Commissioner Jim Gordon gnashed his teeth together in irritation and worry as he hurried through the lobby of the television studio where chaos currently prevailed.
Reporters and cameramen were running about, trying to get shots of what was happening right inside their own building while outside the lobby, through the glass doors, an angry mob was growing with each passing second as people tried to barge into the building and toward the man that was currently following Gordon's small team in a daze.
Coleman Reese himself appeared to still be in shock following the Joker's declaration, the surprise and fear making him mostly numb to everything except Gordon's fierce grip that pulled him along. Gordon didn't exactly blame the younger man but he did wish Reese had kept his mouth shut and stayed at home if he wasn't able to handle the pressure of public attention, which could turn sour at the flip of a coin. Gotham City had already been dealt a massive blow when they learnt of the attack on Harvey Dent and heard that another life had been lost in the middle of the cross-fire, all while the Joker slipped away once more through the fingers of the police. And judging by the mob outside, it seemed that hearing their own loved ones, checked in at hospitals around the city, might be next on the Joker's increasing list of victims had turned some people's terror into frenzied action.
It was as the thought passed through his mind that Gordon spotted one particularly wild-eyed old man break free from the police line that was desperately trying to keep the crowd back from the doors as Reese approached. Ducking under an officer's arm, the man raised his arm to reveal the pistol he held and the man fired in Reese's direction.
Gordon didn't even think as he threw himself at Reese, pulling the man to the ground just as the gun was fired. People screamed while the rest of Gordon's team ducked and pulled aside cameramen and reporters in alarm as the laminated glass panel behind them shattered from the bullet's impact.
Outside, the crowd surged as though emboldened by the gunshot even as the old man that had fired the pistol was tackled to the ground by the police guards. Gordon meanwhile hauled Reese back to his feet, yelling into his comm unit.
"Get the cars around back!"
He shoved Reese along as the man remained rooted in shock at the attempt on his life. Gordon's team followed hastily, covering Gordon and Reese from behind as they hurriedly made their way toward the back of the building and away from the murderous mob.
Meanwhile, outside
Bruce pulled out onto the street in front of the station. Slowing down his blue lamborghini slightly, he arced around the crowd to take a quick peek inside the station, just in time to see Gordon and his team before they disappeared around the back of the building.
"I saw O'Brien and Richards…" Bruce reported, the comm in his ear picking up his words.
"Nothing on them." Alfred replied after a brief moment during which he searched the policemen's records at the Batcave computer. "No immediate family members admitted to a Gotham hospital."
Inside the TV station
Gordon burst out the back door, pulling the badly shaken Reese out behind him while he continuously checked the coast was clear in case there was another attempt on Reese's life.
"They're trying to kill me."
Gordon glanced back at Reese's dazed mumble, before he looked back toward the police van that was waiting for them. Near throwing Reese inside the van, Gordon muttered with more than a hint of a sarcastic bite, "Well, maybe Batman can save you."
Reese didn't respond and Gordon clambered swiftly into the van. The van peeled off as soon as Gordon slammed the door shut behind him, leaving O'Brien and Richards to take the police car that brought up the rear of their guard as the GCPD hurriedly took off from the station and toward the station.
Not far behind
Bruce swung his lamborghini down another road, tailing the police van surreptitiously from a slight distance after he'd managed to get a look at the two officers in the front seat of the van and the one inside before Gordon closed the door.
"I saw Burns and Zachary..." Bruce informed Alfred tightly as he weaved his way through traffic and between streets to keep the police van in sight without the police realizing he was following them.
"Nothing on them." Alfred replied instantly.
But Bruce added worriedly, "-And a patrolman I don't know."
"What should we do, sir?" Alfred inquired.
Bruce swerved around another corner, his expression tight in a way that had nothing to do with his somewhat reckless driving.
"Send the information to Gordon."
Inside the police van
"Okay, so what now?" Reese asked fearfully, continuously looking out the rear and side windows. "What do we do now? Where are we going?"
Gordon didn't bother to reply, instead turning to stare out at the streets himself. He wouldn't admit it aloud, certainly not for Reese to hear, but he was worried and wary. A criminal was one thing, a danger he had some idea to handle, but a people filled with fear for their loved ones was a whole different thing entirely. Love was a powerful tool, and paired with fear it could make someone reckless and unpredictable. A dangerous combination especially when they had no way of knowing just how far it had spread.
Gordon's phone suddenly beeped, startling them all. Reese eyed him with terror, as if expecting Gordon's phone to suddenly blow up - not that Gordon blamed him, he certainly wouldn't put anything past the Joker anymore - while Gordon quickly took out his phone.
A message popped up from an unknown number but Gordon knew immediately who it was from.
'Watch out. Cops with relatives in Gotham Hospitals.'
Gordon pursed his lips just slightly but made no further outward sign as he pressed the next message that arrived.
'Ramirez, Berg.'
Gordon's eyes immediately shot up to look at the young officer seated right across from him.
He hadn't really paid attention to it before, but the young man was extremely tense as he clutched his police-issued rifle in his hands, pointed upright for the moment, and he was beginning to sweat a little from nervousness. Until then, Gordon had assumed it was because the officer was anxious of potential attacks, particularly given this was probably his first experience on such an important protection detail. But now, Gordon realized it was something very, very different that was weighing on his officer's mind.
"It's Berg, isn't it?" Gordon suddenly asked.
The young officer looked up, startled, and he blinked away the light sweat that was starting to roll down his face.
"Commissioner." Officer Berg answered, acknowledging the question.
Gordon smiled slightly, keeping his expression kind as he inquired, "You okay, son?"
The officer nodded, barely relaxing, and Gordon noticed the way the other man's eyes dropped briefly to glance at his watch.
Outside the van
Bruce sped passed a line of traffic, maintaining his slight distance from the police van which was just rolling to a stop as it reached a red light.
Bruce stopped his own car one light behind the police van's, when he noticed something from the corner of his eye.
Bruce glanced to the side to where he could see a pickup pulling up to the same intersection as the police van, stopping at the light. More specifically, Bruce looked at the driver whom he could see clearly through the untinted window. And most importantly, Bruce watched the man who was sweating slightly and staring, a little wide-eyed but still wildly determined, right at the police man.
Inside the police van
Gordon kept his expression neutral and his tone was impassive but firm as he addressed the young officer before him once more.
"I'm gonna need your weapon."
Berg's eyes shot up to Gordon, wide with surprise and more than a hint of fear.
"What?" The man asked automatically. At the same time and likely unconsciously, his hands tilted so that the gun was now pointed further down and closer to Reese who noticed the movement.
The lawyer's breath caught but Gordon kept his own air collected and soothing, as if he was facing a wild animal, as he continued to stare at Berg, who swallowed.
"Why?" The officer asked softly. "Because my wife's in the hospital?"
"Yeah," Gordon answered blandly. "That would be why."
Berg's breathing quickened and his eyes flitted to Reese who was now looking downright terrified.
Outside the van
Bruce tensed as the light turned green at the police van's intersection. The van started up and began moving forward slowly at the same time that Bruce's light also turned green.
His foot hit the gas and Bruce shot forward, swerving to the right lane.
Inside the van
As the van began to move again, Berg suddenly jerked.
"Mr. Reese." He choked in apology even as he swung his gun around properly to try and shoot the other man.
Gordon launched himself at his officer at the same time, wrestling the gun in Berg's hand. Reese dove to the side with a yelp just as there was a bang and the gun fired a bullet harmlessly through the roof.
Outside the van
The pickup truck took off, picking up speed quickly as the driver slammed his foot into his gas pedal just as the police van lined up in front of him… when a blue lamborghini suddenly appeared in the pickup's path.
It was too late to try and slow down, and the truck slammed right into the side of the lamborghini, causing the other car to spin into the tail end of the police van and twirl in the middle of the street before all three cars and the police car that had been trailing the van to skid to a relatively harmless stop in the middle of the intersection.
Moments later
O'Brien and Richards hauled the pickup driver from his truck, taking the man away in their police car while Burns and Zachary took Berg aside with grim expressions.
Gordon meanwhile stepped out of the barely dented police van after ensuring his backup team had Reese covered, and walked to where a familiar figure was seated beside his beat-up lamborghini, holding his head in his hand over his knees while an emergency medic checked the man's vitals.
"It's Mr. Wayne, isn't it?" Gordon asked to be polite, catching Bruce's 'attention'.
Bruce looked up from where he had been feigning pain (not that he wasn't feeling a little bit of the effects that being rammed into by a pickup truck caused) while the medic walked away after giving him the all-clear. He squinted at Gordon to keep up pretenses, while Gordon stuffed his hands into his pockets awkwardly.
The police commissioner had never thought, since Bruce's return to Gotham, that one day he would be complimenting the infamous playboy billionaire. But he had to admit, he was a little pleased and proud as he said to Bruce, "That was a very brave thing, you did."
Gordon's pride faded almost instantly, however, as Bruce Wayne gave him a dumb look before the younger man asked skeptically, "Trying to catch the light?"
Gordon stared.
"You-you weren't protecting the van?" He asked incredulously. 'He's not serious… is he?'
But Gordon realized he was wrong as Bruce asked blankly while turning to look back at said police van, "Why? Who's in it?"
Gordon stared at Bruce for a moment in disbelief before looking back at the billionaire's wrecked sports car as he re-evaluted the scene before him in a different light.
'Of course… typical Bruce Wayne…' He thought with a flare of annoyance now prickling inside. 'How is Becky still friends with this guy?'
Bruce meanwhile used Gordon's momentary preoccupation to let his mask slip for a second as he watched Reese climb out of the busted van to move to another, safer vehicle. The lawyer's eyes locked with Bruce's as he stepped out and Bruce watched recognition dawn in the shorter man's eyes before Reese sent Bruce a minute nod of thanks along with a loaded look. The look spoke volumes: Reese's gratitude, his regret and apology, and most of all, his promise to keep his lips sealed and take his saviour's secret to his grave.
Bruce gave the other man a tiny nod back and a look of understanding in response before turning back to Gordon just as the Commissioner returned his gaze to Bruce with a hint of disapproval and exasperation.
All hints of Batman and the real Bruce Wayne were gone by that point, and Bruce asked the Commissioner with feigned ignorance, "Don't you think I should go to the hospital?"
It was laying things on a little thickly, he admitted, but Gordon didn't seem to notice. Instead, the Commissioner inquired dryly, "You don't watch a whole lot of news, do you, Mr. Wayne?"
Bruce suppressed a smile, and instead adopted a feigned expression of arrogant boredom paired with a light shrug.
"It can get a little intense." Bruce answered and Gordon shook his head.
'Really, what does Becky see in this guy.' Gordon wondered yet again when suddenly they heard a faint boom coming from somewhere far in the city.
Bruce glanced around Gordon toward the source, momentarily letting his true nature slip now that Gordon's back was toward him as the Commissioner turned instantly to stare in the same direction.
"The Southeast." Gordon mumbled, eyes tightening as he realized his hunch had been right. "It's Gotham General."
His phone suddenly rang and Gordon answered it instantly, forgetting about the airhead billionaire beside him immediately as his attention was brought right back to current affairs.
"Did you get everyone?"
Bruce feigned disinterest, massaging his shoulder again in pretend pain. But he was watching Gordon carefully out of the corner of his eye so Bruce saw immediately when Gordon's body went rigid in response to whatever he was being told.
"How can Dent be missing?" Gordon hissed and Bruce's eyes narrowed.
He turned his head away to hide the rest of his reaction, but his act was shattered at Gordon's next words
"What do you mean, Becky?!" Gordon yelled, drawing the attention of the small crowd around the car accident.
Bruce's head snapped around and he looked at the Commissioner with new focus that was oddly different from the curious and slightly wary looks the rest of the crowd were giving Gordon. However, Gordon didn't notice the younger man's attention, too busy whisper-yelling into his phone.
"Where was she? What?! Is that confirmed? Fine; don't stop searching! I'll be there as soon as I can."
He hung up in fury and despair, his mind a flurry of panicked thoughts that were broken by a deadly serious voice from behind.
"Commissioner."
Gordon turned back to Bruce, intending to tell the younger man that now was not a good time. However, the words died on his lips when he actually saw Bruce. Nowhere was the cocky, ignorant man Gordon had turned away from to be found. Instead, in his place was a grim man whose eyes couldn't hide the deep concern he felt as he inquired, "What was that about Becky? Is she alright?"
Disarmed by the sudden change in Bruce's attitude, a startled Gordon answered, "Er, Becky was at Gotham General to help with the evacuation. She was seen going in but no-one saw her come back out."
"She's missing?"
It was like an arrow had hit him right in the heart, and Bruce couldn't quite hide the suffocating pain that suddenly threatened to tear him apart.
"How… Where…?"
"We're looking into it now." Gordon answered, unable to say more. How he wished he himself knew.
He still had the presence of mind to examine the young billionaire before him, however, and Gordon was surprised to read the lines of agony and worry and fear on the younger man's face. He looked at Bruce, really looked at him for perhaps the first time since the man had returned to Gotham from the supposed dead one year ago. Until now, Gordon hadn't been able to be much bothered with the young man who appeared disinterested in continuing his father's legacy at all, not even the wealth that he apparently thrived off of.
But now… and Gordon found himself staring in particular into the other man's dark brown eyes. A thought crossed his mind, and Gordon wondered. 'Could it be…? No… surely not…?'
Shaking aside his suspicions for now, Gordon focused back on the distraught man before him.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Wayne." He offered quietly. "We'll call you as soon as there are developments."
"Of course." Bruce muttered, tensing. He stood up suddenly and stiffly, startling Gordon a bit, and Gordon stared as Bruce turned away.
"Excuse me."
Gordon watched curiously for another long moment as Bruce Wayne walked away, surprisingly steady on his feet given the accident he had just been in. Tucking the thought away for the moment, Gordon turned as well to hurry to his own waiting car that would take him to Gotham General. Where he could hopefully find Rebecca and Harvey Dent and the other 50 people that his men had apparently managed to lose along with an entire bus during the wild circus the Joker had sent the whole city dancing in.
Bruce meanwhile tried to keep his cool as he slid into his waiting limousine (Alfred having come to pick him up to avoid even more attention from the public if Bruce were to take any other mode of transport). But the moment he shut the door behind him, closing himself and Alfred from the rest of the world, his entire demeanour changed.
"What happened, Alfred?" Bruce asked tightly. "I thought Becky was in the penthouse?"
"I'm sorry, Master Wayne." Alfred replied grimly. "She was not."
45 minutes earlier
Bruce had just left the penthouse and Alfred was about to head to the Batcave when Rebecca's phone rang.
"Jim?" Rebecca answered instantly.
Alfred paused, lingering to watch her.
She tried to wave him ahead, knowing he also had to hurry, while she listened as Gordon said urgently, "Becky, I'm sorry, but I need you to get down to Gotham General. I have a hunch that that's where the bomb is."
"Because that's where Harvey is." Rebecca breathed in realization. "Of course."
"Right, and I'd go myself, but someone has to be there for Reese." Gordon began, sounding incredibly harassed.
Rebecca straightened up and she cut Gordon off swiftly.
"I'm on it, Jim. Don't worry, I've got you covered."
"Thanks, Sergeant." Gordon said in relief, clearly glad to have at least one less thing to worry about. "Be careful, but get Dent out of there as soon as possible."
"Don't worry, Commissioner." Rebecca answered grimly. "I'll protect him with my life if I have to."
She hung up and turned to Alfred who was still watching her intently and with a worried gaze.
"You're heading out, Miss Rebecca?" He asked although it was more of a statement.
Rebecca still nodded in response anyway.
"Gordon needs someone at Gotham General - someone he can trust to watch Dent." She explained as she hurried to get her clothes and gear from Bruce's room. "I guess after what happened with-with Rachel, he doesn't want to risk having anyone else."
Alfred looked troubled, unhappy to have Rebecca go off as well. But he had his own job to do and Rebecca was a grown woman. So he instead said gravely, "Please do be careful, Miss Rebecca. I shouldn't like to think what Master Wayne will do if any harm were to befall you."
Rebecca's hand stilled on her gun in the middle of strapping it into her harness and her shoulders slumped just slightly.
"I know." She murmured. "Believe me, I know. And I'll try, Alfred, I promise… But I can't sit back and just watch. Not when someone needs me."
Knowing that was the best he could get, Alfred nodded before heading out himself. He needed to hurry if he wanted to get to the Batcave and find the information Bruce needed. He made a mental note to also refrain from letting Bruce know about Rebecca's outing until after Bruce was done protecting Reese - the last thing he needed was for his young master to become distracted. Especially with the Joker still out at large.
Rebecca meanwhile pulled on the rest of her gear before rushing out not long after Alfred left, heading in the opposite direction from the old butler as she drove toward Gotham General Hospital.
Ten minutes later
Rebecca strode swiftly through the corridors of Gotham General, weaving her way through the wave of evacuees who were being wheeled or guided out of the hospital. She lent a quick hand to those who needed it, but her priority was to get to Harvey's room and make sure he was secured. The last thing she or the rest of the City needed was for him to also be captured or worse, killed.
And besides, Rebecca owed it to Harvey to look out for him. She owed it to her sister to make sure Harvey was kept safe. And she swore she would do exactly that.
Unfortunately, when Rebecca reach Harvey's ward, her instincts went on high alert. There were no guards posted as there should have been at the door, nor had she heard any communication that Harvey had already been moved.
"Dawes, over," Rebecca called into her comm as she slowed in her approach of Harvey's ward. "What's the status on Dent?"
"He's still isolated in his room, Sergeant." Ramirez's somewhat strained voice replied promptly. "The Commissioner's orders were to wait for you to supervise his transfer."
"Where are his guards?" Rebecca demanded. There was a pause during which Ramirez appeared to check something before she answered.
"Seems they were called to assist with the other patients, Serge. Sending in backup now to help with the transfer."
"Roger that." Rebecca muttered as she clicked off. Drawing her gun as a precaution, Rebecca swung the door to Harvey's ward open - and found herself face to face with the most wanted criminal in all of Gotham City.
"Surprise!" The Joker trilled, smiling widely when he saw who had barged in on him and Harvey this time. "Look who we have here!"