Don't own….
Chloe opened the door to her apartment and all her internal alarms were raised. Something felt wrong, off, somehow. She slowly shut the door behind her and moved swiftly through the apartment, trying to find the source of her discomfort; however, she found nothing.
Chalking it up to her earlier experience, she stepped into the shower, wishing in vain that she could wash the night away. She scrubbed her skin until it was red and finally gave in to the sobs that needed to be let out. When the water began to chill, Chloe finally got out of the shower. She lotioned her body and moisturized her face. Looking in the mirror, she was appalled at how she looked; her eyes were puffy and her skin was red. Shaking her head, she pulled on a t-shirt that she'd stolen from Bruce the other night.
She walked back through her apartment turning out lights as she went. Unconsciously, she pulled the neck of the shirt up and smelled it; the scent reminding her of Bruce. It comforted her greatly and she wished that he was here with her. She didn't want to be alone.
She crawled into her bed, but instead of falling asleep she left her bedside light on and stared out the window. Her apartment had a small balcony that she rarely went onto because she wasn't sure it was entirely safe. But tonight she pulled the blanket off her bed and wrapping herself up, went to sit out on the balcony.
Gotham was a dark city. It wasn't something you could describe; the way it seemed to swallow the sunlight and keep the citizens in a perpetual gray gloom. Somehow still optimistic, Chloe liked it because it made the few sunny days all the more bright.
Tonight as always, there was a vague fog blanketing the city. Chloe felt like the fog hid all the terrors of the night that threatened to overtake Gotham. Chloe thought about the fact that Oliver had saved her tonight and not Batman. Oddly, it didn't upset her. Logically, she knew that there were far worse crimes taking place in the city than what had almost happened to her. More importantly, she found herself wondering what Batman had been doing.
An odd fluttering noise broke into her thoughts. It sounded like something was flapping the wind. She looked to her left and gasped as she saw the figure there. It took a moment for her to recognize him.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there tonight, Chloe." Batman spoke, his voice was incredibly deep. Too deep to be real and Chloe realized he was altering it to keep his identity secret.
Chloe nodded, "It's not like you can be in two places at once. You're only human after all."
Batman moved closer to her, but stood a few feet away. "The Green Arrow saved you."
"Yes." Chloe said. She could tell that he was prying for information.
"Do you recognize him? What did he look like?" He didn't try and hide his curiosity.
"You aren't scared of a little competition, are you?" Chloe teased with a grin.
Bruce stared at her smile and was lost. Right now, he didn't feel like Bruce, but like Batman. Finding out about what happened to Chloe had made his blood run cold. He couldn't be Bruce right now because he was too civilized, too lawful. Batman would accomplish what needed to be done. Her smile, that shining ray of light, almost made him lose his composure. Chloe was too close to him for her own good. He couldn't feel this way. It was too much - too dangerous.
"I'm worried about what might happen to him should he choose to stay in the city. Gotham only has one son." Batman said. Whatever, wavering emotion Chloe had glimpsed was gone now, replaced by this cold demeanor.
"Why wouldn't you want his help?" Chloe asked curiously. "I would think that two heroes are better than one." She repeated Alli's words, even though she didn't believe them.
"Not in Gotham; the city corrupts people. Makes them forget all their closely held beliefs. This Green Arrow character is no match for the city. Maybe, he can take out a few robbers here and burglars there, but eventually he will lose. Gotham doesn't ever sleep. Only I can resist the darkness that lies here. And it's my duty to fix it." The last sentence was said quietly. That made it all the more important. Chloe felt like he'd just given her some part of him, some look into his soul.
"Why is it your duty? You didn't make Gotham this way." Chloe reasoned.
There was a small smirk, which annoyingly set Chloe's heart racing. The last thing she needed was to fall for a man that dressed as a bat.
"Inaction can be as deadly as movement." He said enigmatically.
"What does that mean?" Chloe asked frustrated that he was speaking in riddles.
"Absence can lead to anarchy." Batman moved closer to Chloe. She looked up into his eyes and blinked. He seemed so familiar, but that thought was ridiculous.
"But why you? Why do you have to save the city?"
"Gotham is my responsibility. Call it my lineage, but the city is mine to protect. The Green Arrow will only get himself in to deeply…and he won't be able to claw himself out." Batman reached out and ran his hand down her cheek. Chloe felt the touch travel down her body. She reached up and clasped his hand in hers.
"It's ok. That you weren't there, I mean. I was being stupid." Chloe wanted to reassure him. "Besides, I'm ok."
"Yes, it's a good thing you're all right." Batman said. He didn't know what he would have done if Chloe had been hurt.
"I feel like you're giving me hints, riddles. You should know that I'm a reporter and I intend to find out why you feel so responsible for a city that doesn't always appreciate your help." Chloe told him.
"I know all about you, Ms. Sullivan." He moved away from her, towards the edge of the balcony. "Nice shirt by the way." And with the slightest of movement he was gone.
First thing that morning, Chloe wanted to find Bruce and talk to him. She went to his office and was relieved to find that he was there.
He rushed to Chloe and pulled her into a hug, crushing her to him.
"I'm ok, Bruce." Chloe laughed a little.
"I should have been there," Bruce pulled away and kissed her forehead.
"What would you have done? There was nothing to do." Chloe comforted him.
"Are you all right?" Bruce ran his hands over her body, checking her for injuries.
"I'm fine. Really." Chloe pushed Bruce to the sofa and sat on it next to him, giving him a soft smile.
Bruce studied her seriously. "Chloe, I'm glad that you're all right," He hesitated before continuing, "This, after I was just telling you how much Batman has done for the city. He couldn't even save the one thing that is most important to me."
Chloe furrowed her brow as she considered his statement. "Why would Batman care if he saved me? I'm just one woman and he has an entire city to protect."
"Yes, well, does that really matter? He couldn't save you and I'm not sure I can ever forget that." Bruce stood up and pushed his hands into his pockets.
"Bruce, what are you saying? I'm not really following." Chloe was confused by his behavior.
"I know and I'm sorry." The tone of his voice was what finally got Chloe's attention.
She shook her head. She stood up and walked over to Bruce, "No." She told him defiantly.
"Chloe.." Bruce looked at her sadly.
"You are not using this as an excuse to break up with me. Just because you didn't save me doesn't mean anything!" Chloe raised her hand for emphasis and before she knew it she was gesturing wildly, "I am so tired of everyone feeling like my safety is their responsibility! I am an independent person. I make my own decisions, bad and good. A bad one led me into that situation last night. Those consequences are mine to deal with." Chloe pulled her hand back when she realized that she's almost smacked him.
"It's not only that, Chloe. It's everything about this relationship. You're a reporter and I'm Bruce Wayne. Those things don't mix." Bruce went and sat behind his desk. He had to do this because it was the only way to protect Chloe and be able to keep her truly safe. He was hitting her in a horrible spot by bringing up the fact that she was a reporter, but he had to use it. It would hurt, but was necessary.
"Funny, I thought you'd mention that. I've never, not once, reported a bad story about you or Wayne Enterprises, so try again." Chloe stopped talking abruptly, opening her mouth in a start stop fashion before she could say the next sentence. "You just said that I am the one thing that means the most to you and you're breaking up with me? If you don't want to see me anymore, please, don't make excuses. Just tell me. It's not that I'm a reporter or that I was attacked last night. It's something else and that's fine, but do NOT use excuses with me. I have been lied to one too many times by men in my life. You at least owe me that, Bruce."
"You're right, Chloe." Bruce paused, "I care about you, but this won't work. I can't offer you any other explanation beyond that."
Chloe laughed without humor. "It's that "secret" again, isn't it? You know what, fine, you've driven me away, Bruce. Take your secret and live happily ever after, Alone." Chloe turned around and left his office slamming the door behind her.
Bruce watched her go and closed his eyes tightly. He had to do that. There was not other way. He was Batman and would always be.
At work, everyone wanted answers. Suddenly, Chloe had become the hot story. A lucky victim that was saved from the clutches of a horrible fate by the Green Arrow. The press and public alike had decided that he was a much lighter and more acceptable hero than Batman with his dark mystery. Chloe hated Oliver for that. He swooped in and was stealing the city that Batman had fought so hard to protect. Chloe refused to answer any questions and told her editor she'd write the story herself. It was odd because the one person she felt was a victim in the whole thing was Batman. He was being blamed for not saving her, when the reality was that he was only one man. And then in comes Oliver to save the day. It made her sick. She was in no mood to write anything, let alone a first hand account of her attack, but she did it anyway. She didn't think it would make it in the paper anyway. She wrote her emotions, what she was really feeling at the moment.
What defines a hero? It's a question I've asked myself many times. The answer is always changing. When you're a child, your parent is your hero, that one thing in your life that is constant. When you grow up, it shifts to some ideal of love or school of thought. I'm beginning to think that true heroes - the sort that sacrifice their lives for strangers, for the sake of goodness; not for the glory or the appreciation - are hard to find.
Apparently, a new hero has come to Gotham; however, I'm not sure that is what this city needs. Gotham has its champion and should be satisfied with that. Yet we rejoice at this usurper and his shallow victories. The Green Arrow is a gallant and noble character, but what makes him superior to Gotham's own son, Batman?
There is nothing remarkable about either, for they are both only men. Men that seek to rid the world of injustice, bringing safety to the innocent and fear to the wicked. But Gotham doesn't just have crime - Gotham is crime incarnate: A city of villains. When the city was rife with criminals of the vilest brand, Batman appeared and began to slowly reclaim the streets. And now, we seek to exile him? Our hero?
I, for one, refuse to join your cries. I believe Batman is the one true hero of Gotham. And if you choose to judge him on the fact that he wasn't there to save me, read on. Batman wasn't there to come to my rescue because he was thwarting an attack by The Joker on downtown Gotham. A choice between saving one reporter or saving a hundred other lives, is really no choice at all. His split second choice kept them safe. This account has, of course, gotten little attention so far because Batman stopped the attack before the horror really set in. That to me makes him all the more amazing. He rescues without recognition and asks for no applause. So I ask you, what makes a hero?
For me, it is simple: Batman is my hero.
At lunchtime, Chloe found herself crying silently in one of the stalls at work. Bruce, Oliver, Clark, they had all tried so hard to keep secrets from her. She had enough. Men weren't worth the time. She should have done what she'd come her to Gotham for in the first place and ignored them all. She should have just been simply a writer, a reporter working to make a name for herself. She'd do that and she'd do it well. But first, she'd go home and let herself be miserable over the whole thing for one more night….
a/n: And THANKS for reviews and for reading!! I love it all. It makes me so happy to know people appreciate this!!