Rebecca actually managed to get home earlier than her sister that night – though, with Rachel now dating Harvey that was a slightly more frequent event.
Slightly, because Rebecca had been pulling later nights more often as Sergeant because of the incidents with the Joker, the mob, and trying to squeeze in some time to see Bruce more than once a week.
However, this night she had called off early and – since Bruce apparently had a date planned as 'Bruce Wayne' – she was able to just fully relax at home. Rachel also had a date with Harvey, so Rebecca truly was free to enjoy the whole evening alone for once.
Did it bother her that Bruce still 'dated' other women? Yes. Was she going to kick up a fuss? No. Rebecca knew the small feelings of jealousy and – honestly – irritation wouldn't ever fade; and if they did, she'd frankly be more worried about her relationship with Bruce.
However, Rebecca trusted Bruce so she kept her small, uglier feelings in the corner of her heart where even she could mostly ignore them. It did help that there were rumours going around that notorious playboy Bruce Wayne was becoming rather difficult to extract kisses from.
Rebecca didn't know where some of the women in the police station got the information from – possibly the gossipy cafe ladies around Gotham City, who probably heard it from somewhere else along the grapevine – but the rumours had started growing persistently over the past few months. Nine months, to be exact.
And Rebecca would be lying if she said that didn't help her ego a bit.
Though, she noted as she glanced at a picture of Rachel and Harvey pinned to their fridge, she did feel small pangs when her sister discussed her relationship with Harvey. Not just the same feelings of jealousy that Rachel could date her man so happily and openly, but the stronger feelings of guilt made Rebecca rather nervous around Rachel lately.
The Dawes sisters had always shared things together, having grown up mostly with just the two of them and Bruce. And after their mother had passed away from illness and Bruce had disappeared for years, their bond had only gotten stronger.
So to hide her feelings and relationship with Bruce from Rachel was starting to stress Rebecca out, especially since Rachel was so eager to share news with her sister. And though Rebecca suspected Rachel had already guessed her feelings for Bruce, there was no way Rebecca could explain her relationship with Bruce without explaining Batman.
She could just picture Rachel's face if she had to explain the fact that she was actually dating Bruce despite the fact that he was seen 'dating' every supermodel, actress, and – his latest – prima ballerina that passed through Gotham.
Rebecca winced – actually, even knowing the truth, it sounded really bad. If it weren't for the fact that the Batman was a heavy responsibility to the wearer of the mantle and a symbol of increasing hope, it literally sounded like a bad excuse a playboy would use to keep his naïve mistress around. Never mind that he told her about each date before he went on one.
Rebecca sighed as she laid her head back on the back of her living room couch. Oh well; it was what she'd signed up for when she'd agreed to date Bruce Wayne and Batman. Still, she wondered if there was any way she could tell Rachel the truth without the whole truth.
She didn't think Bruce would really mind telling Rachel about Batman; but the more people there were who knew Batman's identity, the more dangerous it could only get. Not only that, Rebecca was well aware that knowing Batman's identity itself could be potentially dangerous, considering how many enemies he was making. It was what Bruce worried about with her, and what Rebecca worried about for Rachel.
'It's an endless cycle; there just isn't a good answer.' Rebecca groaned as she ruffled her red curls in frustration.
She then jumped as the front door slammed open, and Rebecca looked over – startled – as Rachel strode in, looking incredibly annoyed.
"Rach? Is everything okay?" Rebecca asked, wondering what could have gone wrong with her date. Had Harvey done something? If he had hurt her sister-
"No, it's not okay!" Rachel fumed. "You'll never believe who crashed my date with Harvey tonight."
Rebecca frowned, bewildered, before she suddenly realized-
"Bruce!" Rachel yelled, slamming her handbag down irritably while Rebecca hung her head.
'Why, Bruce, why?' Rebecca asked mentally. 'Why did you have to crash Rachel's date to try and meet Harvey?'
Rachel was still ranting as she took off her heels and jewelry, "He even brought along his own date – the prima ballerina for the Moscow ballet, which is in town for the next week or so. At least she wasn't a complete airhead – she made some valid points about Batman and his vigilante position."
Rebecca winced – another reason she didn't want to tell Rachel Bruce was really Batman. Her sister didn't agree with Batman taking the law into his own hands.
"She actually had a pretty good argument against Harvey." Rachel was continuing. "I'm surprised Harvey supports Batman though – I would have thought he would be the most against it. Although, thinking back, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised. Harvey's passionate for justice, and Batman does do that, even I'll admit that."
Rebecca raised a brow at this revelation, while Rachel shook her head as she added vehemently, "And it's more than I can say about Bruce. He just sat there, barely contributing! I know he's not stupid or as airheaded as he acts sometimes; but soon, I swear it won't be an act, but the real him if he continues to choose to be ignorant!"
Rebecca just let Rachel continue as the brunette gained steam, "But still, he dared to feign surprise at seeing me at the hotel restaurant, when I know exactly why he was there. He just had to go all big brother on me."
Rebecca made a noncommittal sound – she didn't doubt that was part of Bruce's motivation – while Rachel continued angrily, "We barely even speak anymore! I mean, okay, we're still friends after he apologized to us after the whole Arkham and Crane thing; but he had no right to ruin my date!"
"Yeah, he really shouldn't have." Rebecca agreed, mentally sighing, while Rachel paused midway off putting away her heels.
"He did offer to throw Harvey a fundraiser though." Rachel conceded grudgingly.
Rebecca turned to her in surprise, as Rachel added thoughtfully, "Though it's weird – since when did he care what the rest of the city did? Or do you think he was just being belatedly nice to make up for ruining my date?"
"Who knows?" Rebecca answered, and Rachel shot her a look.
"Don't give me that, you're still his best friend." Rachel pointed out. "If anyone knows what was going through Bruce's head, it's you – you, or Alfred."
"Thanks." Rebecca commented lightly. "At least you put me in good company."
"You know what I mean." Rachel sighed. "Look, I'm sorry. I know you… care for Bruce, and I'm not exactly helping when I tell you about his date. Even if he was technically crashing mine."
"It's fine." Rebecca reassured. "I told you it's not like that with Bruce. And I promise I'll tell him not to crash your date again the next time I go talk to him."
Rachel had raised a skeptical brow at Rebecca's – admittedly weak – excuse that she didn't have special feelings for Bruce, but the brunette let it go. She knew Rebecca wasn't going to be honest, which Rachel chalked up to be a case of severe denial.
So instead, she said to Rebecca, "Please do. And tell him I won't be as nice next time he tries it."
Rebecca just nodded, watching Rachel walk into her bedroom before she dropped her head into her hands. She could feel the migraine coming – she could actually feel it creeping up.
As much as she loved Bruce and wouldn't trade him for the world, he was certainly talented at making her life more difficult than it had to be.
Early the next morning
"So, I take it you liked Harvey, then?" Rebecca noted casually as she sat across from Bruce at the table. "Since you offered to throw him a fundraiser."
They were at his penthouse for once, Bruce having actually stayed in the prior night after spending the evening with his 'date'... and Rachel and Harvey. Rebecca had stopped by for breakfast with him, both to spend time with Bruce and to speak with him before her job later that very day.
"Yeah." Bruce agreed, chewing thoughtfully on Alfred's heavenly omelet while Rebecca buttered her toast. "I liked his spirit – his passion. He wants to do what's right for Gotham; he even went so far as to say that the Batman was elected by all of Gotham's citizens who stood by and let the criminals take control."
"Nice boost to your ego." Rebecca teased.
But Bruce shook his head as he said seriously, "Becky, don't you see? This could be it. Harvey locked up half of the city's criminals, without wearing a mask. He's-"
"Gotham's 'White Knight'?" Rebecca asked, quoting the press's title for Harvey Dent.
Bruce nodded as he finished firmly, "And that's what Gotham really needs. A real hero, and who can really become a face of hope. Someone who the people can relate to, but who is honest and upright; a role model."
"And what about the Batman?" Rebecca inquired, and Bruce answered, "He can lay down his mantle. Maybe he'll always be a symbol to the people, but right now Gotham needs more that that - they need a man to lead them. And then I don't have to keep pretending Bruce Wayne's this self-absorbed, spoilt rich boy."
He reached across the table, taking Rebecca's hand in his as he added softly, "I can finally tell the world you're my girlfriend. And I can be the guy you can proudly go out in public with."
"Well, at least I know you're thinking about me as well." Rebecca joked, though she had a small smile on her face as she squeezed Bruce's hand. "And I have to admit, that life sounds amazing."
Bruce met her gaze with his own piercing brown eyes as he said seriously, "We'll get there; it's the least you deserve. I just need to ask you to wait a little longer until we get there."
Rebecca's lips curved up and she answered softly, "I told you before – I'll always wait for you, Bruce."
"You shouldn't have to." He countered firmly.
Rebecca sighed to herself. Somehow, she doubted it would be all that easy – not least of all because she wasn't as certain as Bruce was that he would be able to give up being Batman. The day when he would no longer need the Batman didn't seem as close as he thought the day Gotham wouldn't need Batman was.
But she kept that to herself for now, seeing that she only had a maximum of ten minutes before she had to go.
"Just remember, I'll always be here." Rebecca said instead as she squeezed his hand, and Bruce smiled.
"And remember you always have this." He answered as he pressed his other hand to his chest to indicate his heart.
Rebecca smiled back at him, before Bruce nodded at the clock.
"You need to go." He noted wryly, and she nodded back.
"By the way, don't think you're going to get away with ruining Rachel's date just because you flattered her boyfriend." Rebecca added as they both stood from the table. "You're still going to have to at least make it up to her."
"I'm throwing her boyfriend a fundraiser." Bruce protested.
But Rebecca gave him a pointed look as she said, "You're doing that because you believe it's the right thing to do."
"Fine, fine, I'll apologize." Bruce sighed, rolling his eyes as Rebecca grinned and kissed his jaw.
"Thank you." Rebecca smiled, while Bruce pretended to sulk.
"That's all I get?" He joked, and Rebecca laughed as she grabbed her jacket, protective vest, and gun holster from where it was hanging by the elevator leading into the penthouse.
"Considering I really have to get going, yes that's all you get." She answered cheekily, and Bruce had to grin.
It dropped to a slight frown as he added while Rebecca shrugged her gear on, "What's happening today that you need extra protection and your gun ready?"
"We're going in after the mob's cash." Rebecca explained, and Bruce's brow shot up. "Harvey got us the warrants to search the five banks in record time."
"And you're going in today?" Bruce asked, gazing at her worriedly, and Rebecca asked with a small smile, "Are you seriously worrying about me, Batman?"
"Of course I'm worrying about the love of my life." He answered, looking down at her sternly. "Promise you'll be careful?"
"I won't do anything you wouldn't." Rebecca promised as she kissed him quickly before getting into the elevator.
"That's not really reassuring." Bruce called after her, and she shouted back as the doors closed, "So you are aware of it!"
Bruce shook his head, though he couldn't stop the small chuckle that escaped him. She really did drive him crazy sometimes – though it was usually in the good way.
But his smile faded quickly as he thought about what she was going to be doing today, and he sighed again.
'This must be how Alfred feels like whenever he's waiting up for me.' Bruce thought to himself as he moved towards the lounge, naturally gravitating towards the television where he could keep an eye on the news. 'How on earth does he do it?'
Some time later
Rebecca pulled up in front of one of the banks sharply, quickly slipping out onto the street with the SWAT team.
She waved to the ground team to follow her, and the team moved quickly, guns held at the ready. A few of the SWAT guys set up a perimeter while the main team snuck into the bank, and TAC teams stood ready to support at a moment's notice as Rebecca and her team moved swiftly through the bank.
Rebecca kept her gun held before her, always keeping it ready to be fired as she turned the corners down several hallways towards the central vaults. One of the SWAT guys stuck with her, holding the device that tracked the marked bills, while the others spread out to gain coverage in case of a fight.
As everything remained quiet, Rebecca frowned – could it actually be this easy? She checked with her SWAT guy, and he nodded as he confirmed the money was still in the vault coming up at the very heart of the bank.
Rebecca waved her men around as they all gathered around the indicated vault, the defense team setting up a barrier line first in case as they slowly opened the vault.
Rebecca held her gun pointed in front of her, ready to fire at the first notice, and her eyes widened as the door to the vault was fully opened.
"Sh*t." She breathed as the entire team lowered their guns, staring with disbelief inside the vault… the empty vault.
"Sh*t!" Rebecca swore, waving in her team to make sure all the money really was gone. Although she knew in her hearts of hearts that they'd been outwitted, it was procedure to check the vault thoroughly so she let her team look in every nook and cranny for a potential hiding spot while she grabbed her police radio.
"Lieutenant Gordon?" She called tightly, and he replied furiously, "Don't tell me – it's gone?"
"Yes, sir." Rebecca confirmed, glancing down at where a small collection of bills had been placed in a line in the middle of the otherwise stripped vault - the marked bills they had been chasing, and the only bills left behind.
"Son of a gun!" Gordon snarled. "Yours is the third already, Dawes. Ramirez just radioed in seconds before you to report the same thing."
"They got us." Rebecca growled, and Gordon exploded, "They didn't just get us – this-!"
He cut himself off abruptly, though Rebecca could still hear his angry breathing.
She wisely didn't point out his near slip, simply listening with a clenched jaw as Gordon barked, "Meet me back at the station tonight, Sergeant. Until then, search the area - find whatever you can and I want to hear whatever you've got when you report in."
"Yes, sir." Rebecca answered, and though she couldn't quite keep her own bitter disappointment out of her voice she managed to at least keep her tone mostly neutral and professional.
This wasn't the time for her and Gordon to vent or exchange theories. They could discuss that later, when they were safely within trusted company because if they'd ever needed proof there were still moles in the police and justice departments, this failed bust was certainly it.