Disclaimer: I do not own Batman or Batman related, I believe DC comics does.
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I gaze into the mirror, taking in my reflection with my caramel brown eyes. They reflect something that I have not seen in a while, genuine giddiness. I look at my hair, which I have curled into brunette ringlets accented by my long brown side bangs. My makeup is subtle, which include black mascara and matching eyeliner. As I give myself a small mental pat of approve there is a familiar ringing sound.
My cell phone.
I find it on my nightstand ringing and vibrating, giving it a look as if it dancing as I reach out to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Officer Duren, this is Lieutenant Gordon. I am calling to inform you that there has been an abduction by who we believe involves the man who calls himself the Joker. This event happened just under an hour ago, or so our eyewitness states. The abduction took place outside of a bar, it is said that a young woman was taken by men disguised in clown masks," he pauses and murmurs something to someone in the background on the other side of the phone. "Sorry about that," he then continues, "They were driving a white van with tinted windows; we still do not have the name of this woman or any other information besides what I have already relayed to you. I don't need you down at the scene right now, but I am going to need you if anything else comes up. I wanted you to be informed."
"Thank you for your time to make that call Lieutenant," I respond.
"You're welcome, I'll keep you posted."
With that, the phone call is over. I am in an "out of body" state. I imagine the fear that is pulsating through that blonde woman's veins in the situation that she is in right now.
That is, if she is still alive.
Then I remember that photograph.
That god awful photograph of the mysterious criminal who's alias is the Joker.
His dark eyes, merciless, un-empathetic and unforgiving.
His lips curved into that forever scarred smile painted red.
I am then sidetracked from my train of thought when I hear a knock at the door.
Lucas Marks.
I grab my wallet, key and cell phone in case anyone needs to reach me, especially Gordon.
Time to go.
"Good evening madam," he says while outstretching a firm but yet gentle looking hand, I take it as he bows cheerily. He is so quirky, it's cute. I turn a shade of pink as I return the cheesy behavior, "Good evening."
While taking me gently by the hand, he escorts me out into the apartment complex's parking lot and then I see it.
An Audi Rs4.
Its jet black sparkling paint job stands out luxuriously in the putrefying lot. Lucas guides me towards it and I am baffled by how he could afford such a fine-looking vehicle.
"How did you afford that?" I say eyeing the beautiful car, taking in its shape and size.
"I been saving for a long time and I finally could buy it," Lucas says, unlacing his hand from mine to clap them goofily together in satisfaction of time spent of earning money for this car.
"Wow, it's really nice." I add, sort of awestruck that a beginning detective's salary could eventually afford a car like the one currently placed in front of my small self. I feel Lucas's warm hand re-envelope around mine as he gently tugs me over to the glistening front passenger door. He opens it fluently, and delicately retracts his hand from mine to place it on the small of my back, softly urging me to get into the car. "Watch your step," he says in his low creamy voice. I nod as I duck carefully into his precious car and sit down on the plushy leather seat. I watch him with dreaming eyes that he cannot see as he walks around in front of the car to board the driver's seat. Opening the door with his angelic demeanor he slips into the driver's seat, closing the heavy door. He places his strong hands onto the thin steering wheel, ready to start up the engine.
"So where are we going?" I question with curiosity.
"Now that, is a surprise," He replies while pushing the golden key into the hole and revs the engine, suggesting he is feeling daring this evening.
"Please tell me," I beg kindly as we depart to venture into Gotham's hours of darkness for our rendezvous.
"Hey, I'm just following orders," He says shrugging his shoulders in a laid back manor. I am about to retort with a questioning of what "orders"? Then I remember the conversation he and I had in my office earlier today.
"Surprise me," I recall saying.
"Will do."
"Well, I take back those orders," bringing my mind back into the present, I utter these words trying to sound a bit stronger then I just did while begging pathetically for him to enlighten me.
"Do you now?" He says smiling smugly as he continues to face to the fore while driving.
"Yeah, I do," I say trying to worm out of him where our final destination will reside.
"Hm, well, I don't follow retracted orders."
"Fine, I surrender," I say giving up lightheartedly.
"I knew you would."
"Hey!" I elbow him lightly on the side, careful I am when I do this, for he is driving.
I watch him smirk subtly at my childish reaction as he drives, or waits, in Gotham's traffic.
Stop-GO.
Stop-GO.
This is the current pattern of our driving until we pull off onto a different more smooth trafficked road.
"I want you to close your eyes for me," He says with a hit of mischief flowing through his voice.
"Okay."
My eyes are closed, anticipating where he is taking me. I feel the car turn a few times and it then comes to a stop.
"Okay open."
I can see it through the windshield.
Bernie's Burgers.
I burst out laughing.
"What?!" Lucas questions defensively.
"Nothing, never mind, it looks nice."
Of all the places to choose for a first date…
"Come on, give it a chance," he says while climbing out of the car. He comes over to the other side to usher me out. When he does, he closes my door and locks his car. We walk into the burger joint.
Bernie's Burgers is one of those classic places that everyone and their brother in a big city knows about, says is delicious but is really run down. I guess one could say that it is a food staple in Gotham.
As we enter, the stench of burning fat and oils curls up and in my nostrils and makes me want to hurl. Lucas is smiling, he looks so content. When we reach the ordering counter, the man operating it ask Lucas what we would like.
Lucas turns to me and asks softly.
"What do you want?"
"Um I'll just have a cheeseburger and water, thank you," I give Lucas a pliable grin.
"I have the same as her," he says re-lacing his hand with mine for a temporary moment, and then unlaces. The man nods and fulfills our order while Lucas pays. When we receive our food we go and take a seat at one of the many old wooden booths that are dappled throughout the aged restaurant.
"Is this, I mean like, okay?" Lucas asks me while we begin to eat.
"What do you mean?" I query.
"Is it okay that I brought you here, for you know," he rocks his head on his shoulders as if to imply, 'okay for our first date'.
"Yes of course! I like it, I think it's cute!"
"Yeah, I used to come here a lot when I was a kid. My dad was usually busy working and my, um, mom wasn't, well, I didn't really have much of a mom. This place was cheap and I could afford it so I'd come here."
"I'm sorry Lucas," I felt pity for him and gave him a sad smile.
"It's fine, that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger right?" I can tell he is trying to brighten his little pity party by saying this.
"Exactly, so if you don't mind me asking, what made you want to be a detective?"
"Well," he starts, "When I was growing up, I was around a lot of bad people, criminals, you know, and I just wanted to be the opposite, I wanted to fight that."
"That's good Lucas, that's good," I am proud to be on a date with a good man. Usually people who grow up around crime end up eventually joining it in Gotham.
"Thank you. So, what made you want to be an officer?" He asks tilting his head slightly to the side inquisitively.
"Well I-" I am in amidst of what I am about to say and then my phone rings. Pulling it out I recognize the number.
Ilia.
I hold a single index finger up to say to Lucas without words, 'hold on'. Ilia would never call me now; she knows that I am on a date, so I figure it must be important.
I answer.
"Hey Ilia, what is it?" I ask trying to remind myself it must be important.
"Hey, um, I know that this is, well I know you're on your date and all and I am really sorry for calling-" she is stammering, she sounds nervous. I wonder what kind of dilemma she has gotten herself into.
"Ilia, it's fine, what is it?"
"Well, I kinda need your help, I need you to come home, meet me at the apartments like ASAP, I'm really sorry."
"It's okay, I'll be there as soon as I can," I hang up.
"Lucas, I'm sorry but I've got to get back home, Ilia needs me," I say while giving him an apologetic look, he responds.
"Ah, it's okay, we'll just plane for another night, come on," He says with a slightly disappointed smile, nevertheless, it is still a wickedly handsome smile. He takes both our unfinished meals and disposes of them in a trashcan on our way out. He tenderly takes my hand once again and ushers me into the Audi.
The cabin of the car is filled with breaths of awkward air during the drive back to my apartment complex.
The sun has set fully.
When we reach the apartments Lucas looks at me before saying goodbye.
"I had a good time, with you Eva," he says not looking directly into my eyes.
This is such a cliché moment.
"Me too Lucas."
"Maybe we could, do it again sometime?" he asks awkwardly while scratching the back of his head.
"Maybe," I smile, clearly implying I definitely would with my tone of voice, "Goodnight," I conclude as I exit his car.
"Goodnight," he says sounding filled with a warm glow of happiness that our date, well half-date went well.
Within a few minutes time I find myself at Ilia's apartment door knocking.
No answer.
I take out my phone and dial in her digits.
"Hello?" she answers.
"Hey, where are you? I'm outside your door."
"Oh, sorry I'm, uh, out in the parking lot."
"Alright, I'll see you there in a minute," I hang up and place the phone back into my pocket.
I exit the building, alert on high, in case any wacko is hiding in the shadows. I whip around, paranoid that I had heard something, however nothing is there.
My heart is racing as I walk as quietly and as quickly as possible outside.
Thankfully, I see Ilia in the orange tinged half-lit parking lot.
"Jesus, Ilia what did you get yourself into now?" I think edgily.
She is over-looking a very nice, very expensive Suzuki Motorcycle. Its paintjob is that of a deep blue and silver.
"Ilia," I say trying to gulp down some irritation from my voice, "Whose is that?"
"Mine."
"Yours?" I say a bit taken back.
"Yeah, it was really expensive, I didn't want to tell you I'd bought it, thought you'd be mad," she says not eyeing me, looking downward.
"Mad? Why would I care what you do with your money? You called me off, so you could show me a bike?"
"No." She's beading around the bush, and this is frustrating me.
"Okay, well then why'd you call?"
"I need help," Ilia semi-chokes out and is also now looking at me directly in the eyes. Her pale blue orbs are filmed over with stress.
"With what?"
"Okay, so, tonight, after I finished buying the bike, I went to take a shower, and," she pauses looking away, and I motion my hand and raise my brows for her to continue, "Well, as I went to turn the water on, it just busted."
"What do you mean it just busted?" I inquire rather irritated sill.
"It flooded my apartment and now I don't have a place to stay and I was wondering, if I could move in with you, it will only be temporarily though," she pleads, but for whatever reason I am tempted to ask her why she can just rent out another room, I query this as well.
"Why can't you just rent another room?"
"I can't afford it," I know why she cannot but I just press for more.
"Then tomorrow you can go and return that," I point firmly at the motorcycle gleaming in all its innocence. It is almost like a child listening to two parents in the midst of an argument, it doesn't say anything, it does not do anything, andit is just irritating because it is there.
"I can't, it was a final sale. Please, I know this is like a lot to ask but I really don't want to play 'hobo' tonight."
I cannot help but chuckle at that last joke. Even when Ilia is distraught she still manages to make me laugh.
"Alright, fine," I am feeling empathetic for her. She thanks me for my hospitality. Even though she made a foolish choice, I, as her friend, have to look out for her.
"But, what are you going to do with it?" I ask, curious, pointing at the bike.
"Oh, uh, the bike? Ride it to work and stuff, I dunno, I've just always wanted a motorcycle."
"Oh," I say smiling as I think to myself. Ilia never, I mean never has a plan, she just goes with the flow. If one was to ask her where she thinks she would be in ten years, she would tell you, if one were to ask her where she thinks she would be in ten days, she would probably laugh and say, I dunno.
"Hey, not to be pushy but can we go to bed? I've got all my stuff in my car since I had like nowhere else to put it. I have a sleeping bag and everything so I'll be alright. Is it okay if I bring it in your room?"
"Yep."
"Thanks again Eva."
"Sure thing," I say smiling as I walk to her car alongside her.
If I had to take a gander on the time, I would guess that it would be around nine fifteen at night.
And that is when my phone begins to ring.
I take it out and look at the number on the outer screen.
Oh God.
It's Gordon.
"Hello?" I answer.
"Hi Officer Duren, this is Lieutenant Gordon," his voice sounds stressed, "We have found the victim who was kidnapped earlier this evening. We found her in a warehouse alongside the Gotham docks, we were surprised to find that it was nothing physically is too serious, she is in no need of medical attention, physically. The description she gives of her torturer comfirms our assumptions from earlier. I am going to need you down in Central Holding as soon as you can get here. She says she knows you and I want you to speak with her, maybe try and calm her down, she's hysterical."
"Alright Lieutenant I'll be down there as soon as I can," hanging up, I turn to Ilia.
"Ilia, that was Gordon, he told me that they have found the victim from my investigation, she's still alive. I've got to go down to the GPD because Gordon wants me to talk to her. Here is the key," I throw it at Ilia, "to the apartment, I have no idea when I'll be back so if you need to reach me," I pat my pocket which houses my coveted phone as I race towards my car. I feel like acid is pumping through my veins. When Gordon had basically told me that she was in pretty good shape as far as her physical state, well, I don't like the sound of that.
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A/N: I hope you all liked chapter three, and again I apologize if it was very tedious but I can promise that the whole store won't be like that, just the first few chapters. I hope for you readers that this feels like it is actually going somewhere. Please review; it really makes my day when I receive them!