Return to Gotham

Mistress Sara

Summary: Mildred Gordon returns to Gotham city to find that things have begun to change. If the changes are for the better is yet to be determined.

Rating: Gonna merit an M. Swearing and what not.

Disclaimer: Shockingly enough I own nothing. Except for Millie, she's my character. If you ask nicely I'll let you play with her.

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Gotham City. It honestly never changed. Dilapidated streets, dark alleyways, and criminals lurking on every corner. Millie stopped for a moment and looked around… she was in the middle of the street and no one was trying to mug her. The twenty in her pocket was still there, no one had "accidently" knocked into her to make a grab for her wallet; the suitcase in her hand was still securely locked. With a shrug she continued to walk.

Guess Uncle Jim was right, things have started to change. She thought, turning down the side street that led to her Uncle's apartment. It had been nearly 6 years since she had been back to Gotham. Most of that time had been spent in a California college, the following two years were spent traveling around the country. Through out that time she stayed in contact with the uncle who had helped raise her.

When her own parents passed away it was her father's brother and his wife who took to looking out for her. Mildred Gordon was the only child of Frank and Jennifer Gordon. Her parents obviously had an odd sense of humor, giving her the name of a 75-year-old woman. Most people called her Millie. She was about 15 when her parents were killed in a car accident, moved in with her uncle a few weeks later, left for college a couple years after that.

Millie found herself knocking on the door as the locks had been changed since that last time she was in town. A lot had changed. Some masked man had taken to protecting the city, then a homicidal clown tried to cause as much chaos as possible, then Uncle Jim was dead, then he wasn't. Obviously the past year had been a hectic one.

"Millie!" Aunt Barbra exclaimed, surprised to find her niece standing on the doorstep. Before giving her a chance to reply Barbra pulled the young woman into a tight hug. "Did I know you were coming?"

"Nope, I'm a surprise." Millie smiled, moving back but not out of her aunt's arms. Barbra looked over her niece with affectionate eyes. Millie had lost some weight since she'd been gone. Still tall, with her long dark brown hair pulled up in a ponytail. The once pale skin was now tanned, in thanks to the California sun.

"Come in." Barbra said, suddenly realizing that she was blocking the door. "I take it you didn't tell Jim that you were back."

"Again, going for the element of surprise. Any thoughts on where I could find my uncle?"

"Office." She replied with a sigh. "Ever since he became commissioner… it's been a hectic couple of months."

"That's what it sounds like." Neither woman mentioned the painful days that the man in question was believed to be dead.

"I need to pick up the kids from school so I can drop you on my way over. I know Jim will be thrilled to see you." Millie just smiled.

"That would be great."

"Do you have some where to stay?" Barbra asked as she picked up her keys and purse from the kitchen counter.

"Right now? No."

"We'll make up the sofa-bed for you."

"Thanks." They rode in comfortable silence to City Hall.

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Jim Gordon wasn't keen on being in his office. Despite all the good he was able to do in his new role of power, he didn't care for being behind the desk. Often he'd find himself walking the halls, mauling over the latest problems plaguing Gotham. The corridors were wide and lit by florescent bulbs. Oddly enough Jim found something calming about this. The bright lights were a welcome contrast with the dark streets.

He was rounding another corner when one of the assistants from his office found him.

"Commissioner."

"Jim please." He insisted.

"Sorry, Jim. There's someone waiting in your office."

"Do we know this someone?"

"I would certainly like to." The young man said with a suggestive smile. The two walked back to the office. "Said her name was Mildred."

"What?" He asked in surprise, rushing the rest of the way. Sure enough, sitting on the edge of his desk was Millie. "Well, aren't you a sight."

"Mr. Commissioner." She smirked teasingly.

"Millie." He smiled, pulling her from the desk into a hug. "What on Earth are you doing here?"

"Thought it was time to go home, what with you being resurrected and all."

"I'm sorry about that…"

"It's all right." Millie brushed the topic off. "It was followed with a phone call saying other wise."

"Your aunt slapped me."

"I would've done worse." He smiled, it was true. Looking down at her with the fondness that was usually reserved for his wife and daughter.

"How's life treating you kid?" He asked cupping her cheek, a gesture that her father was fond of.

"Life's been treating me all right. You?"

"Can't complain." Jim smiled again, the way that only Millie could make him. She looked like her father; same eyes, same hair. Franks death was still a sad note but looking at Millie he was reminded that his brother lived on.

"Have you seen your aunt?"

"She dropped me off on the way to pick up the kids."

"And you're staying with us?"

"Until I find a place of my own."

"You're planning on hanging around?"

"I was thinking about it." She smiled. He hugged her again.

"I'm so happy to see you Millie."

"Same here Uncle Jim."

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When Millie first moved in with her aunt and uncle it was just them. Barbra was expecting Jim Jr. a few months later and just as Millie was leaving for college Jenny Ann was born. It went without saying that her room quickly became her cousin's. The sofa bed was comfortable enough; it was just nice to be back in the last place she knew as home.

When she and Jim returned to the house the kids were waiting to ambush their cousin. Both looked up to Millie as a big sister and were excited that she had returned. Jim smiled as he watched his kids throw themselves into Millie's arms, almost knocking her down with the force. In a rush they both fought to tell their older cousin of the events she had missed over the past year.

Dinner went by quickly, Millie was happy to have home made food again. Barbra left to put the children to bed, leaving Millie and her uncle alone to do the dishes.

"What kind of job are you hoping to find?"

"I'm not picky. I'll see if I can find anything teaching, if not I'll see what I can find with the newspapers."

"If all else fails I can see if there's something around the office."

"Ooo, could I get a gun?" Millie asked with a smile as she took another plate to dry. "A shiny one?"

"I'm going to go with no. What are you thoughts on a whistle?"

"Hmm… too disco." Jim laughed. "What about a tazer?"

"The streets aren't as bad as they used to be."

"Right because of the Batman?"

"Yup."

"A man dressed as a giant bat… fighting crime. What is this a comic book?"

"He's protecting the city."

"Any thoughts on the secret identity?"

"Not really."

"Top notch Police Commissioner like yourself?" Jim just smiled to himself as he pulled the drain from the sink. Millie took the opportunity to jump up onto the counter, letting her legs dangle off the edge. "Have you met Batman?"

"Many times. He really is a good guy Millie."

"Not a doubt in my mind."

"I'll go grab you some pillows and blankets for the sofa-bed." He smiled, patting her knee before leaving the kitchen. Millie wandered out into the living room, she packed light… not that there was much of an option. Two suitcases and a backpack, one full of clothes and one full books. That was all she had. After college she moved around a lot and having a small amount of luggage made that easy.

She moved her bags to the side, pulled out her pajamas and her toiletries bag. Setting those things on a chair she began to move the cushions from the couch. Jim returned to the living room in time to help her pull out the bed.

"Thanks." Millie smiled, taking the blankets and making up the mattress.

"Do you need anything else?" Jim asked.

"I think I'm good. Thanks Uncle Jim."

"No problem kid." He pulled her into a hug. "I'm glad you're here."

"Me too."

"Good night."

"Night." Jim made sure that the doors were locked before heading back to his own bedroom. Millie got ready for bed, changed into the over sized t-shirt and leggings. She turned off the lights and climbed between the sheets. The contentment of being home made her completely unaware of the figure watching her from fire escape. Had she taken a moment to look out the window she would've seen Batman for herself.

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That's it for right now. Let me know what you think, just something from a random idea I had. Reviews are appreciated. I'll try to get another chapter up soon.