Wow, just wow I have absolutely no words, other than I'm incredibly sorry! This is going to be a pretty long authors note so just please bear with me. I know that it's been TWO FUCKING YEARS, believe me when I say that no one is more ashamed of this than I am. There are just so many things about this story that kept evolving in my head and that in turn just made me discouraged to write because I kept thinking that it would never get done. But this summer I became determined to write, and write I did.

Now please listen to me when I say this. THIS STORY SHALL NOT BE ABANDONED! I shall carry this child to the end. However, I no longer have a set upload schedule and shall post when I can but there will hopefully be no more huge gaps in updates. If something comes up with a chapter I will try to let you all know.

Last thing before I let you all carry on. PLEASE GO BACK AND READ FROM THE BEGINNING! There are so many changes character and plot wise that I made to this story that it will really be in your best interest to start from the beginning, however if you don't want to, totally fine as well.

I'll see you at the end you lovely, hopefully forgiving humans. Happy reading!

There Isn't Always an Answer

24 Hours Later

Hey Bruce, it's Scarlett...well you were right about me getting out, I bet you weren't expecting it to be so soon after you visited though huh? I had some help of course, I know you know about that, believe me there is definitely some part of me that regrets accepting his help, but, but I mean it when I say that it was all I had at the moment. Anyways that's not why I'm calling… look you, you said to come find you when I was ready to use my second chance, and I'm so close to getting it. I just need a little bit of help, and believe me when I say that I hate asking for help but I, I really need it. If your invitation still stands...just, please give me a call back at this number, it's secure so you don't have to worry. Ok, bye. I suck at voicemails sorry.

Now

"Look I'm just gonna go ahead and say it…" I waited for her to speak with a look of 'go on'. "You are absolutely fucking insane, I mean seriously what the fuck Scar? You're telling me that you meant to leave Gotham almost two and a half months ago but you still haven't because of waiting on that wanker to give you your assignment. Why haven't you left that shit hole left?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't know B, I honestly have no fucking clue. Maybe I just love to torture myself."

She laughed on her end of the video chat, "alright, alright you smart ass, keep your reasons. Look I'm just saying that if you had come to me when you first got out you wouldn't be in this situation. I could have helped you out if you really wanted to leave the country that badly. Hell if you had come to me we could have been on a beach right sipping martinis but no, did it even cross your mind to call me?"

I walked away from the computer to fill up my cup with tea from the fridge, "I'm sure at some point it did, but I dug myself in too deep before I could really do anything. Everything happened way too quickly when I got out of Arkham and that sure as hell is not my fault."

"Alright honest question, have you fucked him yet Scar? Also it's totally fine if you have, I am most definitely not judging you." I honestly doubt that my life would be any easier if I had B.

Sitting back down I saw her fixing herself her own cup of tea, hot of course. "If it eases your mind at all the answer is no, I also have no intention of sleeping with him, not after the shit that he pulled, also he's just fucking psychotic."

"Woah, whoa wait a minute. So if he hadn't dragged you through all that shit you would have maybe considered fucking him? Completely disregarding the fact that he is the Joker? Killer clown of the criminal underbelly? Ringing any bells in that head of yours? I mean after all you did stay across from him for a short time."

I couldn't help but smile at her comments, well only parts of them, I got a bit distracted by Tallon coming to sit next to me at the desk. "Oh, no, nope, no bells are being rung, can you send a picture of him to me, that might honestly help." She flipped me off while putting the finishing touches on her drink. "To answer your question though, that is not what I meant. This whole situation is just really fucked right now cause I owe him for breaking me out of Arkham and I really don't want to be on his debt list right now. I just need to do this job and then everything will work out like it's supposed to." Yup just keep telling yourself that Scar, everything will work out, even though he hasn't told you shit about the job and the only time he contacts you is when he wants your 'company'. I'm sure if we keep this up he'll just be more than happy to let us keep refusing him.

"Alright first of all, you really don't owe him shit considering he didn't ask for anything to start with. Based on what you're telling me you put yourself in his debt, and I can tell you why you did it. You find him interesting and you want to know more...don't deny it, you know I'm right. Look it's alright, it's completely understandable but you have got to get out of this Scar. If he hasn't given you info about this job by the end of the week then you call me and we will get you the fuck out of there, okay?" You have no right to be this right all the time. "Okay Scar?!"

I held up my hands in surrender, "alright, alright, you're right. I'm not gonna lie and say your aren't, this whole situation just stresses me out and it really fucking sucks."

She held her mug up to her lips, "hey look I totally get it. Well I don't get it exactly cause I'm not in your situation but trust me when I say that everything's gonna be fine darling." Ugh how can she make it seem like the world is shitting out millions of rainbows? "Now, what I want you to do is take a deep breath get off the line with me and get your shit together. I'll send you a simple job while you're waiting, keep you busy for a bit, help you make some quick money. Sound good?"

Nodding I let out a soft 'yes', I really don't think I ever thanked Nate for introducing us, I probably should. "Alright I'll talk to you later B, stay safe."

"Same to you luv." With a quick wave goodbye we both signed off and I closed the lid of my laptop.

I looked down beside me and saw Tallon looking up at me with happy eyes, at least one of us is happy boy, "how does Chinese sound?"

"Leta…Leta...Leta…"

"Please...please just leave me alone Ra's. You're not real, you're dead you, you, you're gone, you're gone."

"Shhh Leta, let me in. We can do great things you and I. Watch this city burn as we rise from the ashes."

"Leave me alone. Leave me alone! I don't want this, not this, not anymore."

"Don't lie to yourself Leta, don't go back to a world that didn't want you."

"This is my world, it's the only one I have."

"You had us Leta, you had a home, a family, a chance, you're only chance."

"No, no...you were not my only chance."

"Time will take away chances as will your choices...let me in Leta."

"No…"

"Let me in…"

"Go away!"

"Leta…"

"LEAVE ME ALONE!"

When I woke up it was like the world was rushing back into my body in one second. I couldn't breathe or even comprehend what I swear I had heard. Tallon walked up to me from his position at the end of the bed, he knew that I needed comfort in this moment and the tears that fell unwanted only made him come closer. I hugged him as close to myself as I possibly could while I waited for my breathing to even out.

"We have to get out of here boy."

"This is Vicki Vale reporting to you live from the Ace Chemicals building where a massive break in and fire has just been reported. As of right now all evidence and claims point to this being the work of none other than the Joker, we can not say for certain if this was the work of Gotham's own chaotic clown or an imposter but we will have more information as the story investigation continues. As you can see the Joker's signature calling cards have been crudely painted on the building behind me…"

I hit the mute button on the remote as quickly as I could, "are you fucking kidding me!? The bastard has time to break into the fucking Ace Chemicals building but he doesn't have the time to give me the details about his precious files! God dammit I am such fucking idiot! That's it, that is fucking it, I am booking a flight and getting the fuck out of here." Jesus Scar this is beyond sad. Are you more annoyed at the fact that he's forgotten about you or that you're missing out on twenty million?

Brushing aside my internal questions I leapt off the couch that Tallon and I had been lounging on and made my way over to the desk that housed my laptop. I booted it up as quickly as I could and saw that the tab that I had opened for my email had a notification icon within it. I clicked the tab open and saw that I had an unread message, however, there was no email sender attached to it.

Unknown Sender

No Subject:

Scarlett, I would have thought that you would have come to me by now. You know where I am, I couldn't risk the possibility of contacting you. If you're able to meet I am available tonight. I'm glad that you are rethinking your decisions.

See you soon,

B.W.

Jesus Bruce I could have used this email two months ago. I looked at the time which read 6:49 then looked over at Tallon, "you wanna go for a ride boy?" He wagged his tail enthusiastically before dashing over to me. Looking back at the email I saw that it was gone, seems like Wayne has some self destructing emails, neat, I grabbed Tallon's leash and my keys, and yes the car was, or technically is stolen. It's surprisingly easy to hijack a car in Gotham considering the auto theft rates are incredibly high.

After hooking Tallon's leash onto his collar we made our way out of the low end apartment complex that we had been hiding out in ever since I hacked into their database. I really didn't think that I was going to be stuck here for over two months to start with. Once Tallon and I reached the car I made my way out of the complex as soon as I could. Traffic in Gotham was terrible as always, times like these when I really miss my bike, I would have made it to Wayne Manor in half the time that this is taking. I headed south of Miagani Island and arrived in roughly forty five minutes.

It was weird to arrive at Wayne Manor like a normal guest when every other time I had to sneak around like a criminal, which I was, well am technically. When I pulled up to the huge ass gate I had to press the intercom button that also had video. I heard a loud beep before a video image popped up on the screen. I recognized the man as the butler that I knocked unconscious in our previous meeting, oh fuck please don't remember me. "Hi my name's…"

"Ms Korin I presume." Oh shit he looks pissed he definitely knows who I am.

"Uh yes, yes sir, I was supposed…"

"Master Wayne is expecting you, please drive forward and park in one of our many spots thank you." The video feed cut off immediately after that. I can't even be mad at that treatment considering I completely deserved it.

I did exactly as he said and made my way to the front door with Tallon in tow. Before I could even ring the doorbell the butler opened it with a frown that just made me feel dissapointment in myself. "We were not expecting you to bring your dog along with you...nevertheless please do come in, Master Wayne shall be down shortly to meet with you." I entered and he closed the door behind me with a resounding THUD. "Now if you will follow me to the foyer," he gestured for me to follow with his arm outstretched. Do they teach this shit in butler academy?

I decided to finally speak up, he was pretty intimidating for an old man, but by the looks of him I would probably guess that he had been a soldier at some point in his life. He reminds me a bit of Charlotte's late husband. "Hey, look I just wanna say that, uh, that I'm really sorry about the whole breaking and entering fiasco. You know how it is though, a girls gotta eat, right?" I finished my sentence with a soft chuckle that had no heart in it whatsoever. Jesus Christ Scar you're a fucking idiot with bad jokes, in what world did you think that, that would be funny?!

"No apologies necessary Ms Korin, if I do remember correctly you did eat that night didn't you? The sandwich that I made to be precise, correct?" He looked at me with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.

I couldn't look away fast enough, "I'd rather not answer sir."

"Just as well, please make yourself comfortable, Master Wayne shall be with you shortly." I went to sit in one of the many, many chairs with Tallon trailing behind me. I had to stop him from hopping up onto the chair with me, there was no telling how expensive the furniture is. Fuck what the hell am I even gonna say to him when I see him, does he speak first, do I? Which type of scenario is this. Do I joke with him, do I get straight to the point, Jesus fuck this should not be this hard.

I heard footsteps echoing down the hallway which made me quick to stand. Tallon growled when he saw Bruce step through the seperating door. "Well hi there...Tallon right?"

"Yeah, I think he still holds some residual anger from your last encounter." Huh, funny Scar, pretty funny.

Bruce gave a small smile, "well I can't say that I blame him. I can have Alfred take him out to the backyard for a while so we can chat if that's okay with you." Well on one hand Tallon hasn't had a decent run in ages, on the other hand can I really trust the butler that hates me with my dog? "I can promise you that Alfred won't hurt him, besides his grudge is with you."

I did laugh a little at that, "I said I'm sorry I don't really know what else I can do."

"Maybe make him another sandwich."

"Funny Bruce very funny." He then called in Alfred and asked him to take Tallon out, to which he responded with 'yes sir', but which I think really meant 'do I even have a choice Master Bruce?'

Once I handed the leash over to Alfred my boy was immediately reluctant to leave me so I had to shoo him off to get him to quiet down. I turned to Bruce who gestured for me to follow, "walk with me Scar." Well that definitely wasn't a question. "Tell me, how have you been these past few months?" Like you don't know you smug bastard.

I shrugged "well I can definitely say that I've been better...sorry burning question, why did you wait so long to respond back?

We turned a corner, "correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure that my email stated why."

Another corner, "that email was bullshit! You said, and I quote, that you 'couldn't risk the possibility of contacting me.' Yet you contacted me regardless, so you could have said something two months ago when I left you a voicemail for crying out loud."

One more corner, "you were supposed to come to me Scarlett. I told you this when I paid you a visit in Arkham."

We entered an absolutely incredible library, still doesn't hold a candle to Belle's. "You've got to be fucking kidding me right?"

He just shook his head no and walked over to the grand piano stationed in the corner and plucked out a few notes. A bookcase beside the piano slid back and into the floor revealing what looked to be like an elevator. No way, absolutely no way.

"I don't want this to sound like I'm coming on to you or anything but, are you about to show me your secret lair Mr Wayne?" He did laugh at that comment.

"You'll just have to trust me for a bit Scarlett." Trust, really? Trust Bruce Wayne or Batman?

He escorted me into the elevator and pressed the second to last button on the panel to his right. The silence was really thick and punctuated by creaks of metal, I really hated it. "Do you show all the girls this on the first date?"

His hands were clasped behind his back, "you can continue to think that you're special if you want." Aww how sweet.

We arrived at our destination when the elevator came to a stop and the door opened behind us and when I turned I was greeted with a tunnel and a light at the end of it. He gestured for me to take the first step, as we walked down the tunnel something scanned both of us and made a noise that sounded like approval. We reached the end and I swear I saw the holy grail of Batman before me and everything was surrounded by ancient rock structures. Wait a minute.

I turned to look at Wayne, "wow instead of a man cave you really made a fucking bat cave Bruce?"

He chuckled, "I'm glad you get the joke."

I started to walk down the steps taking in everything around me, "how many people know about you?"

"Only a few."

"Why are you showing me this? I already know who you are but this is unnecessary."

"You said you wanted a second chance Scarlett." As he said this I passed by a glass that contained a near black outfit with a few hints of red peaking through and yellow words spray painted on top.

HaHa Jokes on you Batman

"Joker?" I questioned while pointing at the case.

"Do you remember the news?"

I sucked in a breath, "I remember hearing about him being found but nothing else about it was released. I'm guessing you had something to do with that though." Is this what he wanted? Is this what he meant by a second chance? "I can give you Joker if that's what you want Bruce but won't stop him, you never do. You throw him away only for him to crawl back to his throne. This was what, his third time in Arkham?"

He walked past me towards a row of computers, "I'm not the law Scarlett."

"Yeah, well you sure like to take it into your own hands."

"As opposed to breaking it?"

I let out a small laugh, "low blow Bruce, low blow." Ask him about the second chance now Scar. "When you came to pay me a visit in Arkham you didn't know who I really was or what I knew, but you said to come to you for a second chance Bruce. What did you mean by that?"

He fired up the computer and input a short password. "What did you think I meant by that Scarlett?"

I threw up my hands in frustration, "Jesus I don't fucking know Bruce! To be honest I don't even know why I'm here, every second I'm waiting for you to hit me over the head and ship me back off to the asylum. Just quit fucking around with me Bruce and tell me what you meant!"

The computer in front of him lit up with my mugshot taken at Arkham. "Sarala Elizabeta Lane, known alias Scarlett Korin, born June 29, 1990 in New Orleans. Parents Janine and Micheal Lane. Graduated from Destrehan High School at age eighteen, left home for Gotham, joined the League of Shadows at age nineteen, left when twenty-two, headed back to Gotham were she then became Scarlett Korin." He stopped and stayed silent for a good minute while I went through a scenario of myself murdering the man in front of me. "I want to give you a second chance Sarala…"

"Don't call me that!"

"Scarlett...I want to give you a second chance. The League trained you to be a killer but you can do better I know you can. I want to help you."

I held up a hand to stop him, "are you trying to dress me up in tights and become the next boy wonder Bruce? Is that what this is about?"

He shrugged, "more or less."

"Are you out of your fucking mind?! You really see me out there prowling the streets in a mask looking for the scum that scour the streets?"

He shrugged once again, "it's not as if you don't have the training for it."

What sort of high quality shit is this man on and where the fuck can I get some? "Bruce...as pure as your intentions may be, that can't happen."

Leaning against his desk he waved a hand as if to say go on, "and why is that?"

You're starting to piss me off now, "because I'm trying to get the fuck out of Gotham! I'm in way too deep with this city and I don't get to have a life here anymore! I'm supposed to be leaving next week for fucks sake!"

"You don't really want to leave though do you?"

"It's not about what I want anymore Bruce, I want to live, and I can't do that here anymore."

He raised his hands in defeat, "this city could use an extra pair of eyes watching over her."

Hahahahah, "this city's gonna burn down one day, and on that day not even Batman and his allies will be able to save her. Excuse me for not wanting to be here for that." Out of all the propositions that could have been offered today this was one I was not expecting.

He pushed away from his desk and started to make his way back towards the elevator, "I'm sorry you feel that way Scarlett, the offer still stands, even when you leave."

I followed him into the elevator, "forgive me for thinking that you haven't considered this offer as well as you think you have. After all you did mention it within ten minutes of knowing me." That made him smile when he pushed the top button.

"Not all split second decisions are hasty Scar." Wow I feel so enlightened now oh holy Batman.

I shook my head at him while we stepped off the elevator, the secret bookcase returning to its original state behind us. The trip back to main entrance seemed longer and even quieter than the last. Alfred was waiting for us at the front door with Tallon, who looked tired but happy to see me. He handed me the leash after I reached down to pet my boy.

"Did you have a pleasant visit Ms Korin?" I wouldn't exactly call it pleasant but okay.

"Yes, very much, thank you for watching Tallon for me Alfred."

"My pleasure Miss," yeah right.

I looked over at Bruce who held the door open for me instead of his Butler, "let me walk you to your car." It's not really my car but you don't need to know that.

"Thanks," we made our way to my car and he opened the door for me after I had unlocked it. Once Tallon and I were situated I looked back at Bruce, "thanks again for the...eventful visit. I sure as hell won't forget it anytime soon."

He smiled down at me, "just keep all of your options open Scar," he pulled a small device out of his pocket and handed to me. It looked a bit like a pager, only more high tech, "you can reach me on this, I'm sure you can figure out how it works. Have a nice day Scar." With that he shut my door and stood back, waiting for me to leave his driveway, well I've never been one to loiter have I?

I whipped out of the driveway as quickly as I could and right as I passed through the gate my phone began to ring. It must be Bruce, did I forget something? I pressed the answer button and the saying goes that when life wants to hit you, it's going to hit in quick angry punches.

"Hello doll, sorry for the wait but I have some files that are just itching to have your pretty little hand steal them away."

Ooooo was it worth the TWO YEAR LONG WAIT? I sure hope so, I know it kind of jumped around a lot but that's really how it just wanted to be written. I'm actually very happy with the progress I've made with this story and can't wait for you all to see it. It's just really good to be back. Thank you to everyone who favorited, followed and reviewed while I was gone it really meant a lot and you are all loved. As always if you have any questions please don't hesitate to message me. Happy reading!