Hello, readers! I'm updating pretty quickly for no particular reason, I think. Horror's Bride helped me edit this chapter. (I might as well give her part ownership of this...) Hmm. I have nothing else to say, so enjoy!

I fell down onto my couch face-first, exhausted after such an ordeal. Despite a full night of sleep, I was dead tired: my body ached and moaned from training yesterday and any sleep I got was negated by my exchange with Joker this morning. "Joker…"Just thinking the name made a well of emotions fill up and overflow messily outside their boundaries. I grit my teeth and boxed them up, storing them in the deepest depths of my mind for me to deal with later.

'That won't work forever, ya know.' The voice piped up. 'You're gonna have to deal with your feelings for him eventually.'

I ignored the voice in favor of grabbing one of the pillows to stuff under my head for a quick nap.

When I woke up, I peeked over the arm of the couch to look at the time. 4:42pm. That left me roughly fifteen minutes for a shower and fifteen to get dressed. I groaned and pulled my sore body off of the couch and trudged into the bathroom, stripping as I went.

Once in the shower, I just let the hot water run down my back while I thought. I know I didn't really care for Bruce. Yes, he was handsome and rich, but I was half-rich myself. Not as rich, but still. I could support myself for the rest of my life, and then some. I didn't care about money. And the looks… I could find that elsewhere if I ever got lonely. I just didn't like getting mixed up with rich folks downtown unless it was strictly business. I sighed, turning to face the stream of water as I started to wash myself. So why agree to this? Yes, Joker wants me to keep tabs on the guy, but that doesn't mean I have to date him. To be technical, I could just follow him, but that's a bit too much effort. I don't stalk people; it's kind of creepy.

I shook my head. Nope, I'd rather keep doing things the way I was now. I'd just have to establish the fact that I'm not interested in a relationship. With my mind made up, I stepped out of the steamy shower and toweled myself off, making my way to my room. I crossed the flooring to get to my closet, dreading trying to pick an outfit that wouldn't send any wrong signals. After about thirty tries, I settled for a cream colored sweater that was slightly off the shoulder and black dress pants. Underneath those, I wore my black boots (no heal) just in case I had to run or something. Better safe than sorry. I looked myself over in the mirror, debating the issue of makeup. I decided to forego it for just some tinted lip balm; again, didn't want to overdo it. I also put on some concealer for my cut on my cheek.

Once I was satisfied, I grabbed my bag and left, locking the door behind me. The train took only fifteen minutes to get downtown, and the walk to find the place took ten more minutes. Walking in, the first thing I noticed was that it was pretty freakin' fancy: most people were in suits and dresses. I was briefly glad I chose the dress pants over the jeans I'd been debating. Just then, Bruce spotted me from the table he had chosen and waved me over. By the time I reached him, he had pulled my chair out for me and pushed it back in once I had sat. Ooooh, plush leather…. Anyway!

"How have you been?" Bruce asked once he was settled in his seat again.

"Pretty good." I replied. "Just a bit tired from work and working out."

"You work out?" he asked, looking surprised.

"Yep." I said.

"Well, that shouldn't be a surprise. You do look amazing." He said casually.

"Thanks." I said, smiling, but then paused. Was he flirting with me?

'Now would be a great time to tell him you're not interested in a relationship!' my voice popped up again.

Just as I was scolding my inner voice, the waiter came by to take our orders. I hadn't had very much experience with guys flirting with me (besides the obvious occasional sleezeball), so I'm not sure if that was a sign of interest..? I shook my head. It doesn't matter if you're not interested, I told myself.

'Keep telling yourself that, toots.' The voice said smartly.

"What will you have, Alex?" Bruce asked, interrupting my reply to that darn voice.

I quickly scanned the menu, and then decided to pick a quick meal. "I'll have the spicy shrimp alfredo." I told the waiter and handed him my menu.

Bruce and I made small talk while we waited for our food. Surprisingly, it didn't take very long. A different waiter brought our food to our table, and the steam that slithered seductively into my nostril made both my eyes and mouth water. I gathered my utensils and dug in hungrily, not realizing that I haven't ate since the day before. I'm actually surprised my stomach hasn't growled yet."This is really good." I said after swallowing a mouthful.

Bruce made a sound of agreement, "I've been coming here for years; I thought you'd like it."

I smirked, taking a sip of water. "What makes you think you know me well enough to know what kind of food I like? I could have been allergic to pasta or something."

Bruce laughed. "Well I suppose it's a good thing you're not. You seemed like the kind of woman who likes Italian." He shrugged.

"Hm. Alright." I replied.

Most of the rest of the meal was in silence. Once we were done, Bruce paid the bill and offered to take me home. "No, that's alright. I don't need a ride." I declined politely.

"Please. I insist." He said as he walked with me outside.

"No, really. I'm fine."

"It isn't safe for a woman alone at night. Are you sure?" he asked, looking genuinely worried.

"Yes, I'll be fine. I know how to handle myself. Talk to you later?" I smiled, starting down the walkway leading to the busy street.

He sighed. "Fine. Goodbye, Alex."

I waved and rounded the corner, looking behind me before I cut into an alley. I hopped onto a closed dumpster and leapt off, grabbing a fire escape and pulling myself up. I continued to climb until I reached the roof. I ran slowly across it, jumping over protruding vents and air ducts. I leapt off the end, gripping the edge of the next building and preparing to pull myself up.

"Well, what do we have here?" the sudden voice nearly made me lose my grip on the edge of the building. I froze, re-gripping the tough surface.

I looked up, staring at the woman balanced on the edge of the roof on the balls of her feet. She blended in almost perfectly with the dark: a black jumpsuit, black boots, and a black mask.

She stared back, a smirk playing at the edge of her red painted lips. "I should be asking you that, lady. What the hell? I could have ran into you or something." I said, grunting as I flipped over onto the building, landing beside her.

"No, you couldn't have. I knew what I was doing. What is your name?" she said silkily.

"Alex, and you?" I looked out at the city.

"Cat."

I looked back at her. "As in Cat Woman?"

Her smirk widened and she nodded.

I thought it over for a moment. "Cool. Nice to meet you." I held out my fist.

She looked at me like I was holding detonated C4 in my palm. "You're a random by stander…" she said. I nodded as a sign of agreement and for her to continue. "I'm a renown, and dare I say, beautiful, criminal…" she continues. I rolled my eyes but nodded nonetheless. "And you want a fist bump?" she tilts her head in a display of confusion. My lips spread in a grin as I gave a nod. She laughed and bumped hers against my own anyway. "You're an okay kid. I almost kicked you off of my turf." She said, smirking at me.

I scoffed. "As if you could." I teased.

"Is that a challenge?" she purred, standing on her feet.

I stood as well. "Why of course." I grinned, stepping back off of the edge of the roof. Cat followed, circling me.

Without warning, she lunged at me. It took a breath as time seemed to slow down. They say that things click wants its put into practice. I certainly hope so…. Else I'm going to have my ass handed to me by Joker again. I grabbed her outstretched hand by the wrist and used her momentum to shove her behind me, trying to catch her ankle with my foot. Widen your stance for support… At the last minute, she shifted her weight and I was suddenly flat on my back. "Fuck…" Cat pretended to dust her hands off. "That was quick." She said with another smirk.

I huffed and pushed myself to my feet. "You didn't even say start." I said childishly, crossing my arms with a pout.

"Never said I would," She sat with her legs bent and turned out and palms planted on the ground before her. She really reminded me of a cat. I kind of wish I was that flexible…

"Who taught you how to fight anyway? You fight like a boy." She said, laughing at my antics.

"Isn't that a good thing?" I asked, frowning in confusion.

"Are you a boy?" she raised her brow.

"No…"

"Well then no. You need a better style."

Well I guess she was right, her movements were all fluent and graceful, mine were all ugly and clean cut. I was stone, she was watcher. I wouldn't mind being water though….I sunk a bit. How could I do that with the style Joker was teaching me? Cat rested her hand on my shoulder. "I'll help you out, kid." She said with a smile. I think it was the first actual one since I met her. I smiled back. "Why would you want to help a by stander?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Cause if I'm going to allow you on my turf, you might as well help protect it, kid, and how would it look if you did it fighting like that on my turf?"

"Kid? I'm an adult, you know." I retorted in a feign offensive tone.

"Whatever, kid." She rolled her eyes. "Come on. We can start now if you can keep up."

And with another grin and a mocking tone, she turned and stepped off of the roof. I groaned and followed her.

I hope we're not going far… These cuts still hurt and walking/city jumping doesn't help them. I was only city jumping to avoid thugs/pervs/drunks and because it was faster…

Unfortunately….Cat led me to the other side of the DAMN city: a small cabin-like building at the start of a wooded area was what greeted us. By the time we got there, I was out of breath and tired as hell. I resisted the urge to sit down and or cuss Cat out once we entered the small building. She crossed the room and opened a small door, disappearing into its dark depths. I hesitated at the entrance. Was this a good Idea? "No, but you're going to do it anyway…" that voice decided to grace (torment) me with its opinion. Instead of responding or scolding it, I followed her in. There's no going back now, I suppose. I almost fell when I felt a dip in the floor: it was a staircase. I descended them slowly, my eyes straining to adjust to the darkness and my ears listening for Cat's nearly inaudible footsteps.

"Why are you moving so slow?" Cat called from the bottom.

"It's dark. I'd prefer not to fall on my face, thanks." I called back, my hand on the wall beside me for support.

"I suggest you invest in a pair of night vision goggles then." she replied smartly.

I scrunched my face up and stuck my tongue out in her general direction. "I saw that." Cat said, sounding smug. Really?

When I finally made it to the bottom, Cat lit a match. "Really?" I said, my eye twitching a bit. "You could have done that a minute ago while I was struggling down those steep-ass stairs." I grouched.

She waved me off as she lit a few more candles. "It took me a while to find them. I hardly ever have anyone else down here." She moved over to a trunk near the cabinet where she got the matches. As she dug around in it for a moment, I observed the underground area. The walls were made of concrete, but it had been painted over. It was bare of furniture, which was odd since it was so big.

"Here." Cat tossed a bundle of dark fabric at me. "Change into that. We have a lot of work to do and I wouldn't want you to dirty up your pretty clothes."

I rolled my eyes at the sarcasm, but stretched out the material so I could see what it was. My eyebrows receded to my hairline. "It's another jumpsuit." I stated.

"Yes, is it really all that surprising?" she asked with a raised brow.

"Nah." I shrugged it off after a moment. "Turn around." I added at the last moment.

She rolled her eyes but did it anyway, muttering under her breath, "Prude."

"I heard that." I retorted as I began to strip out of my clothes.

"You were meant to, darling." She tossed over her shoulder, smirking.

After I changed, I looked down at myself. "Surprisingly, this is really comfortable. Revealing, but comfortable." I commented.

The suit was similar to Cat's, but had a higher neckline. The stretchy material clung tightly to every surface of my body, showing off curves even I didn't know was there.

"Enough checking yourself out, Alex. Let's get started." She grinned, walking towards me.

Somehow, I felt that this would be worse than Joker's training. I sighed, wondering why God hated me so much.

That's all for now, peeps. Review and tell me your opinions: was it good or horrible? Tell me what y'all think! (And maybe I'll update quicker *wink wink*) Goodbye for now!