A/N: Read, review and enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own what is mine.
Chapter Twelve
Audrey's Apartment
"No…No, he has to be somewhere in the city."
Audrey huffed as she moved around her bedroom. Her phone was pressed between her shoulder and her ear as her hands pushed back her hair and reached for the items she had laid out on her bed. Reed was rambling as she finished strapping a dagger to her thigh. Jensen was staying in Gotham for the remainder of the case and she was more than sure that Tahri had picked up on the fact that she was in town. Why else would there be men following her around?
"Gorgeous girl, I love you…really I do, but I cannot perform miracles and I most certainly cannot pull people out of thin air." Reed replied through the phone in irritation.
By this time Audrey had taken a seat at the end of her bed and was listening to her colleague, "I know you can't perform miracles. Look, he was at Fortuna's last Sunday. There has to be some security footage somewhere that has Tahri on it. Gotham is a major city, Reed, they have traffic cameras. Just see if you can find out where he's hiding."
"Fine, I'll see what I can do." There was a brief sigh on the other line, "What about this mess with Stuart's device? What are we doing about that?"
"I'll be at the warehouse sometime around eleven if not sooner to go through Danny's files." Audrey paused in thought for a moment, "When I saw Tahri at Fortuna's, he was arguing with Maroni. They were too quite to hear but I have a feeling that there's a connection we're not seeing between Maroni's drug orders, Tahri and that device."
"Alright I'll have all of Danny's files pulled. They'll be ready when you get here." Reed murmured, "What are you doing anyway? Following up a lead?"
Audrey grimaced at the Irish man's question and caught a glance of herself in the mirror. Her hair that was normally pulled up in some fashion was currently lying in soft waves around her face. A deep royal blue gown swathed elegantly around her form making her look more delicate than she felt.
She grimaced again, "No, I'm paying back a favor I owe.
There was a brief silence from her friend and Audrey began to wonder if he had hung up.
"You owe someone a favor? What's the favor?" Reed asked the astonishment in his voice clear.
"Dinner." Audrey replied vaguely, "I'll see you later."
"Dinner? As in a date? But you don't–"
"Goodbye Reed." Audrey said firmly as she hung up on the man.
She knew that her hanging up had only fueled Reed's curiosity. She wouldn't be surprised if she was subjected to an inquisition when she got to the warehouse later. She was really beginning to dislike Bruce Wayne. Audrey placed the phone on the bed next to her and reached down to grab her heels. Tonight was going to be a long night.
Wayne's Penthouse
Bruce's thoughts were similar as he too finished getting ready for the fundraiser. His fingers worked instinctively as he put his cufflinks on and smoothed back his hair. Alfred appeared in the doorway a few minutes later and watched as his charge donned his suit jacket and set his coat onto the bed to grab before he left.
"I see your leg is doing better." Alfred said dryly as he watched Bruce walk around without showing much of limp. Though, the older man did notice that he refrained from putting weight on to his left leg.
Bruce glanced briefly over at his guardian, "The wonders of a couple of vicodin and ice packs. I won't be feeling much pain for a few hours…hopefully."
The night that he and Audrey had spoken on the roof had let Bruce know that he had been right in his original assumptions about not being able to go out at night. He had found that not only would he not be able to fight much but that the restrictive setting of the Kevlar only irritated the bruising and made the stiffness in his leg much worse. He, by no means, was feeling any good will towards Miss. Douglas for exacerbating his healing wound with her little stunt.
Alfred raised an eyebrow unimpressed by the young billionaire's sudden brooding. He nearly regretted saying anything, but he would admit that he was glad that Bruce was forced to take a few days of rest from his nightly activities. However, that hadn't stopped Bruce from working all hours of the night down in the bunker, looking at files or making adjustments to some of his gear.
"Where are you meeting the young woman?" Alfred asked as he moved to let his charge pass.
"Down in the lobby." Bruce murmured as he did a final check list in his head and began to wander down the hall, "If she shows up."
Alfred rolled his eyes and grabbed Bruce's coat from the bed before moving to follow, "She did agree to go with you right? Or is there a reason why she wouldn't show up?
The two had made it into the living room where Bruce was currently scanning the tables and couch. A faint smirk of triumph lit his face as he found his wallet lying on the coffee table next to the sofa. Bruce nimbly slipped the leather object into his inside jacket pocket before he replied.
His voice was still tinged with a hint of disbelief, "Audrey doesn't date and I don't think she cares for me much."
"You or Batman?"
"Both." Bruce said as Alfred handed him his coat, "She suspicious."
"Smart girl." Alfred replied facetiously as a teasing glint entered his eyes.
Bruce realizing his guardian's amusement sent him a dry stare, "Too smart."
Twenty minutes later a call from the front desk came to the penthouse. Bruce didn't stop to listen as Alfred spoke into the phone. He grabbed his keys and was out the door before the older man had finished hanging up. He knew that there could only be one reason why the front desk was calling and that was to let him know he had a guest waiting downstairs. Audrey was here.
It didn't take him long to spot her once he made it to the lobby floor. She was standing by a window in the sitting area with her back to him, watching as the rain continue to fall over Gotham. Her coat lay on the back of an armchair and he wondered how long she had been waiting.
As if sensing his approach, Audrey turned and met his eyes. Bruce felt his breath hitch as she gazed at him. She was no longer the forthright woman who had challenged him both verbally and physically, but suddenly a lovely allurer.
Audrey offered him a faint smile in greeting, "Hey."
"Hey." Bruce said softly, "You look beautiful."
The sincerity in his voice caught Audrey off guard, causing her smile to deepen ever so slightly, "Thank you."
A complete allurer, Bruce thought as he felt the warmth her smile had brought before he made a gesture to leave, "Shall we?"
Audrey nodded briefly and moved to put on her coat, "So where exactly is the Mayor holding his fundraiser?"
"His house out in the Palisades." Bruce replied as he began to guide her toward the parking garage.
"The Palisades…and that's where exactly?"
Bruce felt muted surprise flow through him at her question. He gave her a considering look and wondered just how much of the city Audrey had actually explored. He knew that she was overly familiar with the Narrows and downtown Gotham, but he had to ask if that was only because of the case she was working.
"You haven't gone out of the city much, have you?" Bruce asked as amusement coated his gaze.
"No, I've been a little busy." Audrey said pointedly.
He was giving her the same mocking look that he had when they first met. Actually, that look seemed to be present during all of their encounters. Bruce didn't have a chance to respond as they arrived at his car. He opened her door and watched as she slid in. It was the first time he noticed that her dress had a slit that showed the smooth curve of her leg. He had to mentally shake himself before moving towards his side.
Audrey glanced over at him expectantly, "So, where exactly is it?"
Bruce smirked, "You'll see."
She rolled her eyes.
XX
It didn't take long for them to get out of the city and not much longer than that to reach the edges of the Palisades. Once they did, Audrey noticed a distinct change in the scenery. The dark span of trees and fields that lay outside of the city gave way to acres of owned land. They passed two mansions before Audrey realized that the Palisades was the rich bitch side of town. It was perfect for them too. Far enough away from the city to be away from the crime but an easy commute for work.
A sardonic half-smile crossed Audrey's lips as she turned to Bruce, "Let me guess you own a house out here."
"Sort of." Bruce answered as he thought of the construction that was finishing up on the manor, "It's a little further out of the way."
The car made a left into a driveway and Audrey had the first glimpse of the Mayor's mansion, though she wasn't focused on it.
"So, why are you living in the city?" She questioned, she hadn't had the time to do much research on the billionaire and only knew the basics of his story.
Bruce hesitated unsure of how he wanted to spin the situation, "The manor is being rebuilt. I'm staying at the penthouse until it's finished which will probably be in another week or two."
He pulled to a stop before Audrey had a chance to ask any more questions. Her eyes peered toward the front entrance and nearly groaned as she saw several camera flashes. More than likely a few reporters from the society pages were covering the event especially if this was a re-election year.
She slid from the car before Bruce had the chance to reach her side and felt a light drizzle of rain splash her cheeks. At least it wasn't the downpour that seemed to have over taken the city. He stood next to her a few seconds later as he handed his keys over to a valet Garcia had hired.
"So what exactly do you have to do in order to get on the invite list of the mayor?" Audrey asked as Bruce once again began to guide her up the pathway to the entrance.
Bruce shrugged, "My guess…have more money than you can count. My question is how do you get off the damn list?"
Audrey raised an amused eyebrow, "You could always go broke."
A smirk lit Bruce's face at her reply, "That's actually harder said than done for me. Have any other ideas?"
"Act like a jackass?" Audrey offered glibly before they hurried past a few photographers for Garcia's campaign.
"That doesn't really work either." Bruce mutteres lowly.
He ignored the raised eyebrow from Audrey as he pulled her slightly closer as they were suddenly among a sea of black suits and flashy gowns. All of which seemed to be heading towards some unknown destination. A quick scan of the entrance hall showed a few ushers directing guests where to go. Bruce watched curiously as Audrey shook her head in disbelief.
"What?" He question.
Audrey shrugged slightly, "He probably spent more money putting this thing together than he's actually going to receive tonight."
Bruce snorted, "What makes you think he actually spent a dime? I bet one of his loyal constituents set this whole thing up. It wouldn't be morally right to have the Mayor throw his own fundraiser, you know."
She grinned, "But hosting it is okay?"
"Of course." Bruce found himself grinning back as he grew comfortable in her presence.
The two continued to follow the crowd and found themselves in Garcia's ballroom surrounded by more people than before. Audrey spotted an open door along one of the ballroom walls that guests were milling in and out of. She curiously watched as a more people came and went.
"What kind of fundraiser is the Mayor throwing?" Audrey asked turning towards her dark eyed date, "One of those dinners that cost more than it's worth?"
Amusement briefly flashed through Bruce before he paused himself. He didn't recall what Garcia actually had planned…he was sure it was on the invitation, "I actually don't know."
Audrey sent him a disbelieving look before nodding towards the open door, "Want to go explore?"
"Is it really exploring if you're allowed to go in?" Bruce questioned as he followed the brunette.
Audrey threw him a dark look over her shoulder but otherwise ignored his comment. This wasn't the first political event she had been to and she was determined not to be bored. Charlie still teased her for nearly falling asleep at a party that had been held for a new U.S. senate member.
They entered through the door and found themselves staring at tables that had hundreds of different items, envelopes, and other trinkets scattered over their surfaces. A silent auction, then. Curiosity took over the two as they began to investigate the items. Audrey smiled briefly when Bruce pointed to a group of men hovering around a guitar signed by Jimmy Hendrix.
"It's probably the only interesting object in here." Audrey whispered as a few of the men's wives came to drag their husbands away from the instrument.
"I don't know, the Jackson Pollack certainly brightened up the room." Bruce said dryly as he watched Audrey make a face of distaste, "You don't agree?"
Audrey shrugged as she found they had made it back out to the ballroom, "I just think that something like that should be in a museum where more than just a few people can appreciate it."
She turned to see Bruce looking at her thoughtfully. She inwardly tensed; the last time he looked at her like that he had blackmailed her into going to this thing.
Warily she asked, "What?"
Bruce shook his head and went to answer when a shout caught their attention.
"Bruce!"
They both started slightly at the sound of his name. Audrey watched as Bruce seemed to cringe slightly in recognition of the voice. She turned to see who the caller had been and was surprise to see a woman in her fifties headed their way. It was almost comical to watch as Bruce plastered a smile on his face as the woman came closer. A hint of caution was clear in his eyes.
"Mrs. Webster, how are you?" Bruce asked as politely as he could. He was all too aware of Audrey watching the proceedings with growing curiosity.
To her surprise a predatory gleam had taken over the older woman as she stared at Bruce. She almost felt sorry for the billionaire until she felt his hand come to rest on her waist. Only then did she notice that he had come to stand mostly behind her. Indignantly, Audrey realized he was using her aas a human shield.
"Oh I'm well, dear." Mrs. Webster replied politely, "You know my Sheryl missed you at Maggie's birthday ball."
"I'm sorry to hear that, though I'm sure she got on just fine without me." Bruce said distantly, highly aware of his date's growing amusement, "Have you met my date? This is Lynette Peters. Linnie, Mrs. Anita Webster."
The smile abruptly dimmed on Audrey's face as she politely nodded to the older woman who was now looking at her with daggers, "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Webster."
"Yes, nice to meet you as well." The woman said chillily.
Audrey forced her smile to deepen, but couldn't help and let her eyes drift away in discomfort. It was her turn to pale as she suddenly caught sight of dirt brown eyes over the woman's shoulder. Tahri stood on the other side of the room locked in a conversation with the mayor. Audrey felt herself freeze as his eyes wafted over the crowd. She felt a wave of relief come over her when those eyes just passed over her.
"You know Bruce, it seems like you and Mrs. Webster has some catching up to do." Audrey murmured vaguely, "Why don't I go find our seats and leave you two alone?"
Bruce's grip tightened on her ever so slightly as she pulled away, "You really don't have to do that Linnie."
"It's no bother, Bruce." SHe replied stepping away from the pair before he had a chance to say something else.
Her eyes once again were searching for Tahri as she noticed that she wasn't across the room any longer. She didn't stop as she heard Mrs. Webster's voice but moved through the crowd. Her feet guided her among the throng of people over to where the Mayor had stood with her suspect. Turning in a slow circle she caught a glimpse of Garcia exiting the room with someone. Remaining as unobtrusive as she could, Audrey quickly followed.
As soon as she stepped into the hall she felt something was off. All the ushers had disappeared into the ballroom leaving the entire front of Garcia's estate desolate. Taking a gamble she moved further into the house. The hallways had been left dark and the doors were closed in an attempt to discourage guests from wandering about the estate. A murmur of voices caught the brunette's attention as she continued down the hall. A light could be seen coming from the crack below a door a little further up. Audrey hurried forward and paused a moment as she tried to listen, but found that any sound was too muffled to make out clearly.
The voices began to move closer to the door and Audrey knew she only had a few seconds to hide herself. She took a step back and gasped when a hand wrapped around her wrist. Her head whipped around and she let out an audible sigh of relief when her eyes met Bruce's. As much as she wanted to stand there and yell at him for startling her, the sound of a door handle turning kept her attention. Reflexively, Audrey tugged Bruce with her as she slipped into a room across the hall.
"What are you up to now?" Bruce whispered lowly into Audrey's ear as she turned to peak through the door they had just past through.
A shiver raced down her spine at the unexpected sound of his voice, but she silently waved a hand at him to quiet as she watched Garcia and Tahri exit from the room. Bruce watched as well, his own gaze darkened as he recognized Tahri from a photo he had found during his research. It wasn't until the two had disappeared down the hall that he and Audrey removed themselves from their hiding place.
Audrey checked to make sure they were alone before turning to Bruce, "Why don't you go back to the ballroom…I'll join you in a few minutes."
Bruce raised a disbelieving eyebrow, "Linnie…"
"Bruce."
He rolled his eyes and stepped around Audrey towards the room Tahri had just vacated. Audrey didn't have any other choice but to follow. The second they crossed the threshold Audrey realized they were in Garcia's personal office.
"What exactly are we looking for?" Bruce asked as he headed straight for the computer in the corner. His eyes were already scoping for anything out of place as he walked across the room.
"Bruce, what are you doing?" Audrey asked as she watched him boot-up Garcia's computer.
Bruce gave her a pointed look, "I'm assuming that the reason you were spying on Garcia was because it has something to do with the case you're working on. And I'm also going to assume that you were planning on snooping around in here much like you did at Wayne Enterprises…besides I'd rather be in here than out there."
Audrey bit her lip as she studied him. He really shouldn't be in here with her, but she felt more than knew that she would have a hard time getting him to disappear for a while. Deciding it would be easier not to fight Bruce, she moved forward to hover over his shoulder, "You're just trying to avoid Mrs. Webster. How good are you with computers?"
Bruce smirked and turned his attention back to the monitor as he began to break through Garcia's passwords. Audrey drifted away and began to rifle through a few of the papers that lay on the desk. There really wasn't anything out of the ordinary in the pile. Approvals that needed to be sign and a few contracts pending for local businesses but nothing else. The only thing that caught Audrey's eyes were zoning permits for an area down by the harbor.
"Hey." Audrey called softly as she pulled Bruce from his search of Garcia's appointment book, "Where exactly is this?"
Bruce gently pulled the papers from her hands and frowned, "It's an old part of the harbor that isn't really used anymore. There's an old merchant ship that's docked there, but nothing else."
Audrey once again studied Bruce as he continued to look over the paper. A thoughtful look had taken over his expression, "What is it?"
Bruce shook his head and scrolled through the appointment book, "The zoning permits are for a month from now. A week after that Garcia has some rally he's supposed to attend in the same area."
"That could mean any-" Audrey cut herself off as she paused to listen.
The sound of loud footsteps came down the hall.
Bruce and Audrey tensed as they realized the steps were rapidly approaching the office. Bruce quickly move to shut down the computer when he glanced up he noticed Audrey heading towards a door in the corner. He blinked in surprise but didn't say anything as he followed. He hadn't noticed the door ealier. As soon as he was through he closed it behind him. Just in time for Garcia and his wife entered the office arguing rather loudly.
Bruce turned when he heard a muffled groan come from Audrey. He raised an eyebrow when he saw her sitting on top of a billiards table. It figured Garcia would have something like this attached to his office.
"We're never going to get of here." Audrey muttered under her breath.
Bruce barely heard her as he stepped closer but he automatically looked around for another exit, "We could always climb out the window."
Audrey turned her gaze to the window in question and grimaced when she saw that the light drizzle from earlier had turned into a downpour, "Not in these heels. I'll break my neck."
"Then take off the heels." Bruce whispered. They both cringed when an undignified screech was heard from the other room.
"I'm sure we can wait them out." Audrey whispered back as her eyes cut back to the office door, "What kind of host disappears from his own fundraiser?"
"One that's apparently having marital problems." Bruce answered boredly.
Audrey smiled faintly at his response before noticing just how close Bruce was standing to her. She missed the calculating look he was giving her and was taken aback by the question that came out of his mouth.
"Why don't you date?" Bruce titled his head to side as she suddenly froze.
Audrey sent him an incredulous look, "Out of everything that's happen tonight that's all you want to ask me?"
Bruce shrugged innocently, "It's been bothering me."
"Why?" She asked not understanding why that would bother him.
Bruce sent her a piercing look, "You're attractive, smart, and funny. Why wouldn't you date?"
"I don't date…and I mean serious date someone because it wouldn't be fair to them." Audrey said lowly
"Why?" He pushed as Audrey eyes became distant.
Her breathing was ragged as she watched as the rusty knife rip into his flesh. Sean cried out unable to stand the pain.
Dirt brown eyes held hers captive, "All you have to do is tell me what I want to know."
His eyes were gone and Audrey was left staring at her beaten fiancé. The knife was still pressed against his flesh but it was no longer cutting into him. She bit back tears at the exhausted and pained look that coated his face. He couldn't take much more of this.
As if sensing what she had been thinking Sean's sky blue eyes met hers, "Don't you dare say a word."
He screamed a second later as the knife tore into him once again. Audrey let out a sob and closed her eyes as she tried to block out the noise but it echoed in her ears.
"Okay." She found herself whispering, "Okay."
Her eyes found Sean's again and he was shaking his head at her.
Their capturer grabbed Sean's hair and pressed the knife to his throat, "I want to hear everything."
Audrey didn't have a chance to speak before Sean snapped his head further back and caught himself on the knife. She screamed as she watched the blood pour from him. A second later his body slumped into an ungraceful heap on the floor before stilling completely. She could only look at him in horror as Tahri stood cursing in the background.
"I have a dangerous job. One that could kill me. It wouldn't be fair to make someone love me and then suddenly be gone. I don't want to cause someone that kind of pain." Audrey whispered.
Her tone let Bruce know that anymore questions on the subject wouldn't be answered. If her tone hadn't deterred him, the haunted look in her eyes whould have. He knew that look better than anyone and cursed himself for being the one to cause it now. He had to wonder who had been so close to her to cause this much pain and wondered if he had even been worth the pain.
Audrey started slightly as Bruce grasped her hand and gently tugged her off the table. In an attempt to lighten the mood he smiled faintly and nodded towards the table in question, "You're not supposed to sit on that."
Audrey shrugged, "It doesn't matter to me. I don't know how to play anyway."
Ever so slowly Bruce watched as the haunted look disappeared from her eyes and her walls started to build back up, "It's not hard."
Audrey shrugged, "I've never been interested."
A strand of hair fell in front of Audrey's eyes as she talked. Unconsciously, Bruce reached up and brushed it back behind her ear. His fingers lightly trailing over her skin, "Maybe you should be."
Distantly, Audrey knew he was no longer taking about the game, but her mind was stfocused on the tingling sensation his hand had caused. She looked up into his eyes and was surprised to find uncertainty in them, but she was sure he was seeing the same thing in hers. It was almost instinctive that they lean in toward one another.
She felt his lips gently pressed against hers in a smooth caress. Her eyes slid shut as the kiss deepened and she allowed herself to become lost for just a moment. Bruce bit back a sigh as he felt her pull away a moment later. He smiled faintly as he saw the curiosity that danced in her sapphire eyes and found himself leaning into her again, though he didn't initiate another kiss.
Audrey did after a second of hesitation. This time there was a little more force behind the kiss and Bruce found himself pressing her into the table that he had pulled her from. A sense of recognition swept through Audrey at the action. His body felt so familiar up against hers. The thought drifted away as Bruce deepened their kiss further.
A/N: Special Thanks to: Musicnutt, JainaZekk621, wizziewoo123, Spanish Angel, Skye007lex, Siriusly-a-princess, and Julieakaweirdo for reviewing. I love hearing from you guys. Thanks so much for reviewing. I would also like to thank: cleare skye, DreamzGirl, and Dark Melody Night for adding this story to their favorites list.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to review. : )