Detective Jim Gordon stood out on the roof top of the police station, the spot light, termed affectionately as the 'bat signal', was piercing it's sign through the clouds above. The police veteran was alone looking out across the city.

Another long night, the Detective thought. A band of thugs had congregated in an old warehouse down by the docks. The police had disbanded them, and arrested half as many members as they would have liked. The ensuing battle proved to be bloody. Two officers were down, one on the verge of death after taking a round of bullets in his chest. It was a miracle he was still alive. In the wake of the aftermath, what they had found was challenging to say the least. Hidden in the darkest corner of the warehouse was a body, chained to the wall, lifeless and bloody. She had no identification on her, her face had been grotesquely mutilated, her teeth knocked out, her fingerprints skinned off. Whoever the girl was, and who specifically was behind this didn't want anyone to find her identity out. There were virtually no clues as to the incidence, least ways nothing of real substance. They had made a few arrests, but no one was talking.

"Gordon?" a raspy voice spoke. Jim turned around to face the direction of the speaker. He looked into two black holes that held no emotion whatsoever.

Batman.

"What is it tonight?" he continued on.

Gordon gave no hesitation in his reply; the two men were well used to their working relationship and had thus passed the uncertainty of words. "A warehouse down by the docks. We busted up some sort of gang activity, found this." He handed over freshly developed pictures of the cadaver. Batman studied the pictures without the slightest hesitation, then looked up at his silent friend.

"Have you identified it?"

"The only thing we know as of yet is that she's female. We have no name, no known connection, obviously, no information."

"I'll do what I can."

Eva Gordon took a sip from her glass of wine as she looked at her dinner date. Aaron Adams had proven to be quite the man. Upon first impressions, Eva had thought him to be arrogant and cursory, but after spending the last few hours with him, she was pleasantly surprised to find the man was quite different. Charming, intelligent, and respectful, not to mention good company and easily one of the most attractive men she had ever been on date with. In fact, she felt like he was very much out of her league and wondered why he decided to take her out, when it was obvious that he could have just about any woman he wanted. She tried to push the self-conscious thoughts from her mind as he smiled over at her.

"Now what about you?" she began. "I've told you almost everything about my family. What about yours?"

He eyed her from across the table, an almost unnoticeable smirk forming on his lips. "Well, that would be because there really isn't much to tell, in that respect."

She arched an eyebrow in response, and he laughed. "Okay, okay. My father passed away when I was six. My mom raised me by taking me with her on her worldly travels. I don't have any siblings and all of my grandparents have passed on." Aaron took a swill of wine before chuckling. "Told you, not much to tell."

Eva eyed him sympathetically. "How did he pass on? Your father, I mean."

"Heart attack. He always had a horrible temper. That combined with high blood pressure did him in."

"What happened to Ashmore Industries when he died?"

"Actually the company went on hiatus for a few years. My father's death was a shock to everyone. No one expected him to pass on so young. The company hadn't been thought about, at least not by way of what would happen to it in the event the founder died. My father hadn't planned that far ahead. So several of the higher ups took legal action to fight over it. My mother tried to get involved, but was sorely beaten out of it. She never had any real interest in the company and couldn't hold her own with men that obviously knew far more about it than she did. It took a lot of legal action to get the company handed back over to my family."

"And what happened to your mom? Where is she at now?"

A small smile crossed his face. "She is happily living in a tiny mansion in the south of France, enjoying more than just the country side, I'm sure." Eva giggled at that.

Aaron shifted in his seat and took notice of the light music being played by the string quartet positioned in the corner of the restaurant. He looked over at his date and smiled. "Would you care to dance?" She smiled in return and nodded as Aaron rose from his seat, extended his hand towards her and led her to the floor.

It was late by the time Aaron and Eva realized they were the only two customers left in the restaurant. They decided to call it a night and he drove her home then walked her to the back door of her house.

"Thank-you for a really nice evening, Aaron," she said as they approached the door. Turning to face him, Eva smiled over to her toe-headed companion.

"No, the pleasure was all mine tonight. I'd like to see you again, if that's okay?"

She nodded up at him, completely aware of the proximity with which he was standing. Aaron gently placed his hand on her waist and smoothed the side the of her dress, leaning in to kiss her. She kissed him back if only for a brief moment before he pulled away.

"I'll give you a call then?"

She nodded again, not wishing him to leave.

"Goodnight."

She waved at his retreating figure. "Goodnight." Watching him get in his car and drive away, Eva reflectively leaned against the back door, thinking of the previous few hours. That man had cast a spell, she was sure of it.

"Nice date?"

Eva glanced up to address the questioner then almost screamed in shock. Staring down at her from the rail of the staircase by the door was none other than Batman. She could do little else other than stare. Then annoyance flashed through her as she regained her composure. Had he been standing there the entire time?

"Geez, nice way to greet someone. What do you want?"

Batman jumped down from his crouching position on the rail and moved toward her. He outstretched his arm to hand her a manilla envelope. "Give this to your dad."

She took the envelope in her hand, turning it over to examine it. "Why? What's in it?"

"Information, for your father." His voice was gruff, but the emphasis he put on 'father' was unmistakable. Eva was about to ask why he just didn't give it to him himself, when the dark cloaked figure just vanished. She was left to stare after his empty spot in bewilderment.

That was...weird, she thought. The young woman turned on her heels and entered her house, thoughtful over what had just transpired. Laying the envelope on the kitchen table, Eva bent over and took off her heels before continuing on her trek up to her room. She had noticed that her father's car was parked in the drive way which meant that he was home. With the late nights and early mornings he had been pulling lately, she didn't want to wake him, so tried to be as quiet as she could be while moving through the house. She made it to her room, undressed, then went into the bathroom to wash off her make-up and brush her teeth. By the time her head hit the pillow, she was still in deep thought about her very brief but surprising meeting with Batman.

Short chapter, I know, but still enjoyable I hope! Please don't forget to review. Love it, hate it, I'd like to know, so don't hesitate...review!