A/N - A lot of alerts for this, but only one review... Oh well! I'm enjoying writing them. I just wished I had more time to work on it. Your kind reviews would certainly give me the verbal kick in the pants to move a little faster...:) Basically, I'm wanting to know what you all think...simple as that!

---------------------

Heather pulled into the small driveway and climbed out of the car. She could hear the music echoing from inside the two-story semi-detached home that she leased, along with her friend, Kate Watson. Heather closed the door and noticed that a few seconds later, the music stopped. She sighed, knowing that Kate heard her arrival. The rickety screen door squeaked in protest as Heather held it open before pushing the wooden door in. The screen door slammed behind her.

"Where the hell have you been? I've been worried."

Heather closed the door before turning to face Kate. The dark haired woman stood by the small kitchen table with her arms crossed. The kitchen was spotless; another piece of evidence that Kate was upset. In the two years that Heather rented the old house, she had never known Kate to immaculately clean a room unless something was bothering her. Heather decided it was best to not mention it and instead walked towards the small kitchen table and dropped her purse and keys on it, before turning to the fridge.

"In a city like this, you don't want to not answer your phone and disappear for a few hours."

"Is John still here?"

"No, he left a while ago," Kate replied, a little less hotly. "Where have you been?"

"Out and about. I can take care of myself, Kate. I grew up in this city. I just needed some time on my own."

Heather opened the fridge door and bent over to rummage through it.

"I'll say," Kate replied. "You left home nearly four hours ago. I called both Wayne Manor and David's cell. Mr. Pennyworth said you left a while ago and David's not answering his phone. I was just about to call the hospitals to see if you had been admitted!"

"Sorry," she mumbled as she took the orange juice out and closed the door behind her. She heard Kate sigh as silence filled the room. Finally, she heard Kate speak with less hostility.

"So...did you get in?"

Heather took a drink and smirked before she nodded. Kate squealed with joy as Heather handed her the acceptance letter. She read over the letter as her smile faded.

"You start a week from Monday? You haven't even taken your last exam yet!" Kate exclaimed.

"My last one is on Thursday and then I'll have a few days to relax before I start my internship."

The smile reappeared on Kate's face. "Oh, I'm so happy for you! Just imagine all the cute male nurses you'll run into all day long."

Heather smiled broadly for the first time since she returned home. "Is that all you think about? What about John?"

Kate rolled her eyes. "I'm not talking about me. I was talking about you."

Heather picked up her purse and began to walk through the living room towards the stairs to go up to her room on the second floor of their small, modest semi-detached house. Kate followed.

"You do know that Grey's Anatomy isn't real, right? I mean, interns are not sleeping with each other in the closets or making out in the hospital rooms. I'll be so busy working that I'll have no time for anything, let alone a decent social life," Heather stated.

"A girl can dream, can't she?" Kate said as she watched Heather walk into her bedroom. Kate stood at the doorway while Heather turned on her CD player beside her bed and set the volume to very low. She watched as she pulled out her textbooks from under her desk. "So, I'm guessing that a celebratory party wouldn't work today?"

Heather glanced up at Kate and winced, shaking her head. "Sorry. I really need to get studying."

Kate nodded and smiled. "I totally understand. You're a great doctor in the making!" Heather began to leave the room, but suddenly stopped and turned on her heel. "One more thing - My parents are asking for rent early this month. They're heading on vacation to Cuba in a week and I told them that you'd be able to get it before then."

"Kate! I've cut back my hours at the store so I could study!" she exclaimed. "I wont be getting my paycheck for another two weeks."

Kate shook her head. "Fine. I'll pay my folks and then you can just pay me back."

Heather sighed. "Thanks Kate."

"I'm heading into work in a half hour, so I'll see you later!" Kate waved over her shoulder as she left the room.

Heather closed the door to her bedroom, catching her reflection in the full length mirror that was nailed to the back of the door. Her pony tail was no longer doing its job. A good portion of her auburn hair was falling onto her shoulders and the bobby pin that once held her bangs out of her eyes was slipping out of its place. The one thing that she could control about herself, was a mess. The freckles that were scattered on her cheeks annoyed her. She was definitely no cover model. Heather could just imagine how twelve hour shifts at the hospital would make her look. At least she wouldn't have to be seen with her horrible retainers. Those pieces of plastic and metal had plagued her for nearly six years since she was finally out of braces. Yet she refused to stop wearing them even after her orthodontist told her that she no longer needed them. Heather had heard so many horror stories of adults having their teeth revert to their original places and she was determined that it wouldn't happen to her. So, she continued to wear them every night. If she couldn't find a guy to accept her like this, she would never find someone.

She turned away from the mirror and sat down at her desk and began to open her textbooks. After she was set, she glanced up at her cork bulletin board on the wall above her desk. It was covered with reminders and her calendar. In one corner was a picture that was always special to her. Her twentieth birthday. David and her had their faces side by side and each were making a strange face. Heather had her cheeks puffed out like a fish while David was pretending to pick his nose and stick his tongue out the side of his mouth.

Her smile faded as she thought of how she made him look like a fool in front of that woman that he was trying to impress. Heather had been mentally kicking herself while she had been driving aimlessly around Gotham and cursing her inability to speak at the wrong time and say things that seemed to fall out of her mouth before she had a chance to even think about them. David was her best friend. She knew that he would probably be angry at her for embarrassing him in front of Shawna. She had never meant to make him look like a fool. Heather thoughts went back to Wayne Manor when she saw David at the front door, talking with Shawna. He looked good, even handsome. She could admit that as his best friend.

Shawna seemed perfect. She was beautiful, an heir to a wealthy business; who wouldn't want to be in her company? And here, Heather was Gotham born and raised. Her family was a typical middle class family. She went to the typical public schools until college, had her first job at sixteen years old at the same grocery store that she still worked at and was determined to pay her way through college, although she was in debt over her head. Heather was deemed normal. Yet for David's social class, normal would never cut it.

Heather looked back at the photo as a fleeting thought crossed her mind. Jealous. She scoffed at the thought. "What's to be jealous about? He can spend his time with whomever he wants. I don't care."

Heather opened up her textbook and began to read before glancing at the phone sitting on the cradle in front of her. Finally, she grabbed it and dialed. She could hear it ringing, and ringing, and ringing. After five rings, the voice mail came on.

'Hey, you've reached David's cell! I'm busy so leave a message and I'll give you a ring later!' Heather waited for the beep.

"Hey David. It's Heather. I know that you're probably super busy right now. Um, you don't need to call me back but I was just wanting to apologize for what I said earlier. I shouldn't have said it, you know, the whole comment about you not liking French food, even though I know that you don't like it. I seriously don't know why you think you need...." Heather paused, laughing inwardly at herself and sighed. "What I wanted to say is, I'm sorry." She paused again, not certain what else to say. "So, yeah, uh, you don't need to call me back. So, I guess I'll see you later. Bye."

Heather hung up the phone, and ran her hand through her hair before looking down at the textbook in front of her again.

----------------------

David walked down the hallway, his footsteps being the only sound that could be heard. He had arrived home from his lunch with Shawna almost a half hour prior before Alfred informed him that Bruce wanted to speak with him out on the terrace. David pushed open one side of the French doors to see his Father standing on the terrace with a golf club in hand. A small bucket of balls sat a few feet away. David stood back for a moment while Bruce swung the club and hit the ball. They both watched as the ball cleared the tree line before it disappeared.

"Who's going to go searching for those balls later?"

Bruce turned and smiled, seeing his son had joined him outside. He reached over towards the bucket and grabbed a few more balls. Bruce tucked a few in his pocket and set one on the tee.

"I was going to have Allison go after them, but apparently she has a few phone calls to keep with some friends of hers," Bruce said, as he set himself up to hit the next ball. "So, Alfred picked up these biodegradable balls."

"I remember you saying something about golf being boring," David commented as he sat down on the stone step.

Bruce glanced back and grinned. "The whole polo explanation was getting a little ridiculous at my age. So, your Mother suggested golf."

David chuckled as he watched his Dad hit another ball off into the trees.

"You said that you wanted to talk to me about something."

Bruce nodded as he turned to join David.

"I was going to talk to you about the penthouse, but I need to tell you something else first and for now I want it to be kept between us," Bruce began. David could see the seriousness in his Dad's eyes and nodded. "Wayne Enterprises is being threatened. It wasn't really a threat but more of a warning."

Bruce looked at David, watching confusion cross his face. He continued.

"I received a letter today at the office from someone who knows that Wayne Enterprises has been doing work for Batman."

David's eyes widened. "But who would know that? There's only you, Mr. Fox, me, and Mom that know."

Bruce shook his head. "There is someone else. Coleman Reese. He worked on the due diligence for Wayne Enterprises when we were going to go into partnership with another company. He eventually discovered what was really going on in the R&D department. He threatened to reveal Batman's identity on national television."

"Why don't I remember that?"

"This was before I met you. You were probably six years old or so," Bruce replied, reaching beside him to pick up a file folder. "I need you to keep your eyes and ears open in the lower management. I know that Mr. Reese wasn't too impressed with me and if anyone has reason to be angry, it is him. He's had numerous threats against him because of what happened at the old Gotham Memorial Hospital. Wayne Enterprise graciously relocated Mr. Reese to another area of the city after the incident and assisted in changing his name and information. I had Lucius track down Mr. Reese and I want you to check him out. See if he's up to anything."

"Me?"

"He'd recognize myself or Lucius in an instant if we were nearby," Bruce said, handing him the folder. "You're more likely to blend in."

David looked at the information inside the file.

"He's not far from Heather's place," David commented.

"No, he's not. I want you to keep an eye on her. She is one of the closest friends of the family and would be a target for anyone who has information against us. Keep in contact with her during the day and drive by the house at night. Thankfully, George and Linda Tamarack aren't nearby and we haven't seen them in almost two years so they should be all right." Bruce smiled, hoping to lighten the conversation. "Everything will work out fine."

The French doors opened and Olivia walked out, smiling. "There are my two favourite men. What are you guys up to?"

David reached over and grabbed the golf club from Bruce's hand and stood up.

"Golf," he replied. "And discussing the perks of being a Wayne."

David chucked as he reached for a handful of balls and dropped them onto the ground.

Bruce laughed along with him as Olivia sat down beside Bruce on the stone step.

"Oh yeah? And did your Dad mention about another perk that is about to end for you. The Penthouse."

"What about it?"

"You're going to start paying rent."

David turned around, facing his parents as they sat on the step in front of him.

"Rent? There's no way in hell I'd ever be able to pay the rent for that place without dipping into a trust fund."

"It'll be within your means. You're twenty-five years old."

David lowered his head and chuckled, looking towards Bruce. "This was Mom's idea wasn't it."

Bruce nodded. "She's wanting you to learn responsibility. We both want you to."

"Respons...?" David snorted and shook his head, incredulously. Finally, he nodded his head. "Fine. I'll pay rent."

David turned and set up the ball on the golf tee. Bruce watched in amusement as his son proceeded to hit the ball out into the yard. He watched as it skidded across the grass before coming to a stop before it even hit the tree line.

"It helps if you keep your eye on the ball," Bruce suggested. He and Olivia watched as David rolled up his sleeves before he emptied his pockets and handed them his car keys, wallet and cell phone. David walked back over to the tee and placed another ball on it. Bruce laughed as he watched his son attempt to hit the ball as far as he had done, never coming close. He looked next to him when he heard a buzzing sound.

"Your phone is ringing," Olivia announced, hearing the tune.

"It's probably just Shawna wanting to schedule another lunch or dinner with me," he said. "Let it ring."

"How was lunch anyways?"

"Boring as hell!" David exclaimed as he hit the ball with as much effort as he could. This time the ball cleared the tree line. "She talked about business the entire time."

"So I'm guessing you're not taking her to Mr. Fox's retirement party in three weeks," Bruce said. David was about to swing the club once again until Bruce mentioned the party.

"Three weeks? Is that still happening?"

Bruce nodded, glancing over at Olivia and visually reminding David to keep his mouth shut in regard to what they had discussed earlier. David shrugged.

"I'll call her back later," he said, setting up his swing again. "Maybe then we can have an evening that doesn't involve conversation that is all about her."

Olivia picked up the cell phone off the step when she heard it go to the voice mail. She recognized the number as one that often called the manor.

"It's Heather," she said. David stopped mid-swing and looked up to where his Mom held was holding his cell phone. "It's not Shawna."

He rested the golf club against his shoulder and walked over to where his parents sat beside each other and took the phone. They watched casually as he listened to his voice mail and walked back towards the tee. After a few minutes, he hung up and shrugged.

"It wasn't anything important," he commented before going back to the golf ball which he was determined to finally hit after many interruptions. He took a few practice swings. Olivia leaned back on her hands, watching her son swing over and over before he would ready himself to hit the ball. He raised the club once again over his shoulder, hitting the ball clear across the yard and hitting many leaves on its way through the trees.

---------------

David walked down the hallway and smiled, hearing the sound of an old 'Ok Go' song coming from Allison's room. He began to hum to the familiar tune as he made his way towards the top of the steps when he heard the music suddenly stop and the door open followed by a rush of footsteps.

"I didn't know you were still here," she said, keeping up alongside David as he jogged down the staircase. "I thought you took off to your penthouse."

"Dad wanted me to stick around for a bit," he said plainly. "I'm heading back into the city now."

"I was hoping you were," Allison said. "I need a ride."

"To where?"

"A friend's house," she stated. "You don't know him."

"Him?"

Allison rolled her eyes. "Don't go all big brother on me now. A few friends are having a study party and if you're wanting to know, there will be parents there."

David stopped when he reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Did you ask Mom or Dad?"

She nodded. "Dad said it's fine, as long as I'm home by eleven."

"Fine," David said, pulling his keys out of his pocket before they went out the front door.

----------------

There was always a first time for everything.

For Allison, she wasn't sure if this was something that she even wanted to have a first time doing.

She looked at herself in the bathroom mirror at her friend, Jen's house. The vast array of bright colours on her face and in her hair made her smile. She was thankful that the cute top and skirt fit her so well. Jen appeared in the mirror behind her, a close resemblance in style, both hair and clothing.

"Are you sure we'll be able to get in?" Allison asked, looking at Jen through the mirror. "What if we get caught?"

The girl nodded. "Laura thought of everything. She even had fake ID's made up for us."

"That's what big sisters are for. I tried them once and I got in," Laura said, from the bathroom doorway as she primped her hair one last time. "I'm heading out to the car. You girls come down when you're ready."

Allison sighed, looking at her reflection. She could see her Mom's eyes looking back at her and her Dad's mouth set firmly in the way he did when he was disappointed with her. Allison always had a knack of getting into trouble when she was younger and she'd have her Dad wrapped around her finger with just a simple smile. But Allison wasn't sure about this. Her biggest fear was getting caught. She'd have to keep track of the time in order to get back, and call David in time.

Sighing, she grabbed her purse and ran for the door.

---------------

The music vibrated onto the streets. Allison smiled at Jen as they approached the doors to the club next to Laura. They watched as Laura held out her ID and was easily let through the doors. Jen followed suit and was promptly let in through the door. Allison sighed, holding the ID. The guard took it from her and tilted it from side to side before handing it back to her. She took a step towards the door when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Hold on a sec, Hun," the guard said. "Don't I know you?"

Allison smiled and shook her head. "I don't think so."

"Sure," he said, smiling. "You're Wayne's kid. Yeah, that's right. You've gotta be, what? Fourteen at the most?"

"I think you might have me confused with someone else," Allison replied.

"I didn't get this job because of my size," the man said, his smile fading. "I'm a good judge when it comes to photographs and I'm pretty sure I'm right in this matter."

Allison sighed, walking back down the stairs. She suddenly turned. "Can I at least tell my friends that I can't come in?"

"Sorry," the man said, as he closed the door. "I'd get going home if I were you. This isn't the place for kids."

"Could I borrow a phone at least?!"

The man pushed the door open and felt his pockets before tossing her a quarter. "There's a pay-phone just down the way."

Allison turned, seeing the pay-phone ahead.

----------------

Later that evening...

David drove down the Gotham city streets in the old Chevy Impala. He was less likely to stick out while driving that car rather than his grey Ferrari 559 GTB. He slowed down as he neared the address that Bruce had given him for Coleman Reese. Slowly, he pulled over along the curb before getting a good look. There was an older style minivan sitting in the driveway and one light was on in the house. Nothing looked unusual to him. The house looked well cared for with the lawn nicely mowed and the gardens in front of the porch filled with different colours of petunias. He couldn't see more than that. After a few minutes, he decided he'd come back sometime during the day to get a better look around the property. With any luck, Coleman wouldn't be home.

David pulled out onto the residential street once again and stopped when he came to the stop sign. He looked to his left, noticing Heather's street one block away. Remembering his Dad's request, he turned towards her place. He drove slowly down the street as the road was lined with many semi-detached homes that all looked similar in style and colour. They all lacked a garage and each had a car or two sitting in the driveway. David tried to remember how far down her place was. He had visited her at the house many times, but usually it was during the day. He pulled over alongside the curb when he recognized her small blue Jetta sitting in the driveway. He saw Kate's Neon parked on the street. He looked at the clock in his car showing 11:34pm and shook his head when he saw that Heather's light was still on. He knew that she was still studying.

After a few minutes, he turned the car around and headed back towards the penthouse. He ran his hand along his neck, feeling the groggy feeling of being overtired begin to hit him as he began to enter the downtown core. David turned on some music when he came to a red traffic light just as his cell phone began to ring. Sighing, he picked it up, when he didn't recognize the number.

"Hello?"

"David?! You have to come and get me!"

Wait a minute. He knew that voice the moment she said his name. He looked down at the clock again, making sure that he wasn't imagining the time. "Allison? What? Aren't you at home?"

"No, I'm not! I need you to come pick me up."

"I know that Dad's busy right now, but why don't you call up Mom to come and get you?"

"I'm not at Jen's house," she finally admitted. "If I told them where I was, they'd freak, especially Dad."

The admission made him worry. He sighed, keeping his temper in check.

"Allison, where are you?"

"At a pay-phone near the corner of Wilson and Raine," she said, nervously.

"That's in the downtown slums!" he exclaimed. "What the hell are you doing there?!"

He was no longer keeping his cool. She knew well enough not to go down there, especially alone and at night.

"Some of my friends thought it would be fun to see if we could get into a club," she explained, as her voice wavered. "We had fake ID but the security guy somehow recognized me and I was kicked out."

David quickly made a right turn and spun around to go back the way he came. "All right, I'm on my way. Just stay there."

He tossed his cell phone back into the passenger seat and pressed his foot onto the gas pedal. The Impala certainly couldn't cut corners as well as the Ferrari or his Dad's Lamborghini could, but he pushed the car hard. He tapped his hand against the wheel as he waited at more than one set of traffic lights.

"Come on, come on." He mumbled the mantra over and over. Once the light changed, he stepped firmly on the gas and sped ahead in time to turn onto Wilson. He looked ahead on the sidewalks for Allison as he neared Raine Street. When he saw the phone booth, he quickly pulled over and jumped out of the car.

"Allison!?"

He jogged up onto the sidewalk and looked in either direction.

"Allison!"

She was gone.