A/N: SOOOOO Sorry for the long absence just things got in the way and what not. Also I have something super big planned out and I am in the current process of writing and outlining to make sure it all plays out well. So for now, enjoy this little and out of the blue update! Don't forget to please review! :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Batman Begins much less The Dark knight or anything in the Batman Universe. :(

Marie tapped her black heel impatiently as she waited for Bruce to show up. 'This is ridiculous!' she yelled in her head, of all evenings he had to pick tonight to be late. She looked at Alfred from across the room and he simply shook his head. Their rehearsal dinner was slowly going from an elegant evening with friends and family to a complete disaster.

"Marie, darling are you alright?" Irene came up to Marie as she stared out the windows of the grand penthouse.

"Yes, just a little nervous about all of this." Marie looked down at her almost empty glass of wine. "And Bruce being late is making me even more uneasy."

Irene smiled her radiant smile and placed her hand on Marie's shoulder. "He will be here, don't fret. Bruce loves you so much."

"Right." Marie nodded and finished what was left of her white wine.

She couldn't take that pregnancy scare off her mind. It would have completely turned their life upside down. This didn't mean that she did not want to have children, it was the sole fact that right now was not the best time to bring a child into this world. However, Marie still couldn't help but feel a sting of sadness at thought of not having a baby.

Determined to forget about this additional pain, she turned toward her guests and decided to make the best of what remained of the evening.

About half and hour later, Bruce came into the room in one of his impeccable Armani suits and made his way straight toward Marie. Everyone was already seated at the long dinner table completely famished.

"Sorry I'm late." Bruce leaned toward Marie and placed a kiss on her cheek. She went rigid but masked her irritation with a smile. "There was a crisis at Wayne Enterprises," He glanced at Marie as he took his seat at the head of the table. "Mr. Fox sends his apologies but he won't be joining us this evening."

"That's alright, at least you are here now and we can finally eat." Marie said as she took a sip of wine. She felt Uncle Jim's gaze on her as everyone began they're separate conversations.

Two waiters came out with appetizers for the entire dinner party. Alfred thought it was best if they hired someone to cook for this special occasion. Marie and Bruce thought it was great idea and they were glad Alfred took a night off for once. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves as smooth jazz music buzzed in the background as they conversed and savored the delicious Italian food that was placed in front of them. Marie, on the other hand seemed to be avoiding Bruce as she held conversations with everyone else but him. When he would turn and ask her something she would with shake or nod her head. His only conversation companion was Ronald as they talked about golf, motorcycles, and fast cars.

Ronald noticed the tension between the betrothed couple and decided to bring them together. He picked up the spoon and clinked it to the side of his wine glass. Immediately everyone stopped talking and looked up at him. Bruce shook his head and smiled as Ronald was always the one who assigned himself the duty of giving a toast. Marie turned away from Kimberly and glanced up at Ronald, who winked at her.

She smiled despite her melancholy mood. Marie was relieved that this wasn't like any of the dinner parties she attended with Bruce. It was more intimate and it only consisted of Uncle Jim, Ant Barbara, Alfred, Kimberly, Irene, and Ronald.

"First off, I would like to thank Bruce and Marie for hosting such an exquisite dinner party, you two sure know how to throw one. Shall we meet here every Friday evening for one?" Everyone laughed as they held onto to their glasses. "But seriously, I am happy to be a witness to the love these two hold for each other. Bruce you are far too lucky and I have to confess I am incredibly jealous of you." Marie and Bruce looked at each other from across the table, as much as she was upset with him, she could not help but feel her heart flutter as Bruce smiled at her. His smile and light laugh was breath taking. "Marie, you are the best thing that has ever happened to him and I hope you have a happy marriage just like Thomas and Martha Wayne had." Ronald practically brought everyone to tears with his last statement. "To Bruce and Marie!" He raised his glass as did everyone else.

"So have you two come up with a date?" Marie was a little shocked that her Uncle Jim was the one that had asked. Everyone looked at Bruce then at Marie. It was completely adolescent how they decided on a date; via text message. It was a couple of days ago when both had to cancel their lunch date.

"The second week in September, Uncle Jim." Marie replied casually as if the date had been set months ago.

"That is good that a date has been finally settled." Aunt Barbara smiled and tried to ease the tension the was suffocating the room.

"Irene, I guess this means you're free to leak it out." Bruce laughed as he looked at Irene who only glared at him. She knew everything about the upper crust in Gotham, but she never really gossiped, she simply told everyone the facts.

"You underestimate me Bruce, however I shall let that slide." Irene looked over at Marie who was lost deep in thought. "Marie are you going to hire a wedding planner?"

Marie looked up from the red velvet cupcake she was picking at. "Yes, it is necessary because I simply don't have time." Thankfully the rest resumed their conversations and didn't realize the hint of disappointment in her eyes. She really wanted to plan every aspect of her wedding to Bruce, but it was just impossible with the amount of work at the hospital and the fact that she very nervous about being engaged once more.

"Listen, why don't you just leave it all to me and I will make sure you have the most beautiful wedding." Irene suggested as she took a bite of her own dessert.

Ronald strutted by to the bar and stopped before both young women. "Oh please say yes! It will give her something to do and get her off my back." Irene swatted his arm with her napkin.

Marie laughed and nodded. "Alright, but please don't make it a huge ordeal. Something elegant, yet intimate is the only thing I want."

"Don't worry, you and Bruce are in good hands."

Marie decided to get some fresh air as everyone continued to enjoy the evening inside. She leaned her head down on the railing and relished the coolness of the metal touch her cheek. 'I really need to relax.' She felt as if she had this massive amount of weight on her back. She so desperately wanted to lift it off her shoulders but she couldn't. Marie couldn't bring herself to tell Bruce about almost thinking she was pregnant.

There really was no point in telling him, but she hated keeping secrets. It was one thing she detested.

"You have been awfully quiet tonight." Bruce placed his back to the railing as he watched Marie shrug and look out into the city.

"Why were you late?"

Bruce hung his head in shame. He knew she wasn't going to be too happy. "I was looking up some stuff for your Uncle."

Marie looked up at him and sighed. "Its too risky for you to be doing this."

"He asked me too, Marie." Bruce looked away from her. Lately she has become distant and it was eating away at him.

"He what?" Marie asked in surprised. The way that her Uncle Jim talked about that Batman should remain in hiding and that it would probably be best for Gotham right now boggled her mind. She was confused because he had shown a lot of faith in Batman, but to suddenly change his mind was just not him.

"He asked me to keep a close eye on stuff and investigate some things." Bruce confirmed as he looked at her trying to search for some sort of answer in her eyes.

"On those mysterious murders?" Marie asked curiously.

Bruce nodded and took her hand into his. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine." Marie looked down at their interlocked fingers. "Why do you ask?"

Wracking his mind to form the right words was not easy. He didn't want to point it out straight away in order to avoid an argument, but she just wasn't acting like herself. Bruce's gaze landed on their hands and her usually warm hand felt very cold.

"You just seem…distant." Bruce whispered.

Before she could answer him, they heard someone clear their throat. The couple turned and saw Jim standing by the door.

"Marie can I speak to you for a minute?" Jim stared at her as he waited for Bruce to leave. She decided to not seem so distant toward him and placed a kiss on his cheek before he moved away from her.

Jim nodded toward Bruce as he made his way into the penthouse. Marie waited patiently and sensed how uneasy Jim was feeling about this entire engagement.

"You two settled on a date very quickly." Jim said as he took Bruce's place by the railing.

Marie rolled her eyes. "Uncle Jim, I think it was the right time to do so. I don't understand why you cannot accept this."

"I just think that you should give yourselves some time. Marriage is a big step, Marie."

"Don't you think I know that. I was about to take it with Harvey, remember." Marie felt a slight tug on her heart as she recalled Harvey Dent, the other man besides Bruce, who had held her heart in some other life time.

"Listen, sweetheart, I just don't want history to repeat itself." Jim said as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

"It won't happen. It cannot happen." Marie whispered more to herself than to him. "As selfish as this may sound, but don't you think I deserve this? After all that has happened to me." It pained her to think of all the tragic events in her life, which were almost many more than joyful ones.

Jim sighed and kissed her forehead. "Yes, you deserve a happy ending." He could not deny that she was absolutely right. Jim had been witness to all those events and it amazed him how resilient she was. "You most certainly do."

"Thanks." Marie smirked and her melancholy mood was slowly lifting. "I have to call my mom and let her know of the date."

"Yeah, I suggest you email her instead before she finds out from your Ant Barbara." Jim lightly suggested as he made his way back into the penthouse.

Marie sighed as she looked out into the city for peace of mind. However, she was very well aware that she wouldn't find any.