Chapter 19: Bleeding Love

I fluttered my eyes open to see the bright ray of light coming in through the large windows of my room. What happened last night? All I remember is loosing Harvey's grip and then everything went black. Shouldn't I be dead? But yet, I can still breathe, I can feel the silk of the sheets through out my body. I flung the covers over my legs to get up. I rushed over to the vanity to look at my reflection, I placed my hand against my cool cheek. I gazed at the reflection in front of me, that woman in the mirror looked terrified and confused. I changed. I took my robe from the chair and wrapped myself in it, just as I did the door swung open.

"Vi, what are you doing up?" I saw Bruce's reflection in the mirror, I turned to face him. But just as I did I tripped over my feet, thankfully Bruce rushed over to my side and caught me. He gently walked me over to the bed and helped me sit down. "Are you alright?"

This whole "damsel in distress" thing was getting on my nerves! I hated being so vulnerable lately! "I'm fine." His grip tightened around my hand.

"Do you remember anything?" Bruce's expression was full of concern and oddly enough, curiosity.

"The last thing I remember is people running out of the hotel and Harvey's grip slipping from my own and then everything went black." I took a look around again. How did I get here? Then, I figured it all out on who had saved me. I brought my gaze back to Bruce. "Batman saved me." That was a true fact.

Bruce turned away from me. "Yea."

I sighed in frustration. I had sworn that he would never have to save me ever again. But this was unexpected, so it was not entirely my fault. "Did anyone tell you how he saved me?" I was curious to know.

"He broke into the hotel before the bomb exploded." said Bruce plainly.

"Oh." Was all I managed to say. I mean what else could I say? Nothing, what is done is done.

"I called the doctor so he can come and examine you. I have to go to Wayne Enterprises today." Bruce broke the silence. He seemed as he tried to avoid something.

"That was not necessary, like I said...I'm fine Bruce really I am." I squeezed his hand to reassure him.

" I need to make sure, if not how can I show you off in front of the elite?" He smirked and kissed my hand. His eyes brightened up to my surprise. He could be very stubborn and very protective at times. Bruce was always like this with me, even when we were together while attending Princeton. Then again he was the only person in my life who actually cared for me, the fact that I was so dear to him made him even more dear to me as well. I love him and I want to be with him, but right now things are just becoming more and more complicated.

"Do I have to stay locked up all day?" I pouted, making him kiss me again.

"I you insist on going out then fine, but where are you going?" Bruce rose his brow.

"Um...well my closet is a bit empty. Perhaps shopping?" I managed to smile.

"Sounds good to me. I will see you later tonight." He stood and gazed at me for a moment as I looked up at him. Before he left, he leaned down and kissed my lips. I was hesitant at first but after the way he kissed me so tenderly I melted in his arms.

He finally let me go and turned to head out the door, leaving me breathless.

A few hours after Bruce left I decided to go. But before I could hit Gotham's high couture fashion district I had to make one stop at the Gotham police department. I needed to find away to contact Batman without getting myself killed. There was only one man who could help me at this point.

"Is Lieutenant Gordon in?" I asked one of the police officers at the desk who was typing away at some hit and run report.

"Yea he's in, give me a second Miss." He was not a nice gentleman but this was Gotham, it was full of corrupt cops.

"Mhmm." I sat down in one the chairs. I looked around the dull office that was painted a horrid shade of olive green. To my surprise I saw a lot of posters for Harvey's campaign, saying "We believe in Harvey Dent." I believed that he truly wanted to change Gotham and I was going to support the man. As he said, the dawn is coming.

"Uh...you can go in Miss." said the officer, finally after twenty lousy minutes. I stood and went to Gordon's office.

Lieutenant Gordon was the only man of the law who was not corrupt, in fact he was far from that. A humble man of the law. He looked up from his paper work. "Ah, Miss Montgomery what can I help you with?" He gestured for me to sit in the wooden chair.

"I need to meet up with Batman, only you know where he appears." I said it out straight to the point.

He stared right at me as if I were insane. "Why?"

"It is a private matter." I retorted.

"It's too dangerous Miss Montgomery." He shook his head.

"Dangerous! I faced death last night! How is meeting up with Batman dangerous?" I was outraged at this point, do I have to explain myself to everyone.

"You shouldn't." Gordon replied as he put a few reports away in his desk.

"I have to do this, I need to at least thank him for what he did." I was going to insist until I got my way.

"I can tell him." He simply said as he buried himself into more paperwork.

"No, it is personal. I need to speak to him." He was not going to give in.

"I am sorry, but I can't do that." Gordon finally replied.

"Very well, I am sorry I took so much of your time." I gave him a disapproving look and slammed the door of his office. One way or another I was going to find away to meet with Batman, even if I had to tare down Gotham just to find him.

After pondering the entire day on how to find him, I came up with something. The rooftop where they flick on the bat signal was the best place I could thinnk of. Yes! That was where I would go to find him. I slid my coat on and headed towards the rooftop. This might seem insane, but to me it wasn't it. It would be closure, maybe I can end this Batman fetish once and for all, to be done with it.

I waited for a good hour for him to show up. Maybe if I turned on the signal he might come for sure. I did just that. Another ten minutes went by and he finally came.

"Gordon?" The cold wind carried his dark voice.

I stepped out from behind the signal. His eyes narrowed.

"What are you doing here?" He asked with a growl in his voice.

I decided to jump to the point. "Why did you save me? If I am a burden to you, then why didn't you just leave me there."

He waited for a moment before he could answer. "Because there was enough time to save you."

"You know, I tried very hard to avoid encounters with you and yet you come along prowling around. I think it would have been better off if you just left me there." I was so angry that he would be upset because he had to save me. I didn't ask him to. I didn't want him to throw it in my face.

He came closer to me. "I would have done the same if it was another person." My heart kept pumping faster.

"Really? Humor me, what am I to you now?" I had to know. It was best to know so I can tell him that it be impossible to love him.

"Obsession." He answered darkly. "Why do you ask?"

I moved away from him. "I just needed to know. And I think we should avoid eachother. I am in love with someone else I would never stop loving even if he keeps hurting me at times when doesn't realize it. I know for a fact I cannot love another." I watched him carefully to see his reaction. He moved away from me, farther and farther back. I could not see any emotions at all, he hid them so well. He only nodded. I guess he understood, which was good for my peace of my mind.

Before he left he turned to me. "No matter what happens, I will save you not matter what. And you don't have to thank me." He jumped off the rooftop and disappeared into the night.

I arrived to Wayne manor and all was silent. I crept to my room and slipped into my night gown and just sat by the window. I gazed out for a while, trying to figure out if he was hurt or not. I felt terrible for telling him something harsh like that. I had no choice, I had too. I almost dosed off a few hours later, until my door opened. I opened my eyes wider to see who it was, Bruce.

"Did you just get home?" I was not entirely awake, but I managed to sit up as he came in.

"Yea, I am sorry about that. I had to work late. I'm sorry." He sat down next to me intettwining his hand with mine.

"For what?" I rose my brow in confusion.

"For a lot of things. I left you when you needed me most and for my sick twisted obsession for revenge." He looked away from this time. But I placed my hand under his chin and turned him to face me.

"I forgive you. But this whole thing with you disappearing at every hour is not normal." I said grimly. "You know I don't want to place guilt on you, its not my intention, but somehow you hurt me at times and its hard to believe you when you say I love you. My mind tells me this is wrong, yet my heart tells me this is absolutely right. That I should be with you."

"I know it's hard and I am trying hard to earn that trust again." replied Bruce.

"I love you more then anything. But I will always bare these scars you left on me ten years ago."

"I will wait." Without another word he kissed me. I melted as he pressed his body to mine. I was lost in his embrace and kiss that I didn't notice him pick me up and lay me gently on the bed. His hands glided up and down my curves as I ran my hands along his back. Both our passions bursted at that very moment. For ten years I waited for this moment, to be with him as one, to be lost in him. For ten years I was kept apart from him. My heart was crippled with his absence. For ten years I was bleeding love, I was drenched in it. And I will be wearing these scars for everyone to see, the scars Bruce Wayne had imprinted on me.

A/N: Thank you to all who reviewed, which was a lot of you and I was really really happy to see that. Thanks to "DazzledInDarkness, JazzTrumpet, Batman'ssidekick 16, sugarlove, curburdogg, AngelWithhorns222, Triskelesque." I hope I hear from all of you again! I promise to update soon, hopefully. Please do tell me what you think. A nice review would make my day! ahahaha! Oh btw has anyone seen the new trailer for the dark knight? Please don't forget to review!

:) Michelle.

68 days and 21 hours until the Dark Knight!!