By the time she'd gotten home, she was mentally exhausted, and went to bed early. That night, she'd never got a dress for Bruce's event. The next day, she had to work. She was at work all day.
She did take a lunch break, and went to find a dress, or at least try to. She tried a few shops, but wasn't able to find anything. She went back to Arkham. She was distracted by the fact that she couldn't find anything, and there was only hours until the event. She'd have to call Bruce, and let him know what she wouldn't be able to make it.
She managed to make it through the rest of her day, and made it home. To her surprise, there was a package, with her name on it, at her door. She grabbed it, and went inside. She groaned, realizing she still had to call Bruce, to let him know.
She put the package on her table. There was no return address on it. She wondered who had left it for her? What was it? Her cell phone rang, bringing her out of her thoughts.
"Hello?"
"Dr. Lake, it's Bruce Wayne."
"Mr. Wayne, just the person I needed to speak with. I appologise, but I haven't been able to find an appropriate outfit, I don't think that I'll be able to make it tonight." She said.
"Where are you right now?" He asked her.
"Why?" She asked.
She heard him laugh.
"Just answer the question." Bruce told her.
She exhaled loudly.
"I just got home." She said.
"Apparently you haven't opened it." He said.
She raised her eyebrows, and started opening the package.
"What did you do?" She asked.
"You make it sound so bad, doing something nice for you." He said.
She opened the package, to find a gorgeous black ballgown. It was breathtaking.
"Oh good Lord, I cannot accept this!" She told him.
"It's a gift. You said something about not having anything to wear. Now, you do." He said.
"I don't understand, why it is so important that I attend your events? You've already donated the money to the Asylum. Why is it so important that I be there as well, especially since the event for the Asylum is already over?" She asked.
"I'll see you tonight Dr. Lake." He told her.
With that, he hung up. She exhaled loudly, and went to get in the shower. She quickly washed, then got out. She put her hair into an up do. She did her make up, and then carefully got into the dress. She slipped on a pair of strappy heels, then looked at her reflection in the full length mirror. She smiled, as there was a knock at the door. She grabbed her clutch, and went to answer the door.
"Dr. Lake?" A british man, with pepper hair asked.
"Yes? Can I help you?" Hope asked.
He shook his head.
"No. I'm here to give you a ride to Master Bruce's party." He told her.
"Master Bruce? You're the man I spoke to on the phone. Why are you driving me, I'm more than capable to drive myself." She said.
"He wanted to make sure you made it. Shall we?" He asked.
Hope shook her head. He led her to his car. He opened the door for her, and she got in.
"So, is Mr. Wayne always this much of a control freak, or am I a special case?" She asked the man.
The man gave a laugh.
"You have no idea." He told her.
"Oh great. That's not worrying at all. Is there anything that I should know, or be worried about, with Mr. Wayne?" She asked.
He gave another laugh.
"Master Bruce is a man of many mysteries." He said.
"I've read about his exploits, know about his reputation, and I've met his friend. Why would he send Batman to get me to change my mind about going to the events Mr. Wayne set up? Is there something Mr. Wayne wants from me?" She asked.
He looked at her in the rearview mirror. She could tell he was smiling.
"What made you change you mind about going to Master Bruce's party?" He asked.
Hope gave a laugh.
"It wasn't my choice, actually. Mr. Wayne showed up at Arkham, yesterday, and managed to get my boss to make it manditory for me to be at this event. For me, tonight is professional. Like I said before, I know his reputation, and I don't plan on being just another notch on Mr. Wayne's belt. Is that all he wants from me?" She asked.
She could tell he was frowning.
"I raised Master Bruce, after his parents died, and I would like to hope he isn't only interested in only that." He told her.
She smiled at him.
"I guess we will see, won't we?" She said.
He gave a nod.
They rode in silence for the rest of the way, to Wayne Manor. He opened her door for her, when they arrived at the Manor.
"Master Bruce is an honorable man. I don't believe he would intentionally hurt you." He told her.
"They never do." She whispered.
"Master Bruce will meet you inside." He told her.
She gave a nod.
"I am so out of my league tonight." She said, exhaling loudly.
"You'll do great. Master Bruce will be speechless." He told her.
"I'm not here to impress him. It's actually the other way around." She said.
He smiled, as she headed inside. It took her a minute, but she finally found Bruce. He was talking with an older man. She took a moment, to look at the Manor, itself. It was beautiful.
"Dr. Lake isn't it?"
Hope turned to find the man Bruce had been speaking with.
"I'm sorry, but I don't believe I know your name." She said.
"My apologies. I'm Lucius Fox. Mr Wayne speaks very highly of you." Lucius told her.
Hope raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"He does? That's strange, yesterday was the first day I met him." She said.
"Really? I must be mistaken then." Lucius said, smiling warmly.
"Maybe Batman told him about me." She said.
"Batman?" Lucius asked.
She nodded.
"Yeah, they're friends. Mr. Wayne somehow got Batman to talk me into previous charity events. When that didn't work, Mr. Wayne stopped by my job." She said.
"Interesting." Lucius said.
"Lucius, you can't keep Dr. Lake to yourself the whole night."
"Ah, Mr. Wayne, we were just talking about you." Lucius said.
"All good I hope." Bruce said.
Lucius gave a laugh.
"You'll have your hands full with this one, Mr. Wayne." Lucius said.
Lucius took his leave, and Bruce handed her a glass of champagne. She took it and thanked him.
"You look amazing in the dress." He told her.
"Yes, well, you did pick it out." She told him.
He gave a laugh.
"It still looks amazing on you." He told her.
She took a drink from her glass.
"So, I'm here. The rest is up to you, Mr. Wayne." She said.
"Call me Bruce, please." He told her.
"I prefer Mr. Wayne, for now." She said.
He gave a laugh.
"As you wish." He said.
"So, tell me, Mr. Wayne, you've got me here, now what?" She asked, taking a sip from her glass.
"How do I prove that I'm different that Queen and Luthor?" He asked.
She shook her head.
"I'm sure that you'll figure something out. I mean, you've gotten farther than they did. You actually managed to get me to one of these functions. They never thought of using my boss to do it." She said.
"Really? I figured they'd be smarter than that." Bruce said, with a laugh.
"You'd think so, but not so much. So, how did you and Batman meet, not to mention, become friends?" She asked him.
"Do you want to get out of here, go somewhere more quiet, to talk?" He asked.
"You want to leave your own party? Isn't that bad manners?" She asked.
"They won't miss me. Most of them are stuck on themselves anyways." He told her.
She rasied an eyebrow.
"Really, and you're not?" She asked.
He put a hand over his heart.
"That hurt!" He said.
She rolled her eyes, but gave a laugh.
"The truth hurts." She said, smiling.
"Explain." He said.
She sighed.
"You throw charity event after charity event because I don't show up. You show up at my work, and get my boss to order me to go to your party. Now, you want to leave your guests, to talk, with me. You don't think of yourself over others. Not you." She said sarcastically.
"You caught me. I do all of this, to keep up appearances. People start talking if I don't throw and event, or party, every so often." He said, gesturing to the guests.
"That's a surprise, you being worried about what others say about you." She said.
"Why?" He asked.
She smiled.
"You have a new girl on your arm, everytime you turn around. You don't seem to mind what people say about your personal relationships." She said.
"You're right, which is why I was hoping you could help me with that." He said.
She raised her eyebrows in surprise. Was he saying what she thought he was saying?
"How do you think that I can help you?" She asked.
"Why don't we find somewhere more private to finish this conversation?" He said.
What had she gotten herself into? The british man that had driven her here, caught her eye. He gave a smile, and a nod to her. She exhaled loudly, and looked at Bruce again.
"Lead the way, Mr. Wayne." She told him.
Bruce smiled, as he put his hand on the small of her back, and led her away from the guests. He brought her outside. They walked through the flower garden.
"Okay, we've found a more private place for the conversation, so please explain what you meant back there." She said.
He walked to the edge of the garden. He held his arms behind his back. She watched him with his back to her, as she waited for him to speak. It felt like she was waiting for him to say something, forever. She sighed.
"What game are you trying to play, Mr. Wayne, because I don't care for games. I'm done playing games. If that's all you want, then I might as well just leave now." She told him.
He didn't respond. She didn't know if he had even heard her or not. She shook her head.
"I guess no answer is still an answer." She said quietly.
No answer. She gave a nod.
"Okay, I guess I've over stayed my welcome, I'll be on my way. Good night Mr. Wayne." She told him.
She turned to leave. She'd known it all along, Wayne was exactly how she thought he was. At least she didn't get too into something with him. She would have to find the british man, and see if he'd take her home again.
He suddenly grabbed her, spun her around, and his lips crashed onto hers. She was frozen in surprise at first. Before her mind could gain control, her body took over. Her arms went around his neck, and deepend the kiss. Bruce put his hands on her hips, pulling her closer to him.
When her brain finally caught up, she pushed him away. She put a hand over her lips, breathing heavily. She shook her head.
"No. You can't just ignore me, then assault my lips like that. We just met, Mr. Wayne, I barely know you. Like I just said, I'm not playing games." She told him.
"What do I have to do to prove myself?" He asked, walking over to her.
"How can I be sure you're serious, and not just screwing around?" She asked.
He took her hair out of it's pins. Her hair cascaded down past her shoulders. He smiled down at her.
"I guess I'll have to show you." He told her.
He cupped her face with his hands, and pressed his lips to her. She closed her eyes, and reminded herself not to get too attached. He was called a playboy for a reason.
"So, why were you so adamant to get me to your charity event?" She asked, as they started walking down one of the path ways.
"I wanted to meet you. I'd heard wonderful things about you. I'd never knew how beautiful you were, or what kind of person you are, but when I saw you, I don't know, something told me that you're different than everyone else." He said.
She looked up at him.
"I'll take that as a compliment." She said, with a smile.
"Exactly how I meant it." He said.
She felt her face grow warm.
"Thank you." She whispered.
He smiled, as he put his arm around her waist, holding her close.
"Master Bruce, there's a call for you." The british man told Bruce, when he got to them.
"As you can see, Alfred, I'm a little busy, right now, take a message." Bruce said.
"Master Bruce, it's very important." Alfred said.
"I'm sure it can wait, I'm taking the night off tonight, Alfred." Bruce said.
That phrase sounded odd to her. Something was off, but she couldn't put her finger on what it was though.
"Mr. Fox believes that it's an important call." Alfred said.
She felt Bruce stiffen at her side.
"Wayne Enterprises?" Bruce asked.
Alfred gave a nod.
"I believe so, Sir." Alfred said, appologetically.
Bruce gave a nod.
"Thank you Alfred." Bruce said.
Alfred turned, and left them alone again. Bruce turned to Hope. He took her hand in his.
"This is such bad timing." He said.
She smiled.
"I understand. I'm a therapist, at Arkham. Things come up at the worst possible time. You should take the call." She told him.
He gave a laugh, and caressed her cheek.
"Lucius was right about you, I think." He told her.
She raised her eyebrows.
"I'm not sure how to take that one." She told him.
He laughed.
"I guess we'll have to see, won't we? Why don't we return to the party, so I can take that phone call?" Bruce said.
She gave a nod.
They headed back inside.
"I will be back, as soon as I can." He told her.
"I'll be here." She said.
He kissed the top of her head, then headed through the crowd. She started walking around, greeting some of the other guests.
Alfred walked up to her, with a tray of drinkks.
"Dr. Lake, I apologise for the sudden interuption, but it was unavoidable." Alfred told her.
Hope smiled at him, putting her hand on his arm.
"I understand Mr. Wayne has responsibilities." She said.
Alfred gave a smile.
"I'm glad that you were able to make it tonight." Alfred told her.
"Mr. Wayne doesn't like to take no for an answer." She said.
"He is stubborn that way." Alfred said.
She laughed.
"That's one word for it." She said.
He laughed.
"Oh, I like you. You'll do Master Bruce good." Alfred said.
As if on cue, Bruce walked up to them.
"I apologise, but I must go to Wayne Enterprises. Stay as long as you would like. I'm not sure how long it should take, so when you want to go home, Alfred will make sure you get home safe." Bruce said.
She gave a nod.
"Of course, go, do what you need to do. I'll be fine." She told him.
"I'll try to return as soon as I can." He said.
"Good luck." She told him.
He turned, and headed away. She wasn't sure how much longer she'd stay anyways. She felt a hand on her back. It was Alfred.
"Let me know when you are ready to go, Dr. Lake." He told her.
She finished her drink.
"I'm ready, let's go." She said.
"Are you sure?" Alfred asked.
She gave a nod.
"Mr. Wayne was the one that wanted me here, since he's left, I might as well head home." She said.
Alfred smiled, and gave a nod.
"As you wish. Just let me get the car ready, and then we can go." He told her.
"Okay. I'll be waiting outside for you." She said.
He nodded, then turned to leave. Hope took one last look around, and then headed outside. When she got outside, she took a deep breath. It only took a few minutes before Alfred showed up, with his car. Alfred opened the door for her, and she got into the back.
"I hope that you had a nice time, Dr. Lake." Alfred said, as he started driving.
"Call me Hope." She said.
"Such a beautiful name." He told her.
She smiled.
"Thank you, and yes, I had a wonderful time tonight." She said.
"I'm glad to hear that. Does that mean it won't take as long to get you to come back?" He asked.
She smiled, and gave a laugh.
"We'll see." She said.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, the driver's side was hit. Both of them were sitting on the drivers side. Hope hadn't been wearing a seat belt.
The car flipped twice, and landed on it's tires again. Hope had flown from the back, into floor of the passenger side. She was in so much pain, as she realized that Alfred was not moving from the driver's seat. She groaned, as she tried moving.
"Alfred?!" She croaked.
She coughed, and tasted blood in her mouth.
"Please don't be dead, Bruce will kill me!" She muttered.
She heard a rustling from outside of the car. She heard voices, but couldn't hear what they were saying.
She heard Alfred groan.
"Oh thank God! Alfred, you're alive!" She said, in relief.
Her head was spinning, as she saw Alfred open his eyes. She smiled, and coughed again.
"Mistress Hope? Are you okay?" Alfred said.
"I'm alive, but I don't feel so well, Alfred." She mumbled.
"Don't worry, once Master Bruce realizes what happened, he'll come for us." Alfred reassured her.
"Good." She sighed.
"Mistress Hope, stay with me." Alfred said.
She was starting to fade.
"I'm so tired." She whispered.
Alfred was pinned by the steering wheel, and his belt. He couldn't get to her.
Suddenly, the passengers side door opened.
"Oh thank God! Please help us!" Alfred said.
"Grab the girl. Leave the old man, she only wants the girl, alive." A man's voice said.
"Alfred." Hope groaned.
"No! Leave her alone! Don't touch her!" Alfred told the men.
"Shut up old man! Just be glad that we're not going to kill you." A man said.
They pulled Hope from the car, and carried her away, leaving Alfred alone. He tried getting out, but he was stuck. Alfred heard the squeal of tires, as he pulled out a cell phone, and dialed a number.
"Master Wayne, there's been an accident." Alfred said.