A/N: Okay, I'm literally a big enough of a dork that I replayed the game and recorded it so I'd have my own choices and reactions written. I want to focus on writing though, so I won't go back and adjust the choices made in previous chapters for awhile. Also, I mentioned eons ago that I was going to add Diana in and I finally have. I just couldn't write anything that I liked so there was a lot of write and rewrite and rewrite again, etc. So, finally, after how long? Chapter 12 includes some steamy scenes at the end with Diana. Now, without further ado, chapter 16.
Thx!
AMM
I toss my cowl onto the tabletop as I pass to the computer, pulling out the damnable phone with the discriminating voicemails.
"I wonder what else is on here," I wonder aloud.
"As per your request," Alfred speaks, alerting me of his presence," Lieutenant Gordon has tripled security at the debate."
"Thanks, Alfred," I turn back towards the computer as it begins decrypting and sifting through the phone.
"It's a plan of the old Monarch Theatre!" Alfred states as blueprints pop up on the screen.
"The auditorium where the debate is being held," I specify. "Hmm, I've just hacked into the security cameras at the auditorium."
"Just to be safe?"
"Just to be safe," I confirm, flipping through the feeds.
"Hills….details about your father-they must have been quite upsetting." Alfred says quietly. I forgot he'd heard the entire conversation via my earpiece. "I can't imagine how you must feel. To learn so much is so little time." I take a deep breath, wanting to forget about my talk with Hill. Did Alfred know about Dad's knack for drugging people to get his way? I wish desperately that he doesn't, but know he most likely does.
"To be honest, Alfred, nothing can shock me anymore, not when it comes to my parents."
"I wish I felt the same way." So he didn't know about Dad's nasty habit. Good. I don't like the thought of Alfred hiding stuff like this from me. "But I suppose no good can come from wallowing0the city needs you now more than ever." I have no response to him, unsure of what to say, so I opt to say nothing and sit instead as my chair rises out of the ground.
I continue to circle through the feeds when I realize I'm watching the same clip over and over again. "Something's wrong…."
"Penguins men may have commandeered the cameras on their end," Alfred offers dutifully from my side. "We could just be looking at-"
"-What they want us to see." I stand quickly and grab the cowl, sliding it on as I walk towards the car. "Warm Gordon that he may have visitors. I have to get down there. Now." I speed off and head quickly to the theatre, remembering Harvey's at said theatre prepping for the debate. He needs to get out of there.
I type in Harvey's number and it rings a few times before he picks up.
"Hey, Bruce," he says calmly. "Man, I'm glad you called-I needed to talk to you, actually. Something's come up. Something that's not quite pleasant."
"Harvey-listen to me. Your life is in danger." I stress.
Harvey scoffs. "Because of Penguin and his thugs? Thanks, but there is an army of security here. They have me in some back room until the debate begins. 'For my own protection' they said. A little bit overkill if you ask me."
"It's not overkill, Harvey, it's a real-"
"Please," he cuts me off. "I need to get this off my chest. Uh, look, Bruce. I didn't want to do this over the phone. But, my advisors are telling me I need to….that I need to distance myself from you. Until all this mess with your family blows over. They're afraid it's-" Part of me is hurt with Harvey being one of my closest friends, but at the same time, I saw it coming. I knew Harvey really just likes me for my title and wealth. But I just need to keep him focused on his safety.
"I get it, it's the smart move. But let's talk about it later-"
"I'm glad you see it that way," he cuts me off again. "With the allegations in the press and now this mess with Falcone-" which he got me into- "you're a liability." I have been called a lot of things over the years but a liability is not one of them. "Here's the thing, Bruce. Without your money, I am dead in the water." Point proven. I squint my eyes at the road as I begin to grow frustrated.
"I know this is a delicate topic, but I need you to keep me afloat. I may have to trash you in public." This just keeps getting better and better. "But you and I will know the truth about our friendship." He has got some nerve telling me this, treating me like this and thinking it's okay. And I don't think and feel this way because I'm rich. I think and feel this way because part of me has always hoped that our friendship was more than status. I guess not. However, I still know I'd rather back Harvey then Hill.
"No matter what, we need a new mayor. Hill needs to be removed."
"I knew you'd see it that way," Harvey says. "Listen, I hate to push you, but I need to know. Can I count on your money, Bruce?" I want to smack my head against the window.
It wasn't, "can I count on you, Bruce?" It was, "can I count on your money, Bruce?" Oh my god. I'm going to hurt him. It's all he's thinking about, all he's concerned with.
"Whatever it takes to save Gotham," he states, trying to make it sound better.
"I'll always support Gotham, Harvey."
"Thank you, Bruce! Thank you!" Harvey sighs with relief. "You don't know how much this means to me-to Gotham. I'm sorry Bruce the makeup person is here. Guess she needs to put on my face." He chuckles. "I hope you can still watch the debate somewhere. No matter what I have to say tonight, remember, you are always my friend." As long as you have money and back me.
How come I called him to warn him about security but instead got told I'm not good enough to publically be his friend but my money is good enough to fund his campaign. What kind of friend is he?
"Harvey-" he hangs up the phone and I growl in annoyance, pushing the car to go faster.
I grapple to the rooftop after exiting the Batmobile and parking it in an alleyway, landing behind Gordon. "Batman!" He says in surprise, pulling the ever-present cigarette out of his mouth. "It's been quiet so far." He looks back down to the debate.
"I've got a feeling that's about to change," I rasp.
"I'm glad I took a chance on this-this collaboration of ours." He says suddenly, looking to me as I see someone in my peripheral land behind us quietly. "Keep on doing what you're doing and the rest of Gotham will start to see you like I do. A hero."
"I appreciate the sentiment, Jim. But we have bigger things to worry about right now. Your security has been compromised."
Gordon chokes on the smoke he just inhaled. "I've got patrols on every door!"
"You better check on them." I say just as the newcomer makes herself known, Gordon reaching for his gun on instinct.
"I'd keep that holstered if I were you," Catwoman claims, pointing to Gordon's hand.
"What's she doing here?" Gordon demands, looking to me for answers. She was apart of that robbery from the mayor's office!"
"Really?" Selina asks, folding her arms. "You're going to drag out that dead horse?" It's not like I fully trust Selina but she had my back the other night at the Stacked Deck so I'll give her a chance.
"We're all on the same side, Jim," I try to reassure him.
"This better not come back to bite me," he threatens before pulling out his radio and walking away, attempting to contact his teams. "Alpha control, come in."
I look to Selina as she uncrosses her arms. "That…um….incident in the bar….debt is its own kind of cage-I can't stand being in it. Not that I needed your help or anything, but you had my back. I thought I'd repay the favor." You can't always go around in life taking things as a debt every time you do something for someone or they do something for you. It messes with the way people think. "You know, like "you scratch my back, I cut some people up?"'
"You don't owe me anything. Those scum had it coming."
"And they say chivalry is dead." I wouldn't quite call this chivalry.
Gordon turns to us, stomping on his stub. "None of my men on the ground are responding."
"Enough waiting. We're going in," I tell him as he tries his radio again.
"Now, aren't you glad I'm here?" Selina asks arrogantly before slinging her whip and jumping off the roof.
"Well, you have a better shot than my SWAT team of getting in there quietly." I press a few keys on my arm control and my drone comes flying from the alleyway where the Batmobile is parked. It goes flying down towards the auditorium. As the drone flies by, Gordon makes an irritating comment. "We are seriously underfunded at the GCPD." I know he's only saying that in response to my high-tech gadgets but after my phone call with Harvey a moment ago, I don't want to listen to another person talk about wanting money.
"Sounds like a vote for Dent, Lieutenant." I tell him. If Hill won't fund him properly, maybe Harvey will?
A/N: So, yeah. I'm back. I know it was a shorter chapter but the scene is about to pick up and didn't want to write a mile long chapter so just stay tuned for the next one. I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things. No promises, I'm finishing up school, done early in December so things might get hectic for me again but I have a new job so a flexible work schedule and I frankly don't have the drive to go out and do things as much anymore. So I foster puppies and play video games and hopefully write. I do intend, also to bring Diana back again but the next time we hear from her will most likely be a phone call and then an in-person greeting but not together. Does that make sense?
Thx!
AMM
