Wooohooo. Chapter 2. It's 2:33 right now and I've been working very hard to get this finished. I really like how Addy's personality comes out a little more in this chapter, and those of you who liked the drama so far..oh man D
Anyway, I don't own batman or any such related character.
I love my reviewers!
Addison's P.O.V.
6:30
I rushed around the apartment looking for my shoes, and pulling them on as I found them. I was running a little behind, as usual, and Gabe would be here any second. I honestly didn't even know why I was still going. I guess because I wasn't a coward. I was going to face Bruce Wayne tonight with not problem… I really need to stop lying to myself.
A knock at the door followed by Ace's barking, signaled Gabe's arrival. Grabbing my clutch on the way, I pulled the door open to reveal a very handsome looking Gabriel Moore. He was always cute, but now…
"You look beautiful" He said taking my hand and kissing it gently. I blushed and took my hand away.
"You don't look so bad yourself" I said grabbing my long black coat and throwing it on. He grinned and offered me his arm after I closed and locked the door. I took it and we went outside to his Chevy Impala. He opened the door for me, and I thanked him as I got in.
He started the car and looked at me for direction. We talked a lot on the way to Bruce's and I only stopped conversation to tell him where to turn. He, however, stopped in the middle of his sentence when he saw where we had stopped.
"Wayne Tower?" He questioned. I nodded biting my lip.
"Uh, yeah. Bruce is a really old friend of mine. He's having a fundraiser for Harvey Dent" He nodded slowly. I could tell he was a little surprised. I didn't come off as a rich girl. I lived in a middle class neighborhood in a middle class apartment and dressed like a normal twenty-eight year old would.
Gabe got out of the car and came around to help me out. He was such a gentleman. I mean, I always knew he was sweet, but this was a whole new side of him I'd never seen before. He locked the car, and the two of us went into the enormous tower. There was no one in the lobby besides security, and after giving them my name, we got into the elevator and rode it up to the twentieth floor.
Gabe looked a little nervous, and I nudged him. He looked up a little surprised, like I scared him. I smiled and patted his arm.
"Don't worry they're not going to eat you. Just smile, and when they ask you how much money you make, you can either lie, or change the subject" I added the last remark trying to add humor to the situation, but he didn't take the bait, just looked even more nervous. I rolled my eyes playfully at him, and the elevator door dinged and opened.
There were a ton of people there, and I recognized a few faces. It was all the wealthy and important people of Gotham. Alfred came up to me right away to greet me with a hug, and glass of champagne.
"Alfred this is my friend Gabriel Moore. Our dogs play together" I said laughing and taking a drink of champagne. He smiled and shook Gabriel's hand.
"Gabe, this is Alfred. He's a very good friend of my family's, and mine as well" I looked around, noticing one particularly important person was missing.
"Addison, I was wondering if I might borrow you for moment over there." Alfred said gesturing towards a vacant corner. I looked at Gabriel to make sure, and he nodded. Alfred led me over to the corner and he had a worried look on his face.
"Is everything alright Alfred?" I asked him worriedly. He shrugged and smiled sadly.
"I think I should be asking you that question Miss Hughes" I was a little surprised by this statement. After a moment I sighed and my shoulders sank. I put my hand in the air, almost hoping to pull the right words out of the sky. When it didn't work, I put my hand back down.
"I don't know. I guess I'm just going to have to hold my head high. It was my fault really. I thought he may actually have liked me there for a second" I said staring at the floor. Alfred put his index finger under my chin and raised my head to look at him. When my eyes met his face, he was smiling.
"Now none of that miss Hughes. You look much too beautiful this evening to cry." I smiled and blinked back the tears that were forming. He released my chin and walked me back over to where Gabriel was standing nervously. Alfred excused himself, and with one last grateful look, I said goodbye to him. I then turned my attention back to Gabriel.
"So, you know any of these people?" He said surveying the crowd. I shrugged.
"Most of them. I don't really know them all personally, but I went to private school with a lot of their kids" I said taking note of a few of my classmate's parents. He looked at me, mouth open a little.
"What?" I asked trying not to laugh at his expression.
"You went to private school? What else don't I know about you Addison Hughes?" He asked laughing. I smiled and exhaled.
"I would say a lot" He laughed and nodded.
"Apparently. So you weren't ever planning on telling me you were a socialite of Gotham?" I took a drink of water and shook my head, mouth full of water.
"No no. See, the keyword is WAS. I was a socialite of Gotham. I chose to keep the money, but leave the lifestyle. My mother always pushed it on me, telling me to be a lady and things like that, but my father let me do whatever I wanted. He was the one who encouraged me to go to medical school" I said setting my glass down on the table behind us. He nodded, not saying anything at first.
"So the girl I thought was an un-organized, always running late, average girl, is completely the opposite?" He said smiling again. I shook my head.
"Of course not. I'm truly am very un-organized, and I am always running late, everywhere I go" We both laughed, but immediately joined the crowd in looking outside of the building where a helicopter was landing. I clenched my fists when out of the helicopter, came Bruce Wayne, with a girl on each arm.
He strolled in with his girls and stopped in the middle of the ornate wood floor.
"Sorry I'm late, but I'm glad to see you all got started without me" Everyone laughed with him, and waited for him to continue.
"Where is Harvey Dent? Where are you Harvey? Oh, there you are" He kept going on and on about Harvey's campaign slogan, but I was too busy watching his dates to pay attention. They were obviously models. They looked like they hadn't eaten in weeks. I mentally scoffed, and turned my attention back to him just as he was addressing Rachel, who looked just as upset as I was.
When he was done with his spiel, everyone went back to talking, or dancing, and I watched Bruce and Rachel go out on the balcony. She looked angry, and I couldn't help but laugh on the inside. Now what would he do?
"So, any other secrets you need to tell me?" Gabe asked handing me a drink. I smiled and shook my head.
"No, don't think so. I think you know the deepest secret I have" My conscious was calling me a liar, but I ignored it. "What about you? Any skeletons in your closet?" I asked elbowing him gently in the forearm. He proudly shook his head.
"No ma'am. I'm a simple and straightforward kinda guy" He said in a self absorbed tone. I rolled my eyes playfully at him, and was about to begin speaking when I was cut off.
"Well, simple and straightforward. Sounds like you and I have a lot in common. Bruce Wayne. You are?" Bruce stuck his hand out to Gabe and I wanted to punch him.
"Gabe Moore. Nice to meet you Mr. Wayne" They two men shook hands and I could see some kind of a glint in Bruce's eye. They released hands and Bruce turned his attention to me.
"So, this is your cousin?" He asked, eyes flicking to Gabe quickly. I glared at him and spoke through clenched teeth.
"My neighbor, and my date for this evening. I see you have two" I said, anger dripping from my words.
"I wouldn't really call them dates" He said grabbing a drink off a tray going by. I rolled my eyes.
"Hey, can I talk to Addy a minute. Just a minute, and I promise I will bring her right back to you, neighbor" Gabe nodded stiffly, looking a little pissed off. I gave him an apologetic look, but followed Bruce to where the front door was. I folded my arms across my chest, and waited for him to speak.
"Look, I really do feel bad about yesterday" I rolled my eyes and started to walk away, but he grabbed my forearm and dragged me back gently.
"Please, hear me out. Addy, I do love you, a lot. I just, I just don't love you the same way you love me right now. I've got a lot on my plate and there's nothing I want less than to see you upset. You're my best friend" I sighed and put a hand on his upper arm.
"You hurt me Bruce, really bad. I told you last night, and I'm going to tell you one last time tonight. I don't care who you are, or where you go, I'm going to be there when and if you ever need me. Just remember that" I dropped my hand and walked away from Bruce Wayne, hurt for the second time in two days.
I walked quickly back to Gabe and began pulling him away from the party towards the elevator. He gently pulled my hand off his arm and made me face him.
"Whoa, Whoa. What happened?" He asked, concern evident in his eyes. I shook my head, anger still fresh in my body.
"I just think it's best if we leave now" I muttered angrily. He again stopped me before the elevator and tried to get me to look at him.
"What's going on? What did he say to you?" He was looking around angrily for Bruce now.
"Just forget it, I really just want to go home" I declared, stomping my foot childishly. Gabe smiled a little and nodded.
"Okay, okay" He was steering me in the direction of the door when the elevator burst open and men with painted faces and guns stepped out. I gasped as they walked around shoving their guns in people's faces. Gabriel stood in front of me, and pushed to the back of the crowd.
The lead man was looking for Harvey Dent. I realized now that I hadn't seen Harvey since Bruce's rant earlier this evening. The gasped as the man held a knife to the father of a friend of mine, but let him go as a voice rang through the room.
"Okay, stop" I looked around to see Rachel standing boldly in the middle of the circle everyone had formed. What the hell was she doing? Was she crazy.
"Well hello beautiful. You must be Harvey's squeeeeze. And you are beautiful" I felt nauseous as he approached her, knife drawn. He circled her, talking quietly about a subject no one could here. Finally, as he held the knife to her mouth, I ran over to defend my friend.
I pushed him arm away and stood in front of Rachel. He laughed manically and now circled the both of us.
"A little fight in you, I like that" He said to the both of us, now standing with the knife poised to strike.
"Then you're gonna love me" A deep voice broke through the laughing and landed a solid punch right in the man's face. Rachel and I ran out of the circle with the rest of the fleeing people. Gabriel found me and ushered me into the elevator that was now packed full.
He hugged me tightly and I hugged him back, still stunned at what I had done. I didn't see Rachel now, which wasn't comforting. Everyone in the elevator was crying or yelling to get out, and when the elevator doors opened, I was nearly trampled by the crowd. Gabriel and I got to his car and he sped off away from the Wayne Tower. I looked back out the window, silently hoping that Batman would be alright.
I realize that's the price you pay for loving someone. Even if you hate them, you still care. My problem was that I didn't know how to stop caring. Part of my wondered if I ever would. I sighed and rested my forehead against the window, ready to sleep.
"Are you alright?" Gabriel asked noticing this. I nodded.
"Yeah, just ready for this to be over" I said quietly. He smiled a little and patted my arm.
"Here we are" He said pulling up in front of the apartment building. I got out and walked with him up to my apartment. He hugged me goodnight and kissed my cheek, and I thanked him for the evening. He waved as he ascended the stairs to his own apartment and I unlocked my own, flipping the lights on as I walked in.
Ace greeted me in his usual manner and I let him outside before getting changed for bed in black sweats and a t-shirt. I was mentally and physically exhausted and after locking all the doors and windows, headed to bed, Ace at my heels. He squirmed under the covers with me and put his head on the pillow. I smiled and gave him a kiss on his snout before rolling over and falling asleep quickly.
My sleep, however, was interrupted by knocking at my window. I opened my eyes and listened intently to confirm the noise I was hearing. Ace was staring, all fur on end, at the window growling viciously. I slowly got out of bed wrapping a robe around my body. I was on the 8th floor, who would be able to get up that high? Or the better question, why?. I pulled the curtain back slowly, my whole body shaking.
I screamed loudly when a black mask with pointed ears was staring in at me. I grabbed my chest, trying to regain breath in my lungs. I huffed loudly and opened the window so he could get in. Ace barked and growled, foaming at the mouth.
"Dogs" Bruce muttered before I pushed him angrily.
"Don't do that! I nearly had a heart-attack!" I said still breathing heavily. He took off the top of his ensemble and put it on the bed while he looked around the room. I stood there, completely unaware of why he was here.
"So, why are you here?" I asked after he had done his rounds around the bedroom and turned to face me again. Ace was still growling angrily and turned his body so he was blocking Bruce from coming any closer that six feet.
" I wanted to make sure you got out alright. I didn't see you after everyone started running. Can you please do something about this?" He asked pointing to the snarling dog. I gently pulled him by his collar and put him in the bathroom.
"I can't understand why you even have a dog" He said childishly glaring at the bathroom door where Ace was now whining. .
"Is Rachel okay?" I asked quickly remembering the night's events. He nodded and picked up a picture of me and my parents in Mexico.
"She's fine. She's at home now." I nodded, thankful for this.
"That's was a bold thing you pulled" He said observing other objects around the room. I shrugged.
"Not as bold as Rachel" I said annoyed that he kept touching things. He raised his eyebrows and nodded in an agreeing manner.
"So…is that all? Or can I help you with something else?" I said raising my arms. He looked at me again and shook his head.
"No" He said opening the door and looked around the family room. "I'm not interrupting any…visitors, am I?" He asked looking around. I looked at him in disbelief.
"No! You're not, but you're interrupting my sleep, so if you'll be so kind…" I motioned to the door and he grinned slightly.
"Alright, I'll go. If you need anything, you know where to find me" He took the top half of his ensemble, and instead of using the door, poised himself inside the window frame.
"Will do" I said mock saluting. He leapt from the window and I shut and locked it. After letting Ace out of the bathroom, I resumed my peaceful sleep. Well, for two hours anyway. My alarm was blaring at five-thirty and groggily got out of bed, and started preparing for a very long day at the hospital.
When I got there, I was immediately given a dozen charts, and quickly started working, not bothering to stop for lunch, or any other break. I just wanted to get through my day and get home.
My last stop of the day, was a five year old boy with possible tonsillitis. I smiled as I went into his room handing him a stuffed dragon from the toy basket. He grinned and hugged the dragon to his test. I greeted his parents, and gave them the happy news of his test results.
"Well, everything checks out just fine. Ben's test results are a negative for tonsillitis. It looks like it's just an infection so we're going to go ahead and prescribe him some anti-biotic and something for the pain. Sound good?" They nodded and I shook their hands again and wished little Ben a quick recovery.
I left the room and went to the locker room and quickly changed out of my scrubs and threw on jeans and a blue t-shirt with a black zip up. I just left my hair in the messy bun, not planning on going anywhere but home to soak my feet. I slammed the locker shut and waved goodbye to a few other interns.
It was somewhere around six now, and I was starving. I crossed my arms around my chest to block out some of the cool air that was blowing through the city. It was getting dark quickly, and I regretted walking. I didn't really get nervous walking alone in the dark, but after the incident with the man at Bruce's party, I was a little more on edge.
I was almost to my building when a strong hand came down on my shoulder. I gasped and turned around to see Harvey Dent. He put his hands up in the air to show he meant no harm and I relaxed.
"Mr. Dent. You scared half to hell" I said laughing a little. He smirked a little.
"Not my intention. I left the hospital right after you, and I saw you were walking alone, and after the stunt you pulled at the fundraiser, I wanted to make sure you made it home. I also, wanted to thank you for helping Rachel" He said kindly. I grinned and started walking with him towards the building.
"What were you doing at the hospital?" I asked confused. He didn't have any injuries I could see.
"Checking on a case. Small thing really, compared to what I'm going through with his Joker deal" He said sounding tired.
"How are things going with that?" I asked truly interested. He shrugged.
"Hard to say now. I'll let you know when I have a better idea" I laughed a little and turned to him when we reached the front of the building.
"Well this is me. Thanks a lot for walking me home. I'm not usually such a nervous person, but given the times…" He nodded, stopping me mid-sentence.
"I completely understand, and it was no problem. Anything for a friend of Rachel's. Goodnight Miss Hughes" I waved to him and walked to the elevator, pressing the glowing eight. The door dinged and opened, and I walked to my door and unlocked it. I was nervous when I didn't see Ace. I nearly had a heart-attack for the third time when I saw Bruce with the dog's head in his lap.
"You wake me up in the middle of the night and now you're breaking into my apartment. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" I said sarcastically. If he thought I had forgiven him, he was so wrong.
"I just wanted to stop by and tell you the news" I looked at him confused but sat down on the chair across from him.
"Commissioner Loeb is dead. The memorial's tomorrow" He said grimly. I looked down sadly. This would mean even more problems.
"Alfred's running names on a print I got on a bullet right now. I've been researching addresses most of the day. You shouldn't be walking around by yourself at night" he was talking slowly and quietly, like he was exhausted. It was now that I realized he did look very tired. There I was caring again.
"Harvey Dent walked me home actually" he looked at me surprised and almost angrily.
"What was Harvey Dent doing around you?" he asked angrily with the same glint in his eye as when he met Gabriel.
"I don't know. He told me he was checking on someone. Don't snappy with me" I warned him. He stood up and went to the door.
"Sorry. Lock the door when I leave" I watched him go, even more confused that with his last visit. I shook my head in confusion, but went to the now open door and watched him descend the stairs.
"Bruce!" I called down after him. He turned halfway down and looked at me.
"Thank you" I said sincerely. He nodded and continued his way down the stairs. I sighed and began to close the door when Gabe stuck his head in. He smiled and I let him in, smiling back.
"I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I saw Bruce leaving, and I wanted to make sure he didn't upset you again" I smiled and shook my head.
"No, I'm fine, he just wanted to make sure I knew about Commissioner Loeb" I said smiling. He pushed his dark hair out of his eyes and looked at me intently.
"Maybe you should stay away from Bruce Wayne" he said placing a hand on my arm. I looked at him confused and gently brushed his hand away.
"Why?" I asked him. The way he was staring at me was making me nervous.
"I just think it would be best for you" I backed up a little, angry. I placed my hand on the green couch and stared at him.
"I hardly think we've known each other long enough for you to decide what's best for me Gabe" I said getting more nervous as he walked toward me. He reached out again to touch me, and again I backed away. He growled angrily and grabbed my arm roughly.
"Just trust me" he breathed heavily in my ear. I struggled against him as he ran his hands up and down my body. I stomped on his foot and tried to run, but he grabbed me and smacked me in the face. Ace jumped off the couch and lunged at him, landing a sound bit in his forearm.
He growled angrily and threw the dog in the bedroom and shut the door, leaving me defenseless. He came back toward me and I lashed out angrily. I kicked him in the knee, but he quickly recovered and and pinned me to the floor.
"Now, you're going to be quiet about this, and if you tell anyone, things will only get worse for you" he drawled into my ear. I started to cry as he started to remove me jeans and then blacked out after another punch to the face. I had never felt more alone in my life...
Sooo..what did we think? I liked the Bruce and Addison bits in this one. Now, don't think Bruce has made up his mind yet. I still have many many more ideas for this..Sorry for the evil cliffie. Had to do it. I'm tired. D