A/N: Long wait, I know but I know you'll enjoy it!
I sat in the Batcave as I hurriedly tore the blood soaked bandage from my left shoulder. I did not want to see the damage I had done to my shoulder so instead I stared aimlessly at my red stained top that I had discarded on the solid metal floor as soon as I had finished sneaking in. Having no intention of letting Alfred know that I was back at home because I had hurt myself on purpose, I had put all the stealth training, Bruce had taught me, into use to creep back into the mansion undetected.
I cleaned all the blood away within moments and then I started to place a clean bandage on my shoulder. I then slipped my bra off and replaced it with the new bra and top I'd grabbed from my closet while on my way down to the cave.
It was surprisingly completely quiet down in the caves and I relished the silence for a few moments after I was fully dressed. The silence helped me regain control and I then moved quickly out of the cave so that I could go meet Lucius at Wayne Tower.
As I walked I thought about the consequences that came with Harvey being the DA, I also thought about how I could go about over throwing him without donning the Batsuit. How much damage could Wayne Enterprises do to Harvey's rise back to power? Nothing at all since Bruce would never allow it, I decided to ask Lucius about it anyway.
Another thing on my mind was Rachel, I had known Rachel as long as Bruce had, and I knew how Bruce felt about Rachel. Fear twisted in my gut as I thought about how Rachel had been like a sister to me, but she was my role model sister and I never bonded or let loose around her as much as I had around Selina. I had no clue how Rachel had survived and as much as I thought about it the more I realised that Joker had to have something to do with it. She would have been killed if he had wanted her dead there was no way around that.
I reached the garage and I grabbed my keys, from their place on the wall with all the other keys, then I slid into my black Lamborghini.
Lucius was talking on his phone when I caught him in his office only five minutes after I'd left Wayne Manor for the second time that day. I walked in and he acknowledged my presence by nodding at me while continuing to talk rapidly into the receiver.
I waited for two minutes for him to finish his call. From what I could gather, from the side of the conversation I could hear, he was busy closing a business deal that would make Wayne Enterprises a big benefactor from several of the big nuclear power plants in the United States. I wondered why Bruce was interested in the plants but figured that it probably was because he needed to keep a close eye on them so that the Joker or someone like him couldn't get their hands on the really dangerous technology America had stored away for safe keeping.
I was pulled away from my thoughts as Lucius spoke," Good afternoon Miss Donnison. How are you?" I saw his eyes flicker to my left arm for a moment and then back to my face.
"I'm fine Mr. Fox and you?" I replied without hesitation.
"I'm fine so what did you want to see me for?" I smiled, " I hope you can step out for a moment and come with me, there is some…business I need you to attend to down at the manor."
"It shouldn't be a problem Selina Kyle has been a grate help since you and Mr. Wayne decided to merge both your companies. She should be able to keep things running here." I smiled at the mention of my former personal assistant's name now CEO of my father's company due to my leaving the company the moment I'd become Batgirl.
"I'm glad you're enjoying the extra help." I remembered Selina's sad face when I told her I had decided to leave. My choice had been made on the translucent exhaustion I saw on Bruce's face everyday when I tried to wake him up at three in the afternoon because he had to sit in at a meeting in ten minutes.
Bruce could pretend but I simply refused to run an entire company on three hours sleep each day. Instead I settled into a simple role as one of Gotham's pretty heiresses that seemed to blow up everything she touched out of pure ignorance, it was something Bruce did, he burnt down his entire mansion according to the news and tabloids! At least I didn't have the endless meetings to attend to all I had to do is look pretty and stupid once in a while when I Batgirl gave me a chance to do something other than save the city or watch out for Bruce.
I walked quickly so that I didn't have to bump into Selina. It seemed as if luck was on my side as we made it to the car without seeing my estranged friend.
I let Lucius drive the rest of the way, wanting to enjoy a slow ride home. I remembered the questions I had pondered over earlier when I was at the mansion and decided now was the best time to ask for we would be too busy to talk properly while we worked on the suits.
"Mr. Fox, what do you think of Harvey Dent resuming his role as Gotham's DA?" I murmured as I watched the trees move by through the passenger window.
"Well I don't think it can bring any good to this city and I know Mr. Wayne won't try take Harvey Dent down using Wayne Enterprises since you know that Wayne Enterprises is supposed to fully support Harvey Dent's campaign. It would seem strange if we were to suddenly stop now."
"But it's possible?" I asked keeping my voice casual enough not to show just how interested I really was.
"I'd think it's possible for Wayne Enterprises to hurt him financially but to take him down completely is not something we have the power to do. Getting passed all those donations though will be a problem." Lucius finished and I watched the road now.
"So how is the company doing, no problems merging them?" I noticed that we were nearly home now.
"They're doing very well. Selina is a life saviour, as capable as Mr. Wayne thinks I am I wouldn't have been able to run both companies alone." He smiled slightly and I was happy that Selina was doing so well at the company. We had pulled up into the garage now and Lucius stopped my Lamborghini next to Bruce's Ducati, the same bike that Bruce had used to try stop Joker from killing the Mayor at the parade held for the late Commissioner Loeb.
We silently walked passed, the many expensive cars and motorbikes held in the enormous garage until we came to the section in the wall I knew would open up and provide a passageway down to the Bat-cave. I pushed the tiny concealed pressure plate in the wall and part of the wall swung open. Lucius stepped through the door way first and then I followed suit. Closing the door I just stepped through and then stepping to join Lucius on the platform that would lower us into the heart of the Bat-cave.
It only took us minutes to reach the cold steel floor and then quickly make our way over to the work tables that had been set up for the work we were about to do. I went to take Batgirl out from her sleeping oasis in the glass container and Lucius went to take Batman out of his. I dumped the heavy suit on the table and looked at the suit we had created for Batgirl and shook my head.
"So you just want to repair the suits or do you want to make any changes?" Lucius asked as he brought Batman and placed the suit besides Batgirl. Batgirl looked threatening enough but too much like her partner and that needed to change – I wasn't Bruce and Batgirl wasn't Batman.
"Bruce's suit just needs to be repaired for now but we need to change Batgirl's suit." I didn't take my eyes off the suit as I spoke.
"Well what do you want to change?" Lucius pressed and I flipped Batgirl's mask over in my hands. The original suit was designed exactly like Batman except that it was made for a woman.
"I want it to look different from Batman. She needs to have her own personality. Is there anyway that we can make the suit hug her body and make it more fitting but keep most of the armour you have on here? Also I don't want to take another bullet in the shoulders anytime soon so we have to sort that out." I saw Lucius ignore Batman's suit now and listen to me with his undivided attention, which I appreciated. I carried on studying the mask for a few more seconds before grabbing a sketch pad and pencil out of one of the drawers in the silver steel worktable.
I slowly started to sketch while explaining the design, "The mask also has to change. I would like a one-piece mask that only covers her eyes. The mask's frame must be black of course, thin and pointed at the edges and have a white see through material hiding her eyes completely…" I finished sketching and I noticed Lucius nod.
"That's possible, I know just the material we can use for the eyes, I would say glass would be a good option but that could be dangerous if broken. Problem is the technology that Batman has in his mask won't be able to be included because it can't be hidden. As for you requests with the rest of the suit that is also possible but it might take some time." I nodded at him, thoughtful.
"Unless…we make it so that the back half of the mask is attached to the actual suit which can be pulled over her head from the back. That way it will have the bat ears on the top then the front is the mask that I drew. The hidden tech shouldn't be a problem if we do that. When it comes to turning my head; just use a different kind of material than the rest of the suit so that it's not difficult to turn."
"Any other details you want to change?" Lucius asked one last time before we got to work. I put the mask down and examined the whole suit again.
"Boot's knee high but not healed, please I don't enjoy running in heels, keep the cape as long as Batman's and the emblem on the chest is fine – use that as amour as well. The retractable razors in the gauntlets must stay and the utility belt is fine too. Also I need to keep the suit looking dark and scary so we mustn't change too much." I worked on fixing up Batman's suit while Lucius made the adjustments on my suit.
I had just finished putting Batman back to sleep when Alfred brought us coffee. He also informed me that if I were to host the party in anything other than what I was wearing, at that very moment, I would have to fly up to my bedroom in under a split second and change in the same amount of time.
"It's alright you go, I'll finish up here." Lucius said and I tried my best to do some flying.
I had noticed as I walked to my bedroom to change that everything was already set up for the party and that Alfred had meant what he said when he told me I needed to do some flying if I were to make it in time; people were already arriving.
Showering and changed quickly into a simple deep blue halter neck dress and matching heals. I would never admit it to anyone but I liked the way the thin material and plunging neckline of the dress made me feel. I also knew that I would get Bruce's attention in this little number and was slightly disappointed that he wouldn't be around to see me in it. Unfortunately I had to keep my arm in the sling because it covered my bandage, which wouldn't correspond with Alfred's story of a dislocated shoulder if anyone saw it. The party was a simple fundraiser but I had a feeling this would never just be a simple party with Two-Face around, something would hit the ceiling fan sometime.
Now that I was dressed I slipped into my bathroom and washed my face so that I was no longer wearing anymore make-up. I dried my face and pulled the band that was keeping my black waist length hair in the plait, I had put it in this morning, out and slowly began loosening the hair so that it fell freely down my back. I then brushed it as quickly as possible before sweeping it up again and putting it into a low ponytail. I then applied a light line of eyeliner to my eyelids and some pink lip-gloss to my lips. I looked at my reflection once more. Satisfied I left my bedroom and went to meet the guests.
I reached the party and looked around me. The mansion hadn't been changed much, it was always in exquisite order and ready for a party thanks to Alfred. I smiled as I remembered how he used to sigh and say, " Oh my, what have you got for my today young miss?" whenever he would come into my room and it was in complete chaos. No matter the state of my room, it would always be spotless when I had returned from school.
I checked the time on the old grandfather clock, as I walked into the hall where the party was being held, and I saw that I was a few minutes late and I also noticed that a few people had arrived before me. My eyes met Alfred's as I scanned the crowed and I saw that he was dutifully playing host so that I was not missed while I was changing. I watched as he excused himself and walked over to me with a tray of Champaign.
"Glad I see you made it so soon Miss, a few people have arrived already as I'm sure you have noticed." He smiled and offered me a glass of Champaign. I accepted one and took a small sip and taking a deep breath after.
"Who all is here?" I asked because the more I looked around the more I realised that I had no clue who was at the party, these were Bruce's friends, not mine. After I had stopped running my company I had immediately lost interest in my business "partners". At the moment I normally socialised with actors and people in the entertainment business Bruce on the other hand kept company with the business and political scene.
"Don't worry Miss, they'll introduce themselves, just try and pay enough attention to remember their names." He smiled and I winced, I found my crowed boring, what was I going to find interesting about a bunch of political idiots.
"Well it can't be too bad, besides I'm more interested in Harvey." I sighed and took another sip from my glass. Alfred squeezed my elbow reassuringly.
"There is another face you'll recognise." He said and I looked at him questioningly.
"Doctor Cane is here, the new C.E.O. of Luthor Corp, Ling Lu seems to have hired him as her personal assistant and psychologist." I raised my eyebrows as Alfred spoke and slowly shook my head. Jonathan Crane had been my lover and tutor in university while I had studied psychology. I had been a year behind him but we had actually met him in high school and that was the time where our relationship had turned into a romance. I had gotten mixed up with a bad crowed and he had helped keep me off a total path of destruction. If he hadn't been there I probably would've been dead by now. When I had heard from Bruce that he was Scarecrow I had not believed it at first but after Rachel had told me her story I had finally realised the truth and I had cut off all contact with him.
He was the quiet and reserved type but I knew he would never serve others willingly without seeing something that would benefit him in someway or the other. Hearing of him taking a job as someone's assistant was surprising but for the moment I was happy that he has finally found a job that would keep him on the right path. I thought for a moment and realised that I would actually like to rekindle that friendship once again.
I smiled to myself, "thank you for telling me Alfred, has Harvey arrived yet?"
"He has not arrived just yet Miss. He should be here soon. You know that he is uncomfortable at parties such as these."
"Let me know when he does Alfred. I'm going to learn some new names." Alfred laughed and I rolled my eyes. I silently kicked myself for forgetting my notebook so that I could write the people's names down as I scanned the crowed again.
"Will do Miss." I watch him leave and take one last deep breath before surveying the crowed in search of Jonathan. I spot him and smile as a few memories resurface. I walk up towards him, a few people stopped me along the way but soon I'm standing next to him, their names forgotten the moment they were spoken. I couldn't help marvelling at the sheer age of some of the woman these old suckers where dating, I couldn't understand how those woman lived with someone they don't love.
"Jonathan." I said and a smile spread across my face unexpectedly as I watched him spin around suddenly, a look of pure shock spread across his face.
"Well, well Melissa. How are you?" I held my hand out and he shook it firmly before kissing it. I studied his face and he seemed happy to see me.
"I'm fine and yourself?" My smile widened as he dropped my hand.
"I'm doing well, I think I should've expected you'd be here but I'm still surprised." He said and I shrugged.
"I'm just filling Bruce's shoes for one night. I'm surprised to see you here though…I heard you have a new job, as an assistant? Come one Doctor, that's unexpected."
"Well I'm also her psychologist, it's not Arkham but I am still doing what I love." I nod and he smiles a bit.
"So I heard that you pulled out of running your father's company. Too many old memories? I don't see you of all people just pulling out after you worked so hard." I smile and shake my head.
"That's exactly it, I worked hard and the company doesn't need me anymore. It's on it's feet and now I can leave it. You know I have never enjoyed running that company. Now I don't have to anymore." He looked at me for a while and I knew he was deciding whether or not I was telling the truth or not. He smiled finally and I smiled back.
"So you studied psychology yet you don't seem to be doing anything with it. What are you planning for the future?" I shrugged and laughed.
"I'm going to look after Bruce and just enjoy myself. I think it's time I had some time for myself, and making sure Mr. Wayne doesn't burn down the mansion again can be challenging." Jonathan laughed and I smiled.
"Excuse me Miss." I heard Alfred say and both of us turned to face him.
"Evening Mr. Crane. I would just like to inform you that Mr. Dent has arrived." Alfred says and I smile at him.
"Thank you Alfred." Alfred left and I sighed.
"Well now I have to go and attend to Mr. Dent." I looked at Jonathan and noticed that he didn't have a date, "do you have a date for tonight?"
"No, I don't actually. Ling has her own date." I nod and consider asking him if he would join me then as my date for the rest of the night.
"I don't have one either, would you mind…"
"Not at all." He said with a smile.
"I would offer you my arm but I don't think that would do much good with that sling you have on your arm."
"Yeah, so I need to go see Harvey Dent now and welcome him."
"I think he's gone to the rest room. I saw him slip away while Alfred was talking to us." Jonathan murmured and I noticed that he was looking behind me. I turned my head and caught a glimpse of a sleek, well built and beautiful Asian woman slip away from the party as well.
"Well…" Jonathan interrupted me and I switched my attention back to him only to hear the main door's suddenly swing open and see Bruce strut in with three strange woman clad in skin tight dresses.
"Bloody hell." I mutter under my breath but just as Bruce is about to say something a scream rings out from the bathrooms.
A/N: Sweet!! Thanks for reading! Tell me what you think please!