A/N: Omg I finished another chapter! AND I managed to keep it about the same length as the other ones! Anyway, I have to get to work on Chapter 6 still! I hope you enjoy this chapter! (: R&R!
Disclamer: Batman Belongs to DC Comics. Christopher Nolan's universe belongs to him. NOT ME!
Morning news, pop songs, classical music, radio dramas; all could be heard in Alice's car Wednesday morning. One hand on the wheel, another on the radio button. She flipped though the stations eagerly, wishing to find something that would distract her. Feeling as if she had gone through all the stations twice, she turned it off as she pulled to a halt at the light.
It had been four days, almost a week, since her appointment with Dr. Crane. And she had been perfectly fine until today. The last night she had dreamt of being locked up in Arkham, labeled as crazy for the rest her life. She knew it was a silly notion, but she couldn't shake the feeling that the dream had left her with.
A loud honk filled the sir, and Alice realized that she had been staring off into space and hadn't realized that the light had turned. She set off again and shook her head at herself.
She turned into the lot of the Gossip and parked. Alice set her head on the wheel, taking in a deep breath. She had to pull herself together. One dream couldn't ruin her entire day.
It was still early, and the office was quiet. Alice was thankful for the stillness as she set her belongings down and sat down at her desk. A yellow post-it note was stuck to her computer screen.
Alice- Meeting this morning. Don't forget.
It was written in a messy scrawl, not her own. It wasn't Annie's either, she observed.
A figure passed by her office window, and Alice looked up. Daniel waved at her as he passed by, coffee in hand. Alice looked down at the note, and up to Daniel's passing form. Alice smiled to herself, and grabbed her notepad and pen.
Since the month was coming to a close, it was time for Mr. Fitzgerald to inform his staff of the month's sales. For some reason he loved doing so, and went on about it for a good while. The subject always bored Alice, and she resisted the urge to let out a long sigh.
Alice's vision blurred as she thought about her dream, Dr. Crane, her appointment with him…and just about everything else relating to the subject. She took no interest in the meeting at hand. Her hand lazily moved around her notepad, making loops and circles that had no meaning.
"Now when Alice goes to interview...Alice?" A seemingly distant voice said. Alice brought her head up, aware that everyone seemed to be looking at her.
"Yes?" she asked innocently, a light blush growing on her cheeks.
"You seem a little distant. Everything alright?" Mr. Fitzgerald prodded with an expectant look on his face. Apparently she had drifted off for longer than she had meant to.
"Oh, I'm fine. Really." She assured him with a weak smile. He gave her an apprehensive look, and continued.
"Alright, when Alice goes to interview Bruce Wayne…" Murmurs grew among the staff, and Alice's mind drifted off again until the end of the meeting.
When it was finally over, Alice rushed out of the meeting room. She was going to take a break, get away from the office for at least ten minutes. She needed to pull herself together enough to concentrate on her work.
The jacket that lay on Alice's chair was flung into the air, and onto her back. She briskly walked to the front desk, and informed Annie that she would be back in ten. She stepped toward the heavy door and set a hand on the handle.
Another hand pulled her back.
"Hey, are you alright?" Daniel asked. Alice turned around and tried to smile.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just need a break, yah know? Just…a lot going through my mind."
"You sure? You seemed a little off, at the meeting." Daniel remarked, sincere concern in his gaze. Alice smiled.
"I'm fine. I mean, I'll be fine. There's nothing that a good walk to clear your mind can't fix." Daniel nodded.
"Sure you don't want some company?" Alice looked at her feet, and back up to him.
"No, I-I'll be fine. But thanks…for reminding me about the meeting." Daniel nodded at her and she left, feeling more flustered than she would have thought herself to be.
xxxx
A coffee and ten minutes later, Alice sat at her desk, busily typing away. She had ridded herself of her negative thoughts, and managed to narrowly avoid any questions about her odd behavior of earlier.
It wouldn't do to think about that now, Alice had told herself. She could think about it all she wanted on Friday. Right now she had to plan for possibly one of the biggest interviews of her career. She would not mess it up.
But that was what she was worried about. Wayne had been seen around town with women on each arm. She had seen the pictures. The women were beautiful, and Wayne had certainly grown into a handsome man. But, she told herself, she would not let it get to her.
xxxxxx
The day quickly came to an end. This Wednesday she would not walk home. A lot of good that had done her last week. She did however, stay late. Alice quietly packed her possessions and turned to the door.
"Heading out?" Daniel asked, himself carrying his belongings. He seemed to be everywhere today, Alice thought. She nodded in answer to his question.
"I was just about to go out to my car. Are you leaving too?" She asked, immediately feeling silly for asking such an obvious question. Daniel chuckled.
"Yeah. Mind if I walk you out?" Alice flushed and gave him a smile.
"Not at all." She laughed.
They made small talk as they walked, and Alice laughed at Daniel's smart remarks. The sun was setting on Gotham city, casting long shadows across the lot from the lofty buildings. Alice grew silent while the negative thoughts came rushing back to her. She took a deep breath and looked around the lot, suddenly wishing that she was home already.
"…Alice?" Daniel's voice came. She drug herself back to the situation at hand. "This is your car, isn't it?" Daniel laughed.
"Oh, yeah, you're right. I guess I spaced there. I've done that a lot today, actually." She laughed herself and stepped back to her car. She gripped the handle tightly, her knuckled white in anticipation of actually getting in. "Thanks for walking me, Daniel." She gave him a warm smile. Her heart pounded in her chest, from fear, but also from Daniel standing so close to her in the evening light.
"Alice…" He began, but turned as a police car whizzed past them, sirens wailing.
"Yes?" She asked, a hopeful tone in her voice that she tried to hide with a cough. Daniel looked back at her.
"…have a good night." He finished. Daniel gave her a small smile and left, to his own car across the street. Alice got in her car and slammed the door, disappointed for some reason. She set off to her home, indifferent to the sleep that would come later.
A/N: Aw, I hope you're not disappointed in this chapter. I know it was a little boring, but still R&R, okay? :) And I'm sure you're catching on to what might happen here, and I hope you like it. :D Thanks for reading!