sighed. I knew where this was going. I had played this argument through in my head a few times.
I would say it's one last job and Alfred would argue that's what we always say.
He would remind me of how happy Bruce and I were when we were traveling and how Gotham holds nothing but misery for us.

"I don't really know, Al." I said defeated.
"You are allowed happiness." "I know." I said quietly, looking at my hands.

After a few seconds of silence he folded his hands.
"I had a terrible nightmare." He said and I looked at him and found his worried eyes. "Master Wayne was only a shadow of the man he once was. Like a ghost haunting this house. His fragile body barely supporting himself, his mind dark and clouded. He never left his room. He refused to live. It was the realization that I had failed him. He had stopped being Batman but by the time he finally had hung up the mask, there was nothing left of him anymore."
I wiped a tear away from my face.

"And you had that nightmare last night?" I asked quietly.
He shook his head. "I had it the night you were shot. I was sure that if he would have lost you, that's what his future would have looked like."

I nodded, trying to hide my tears.
"And you're telling me this because you want to make sure that won't happen."
"There has to be an end to this. Because if you're not ending it, and he's not ending it, I fear it will end the both of you."


His phone rang, it was his secretary.
"Yes?"
"Mr. Anderson is here to see you."
"Perfect, send him in please."

This employee, who he didn't even know he had an hour ago, walked into his office looking nervous.
"Anderson, take a seat." He said and watched the man in his early thirties take a seat across from him. "You're probably wondering why you're here."
"I am, sir."
"Your meeting with Oswald Cobblepot…fill me in."
He looked surprised. "Which aspect, sir?"
"Every little detail. How did he appear to you?"
"Sir?" He asked confused.
"Was he confident? Nervous?"
"Oh, he seemed confident, which was surprising since I don't think his business seems to be doing well."
He nodded as he stood up, looking out the window.
"Let's start at the beginning, was he on time? I need every detail, as unimportant as it might seem to you."


Bruce came home right in time for dinner.
Alfred had agreed not to tell him about my earlier episode. It wasn't like we needed to worry him any more.

"Our friend Cobblepot showed up at Enterprises today." He said as he took off his jacket.
"You're kidding?"
He walked towards the piano with big strides. "He was there for a business proposal."
"Did you talk to him?" I asked as I got into the elevator with him.
"No, I just observed from a distance."

We walked into the Batcave and he immediately pulled up Enterprises security footage on the computer.

There he was. Oswald Cobblepot walking around Wayne Enterprises.

"Maybe we've got this all wrong and he really just is here for this." I suggested.

Bruce shook his head. He paused the video and pointed at the screen. "Follow his eyes. He's looking at security cameras in the building."

"So you think he has something planned at Enterprises?"
He didn't respond. A non-answer was answer enough in this case.

"I did some more research on him." I said. "He went from mediocre club owner to downright shady within two years. I think he wants to feel powerful. He felt life treated him unfairly and now it's his time to show the powerful what fear is."
He nodded. "I'm thinking along the same lines."


The next morning seemed uneventful. I was still thinking about what Alfred had said. I knew he was right. I knew we couldn't do this forever. At some point, if we were lucky enough to both survive that long, our bodies would simply not allow us to continue.

But what would be left of us then? Both physically and emotionally. Every time I put on the mask, it chipped a little more away from me.
That's why we couldn't stop. Our other personas gave us a certain sense of freedom and power. It was addicting.

Even if we wanted to - could we still stop?

I had just gone to have brunch with Sam. She was talking about her work and I was trying to pay attention.

I left brunch, walking back to the car, surrounded by four security guys. I had gotten used to them by now although it was not any less ridiculous.

"Mrs. Wayne?" I heard someone say in a British accent.
I looked up but my bodyguards were immediately forming a shield around me and pushing me towards the car.
Between broad, suit-clad shoulders, I saw Oswald Cobblepot. He looked even more slimy in real life. His hair looked like it hadn't been washed in too long. He wore a professional button-down but his overall appearance was somewhat careless.

"I'm fine, boys." I said and the four men stopped pushing me towards the car but they still were standing around me.

What on earth did Cobblepot want from me?

I managed to step out of the circle of bodyguards just a little.

"I'm so sorry to bother you." Oswald said. "It's just, I'm a huge fan."
"Thank you." I said confused, knowing he wasn't a fan and trying to figure out what this was all about.
"It's just such an honor to meet you."
I remained silent, waiting on what he wanted.
"Could I get an autograph?" He finally asked.
"Of course." He pulled out a piece of paper and a pen.

I took it and signed my name on the white paper, trying to think what he could actually want.
A wide grin spread across his face when I handed him the paper.

"Thank you very much." He said. "Could I get a picture with you?"
"Sure." I said. The four security men around me carefully assessing Cobblepot.
He positioned himself next to me, turned his phone around and took a selfie of us. "My friends wouldn't have believed me otherwise." He said.
I smiled. "Have a good day." I said as I walked to the car.
"Oh I will." He said as the car door closed behind me.

Instantly, I got a call from Daniel.
"You wanna explain to me what exactly you're doing?"
"Sitting in a car, driving home." I said sarcastically.
He sighed. "Cobblepot."
"Ah yes. He wanted an autograph and a picture. I wonder why."
"You realize I'll have to tell Wayne."
"Don't. He'll worry."
He sighed again. "Alright. But if he finds out that I didn't tell him…"
"He won't."


Sitting at his desk, drinking unnatural amounts of coffee, he was trying to focus on the paperwork in front of him. The price of a double life.

He coughed once, clearing his throat. His eyes suddenly burning. Was he getting allergies? He was coughing again when Fox opened the door, a handkerchief in front of his mouth and nose.
"Pepper spray. We need to evacuate the building now." Fox said.
Bruce stood up, walking fast towards the fire alarm. He broke the glass and pressed the button, the alarm going off.

Now the pepper spray was getting more intense. He was barely able to keep his eyes open.

He grabbed a fresh shirt he always kept at work and held it in front of his mouth and nose, his throat was burning.
The two men walked into the hallway where people were scrambling to get to the staircase.

"Go!" He ordered Fox.

He walked through every room, checking to see if no one was left behind.
He found his secretary down the hallway. She was coughing violently.

He took off his jacket, positioning it over her mouth and nose and helping her up.
Her eyes were swollen shut and he could barely see anything himself.

Supporting her, the two walked down the hallway, to the staircase and eventually made it out.

Someone immediately splashed water over his face. The cool contrasting the burning sensation on his skin. He was coughing as he was trying to gasp in air.
He could make out Fox. "I think someone dispersed it through the air-condition system."
He nodded, placing his hands on his knees and crouching down.

"Did we get everyone out?" He asked.
"Yes. You were the last two." Fox said.
"Good."
"Any idea who could possibly hold a grudge against you?" Fox asked with a grin.
He laughed. "Couldn't think of anyone." He coughed again, feeling close to throwing up.

Standing up tall again, he looked around, finding himself surrounded by a sea of people coughing, their eyes swollen shut.

Police had arrived immediately and paramedics were looking after people.

He called Goodwyn.
"Where is he?" Bruce asked.
"Currently buying groceries. You sound like shit."
He coughed again. "We just evacuated the building because someone injected pepper spray into the AC system."
That's when he realized what the plan was. He dropped the phone and walked like in a trance, his brain trying to think how he could protect all these people.

"Bruce?" Fox asked him, sounding worried.
"We have to get people out of here." He said quietly.
"What?"

He looked around in a panic, his eyes still not fully functioning. They were outside by the back entrance of Enterprises, as was standard evacuation procedure.

"Where is Gordon?" He asked.
"I haven't seen him."

In a panic he grabbed his phone again, dialing Gordon's number.
"Get these people out of here now." He told Fox as the phone was ringing.
Fox nodded.

"Gordon, we have a situation at Enterprises. We need a full evacuation now." "But the building is evacuated." "Not the building, the evacuation site. It's a trap."

He got off the phone and was yelling at everyone he could find to run. People first stared at him confused and then started running.

Gordon's voice echoed over the VHFs of the officers, telling them to evacuate the area.

Bruce looked around, trying to anticipate what Cobblepot had planned.

People were running and screaming and that's when he saw two objects in the sky. He tried to focus his burning eyes.

"Drones!" He yelled, but nobody was paying attention to him.
He grabbed a gun from an officer, loaded the gun and pointed it at one of the drones.

His eyes still playing tricks on him, he pulled the trigger. He had missed. It had been a long time since he held a gun.

"Drop the weapon!" An officer yelled.

He steadied his hand and pulled the trigger again. That did the trick, the drone fell to the ground, sparks still flying off of it.

Two officers tackled him and pushed him to the ground, taking the gun away from him.

"Get the drones down, you idiots!" He yelled, his body still feeling the effects of the pepper spray as the two officers were attempting to handcuff him.

In that moment he heard loud screams.

The officers got up and started running towards the screams.

He looked up and saw the drones were equipped with guns. Several people were on the ground with bullet wounds.

An officer pulled him to the side.
"Mr. Wayne follow me." The officer said.
"Shoot the drones." Bruce demanded.
"Sir, we need to get you to safety."
"If you won't, I will." He said sternly.
"I have orders…"
Bruce had enough, knocking the officer out, taking his gun and aiming at another drone. There were at least a dozen.

Luckily some of the officers were doing the same, shooting at the drones.

Before long, all drones were down.

He emptied the clip, keeping the bullets, and throwing the empty gun next to the officer on the ground.

Several people were on the ground. Some yelling for help, some silent. He kneeled next to a woman who was panicking. Her eyes wide with horror, her white blouse stained.

"What's your name?" He asked.
"Jane."
"Alright Jane, you're going to be just fine." Looking at the wound, he wasn't lying. Shoulder injury.

Paramedics were running around and trying to evaluate who to help first.

"Can you sit up?" He asked.
She was crying. "I'm not sure. Am I dying?"
He smiled at her. "You're definitely not dying. It's a shoulder injury. Those are a bitch, though."
She chuckled through tears.
"Here, let me help you up." He said as he took her good arm and slowly pulled her up.
"There."
Her breath had slowed down a bit.
"See, there are a lot of people with much worse injuries so they will have to assist them first." He explained.
She nodded and then her eyes found his. "What happened? Who did this?"
He bit his lips together. "I don't know."
"I wish Batman was still alive. He would have protected us."
He looked at her long and hard.

"Mr. Wayne." He heard Gordon's voice behind him. "We need to get you out of here."
"I'm fine. This young lady needs some assistance." He said as he stood up.
Gordon waved a paramedic over.
"Walk with me." Gordon said. "What the hell is going on?"
"This is a message to me."
"You? Which one of your personalities are we talking about?"
"Bruce Wayne."
"Why is anybody after Bruce Wayne."
"It's a long story. I'll fill you in later."
"Oh how gracious of you."
"I need to analyze those drones and the spray used in Enterprises but I am convinced this was the work of Oswald Cobblepot."
"At least he has a name that doesn't start with 'the'."
"Actually, he goes by the name The Penguin."
Gordon sighed. "Of course he does."

Bruce called me, his voice tense and frantic.
"Are you safe?" He asked.
"Am I? Yes. Are you?" He coughed. "I'm fine. There was an attack on Enterprises. I'm on my way back now. If Cobblepot comes anywhere near you, alert me immediately."
"What the hell happened? Is everyone at Enterprises ok?"
He took a deep breath. "There are many people injured. I'm not sure yet if there are any fatalities. I'll explain when I get home. Don't leave the house."


"It's smart." Bruce said as he looked at the computer screens in the Batcave. "Everything is untraceable. The pepper spray is generic, the drones are store bought and then modified."
"Can we look for a mass order of drones?" I asked.
"I did, only there are a million of them. Every idiot is getting a drone so that would take us forever."
"But we know it was him?"
"I'm convinced. I just don't have proof."
"So what can the drones do?"
"There's only one thing they can do: shoot. It's really no sophisticated technology behind it."
"And that's the genius behind it. The simpler it is, the harder it is to pin it on him."
He nodded. "I think it's time I paid a visit to Cobblepot."
"In daylight?"
"As Bruce Wayne."
"What?"

He just got up and left.


The first thing he had done when he came home was take a long shower. He could still feel the effects of the pepper spray and he wanted to make sure he got all the residue of his body.

He jumped in the back of the Royce and Alfred drove him to Cobblepot's hotel.
The anger in him was boiling.

When they arrived, he opened his door quickly, not able to wait any longer for this. After the Joker and Bane, he was not ready for another villain in Gotham. This ends now!

He walked up to the hotel room, knocking loudly.

Cobblepot opened the door. "Mr. Wayne? This is a surprise." He said with a sly grin.
Bruce didn't wait for an invitation and marched in.
"If I'd known you'd be coming by I had ordered some fine booze." Cobblepot continued.
"Let's cut to the chase. What do you want?"
"I'm confused. Is this about my business proposal the other day?"
"You and I both know what this is about."
"I'm afraid I need some help."

Bruce grabbed the TV remote and turned on CNN.

"At this point there are 12 confirmed dead and about 45 injured." The reporter said."The attack at Wayne Enterprises was certainly the worst in Gotham since Bane."

"I heard the news. So tragic." Cobblepot said.
"Do you think of me as a complete idiot?"
"I would never, Mr. Wayne. Gotham's richest man."

Cobblepot's smugness made his blood boil.
"Enough. We both know this is your doing. So why don't you tell me what it is you want?"
"My doing? You think I had something to do with that heinous attack?"
"Spare me the bullshit."
"You don't even know me. What a strange assumption to make. Besides, I have an alibi. I was with your wife."

He didn't know he could feel even more anger than he already had, but now he saw red. He balled his hands into fists.

"What did you just say?" He asked between teeth.
"Your wife. She certainly is a stunner."
This was part of his tactic, Bruce reminded himself. Don't let him win.

"You think I'm going to fall for that?" He asked with a tense smile.
"Fall for it? I'm telling the truth. Here." He pulled out his phone and showed him a picture.

He was trying to focus on the image. His head was spinning. It couldn't be. But there Cobblepot was, with Catherine.

"I ran into her today when I was running errands and I was star struck. The famous Catherine Wayne. I couldn't believe it. She was kind enough to take a picture with me."

He bit his teeth together, trying to calm himself.

"You're a lucky bastard." Cobblepot continued with a smirk, looking at the picture. "Man what a body." He looked up again at Bruce. "I suppose I couldn't make you an offer for a night with her?"

Before he knew what he was doing, his fist met Cobblepot's face. He heard the noise of bones cracking.

"Bloody hell." Cobblepot screamed, holding his nose, blood spouting from it. "You broke it!"
"You listen to me, and you listen to me good, you're not going to come near her ever again. Understood?"
He smirked, blood staining his teeth. "If it means that much to you."
"I know what you're playing."
"Oh yeah?"
"You're in Gotham now. You don't know how things work in this city."
"Oh right. And you're here to explain it to me?"
"No. I'm just here to warn you."

He walked off, feeling consumed by rage.

Alfred opened the car door for him.

As they were driving, Alfred looked at him in the mirror. "That was not smart."
"What wasn't?"
"Your hand. I can see the bruises and blood. I assume it met the face of Mr. Cobblepot?"
He didn't respond, staring out the window.
"You do realize there are actual laws? Laws that Batman might not have to oblige by but that Bruce Wayne can't escape." Alfred said.
"I needed to send a message."
"And what was that message? That you're not in control of your emotions? That you're in need of anger management therapy?"
He rolled his eyes at the old butler. "I wanted to show him that I'm onto him. Maybe it will knock some sense into him."
"You took that quite literally, didn't you."
"It's fine."
"I'll ask you again once the lawsuit hits."
"I'm not worried about that."
"Well maybe you should."


I was just reading the data we analyzed when Bruce marched into the Batcave.
"When were you planning on telling me?" He demanded.
"Hello to you too."
"You saw Cobblepot today?" "Oh. That." "Yeah, that. When were you planning on telling me?" "I guess right around the same time you were planning on telling me you punched him in the face."

He looked at me exasperated. "How did you find that out so quickly?"

"Police scanner chatter. He called the cops the moment you left. You gave him exactly what he wanted. He can file a lawsuit against you now. My guess is he's going to hit up every media outlet in Gotham and they're going to eat the story up."
"I don't care what he wants. I only care about stopping him. All the games around it, I couldn't give less of a shit. So what? He'll destroy my reputation? I never cared for it anyway. He is responsible for the death of twelve innocent lives. That's what I care about."
"But clearly the two are connected. This is about you. The whole thing. So look at it from that perspective. If you want to stop him, you'll need to understand him and his motives."
"Trust me, I am. He thinks he knows me. He thinks he can get to me by attacking my name, my reputation."
"Then what do you think his next move is going to be?"
He sighed. "I don't know."

I leaned against the table. "Yeah. Me neither."


"I'm sorry, my hands are tied." Gordon said as he was standing in Bruce's office. "I have absolutely no evidence that links Cobblepot to the attack at Enterprises."
He didn't respond, staring out the large windows into Gotham's skyline.

"We're keeping an eye on him." "I am too." Bruce said.
"I guess for now that's all we can do."
It wasn't even an hour later that his lawyer appeared.
"He is pressing charges. Aggravated battery."
"How can we fight it?" "We could present him with a lucrative offer."
He nodded.

But Cobblepot wasn't after money. He didn't take the deal and instead went on every TV show and talked to every newspaper and tabloid in Gotham.
Soon, Oswald's sorry face, now with a bandaged nose, was on every screen and on every front page.

"I won't say 'I told you so'." Cat said with a smile.
He didn't respond, knowing full well he fucked up this time. He wasn't worried about the charges. He had hired a team of lawyers. They would get him out of it. But all this was taking away time he needed to focus on what was really at hand.

"Alex called three times asking me for a reaction." She said.
"He's persistent."
"It means this is bad. He wouldn't bother me with this if he didn't absolutely have to."
"I know."
"Why did you do it?"
"I don't know. I just lost control for a moment." He said getting up and leaving for the kitchen. He didn't need reminding that this had been a mistake.


I was worried that Bruce was letting Cobblepot get to him. I didn't know what motivated the punch, but I was worried it meant he had crossed another line.

I turned on the TV to watch the debate between the two candidates for Senate. Deborah Kronfeld and the incumbent Dick Wellsbach. Both vowed for higher security at the state's capital and for more support for the GCPD, especially in light of the latest attack.

And then suddenly the lights on stage went off.

Immediately I stood up and my gut was in a knot. "Bruce?" I yelled.
"What?" He asked, walking back into the room.
I just stared at the screen and he looked as well.

People on stage were scrambling to get the lights back on. That's when suddenly everything went completely black.
"Sorry folks, we seem to have some technical problems." The moderator said.
"I'll get there as soon as I can." He said and went off to the Batcave.
In that moment the lights went back on and the candidates were standing there with guns pointed at their heads by guys in masks.
"Good evening Gotham." A man said as he appeared on stage in a tux and a mask which looked like the skull of a penguin.

I knew he wouldn't let me come with him but I also knew there was no way I was going to sit this one out.


When I arrived at the event hall, Batman was already inside. I was picking up his communication with Gordon over the secure line they had established.

"He has seven guys by the entrance, two on the balcony and another three by the control room." His gravely voice announced through my ear piece.
"We can take the entrance." Gordon said.
"Too obvious. I'm going in and evaluating the situation first."
That had given me enough information to have my own plan.

Fox had given me night vision goggles that also worked to pick up heat radiation through walls. It allowed me to see where people were standing.

I walked down a dark alley to the back entrance of the building. Flipping my glasses down I could see two people standing behind the wall. Further down was a small window. Just big enough to fit me. As quietly as possible I smashed the window and pushed myself through.

Now in a hallway I slowly walked down until I reached a staircase.

"What's the update?" I heard Gordon ask Batman.

But there was no answer. It probably meant he was busy.

One of Penguin's guy's walked up the staircase, not even noticing me yet, his shotgun hanging carelessly on his shoulder by a strap.

The mask was just a plain ski mask. Once again simple and non-traceable.

"Hi sugar." I said with a smile. He immediately looked up at me and was about to grab his gun, when I kicked him full force in the hand, the gun flying from him. Without waiting for another move from him I pushed him over the railing and he landed on the ground hard.

It wasn't a deadly fall but he was out.

Two men were guarding the entrance to the main room at the top of the staircase.

I used another of Fox's new tools. I grabbed the tiny card sized device and slid it across the floor until it reached almost their feet. Two seconds later black smoke appeared. The two were visibly confused as they were surrounded by the smoke. I jumped up, punched one in the throat and the other one first in the groin and then I elbowed him in the neck.
When they were both on the ground, I collected my device, plugged it back on my belt and made my way inside.

I was far away from the stage. There was a group of hostages held in the middle of the room, surrounded by Penguin's men.

And there was Penguin, talking away. It was about how Gotham's leaders have failed the city.

"It's because the city is rotten to the core, you see." He said.

Before I could even think of what to do next, a thin wire shot at my belt and zipped me up into the air.

Immediately I was secured by strong hands.

His dark eyes stared at me disapprovingly.

I smiled and shrugged. "You didn't think I'd let you have all the fun, did you?"

He didn't respond as we were sitting on beams stretching across the massive room. Large lights were attached to the beams, allowing for professional lightening on the stage.

I counted Penguin's men and assessed the situation.
"It's doable." I said quietly.
"I am doing this alone."
"This isn't up for discussion. Lives are at risk. I am good."

He didn't respond. We both watched as the scene underneath us unfolded.

Penguin continued his speech and we made our way closer to the stage, slowly moving from beam to beam.

There were four guys with guns surrounding the hostages. Three guys on stage.
"What's the plan? I know you have one." I said.
"Batarangs for the guys holding the hostages then we jump on stage."
I nodded. "Just give me the signal."

We moved even closer.

"This is the foundation of Gotham." Penguin said. "It is time Gotham learned its true colors. Only then can the healing begin."

The lights went off and a video started playing on a large projector.

I kept my eyes on Penguin and the other people on stage. Nobody was moving.

The video showed a young Falcone in a room in Arkham, a woman strapped to a gurney.
"Please, you don't have to do this." She pleaded.
"Oh don't worry, dear. I'm not going to do a thing." Falcone said.

In that moment a man in the video walked into the room and when I saw who he was, my heart froze.
"My friend Thomas Wayne here will help me out." Falcone said.

My mouth felt dry, I felt suddenly nauseous.

What was Thomas Wayne doing there?
Maybe they had kidnapped Wayne and forced him to do something?

"You had your chance." Wayne said as he walked towards the woman in his white lab coat.
She started screaming as he injected her with something. I felt tears in my eyes, and couldn't bring myself to look at Bruce next to me. I couldn't begin to imagine what this was like for him.

Then the woman in the video started convulsing.
"How long until she is one of them crazies?" Falcone asked Wayne.
He looked casually at his watch. "20 minutes tops."

Loud screams and gurgling noises were coming from the woman.

That's when the video ended.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Penguin said. "Now you know. Now you have the truth. Your city is built on lies."

I wiped tears quickly off my face, hoping Bruce wouldn't notice. It was heartbreaking to watch on many levels.
Everyone in Gotham always admired Thomas Wayne. He was like royalty. Something good in the darkness of Gotham. And now it was all a lie? What hope did Gotham have if even its most pure citizens had been part of the mob?
But more importantly, it broke my heart for Bruce. I knew what this meant for him.

I carefully looked at him and his face didn't let on. It was a like a stone wall. No emotions.

"You take the three on the right, I'll get the rest." He said in a gravely voice, not taking his eyes off the stage.

Normally I would have made a smart ass comment. What, you want to keep all the fun for yourself? But the words were stuck in my throat.
I didn't know what to do or say. Should I say something? Some encouraging words? What was there to say?
Should I touch his hand as a sign of comfort? I didn't know what to do so instead I simply nodded, swallowing tears.

He pressed a button on his belt and the lights started to flicker and then went off. This was when we would make our entrance.

I pulled down my night vision goggles and jumped down onto the stage. I grabbed one guy and smashed his head into a TV screen. Another guy pulled his gun and pointed it in the direction of the TV. I grabbed his arm and twisted it until he screamed and dropped the gun, which I took and knocked him out.
The third guy had already left.
I turned around and saw Batman standing above the five people on the ground.

"Penguin left as soon as the lights went out." He said in a dark voice.
"We'll get him." I said.
He didn't respond.

"Gordon, send your men in. There are many hostages. Penguin escaped and his men are out of commission." He said as we walked to the rooftop where he had parked the Bat.

I was waiting for a reaction from him. Something. Anything.

But he was a stonewall. No emotions slipping through the cracks.

For some reason this had hit me hard. I felt my hands shaking, a big lump forming in my throat. I felt utterly helpless.

We jumped into the Bat and his eyes were like darts, his hands tightly on the steering wheel. He did not say a word. There was an eerie silence.
I formulated a million things I could say but they all didn't seem right.
Before I knew it, we were back at the Batcave.

Bruce jumped out and took off his mask. He was walking quickly towards Alfred, who was standing at the computers.

"Did you know about this?" He said and now I could hear the rage in his voice.
"Bruce." I said, grabbing his arm, trying to slow him down. He pushed me away and kept walking.
"Answer me." He said as he walked up to the old butler. "Is it true? Is this true?"
Alfred's eyes looked sad as he took a deep breath. "Sir, I analyzed the video."
"And?"
"It seems…authentic."

Bruce ran his hand over his mouth. "Did you know about this?"
"I didn't, sir."
"How could that be? You were with them every single day." He asked in a raised voice. "How could you not know? Tell me the truth." His voice was ringing through the cave like an echo of pain and anger.
"I am, Master Wayne."
"Don't call me that."
"Sir?" "If this is true…then I want nothing to do with that name anymore."
"But sir…"
"All my life…everything I built." He shook his head. "It's all a god damn lie!"
"Sir if I may…"
"Why am I doing any of this? I became this monster…for what?" He threw the mask against the stone wall with force and it shattered into two pieces.
Then he walked away.

I tried to follow him but Alfred stopped me. "Let him be."

I felt my whole body shaking, looking after him helplessly

"I don't know how to help him, Alfred." I said, wiping away tears.
He nodded. "I don't think there's much we can do other than be here for him."
"Are you sure it's Thomas on that video? I can't imagine he would ever work with Falcone."
He sighed. "I ran it through our voice recognition system. Twice. It's his voice. And the facial features are also accurate. The video didn't seem altered."
"I just…can't believe it." "None of us can."

Everything he had built his life after, destroyed in one night. The memory of his father torn down.