Eva finished up the filing and faxed over the request for the preliminaries to Singapore before going to lunch. In all actuality, she had completely forgotten about eating until Bruce had mentioned it. The day, even in all it's tedium, had gotten her a little excited. Okay, so maybe that was in part to Bruce for actually showing up to work. He was so intense. But in a subtle way. He was the type of person to throw his whole heart into something, as evidenced by the intent he exhibited while working. It was odd, though, because he was also incredibly laid back; a strange combination to see in a person.

On her way out, Eva alerted Glenda that both she and Bruce were taking a late lunch. She almost made it all the way out the building when she was stopped by Gus.

"I didn't see you enter the building." The big man had a huge grin across his face. Eva smirked at him; she liked getting to the building before he came on duty in the morning and leaving when he would be able to see her. The first time she did it, he stared at her like she was a freak of nature. Apparently nobody gets by Gus. After that, it turned into a sort of game between the two.

"I've told you before," she said, "I snuck in through the back door."

"I'm beginning to think you live here."

"No, I'm just an early riser. Besides, I'm supposed to get here early."

"Very few employees have ever gotten here earlier than me."

She gave him a playful grin. "Maybe you should start getting up earlier."

Gus crossed his arms and tried to give her an intimidating look which just made her laugh.

When she got back into the office, she found that it was completely empty, save for the blinking red light on the phone. Eva checked the messages, then checked the fax for the AED preliminaries which Bruce had requested, then made it back to her desk to finish working up the files she had been doing before she left for lunch. Somewhere in between the files, Bruce came back into the office looking very disgruntled. He shot Eva a look that startled her for a moment before he quickly replaced it with a more apathetic facade.

"Hold all calls."

"Yes si-." She caught herself. This definitely was not a good time to squabble over what to call him. "Okay," she interjected.

"And make sure I'm not bothered, by anyone. No visitors."

The door to his office was shut rather aggressively before she was able to reply.

Eva's eyes lingered on his closed door. What the hell was that about? She turned back to her computer screen and tried to get her focus back on her work.

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Bruce threw himself down into his chair and squeezed the bridge of his nose with as much force as he could with stand before finally letting go. Why? Why?! WHY?! He couldn't believe it. It was unfathomable. All of his hard work, weeks and weeks of hard work, and for what? For someone to make a stupid mistake. Or a maybe no mistake at all. He opened his eyes then moved the computer mouse to start up the computer screen. He went directly to the Gotham Times website to reread the horrible news, each word fueling his fire. His eyes burned up the headline as they scrolled across the screen for the hundredth time.

Legotti Posts Bail–Flees Country

Bruce thought the days of corruption within the judiciary system were a thing of the past, or at least beginning to become a thing of the past. Who allowed him to post bail? And who, more importantly, in the hell allowed him to keep his passport? He turned in his chair and faced the window. He stared out of it for a long while before getting up to stand next to it.

He had to regroup, he thought, reamass his game plan. Legotti couldn't stay away forever. His business was here, his family, his money. Eventually he would be drawn back, if only for a brief, final visit.

And Batman, of course whenever he returned, would be there, waiting.

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Bruce emerged from his office an hour later, a little less angry. Eva, however, wasn't at her desk. He walked into the break room and the file room, not finding her in either. He walked back into the main office and took notice of her walking though the door. She stopped in her tracks, gave him a trepidatious smile, then moved toward her desk.

"The preliminaries came through for you, if you would like to see them."

Bruce gave her a quizzical smile, so she continued. "The preliminaries you requested for the military AEDs."

"Oh. Right. Well, just put them on my desk, I'll review them tomorrow. I was about to leave for the day," she stopped short of her desk as he scooted closer towards it, a look of sincerity crossing his face. "I wanted to apologize before I left, for coming in the way I did." Eva brought her eyes up to meet his and give protest to his apology, but he continued before she could find her voice. "I'm not always so...ogreish." She laughed at that, which caused him to smile.

Eva gave a quick wave of her hand. "You're the richest man this side of the United States. I think you are entitled to being an ogre every now and then."

"Sometimes this city can get to you."

She gave him a knowing look. "Tell me about it. My dad's a detective for the GCPD."

"A good cop, no doubt."

"One of the few." She paused for a moment, a wave of pride passing through her. "But I hear things are taking a turn for the better, at least my dad thinks so. Gotham now has an insane hero to combat all the insane criminals." Bruce noticed a gleam of playfulness in her eyes.

"Is that what your father thinks?"

"No. My father thinks this costume party character is a God-send."

"But you're not so sure?"

Eva shook her head. "It's not that. I just think it's a bit much. In some ways, I suppose he-it-has helped, but what is going to happen when escalation begins? This person maybe running around in a mask and tights, able to go home at the end of the night without worrying that his family has been wiped out. As for the rest of us," she paused, realizing what she had just said. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that, that way."

Bruce shook his head. "Don't worry about it. I know what you meant, but 'as for the rest of us?'"

Eva decided against elaborating on her ideas. "I don't know. I suppose in all context I really don't know all that much about this 'thing' except what my dad says."

The phone rang and Eva walked around her desk to answer it.

"Bruce Wayne's office." Bruce stared out the glass doors, digesting what she said. She has a point, he thought. Of course it wasn't as if he hadn't thought of all that himself, but to hear it from someone else other than within his own thoughts was different.

"No, I'm sorry he's gone for the day."

She looked up at her boss while hanging up the phone.

"Who is Aaron Adams?"

He turned suddenly from his gaze out the door. Eva pretended not to notice his daze. "I'm sorry, who?"

"Aaron Adams. His office or firm...whatever he has, has called five times today to request a meeting with you. I just assumed he was important and his business with you must be pressing."

Bruce thought for a moment about the name. "He's CEO of Ashmore Industries. He's not as important as he thinks and neither is his business with me." He turned and smiled at his secretary. The words were so smooth coming from his mouth that Eva almost didn't catch the humor. She let out a tiny laugh in response.

"I'll give him a call tomorrow. Maybe." He glanced at her computer screen and noticed the time.

"I should get going. See you tomorrow?" She gave him a funny look. "Right, see you tomorrow." Bruce walked towards the door then turned back to look at her one last time. She smiled up at him and he returned the gesture. Why did he feel so strange? He turned back and walked down the hall way to the elevator.

Eva found herself still smiling as she started on her way home.

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Author's Note: This was a short chapter, I know, still very fluffy. I would have included next chapter with this chapter to give both chapters more length, but I felt that the tone of the two would offset each other. Hopefully (if I write it right) next chapter should be much more indicative of the plot. Still maybe fluffy, but hopefully not so much. I'm still trying to get the dialogue right, but it just sounds funny when I go back to read what they are saying to each other...lol...I don't know why. Anyway, hope to post again soon! And thanks for the many reviews. You guys are the only reason I am posting this! Ya'll are awesome.