What Remains Important

Chapter Two

"And with just a mere three months before Mayor Dana Tan concludes her term-limited position as mayor of Gotham, many political commentators speculate when or even if she will announce a run for the junior Senate seat left vacant by retiring Senator Fredrick McMullen." The informative reporter cast a curious look at the camera and then turned to face his female college next to him. "What do you say Felicia, will Mayor Tan seek higher office?"

"It's hard to predict Marshall. At this point Mayor Tan is still considered extremely young, especially for a seat at the US Senate but it was her vision and intellect that has gained her popularity, not her age. In a hypothetical poll counted yesterday, Tan showed a majority lead in the primary run by forty-three points. Clearly there's an insistent nature in these numbers."

He turned his attention back at the camera and flashed a smile. "I guess we'll just have to wait it out. One thing is for sure, this next election could be one of the most exciting this state has ever seen."

Felicia gave a constructed laugh and then fabricated a made for television smile. "Tune in tomorrow for more coverage on this engaging new race. Until then, good night."

A clicking sound signified the closure of the television's viewing and as the screen turned off, Dana crossed her arms and gave her aid a somewhat disgruntled look. "Was watching that really necessary?"

The aid sat herself down in the chair across from Dana's desk. Crossing her legs, she brushed a strand of her auburn hair behind her ear. "Mayor Tan –

"Reese, it's two in the morning and you've known me for five years, please, Dana is fine."

"Fine, Dana, I think those reporters make a valid assessment. Your theoretical polling numbers are exceeding in the primary and the general election. And you haven't even publicly announced any concrete interesting in running. Your favorable rating as mayor have never dipped below seventy percent and right now you're riding a high eighty-nine percent approval."

Words continued to cascade from Reese's mouth but Dana wasn't interpreting them. Instead, her thoughts deviated.

Dana's attention ventured over to the ornate pin sitting on the corner of her desk. Atop a nest of golden leaves, a lily carved of pearl was placidly perched adjacent to an ivory dove wing. On special occasions she liked to utilize the piece of jewelry to add opulence to her attire, on other instances she preferred the relic to fulfill the role of an aegis and anytime she spoke at a charity event, the treasure acted a reminder to always serve not as politician but as a public servant.

Terry had given the pin to her after her first official address to the city as mayor. Though it wasn't handed directly to her but instead mailed to her office with a sterile but amicable card. She appreciated the gesture as well as Mr. Wayne's endorsement during her re-election campaign. The support of Bruce Wayne came as surprising to most of the press, considering many believed he was in his waning years; deep down though Dana knew Bruce's stance was heavily influenced by Terry.

When Dana looked up she was greeted with a pair of waving hands in her face.

"Hello? Dana?" Reese summoned, annoyingly. "Is the time of night finally taking some precedence on you?"

Dana, erecting her back, smirked. "Of course not, now please continue. I apologize for my lack of complete attention."

"I was reading the report," she revealed the electronic device in her hand. "Since becoming mayor, Gotham's crime rate has descended significantly, education funding has elevated and the health care initiative has yielded progressive results, especially in the lower class sections of the city."

"As flattering as all of that news is, I can't take full credit for everything. I've had a formable, effective team behind me. And when it comes to the alleviation in crime rate, I lend my deepest gratitude to the police force of this city and . . ."

"Batman." Reese's voice was flat. Sighing, she looked at her boss condemningly. "Seriously Dana, I know you would like to believe that the nature of Batman's work is in the same vein as your responsibilities but the reality is that it isn't."

"Make a clear delineation for me." Her request was dry and unwavering.

Reese felt her response had become automatic. She spent hours upon hours attempting to persuade her boss that Batman was not an official ally of her administration or government in general. "You're an elected official, Batman is a renegade soldier. Your method to solving problems involves thought and policy, Batman's approach is rooted in madness and anarchy."

Dana raised an eyebrow. "Anarchy, really? Are you a freshman at Gotham U?"

Despite her desire to want to allow frustration to overtake her, Reese instead realized the hyperbolic nature of her rhetoric and let out a slight chuckle. "I guess you have a somewhat valid point, but regardless of word choices, Batman isn't a member of your cabinet and he certainly isn't a public servant."

"I think your definition of the term needs to be reevaluated. Batman is dedicated to the public in a way that I can't fathom. His life revolves around establishing peace and security for this entire city. He doesn't get a vacation and he doesn't receive pay. If anything, he should be scrutinizing my sincerity as a 'public servant.'" Looking up, she saw Reese's facial expression was that of defeat and a minute grin etched across both women's faces. "Why do we keep having this conversation anyways?"

"The better question is," her gaze shifted from cordial to indicting, "why haven't you announced your bid for the vacant Senate seat?"

Nonchalantly pushing away a document to the side of her desk, Dana rattled off. "How about I sleep on it? I think we're both exhausted."

Defeated, Reese nodded her head in agreement. "I have to finish up a few documents," she stood up from her chair, "I'll meet you downstairs in fifteen minutes?"

"Deal."

The final echoes of Reese's stilettos became distant murmurs before Dana removed herself from her desk and caressed her dark brown skirt. She glanced at the clock on her desk, the red block numbers assured her of the success her next actions. The sliding glass doors behind her desk parted ways as she entered the balcony outside.

Inhaling the early morning air, Dana closed her eyes for a moment. Knowing someone was behind her, she facetiously informed her guest, "I hope you realize being indiscreet is no longer an option at this point."

Batman walked forward as he dismantled the invisibility of his suit. "Pulling an all-nighter?"

She looked at him and then turned away. "Yeah, lots to contemplate."

"Apparently." Batman, crossing his arms, continued. "A run for the US Senate, huh?"

"You know I defended your position as a public servant only for you to turn around and infringe on my right to privacy." When she returned to look at the vigilante she made sure to flash some annoyance in her eyes.

"Maybe you spoke too soon." Elevating his tone to indicate solemnity, he inquired. "So what is your final assessment?"

"I'm not sure how my decision to run for a Senate seat really factors into your obligations."

"I don't know how the obvious eludes you."

She shifted her body and looked directly at him. "So please inform me."

"If you leave the seat of mayor, I'll have to establish a new working relationship with a new mayor. I'm not sure if you noticed or not, but people skills aren't exactly my forte."

"You say a working relationship exists between us but as far as I can infer, that relationship consist of you showing up and informing me that Gotham is safe. Don't misunderstand my statement, I'm assured by your promise, but it's a stretch to call that a 'working relationship.'"

"I suppose you make a valid argument." Batman said, rubbing his chin. "But, for what it's worth, I think a Senate seat would provide you with a new vessel for making effective progress."

Dana rolled her eyes. "You sound like my assistant."

"Schway," he replied stoically before adding, with equal lack of bravado, "and no, I'm not a freshman at Gotham U."

"Just how long were you neglecting the Constitution?"

"And it's that precise type of indictment that will make you a good Senator."

Ignoring his conclusion, Dana crossed her arms. "You seem to know a multitude about my life and yet I know so little about you. All these years you've been around and you're still surrounded in mystery."

Batman's expression remained unaffected by her remark.

"We've spent years having these rendezvous and yet you never let me in on your secrets. To be perfectly honest, that's somewhat unfair."

"As someone who has sworn to protect this city, I make it my job to acquaint myself with others who share similar visions."

"So that explains why you're so anxious to remove me from Gotham."

His face became struck with perplexity.

"You want to run for mayor and become the super-hero politician," she chuckled at her own ridiculousness. "Well let me inform you, local politics are far more nasty than a gang of Jokerz."

He moved his hand in opposition of her claim. "Politics aren't really my thing."

"And just what exactly is your 'thing'?"

Batman tightened his jaw. "Listen Mayor Tan, I believe the work you've done with this city is commendable to the point of being previous unimaginable. The way you've worked with local citizens to increase the quality of this city is something I could never imagine accomplishing."

The way his final sentence rang with poignancy caught Dana's attention severely. In all of the meetings on the balcony, never had she witnessed Batman lower his guard to reveal something so personal. It was him who she imagined the true savior of this city but here Batman was, professing his admiration for her own work as mayor. A tingle of pride rippled over her body. Something about his makeshift endorsement made her tightly grip her fingers into fists and stiffen her spine.

"I witness a lot of bad people doing terrible things and I see a lot of families broken, children on the streets without education and mothers selling their last article of clothing for a cred to purchase health care for their children."

He placed his hand on her shoulder. The warmth of his grasp was surprising to Dana. Her head spurred up and she found herself looking directly into the eyes of Batman.

"My work still has me encountering the evils of this city but the days of fragmented homes, fractured mothers and sick children have ended since you've ascended to office."

His words stung like poison. Deep down, Dana knew she had a larger calling and a career that extended beyond the city limits though the lingering fear of failure and inability to execute her promises paralyzed her in her ambitious tracks. Any thought of declining her bid for the Senate seat now seemed intangible. Here she was, with the city's biggest defender telling her that a rise to the Senate was not an option but an obligation, a duty.

"There will always be evil but I am here to prevent that from affecting the people of this city. What I cannot do, you have done. But the bygone problems of Gotham still run rampant throughout this nation. This country needs you."

Her mouth opened yet words could not formulate.

Batman turned his back and extended the wings from his armor. "I know you'll do the right thing," he said, not turning his neck to face her.

She offered an understanding nod as the sound of Batman's boots ricocheted off the glass behind her.

Dana walked back into her office, gathered her stuff and descended down the building. Upon walking up to Reese, Dana's composition remained stony.

Reese rubbed her eyes and began to speak only to have her comment severed by Dana's informing her, "I'm in."

Excitedly, Reese locked Dana into a hug. She ran her hands down Dana's arms and beamingly exclaimed, "You're going to make history!"

"Thanks, although I don't know if we can make that prediction at this moment," she chortled.

"When are you going to announce your decision?"

"Tomorrow morning, it's the first entry of my to-do list."

"I'll prepare a query letter," the ecstatic nature of the moment prevented her from marking her statement, "Senator Tan."

I want to give a quick, but sincere thanks to all of those who have generated excitement around this story. I have concluded that there will be three to four more installments before the story earns the status of "complete." I also wanted to denote that the next chapter will take place post-"Epilogue" and therefore will be inclusive of Dana's knowledge of Batman's identity. To be honest, I'm both nervous and excited to write the next chapter and make an extension to Terry and Dana's relationship. I ensure more "drama" will take precedence within the next few chapters. After all, a power couple like Batman and a politician must have their own personal tumult. Until then, I can only request for your attention and input.