Thanks all of you for mentioning that the f***ing link isn't working. I'm sorry so I'll type it up again with hopes that it will work. You won't be able to directly click on it, so please accept my apologies for you having to typing it in. www. 2promhairstyles. com/ wedding-hairstyles. shtml I do deeply apologize about this. It was supposed to work.

Hannah—Nothing bad happens to her on the way there. She's fine and …. Well, you'll just have to read the chapter to find out. ;) Yes, there will be a Joker encounter, but not quite as bad as the previous one.

ILuvOdie—Yay!! *bounces up and down like an idiot* Wish me luck because writing romance isn't really my strong point, I regret. I hope it turns out as well as I have imagined it.

Lady Slone—Well, I'm glad that you like it because it's insanely hard not to write in this fic. There will be a couple more moments in the near future, maybe. I guess you can ask about it, but I don't have an answer….

Madelineex3—Glad you like it. Here's more.

Haha21—Okay, good. Hey, I get the whole busy thing. Obviously! lol Glad that you thought the father/daughter fluff was cute =)

Sabre—Yeah, I figured that out…. O well. It's frustrating though. Glad that you enjoyed it lots. Here's more.

Okay, guys, there is

The elevator doors slid open and classical music filled my ears. I really hoped that Bruce didn't honestly like this stuff, but walked out of the elevator anyway. I got a few looks from people, making me smile nervously. I reached my hand back to run down my ponytail and remember that my hair was in a different style that was incredibly fragile. I sighed and ran my hands down the dress. I crinkled my toes in the uncomfortable heels and hoped that this party wouldn't be long. I didn't see a single familiar face as I scanned the crowd. Great, I thought as I rolled my eyes. I felt someone tap my shoulder and spun around, hoping to see Bruce. It was Alfred.

"Miss Gordon," he greeted.

"Now, Alfred," I scolded, "what did I tell you to call me?"

"Sorry, Alex." He smiled and held out the tray of tall champagne glasses, "Would you like one?"

I sighed heavily. "I'm on duty, Alfred, but I might be tempted." I looked around looked around at all of the guests. They all had one, and I gave one. "I guess, but don't tell my dad about this."

He smiled and shook his head. "Never."

I sipped idly at the champagne, instantly hating it, but tried to seem polite. "Where's Bruce, anyway? I haven't seen him yet."

Alfred shrugged and said, "Not here apparently," as he walked away.

I stomped the floor mentally as he walked away. Why? Why? Why? I knew him and he left me to the rich and perfectly well off wolves. I let my shoulders had and held a death grip on my clutch as I followed Alfred to the elevator. Harvey Dent was here, along with Rachel. I pursed my lips and went to a corner to hide in, observing all.

Dent grabbed a glass of the champagne and almost downed the entire thing in one swallow. Someone was a little nervous. I smirked at him. He got engaged in a conversation with Alfred and Rachel was just wandering alone. Maybe we could get along for one decent conversation.

I pushed off the wall and walked over to her. "Hey, Rachel."

She looked at me like I was crazy. "Hi, Alex."

"Do you know anyone here?" I sounded like the nerd trying to talk to the popular girl, but I knew her. I knew I was going to regret this conversation and this fundraiser later, but it was too late.

She shook her head. "Just you, Harvey, and Alfred. Bruce apparently couldn't be bothered to be here." She looked me from toes to hair. "You look nice."

I smiled. "Thanks. You look nice too."

We heard the chopper land outside, and Bruce stepped out of it with a girl on each arm. I felt my heart drop at the sight and realized that it was stupid for me to get my hopes up. Still, I remembered what he had said at the coffee shop. His smooth voice rang out, silencing everyone. "Sorry, I'm late! Glad that you started without me." His eyes scanned the faces, but they weren't looking for me even though they paused a second on me. I smiled. "Now, where is Harvey?" he asked. He spotted him. "Ah, Harvey Dent" He let his hands swing freely out. "What about Rachel Dawes?"

The crowd parted, and I gave Rachel a gentle push into the open.

"Rachel, my oldest friend. When she told me she was dating Harvey Dent, I had one thing to say… the guy from those God-awful campaign commercials?" There was a quiet roll of laughter. I, myself, was included, but I was sure glad that I wasn't Rachel, or even Dent. Dent smiled uneasily in embarrassment, but Bruce continued on. " 'I believe in Harvey Dent.' Nice slogan, Harvey." Yeah, I remembered that. "Certainly caught Rachel's attention, but then I started paying attention to Harvey and all he's been doing as our new DA. And you know what? I believe in Harvey Dent." He swiped a glass of champagne from one of the servers was carrying around. "On his watch, Gotham can feel a little safter. A little more optimistic. So get out your checkbooks and let's make sure that he stays right where all of Gotham wants him." He raised his glass. "All except Gotham's criminals of course. To the face of Gotham's bright future, Harvey Dent." Beautiful speech. Everyone was taking sips of champagne, all but me.

People began to mill about and mingle again, but my eye caught Bruce walking out to the balcony with Rachel following him. I sighed as Dent walked up to me. "What do you want?" I asked hopelessly.

He tilted his head. "Why are you here?" he asked with an edge to his voice.

I thought about it. "No idea." It was honest, and I really didn't feel like making a scene of myself here. "I heard you almost got shot the other day." I was trying to make conversation. I may have hated his guts, but I knew him and talked to him more than once in my life.

He smiled as he recalled the memory. "Yeah. I should actually be dead."

I thought of the endless possibilities that that could open up. "How so?"

"If the gun wasn't loaded, I would have two bullets in me."

I had the nerve to laugh but decided not to. "How does that make you feel?"

"You're not my damn therapist!" he hissed.

"Nor would I like to be," I hissed back. I narrowed my eyes for the added effect.

He cast a glance over his shoulder at the balcony. At Rachel. I could definitely tell that he wanted to ask her to marry him.

"Go get her," I encouraged.

"What?"

"Neither of you will be around forever," I pointed out. "Tell her how you really feel."

He smiled. "You're not that bad, Gordon." He walked across the room.

I smirked. "Not that bad," I mumbled. "Two face." I strode over to the balcony door where Bruce now stood alone. I took a deep breath and walked out there. My shoes clicked on the tile service. I leaned against the railing and realized that I was still holding onto the champagne. I looked at the trees below me and tossed the champagne onto them.

There was a chuckle next to me. "I did the same thing," he explained.

"Champagne's really not my thing."

"What would you prefer?"

"Beer," I answered simply.

He looked at me and smirked. My heart melted, leaving me weak in the knees. "It can be arranged." He raised his arm as if to signal a server and glanced at me.

"Don't," was all I said.

He laughed. "All right."

The question refused to leave. "Why did you invite me to this event? You know I won't support Dent."

He moved closer to me. "You look beautiful tonight. Absolutely radiant."

"I hate dresses," I mumbled shyly, fully aware that I blushing furiously, "and you didn't answer my question."

He laughed and brushed away a piece of hair that had fallen from the bun on top. "I all ready told you, unless you can't read."

I laughed. "I can, but it doesn't make sense to me."

"Not much in this town makes sense," he said sadly.

I nodded in understanding.

He was standing closer with his head poised over mine. He smelt amazing with whatever cologne he was wearing. His brown eyes looked deep into mine. "You promise not to run away again for eleven years?"

I tensed and backed away, but his hand latched around my waist. This wasn't what I had in mind, not that it was bad. I just didn't want to explain my running away. "It's different than what you think," I defended and reminded myself that he wouldn't understand not having any money.

He gently pulled me back to him and whispered, "I don't care why. I just don't want you to do it again."

I swallowed and looked into his eyes. Neither of us spoke for a while; we just stared at each other, nothing more than a breath away. It was like an ice cube separated our lips, and it was slowly melting away.

I smelt his breath. It smelt of vanilla and peppermint. "Your breath smells great," I breathed. I felt like an idiot for saying it, a total and complete idiot. I, honestly, wasn't good with this sort of thing.

He let out a whisper of a laugh.

"Crap," I swore. "I'm sorry." I turned away.

He cupped my chin his surprisingly smooth hand and moved my head to face him again. He moved his face closer to the point where I could feel the presence of his lips, but we weren't quite touching each other yet. I closed my eyes as his hand entwined itself in my hair.

Ring! Ring!

"Damn!" I swore in a whisper.

"You don't have to get that," he convinced onto my lips.

"Yeah I do," I said backing up and grabbing my phone out of my clutch. "Gordon."

"Alex," Dad said swiftly, "we got ourselves a problem."

Bruce grabbed my hand gently.

I looked at him; I was still blushing. "Can't it wait?"

"No," he argued. "The DNA came back from the card on Brian."

I made a face. Why did this have to happen now? "And?"

"Judge Sarillo, Commisioner Loeb, and Dent."

I sighed, knowing what that meant. "Dent's fine. What about Sarillo and Loeb?"

Bruce moved closer to me, hoping to get information.

I stuck up hand to show that this was business.

"Dead," Dad cursed. "We were too late. Dent's our only shot to stop him. I'm sure glad that you're there right now."

I nodded even though he couldn't see me. "All right. I'll make sure that we catch the bastard tonight. He's gonna make an appearance, I know it."

Dad sighed. "Good luck, Al. You're gonna need it."

No, I'm gonna need Batman. I looked at Bruce as I hung up the phone. "Sorry."

He shook his head. "Kinda ruined the moment," he joked.

I laughed.

"What did he need?"

It was confidential, but if everything I thought about Bruce was correct, he was Batman, and that was who I needed tonight for help. I opened my mouth to say something, but decided against it. If he wasn't Batman, I could and would lose my badge for this. Go by the book, or get possible help, my conscience told me. I sighed, really hoping that Bruce was Batman. "The Joker took out Judge Sarillo and Commissioner Loeb. The only other DNA was Dent's. The Joker will show up tonight, here. We have to stop him." I was screwed.

Bruce nodded and walked out, leaving me on the balcony. I was shivering but not from cold. I was going to have to face the Joker alone if Batman didn't show up. I closed my eyes blocking out memories of Martin and went back inside to await my fate.

Okay, that was crap! Total and utter crap! I can't write romance, and it was just crap! *sigh* Oh well, I really don't feel like rewriting it. Review please. Hope that you liked it. Bye.