My mind was practically flying, and I couldn't concentrate on anything except for one thing that I knew almost positively: Bruce Wayne, the man that I'm falling for, is Batman.

I insisted on Chris driving for the rest of the night, and was only half aware of what I was doing for the rest of the night.

We arrived back at Station 17 around 3:30 in the morning, and my shift was due to end in about 30 minutes. But I knew those 30 minutes would be torture. Many times I held my phone in my hand, ready to send a text to Bruce, but never sent anything for fear that I was wrong. For fear that I would say something like that to Bruce and then have him accuse me of just being crazy.

"V?" Jon gently shook me, my attention snapping back like a rubber band.

"Hm? What?"

"I've been asking you if you were okay for the past two minutes," he breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"Sorry, just … Thinking," I fidgeted with my phone in my hands.

The sudden buzzing startled me, making me nearly drop my smartphone.

I examined the screen after calming my heart rate, seeing that it was a text from the man himself … Bruce.

'we need to talk'

No shit. I thought, typing a reply.

'time and place'

Bruce's response came instantly.

'manor tomorrow at six?'

'fine'

"Is it Bruce?" Jon asked me.

I nodded, staying silent.

"What'd he do? Do I need to go kick his ass?"

I cracked a small lop-sided smile.

"No, I don't think so. Just… seeing those scars again didn't help either."

I changed the subject because I knew I couldn't afford to have Bruce's potential secret slip. Even if it's not true.

"Hey," Jon sat down next to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. "I won't let anything happen to you, and I don't believe that Bruce will either. You're like my little sister, V."

I gave a full smile to the man who was like my brother that I never had. "Thanks, Jon."

Bruce arrived back at Wayne Manor via the Bat Cave, where Alfred was waiting for him.

"Welcome back, Master Wayne."

Bruce stepped out of the Tumbler with mixed emotions.

Alfred immediately knew that something had happened, and he had a nagging feeling that it involved Miss Price.

"She knows," was all Bruce had murmured, pulling the cowl off. "She figured it out."

Truthfully, he couldn't help but be a little proud of her, but at the same time it was raising questions in his mind about the future.

He ran his still-gloved fingers through his hair, clenching his jaw and clutching his phone in his hand. It seemed to taunt him. Everytime he would type a message to Evangeline, he would erase it and type something new. Rinse and repeat. Before he finally decided on one message.

'we need to talk'

Bruce groaned in frustration. Really? Send that kind of a message?

I laid on the couch that night at Devyn's apartment, unable to sleep. Unable to think of anything but Bruce. Batman. The same man? I didn't know for sure, but my gut told me I was right. My mind whirled with the possibility. I sighed, tossing the blanket off of me and crossing the floor to the dining room where I began to pace. It was near dawn, and I stopped for a moment to see the sunrise paint Gotham in a scarlet red. Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning.

I wanted nothing but to sleep, the 13-hour shift that I worked through yesterday and into this morning should have exhausted me, plain and simple. And yet here I was, leaving marks in Devyn's carpet.

I could just take a sleeping pill. Or a painkiller. My mind told me. I accepted defeat and trudged to Devyn's bathroom, ignoring the pain pills. Instead grabbing some Tylenol PM and grabbing a pill, taking it instantly. No way was I going to get hooked on these again.

I awoke about seven hours later, right around two in the afternoon. I groggily opened my eyes, every limb of my body feeling like lead. I stretched my long limbs, curling my toes and lacing my fingers together to stretch my arms high above me.

"Well, it's about time someone got up," I hear Devyn's teasing voice prod.

I let out a sound that can only be said to be a mix of a groan and a chuckle in response, too groggy yet to throw a pillow.

"Couldn't sleep last night, huh?"

"Couldn't get my mind off of Bruce," I admit to my best friend.

"Bruce? I should've known," I can practically hear her head shaking and the smirk. "What'd he do?"

I finally force myself to sit up on the couch and I finally see what Devyn is up to. She's making food.

"Why do you and Jon think he did something?" I laugh a bit.

"Just lookin' out for you," Devyn smiled gently.

"To answer your question – I just can't wait to see him today."

Devyn points her spatula at me.

"Answer all the questions, missy."

I roll my eyes a bit, smirking.

"He didn't do anything, Dev."

Well, it's not technically a lie…

I watched as Devyn nodded slightly, resuming making what I can now smell to be grilled cheese sandwiches.

"What time?"

"Hmm?"

"What time are you going to meet Bruce?"

"Oh. Six. He wants me to meet him at the manor."

Suddenly, both of our phones buzz with a text message.

I narrow my eyes, slightly weary of the fact that it could be Station 17 needing us to come in. Instead, it's a text message from Jon.

'you guys need to turn the tv on – now'

…

After a moment, Jon sent us another text.

'it's him'

I turn back to face Devyn, and we are wearing identical looks of concern. I swing my legs off of the couch and fly to the remote and turn on the TV, switching it to the news.

"If you're just joining us, this is the top story and our breaking headline. The Joker has struck again," the female news anchor says. "Please use your own judgment when watching this video, as it is not advised for children and for those sensitive to violence."

The feed switches to a video showing someone in the Batman costume hanging from a noose in a tree in Gotham City Park. Blood was pooled beneath the corpse, and the noose right around the nape of the neck was stained crimson red. I feel my eyes widen. I stand motionless in anticipation and concern, my full attention to the news story.

"The man in the costume has not yet been identified, nor do we have confirmation if this is indeed the true Batman or perhaps another imposter. Gothamites will recall the incidents from two years ago from the infamous Joker, and this does feel all too familiar."

I shiver slightly, vividly recalling the times when Joker made good on his threats two summers ago. The faces of the imposters that he killed in his feverish desire to unmask the real Batman. All of the innocent people that died at the hands of the Joker. My phone buzzes in my hands, and I glance down to check the message. The Batman imposters apparently didn't go into hiding, or maybe they figured that it was safe once again because they had heard about Batman being back sporadically in Gotham?

'how long until the bat takes him back down again?'

I type a response to Jon quickly.

'i'm not sure… but I hope soon'

':/'

'he took him down before, he'll do it again'

Devyn responded, and I noted the slight grimace on her face.

'but how many lives will be lost this time?'

My mind snapped back to the random violence that's happened around Gotham since Joker escaped from Arkham along with Harley Quinn. Come to think of it, they really haven't caused that much trouble recently… Well, except for this poor man. I felt myself subconsciously begin to pick at my thumb nail as I watch the live reporter, Jack Ryder, do a live report from Gotham City Park as they begin to cut down and lower the body from the immense oak tree's limb.

"This is madness," Devyn murmurs. "All of this because of… an obsession."

It's true. The Joker is a sociopath. A murderous sociopath, at that.

"To think," she continued, bowing her head slight and rubbing her wrist in her opposite hand unconsciously. "We lost our D.A. to this man. We lost Loeb. Judge Surillo. Countless cops, good and bad. Hell, we thought we lost Gordon."

I nodded slowly. She was right. Gotham took a huge hit two years ago. But I couldn't keep my thought to myself.

"But worst of all, we lost the hero we deserved. What was it Gordon said? 'Not the hero we deserved, but the hero we needed'?"

"Or so we thought. He's saved you. Whether he killed Harvey or not, he's got points in my book for that alone."

Devyn smiled gently at me and I returned the smile, nodding.

"That's what I don't understand," I ran my fingers through my somewhat messy tendrils. "Why? What possible reasoning would Batman have to kill Harvey? Especially after Harvey took his place and said that he was Batman?"

"I dunno, Eve. But something big had to have happened."

"The Joker won that night, not Batman," I shook my head. "Maybe it was damage control. Five dead, two of them cops at the hands of Batman? Not exactly his m.o., he's never killed anyone before," I mused.

"Who knows? Guess we'll just have to wait and find out with the rest of the city."

After a hot shower, a change of clothes and quickly throwing my hair into a half up-half down style, it was already nearly 4 o'clock. My buzzed with an incoming call. I picked up the device, noting the caller ID: Commissioner Gordon.

"Price," I answered.

"Price, I'm sorry to bother you, but I wanted to speak to you. Is this a good time?"

"Of course. Give me just one minute."

I placed my hand over the microphone and mouthed to Devyn that it was Commissioner Gordon and that I was going to step out onto the balcony. I was met with a nod in response, as well as a slight look of concern and excitement at the fact that Gordon was calling.

"Okay, Commissioner," I stated.

"I wanted to run this by you, tell me what you think. I want for all of our first responders to be armed. We're providing the firearms, the vests. The whole nine yards."

I was a bit speechless, but my voice eventually found me once again.

"I understand, times here are certainly hard, but sir…" my voice tapered off as I searched for the right words.

"Our paramedics and firefighters need and deserve to be as protected as my cops. I won't take no for an answer. I can't lose any more good people," I hear him strain slightly.

"Commissioner… I appreciate this offer. Thank you. It's good to know there are still good people in Gotham."

"Thank you. Can you meet me at MCU?"

I nodded, even though I knew he couldn't see the movement.

"Yes, I can. As soon as possible?"

"As soon as possible."

The phone call ended after that, and I turned around and re-entered Dev's apartment.

"Soooo…?" Devyn immediately prompted me.

"Gordon is arming us. Vests, firearms, everything."

"Those of us he knows he can trust, you mean."

I shot a knowing smile at my best friend as her phone began to ring. Gordon was calling her next.

I hailed a cab outside, asking to be taken to MCU. I whipped out my cell phone in the back seat, noting the time as 4:06. I should still have enough time to make it to the manor by six. I sat back in the not-very-comfortable-but-it'll-do seat in the back of my cab and just watched the city splay out in front of me. After a brief ten minutes, we pulled up to the front of MCU, and I stepped out, paying my fare.

I began to walk up the stairs to the building in the heart of downtown Gotham. I enter the building and check in with the very tight security.

"Name?" the man looked to me briefly.

"Evangeline Price, I'm here to see Commissioner Gordon."

"ID?"

I leaned into my purse, fishing out my wallet and pulled out my operator's license and slid it to him. I watched as he examined the photo carefully, examining myself periodically. Eventually he was satisfied that I was who I said I was and buzzed me in.

I nodded thankfully toward the man as I entered the busy lobby area.

"Commissioner, you have a visitor in the lobby," I heard the same man's voice announce my presence via the speakers in the building.

The blast of air conditioning sent goose bumps dancing across my exposed arms and legs, as I wore a v-neck tee and a pair of jean shorts in the 90-degrees-Fahrenheit weather. My sandals gently smacked the floor as I walked toward some seats and I planted myself, waiting for Gordon. I didn't have to wait very long.

"Price, thanks for coming so quickly," Gordon greeted me with a tired smile.

"Of course. Thank you for everything you're doing for us."

"You can thank Wayne Enterprises," we chatted as we walked through the lobby and toward the direction of the second floor where Gordon's office was.

"Wayne Enterprises?" I mused, an eyebrow raising slightly. I turned my head toward the aging man beside me.

"Yes, seems they have the same belief that I do. Protect Gotham's first responders."

I nodded, grateful once again to Bruce. No doubt he had something to do with this. As we ascended the staircase, some cops walked by us, and I earned myself a cat-call whistle from a male officer. I rolled my eyes and I heard Gordon sigh exasperatedly.

"Some people…" I heard him grumble under his breath.

I couldn't help but smirk slightly, knowing that I had the exact same thought.

We rounded a corner after completing our trip up the staircase, and walked straight ahead as I saw Gordon's office. A man was sitting near the desk, with some very official looking equipment. Gordon and I entered the office and the man stood immediately. He was an older African-American gentleman, with salt-and-pepper hair. I liked him almost immediately.

"You must be Evangeline Price," the man greeted me, his voice smooth. He extended his hand toward me for a handshake. Yep, I liked this man already.

"I am," I firmly grasped the man's hand and shook it in return.

"Lucius Fox. I'm here from Wayne Enterprises. I'm sure Commissioner Gordon has explained things to you?"

I bobbed my head. "Yes, he has. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

He walked around to the briefcase that was perched upon the mahogany desk in front of me. He opened the case, revealing a 9mm Smith and Wesson with three clips, a permit for the firearm, and a Kevlar bulletproof vest. He carefully began to extract each item and place them in front of me.

"Your concealed carry, and first responder carry permit, just needs your signature and to be notarized by the Commissioner here."

I examined the legal document before signing my name. I slid it to Gordon, who also signed, and Fox dug right back in.

"9mm Smith and Wesson M&P 9 Shield. Performance center with night sights."

He gestured to the pistol and I carefully picked up the slim, and surprisingly lightweight pistol in my hands. I examined the piece of weaponry, ensuring that the safety was engaged and to keep my finger off of the trigger even though there was no clip inserted.

"Easy to conceal, simple operation, and she's reliable day and night. She won't disappoint you, Miss Price."

I looked to Mr. Fox, who was watching me turn the gun over and over in my hands, getting used to the weight and the size. I nodded silently in thanks, and was met with a small grin before Fox returned his attention to the items once again.

"We've also included a holster and three clips."

"And bullets?" I asked, grinning slightly.

"You don't want to just have it for show?" he sent me a lop-sided grin to which I slightly inclined my head to the side, smirking showing him that I was playing along. "Oh, now where's the fun in that?" Fox grinned broadly. Yep, I like this man. I couldn't help but laugh quietly as I examined the holster, one that would go outside of the waistband as well as one covert that goes on the inside. Just like I've seen countless officers have in real life and on TV.

"And the pièce de résistance…" Fox took on a French accent as he handed me the vest. "She's made of Kevlar. Perfectly adapted to be worn under your work uniform."

I noted that the vest was white, to match our uniform shirts. I smiled slightly.

"Breathable while functional. She'll withstand rifle shots and everything below. It'll also fend off close-range attacks, like with knives for example."

Oh, good. Knives. I shuddered, remembering the feeling of Joker's knife in my shoulder.

Gordon cleared his throat quietly, as if he could feel my unease.

"Thank you, Mr. Fox," he said. "Your contributions are always greatly appreciated… and tend to be undervalued," he murmured at the end.

Luckily, Lucius grinned.

"It's alright. With everything going on right now…" he trailed off.

I nodded.

"Thank you, Mr. Fox," I extended my hand toward him once again.

"My pleasure," he grasped my hand for another handshake. He turned on his tail and began to leave the office, but not before very quickly turning back around and stopping momentarily. "And Miss Price?"

I turned toward him. "Yes?"

"Mister Wayne was quite right about you," he smiled.

"W-what? How do you mean?" I stammered, caught off guard.

"Why don't you ask him? He's the one who said you were beautiful."

Lucius winked toward me subtly and exited Gordon's office. The rush of color on my cheeks was immediate and I didn't need a mirror to know I resembled a tomato.

It was now just after 5o'clock in the evening, and all of Gotham's citizens were beginning their crawl home. This unfortunately left me with very few cabs, and those that I did manage to hail someone else stole from me. I sighed, losing my third cab. It was now 5:30. I hated to do this, but the drive to the manor from here should take about 20 minutes, and I really don't want to be late and potentially ruin what I have with Bruce. I took out my phone, and dialed Bruce's number. It rang three times before he answered.

"Hey, are you okay?" he immediately asked me.

"Yeah," I laughed lightly. "I'm fine. Except for the fact that I can't get a damn cab around here," I growled slightly, making a couple of people around me look at me.

I was met with a chuckle from Bruce.

"Want me to come pick you up?" I could hear in the background Bruce walking somewhere briefly and then I heard the jingle of a key ring.

"If you could, I'm sorry."

"You're fine. Are you at Devyn's?"

"No, I'm at GCPD."

I heard Bruce stop for a moment.

"GCPD? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Gordon wanted to see me."

"Oh," a moment of realization must have struck Bruce because he suddenly piped up again. "I take it you got your things from Fox?"

"You got it," I had begun to pace slightly, the case with my new service weapon, magazines, and vest swaying slightly in my opposite hand. "Thanks, by the way."

"That was actually all on Fox. Can't believe I didn't think of that, though…" I heard a car engine roar and the slight sound of tires squealing on asphalt.

"Slow down there, tiger," I laughed. "Anyway, I'm just appreciative of the fact that someone is looking out for us, too."

"Yeah, me, too. You guys deserve it. I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Okay, see you soon," I smiled.

"See you soon. Bye."

Bruce ended the call, and I put my phone back into my purse slung over my shoulder.

A head of blonde hair catches my eye, with piercing blue eyes. But there's something about him that makes me feel… uncomfortable. We made eye contact and then he began to walk toward me. I didn't like the look he had in his eyes. I quickly turned around and began power-walking my way through the crowd. I turned my head over my shoulder to look for the man, and saw that he was still following me. I pushed through a couple of people and eventually broke free and started to run. To my horror I saw the same man now running after me, and man, he was gaining on me fast. I started to sprint and I crossed the street, taking the chance. I was greeted with many horns blaring at me, the sounds of tires screeching to a halt, but I didn't care. I had to get away from this man. I pushed my legs to carry me further up the street, and soon I immersed myself into a large crowd of Gothamites that were walking to a parking garage. I tried to quiet and calm my breathing and my heart from the adrenaline rush. A moment later, a silver Lamborghini raced by me, heading toward the GCPD's MCU building. My heart sank slightly, knowing that that just had to be Bruce, and that now I had to turn around and go back, risking running into the blonde man.

The realization suddenly struck me, and I stopped walking, my eyes going wide. That was the man that had tried to kill me last time with the goddamn Joker! But… what in the hell was his name…? My mind racked my memories, searching for a name.

"Ra's," I whispered the name. I turned around, and was greeted to the sight of the man himself waiting for me, a slightly evil grin on his face. "What do you want?"

It seemed as though everyone on the street just vanished, and it was just the two of us there.

"You know," he purred. "You know about him. Trust your instinct."

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

"You tried to kill me."

The man grinned slightly, sending a shiver down my spine.

"You're just a pawn in the game. And pawns must be sacrificed."

My phone rang loudly, making me jump from the tension. I looked away to find my phone and answer it, seeing that it was Bruce ringing. I raised my head to answer, and my breath caught in my throat.

Ra's was gone.

I looked around frantically, noting just how quickly the street cleared out all of a sudden. I shakily accept the call from Bruce.

"Where are you?" I hear him asking me frantically.

"Bruce…" I mentally slap myself at the shakiness of my voice. "Turn around. Come back up the street. I'm in front of," I turned and looked at the store I was in front of. "McAlister's."

I instantly heard the roar of the Lamborghini's motor, followed by some car horns (which made me cringe, he apparently cut someone off) and in mere seconds the car screeched to a halt in front of me. Bruce leapt out of the car and ran to me, gently cupping my face in his hands. His thumb gently caressed my cheek bone.

"Are you okay? What happened?"

I swallowed hard. "I can't tell you here."

He seemed to understand what I meant, and he gently took my hand in his and led me to the parked Lamborghini, opening the passenger door for me and taking my case with my new things and tossing it carelessly into the back seat. I seated myself in the passenger seat and the door was shut a little harshly. I watched Bruce try to collect himself and walk/half run to the driver's side door and he climbed in.

He sat gripping the steering wheel quietly, and I watched as his expression became neutral. He looked very briefly in the mirror before taking off and away from the curb. I slid back into the seat slightly at the sudden acceleration. None of us said anything. But Bruce silently slid his hand onto mine, and gently held my hand as he drove at break-neck speeds back to Wayne Manor.