Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing related to Batman. Any and all one-shots in this collection of one-shots were inspired by Charlotte A. Cavatica's lovely ideas from her Waiting on the Shingle, chapter seven, unless otherwise stated. Anyway, thanks to Ms. Cavatica for making it possible for plot bunnies to attack me. Please enjoy.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed. –Ches.

#8

Devotion

They wouldn't let her visit him, no matter how much she pleaded or gave reasons for why it was a good idea.

She was happier now than she had been since she'd dumped Billy.

It was a guilty stab of pleasure that she got when she remembered what Ari had done to Billy the day she'd broken off their relationship for good.

Billy had shown up outside Ari's apartment and banged on the door.

Zeek had answered it and refused to let him in as he demanded to see Alice.

Ari got fed up with his yelling and told him to shut up.

"I want to see Alice. You've kept her away from me for a week." Billy replied harshly.

Ari went to slam the door in his face, but Billy broke the door open, ripping the chain lock from the wall.

Alice had stood up from her seat on the couch.

"Alice! There you are. Get your stuff, I'll take you home." Billy stated as he put his hands on her upper arms.

Alice pulled away. "No Billy. I am home. I'm moving in with Ari. She understands how I feel and has been helping me."

Billy grabbed her. "I know you're confused and still upset right now, but everything will be just fine once we get married. We'll get you an appointment with the best psychologist in Gotham."

"We're not getting married, Billy. It's over. I don't love you anymore." Alice told him.

Billy whirled around to face down Ari. "You put her up to this! I know it! You're in with the Hatter!"

Ari's face went dark.

She took a carefully measured step towards Billy. "I did nothing but be here for Alice. You don't understand what Alice is really like. You don't understand her. This final breakup has been a long time coming. You have done nothing but argue with her when she wanted to talk about something. Now get the Hell out of my apartment."

Billy grabbed Alice's arm and tried to tug her after him.

Alice fought him. "Let go of me. I want nothing more to do with you, Billy. I can't marry someone I don't love."

Billy rounded on her. "Then who do you love?"

"Jervis." She hit the floor with a thud after Billy backhanded her.

"You slut!" Billy roared, making the neighbors who had been watching gasp.

Ari lost it. She decked Billy as hard as she could, sending him back a couple steps as Zeek helped Alice up and tucked her safely behind him.

Billy went to hit Ari back, but she ducked and punched him in the stomach hard.

She grabbed him by the front of his shirt and slammed him against the hallway wall. "You ever come near Alice again and I will make you regret ever being born. Get out of here." she hissed.

The neighbors all cheered as she tossed him towards the stairs and waiting police officers.

They caught him.

Alice and Zeek came out into the hall as they arrested him.

Alice walked over to them. "I'd like to add charges of assault to the list."

The officer in charge nodded. "Yes ma'am. If everyone would line up, I'll get your statements."

Everyone did as asked.

Alice softly shook her head to clear her thoughts.

Dr. Cates handed her some files and papers that needed to be typed up.

Alice left the other woman's office and headed towards her desk. She knew they looked at her strangely whenever she walked through the office back to her old station –she worked for Dr. Cates now, but the director had no room for her desk, so Alice happily stayed at her old spot, feeling as if she at least hadn't abandoned Jervis that way.

The doctors and administrators of the asylum may not let her see him, but she was not about to forget about him.

Her heart was with Jervis and would remain so until the day she died.

Ari came to a stop in front of her desk. "I've got something for you from a mutual friend. Have fun reading it." She placed a book on Alice's desk.

A folded piece of paper stuck out of it.

Alice smiled as she saw the title.

Alice in Wonderland…the book had come from Jervis, delivered by Ari after her biweekly visit with him.

Ari just smiled at the joyous expression on Alice's face and went to her desk.