I apologise for the mega long delays. Because of the delays this is a kinda double chapter. Please R&R
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"Once more, Miss Drayman"
Hope scowled and once again scaled the stone wall with ease.
"Can't we try something else now? I'm bored of climbing up and down walls"
The Batmobile's engine drowned out Alfred, Hope scrambled down the wall and cartwheeled to the Batmobile as Batman disembarked,
"Any news?" Batman shook his head.
"No more than yesterday when Mr Desspa was attacked at home by three of them" Hope listed the names,
"Nine of Clubs, Ace of Hearts and Six of Diamonds, you don't have any infomation at all?" Batman frowned,
"Shouldn't you be training?" She retorted
"Shouldn't you be training me?" She smiled apoligeticly at Alfred,
"No offence"
"None taken Miss"
Batman shook his head "I'm busy, I need to find these people"
"And I can help you, give me a chance"
Batman looked at the eagerness burning in her young eyes,
"Fine, in three nights, there is a masked ball being held for all the election candidates, Alfred will find you a dress, with any luck no trouble will occur . . . Now back to your training"
She grinned and saluted, "Yes Sir" And she resumed climbing the wall.
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Annie glared at Aceie and King, they'd taken to sitting with their arms around eachother and whispering together before the meetings started. Clubs was indifferent as always, Annie was starting to pity the boy What must it be like to feel only hatered? She wondered, her thoughts were interuppted by King's voice
"This meeting will be a short one as I'm sure we all have things to do" He glanced at Aceie when he said this and she giggled, Annie rolled her eyes.
"There will be a masked ball in three nights at the CityHall for the election candidates, our good friend Mr Desspa shall be attending along with Miss Tommson" Aceie giggled again,
"Noone's called me Miss before"
"Hang on" Annie frowned "Why are you going to the party, remember what King said you're noticeable. . . Not to mention a murdering psychopath who can't resist making the headlines every two minutes" Aceie smiled sweetly and leant against King,
"It's a masked ball Little Diamond, so noone's going to see my scar . . . it's a pity really I wont get a chance to crush a few misguided dreams about Jim Gordon and Batman"
Annie's fron deepened, she gritted her teeth I wont react, I wont give her the satisfaction "Clubs will be there as a waiter, and Diamond . . . get there if you can, meeting closed"
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The couple walked off into the night, Aceie's laughter carried on the late summer air as King spun her round,
"I'll finally get to see the you behind the makeup" He whispered tenderly, she smiled sadly,
"It's not that different, still scarred, always will be"
He gently carressed her scarred cheek,
"I don't care, you're still beautiful . . . I love you Ace of my heart"
Aceie giggled "Makes a change from people hating me"
He pulled her close and gazed deep into her eyes,
"They only hate you on the surface, inside they're jealous you're a free spirit, nothing binds you, not people's thoughts, not even laws, you are your own mistress" He paused a moment in thought,
"Though I suppose blowing half the city into the sky isn't the best way to make friends" She laughed and held his hand
"I don't need friends if I have my King" With their arms around each other they sank into the shadows of Gotham's backstreets.
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The next day was quiet for Annie, the coat and knife lay hidden and work was no different tham before. James had been promoted to detective and now they shared an office.
"Hey Beautiful" He said, passingher a cup of coffee and a chocolate buiscuit
"Thanks" He kissed her on the cheek,
"Are you alright Annie? You've seemed distant lately, you can tell me anything you know"
If only I could, I wish I could She smiled,
"I'm fine a little tired that's all" She'd cried herself to sleep most nights, thinking about the innocent people she could have saved, the third voice began to shout again,
"Traito! Judas! Treason!"
The Police Commisioner strode into the office,
"Detective Gordon, Detective Rhys"
"Comissioner Lee, how can we help?"
Comissioner Lee took off his glasses and rubbed his forehead,
"With these attacks on election candidates I want you two to organise your officers into two rings of protection for this masked ball, can you do this?"
"Of course Sir" Said James "Do you have any infomation on these people, if you can cll them people"
Annie's heart shook as she saw the hate in James' eyes and heard it in his voice He hates me, he hates me, he hates me! She felt like screaming her sins out at the top of her lungs, she left the room abruptly,
"Is she alright, Detective Rhys?" James shrugged,
"May I . . ." he pointed after Annie, Commissioner Lee nodded,
"Of Course"
James sped after Annie and found her sobbing in the empty courtyard,
"Annie?"
"Leave me alone" He crouched infront of her and gently brushed the hair out of her face,
"Is it the Ace?" She nodded,
"My father . . ."
"I know, but remember he would be so proud of you" Annie laughed a little through her tears
He would be wouldn't he? The City's most famous psychopath would be proud of a cop gone bad James handed her a tissu, she wiped her eyes and smiled weakly,
"Thank you" The pair walked arm in arm back to the office He can never find out. If he did . . . Annie refused to contemplate that.
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