Whooo! Next update! Let's hope I can finish this story by the end of summer... I luckily only have one class this summer so I'm hoping I will be able to write a chapter on my computer every other day and then post every week or so! Therefore, I hope I'll see lots of reviews! Special thanks to WarriorDragonElf54, Marianne 16, ZabuzasGirl, Deppster34.
-yesiamweird
I looked back before closing the door to the front door. Maggie hadn't left the couch since we got home late yesterday afternoon. I couldn't contain my smile watching her snort in her sleep with her body contorted in the sleeping position she was in.
With a sigh, I closed the door making sure to lock it before taking a step down the empty hallway. I adjusted the handful of papers in my arm and strode down towards the elevator.
After aiding Maggie with her feet, I did a little bit of research on Daggett and the information she revealed to me about the situation yesterday. I found probably more than even Maggie would have pieced together.
The elevator buzzed and opened revealing an empty room for me to travel three floors down. Perfect. I sighed resting my back on the wall. I didn't even realize last night after helping Mag that I had spent about a solid five hours on the computer researching. So by the time I did realize what time it was, morning daybreak was just beginning.
Before I left, I had just called Ross to inform him that I was on my way to hand Gordon those papers from yesterday. Of course he was upset with me but after Maggie's scene at the station he knew that I went straight home to help her.
Striding over to the car my mind focused back to Margaret. Despite everything that damn woman goes through in this city, she always manages to find a way to bring me involved in it. Not to say I wouldn't find out or not want to know if she was in trouble… but it just always seemed like trouble always found her.
I opened the door while placing the files on the passenger seat next to mine. "Damn woman… why the hell is she such an idiot?"
With the rumble of the engine, I was off and headed towards the streets to the New Gotham General Hospital. The old one on the outskirts of the city was blown up eight years ago… when the Joker ran a muck of Gotham.
I had to admit. If it weren't for that crazy ass son-of-a-bitch I would have never met Margaret. That evening on the boat… she was such an ugly duckling at that time. A blemished face, tangled hair, and scrawny limbs, when she sat next to me on that Ferry I wasn't sure if I should be nice to her or offer her a sandwich.
Realizing she was alone and malnourished just like me, I picked up on the fact she might have been orphaned and escaping just as I was.
While I daydreamed, I had to snap back to reality after a jerk-off cut me off and almost hit my car. "Oh, you're gonna pay for that buddy…" I switched my lights and sirens on smirking as the car pulled to the side of the road.
Not only did the asshole almost hit me, he didn't use a turn signal, his tail-light was out, and his seat belt wasn't on. Idiot…
Like always, he attempted to give me some sob story bullshit but those tickets I wrote him would only add to more of his stupid sob story.
Moral of the story: don't piss off a cop.
On the route back to the hospital, I attempted to find my way around the brand-new building. There was a side entrance used for picking up patients quickly in the circle turn-a-round, but since I was going to be dropping off the paperwork I decided to be kind to the rest of the community and use the regular parking.
I was lucky enough to find a parking spot right out in the front. Maybe with this kind of luck, things would start to head for the better. Then light a bolt of lighting, the phrase 'Die with the rest of the city' flashed through my brain. "Yea… about that…" I muttered walking into the hospital.
Walking through the sliding doors I couldn't help but admire the architecture of the lobby room. "Excuse me miss." I smiled genuinely to the woman at the front desk. She turned to face me with a look of both concern and anxiety. Probably because of my uniform.
"I'm here to see Commissioner James Gordon, official Police business." I flashed her my badge. "Could you tell me how to get there?"
The woman smiled while adjusting her bright baby blue scrubs, "Why yes. He's on the second floor and all the way down the hall to the left, room 243. Here, before you head up there I must ask that you sign in please."
She handed me a tablet with a list full of names already visiting many patients for the day. One name caught my eye about five names above where I was signing my own. Peter Foley – Police Deputy Commissioner
"Crap." I muttered under myself causing the secretary to glance up briefly at me.
With a smile I handed her the tablet back. "Thank you sir, you can either take the stairs on the right or the elevator on the left to the room."
"Thank you." I nodded and then traveled to the staircase on the right like she pointed out. The place was a freaking maze, I sighed running my free hand through my short hair. "This is just stupid…"
Luckily, I found a nurse walking through the hallway who guided me to Gordon's room. With two firm knocks, I twisted the door handle and entered into the fairly large recovery room.
"Can we, uh, help you officer?"
Foley's voice caused me to roll my eyes as I shut the door quietly behind me.
"Uh yea. I have the monthly municipal reports for you." I turned my head and frowned at my idol, broken and bruised on the metal-framed hospital bed. To his side sat Foley sporting his scowl as usual. "I also wanted to inform you that yesterday John Daggett's body was found in a dumpster."
The two gave me a strange glace. Holding the files in both of my hands, I looked down at them and then glanced back up at Gordon. "Sorry, I just thought you might wanna know." I responded.
"Why?" Gordon sat up in his bed.
"Well," I cleared my throat and handed Gordon the files. "His name's written all over these permits I just pulled to, uh, map the tunnels under Gotham. That's MTA maintenance, uh, sewer construction, couple of other things."
I didn't understand why I kept stuttering during my conversation, but what made my nerves even worse was Foley's mug of a face staring me down.
Gordon flipped through the files and then turned to Foley, "Where did you get to with the tunnel searches?" He half mocked and then half questioned.
"Remind me to tell detail to keep hotheads out… all of them." Foley smiled looking to me. With a roll of his eyes, he turned his head back to Gordon; "We've had teams down there. It's a huge network."
"Well get more men." Gordon scoffed refusing to look up from the files. "Work a grid, I want him found."
"Yea," Foley's smirk deepened, "The, uh, masked man… we're on it."
Masked man… Bane… I thought realizing both Maggie and Gordon had escaped death from this vigilante. Despite what everyone believed to be a myth, the 'masked man' was real. And I'd stop at nothing to prove to Foley and the others he was.
Gordon looked up to me with a smile, "Lose the uniform, your working for me now. And we could use some hotter heads around here."
Despite the fact I literally wanted to click my heels from the response of my new promotion, my eyes glanced to Foley's flushed face. "Well sir that could also be a coincidence." I attempted to mock my research I had spent a night's worth of sleep on… was I a moron!?
"You're a detective now, son." Gordon adjusted himself to a comfortable position after throwing the files on his lap, "You're not allowed to believe in coincidence anymore."
I attempted to hold my smile as best as I could, "Thank you sir. That means a lot."
"Head back to the station. I'll send for Detective Riley to assist you with everything. You report to me directly though, got that? Come here whenever you get a hunch like you just did." Gordon nodded to me before lying his head down on the pillow.
Before leaving the room I had to give Foley one last glance. After getting mad at me for snooping around during his conference about the tunnels, I brought this same information to his attention. Did he invest in any of my advice? Of course not!
And with Maggie's help and hatred for him, I had finally bitten Foley in the ass.
My eyes shot open and with a startled jump I sat myself up from lying down. My breath was heavy with sweat beading around the hairline on my cranium. "What the hell…" I ran a shaky hand through my messy hair. "That dream… it can't be…"
I never really dreamt of nightmares but when I did, it was always the same one. The dream about him… the joker. With that cackling laugh, the white painted face and those exaggerated red lips.
This time. My nightmare was the complete opposite: An enormous man standing overtop of me. His rippling muscles flexed as he made two fists and a humming noise sounded from the large mask that covered the middle of his face.
He reached down to grab me just as he had done the day before, but this time he didn't let go. Instead, he twisted, punched, kicked, and pounded me further and further into the concrete.
Just when I thought all was over, Batman swooped into the middle of the fight. The two swung their limbs at one another until Bane proved the reason behind his enormous muscles. I watched through my swollen and bloody eyes, as Batman was unmasked revealing an equally bloody Bruce Wayne.
Looking down at my hands, I realized it was all just a dream. A horrible, horrible nightmare… Bruce Wayne was still alive and so was I…but so was Bane.
It was my fault. I was the one who led Wayne to Bane. If I hadn't let Bane's men take those files from the shop, they wouldn't have had any of Mr. Wayne's personal information from our facility.
My body shivered as the cool air kicked in causing me to look around the room for a blanket. Apparently, I had slept the entire night on the couch. "Blake?" I called out after cocooning myself. "Hey are you here?!"
After about a minute pause of not hearing the slightest of noises, I assumed he had already left for work. With a sigh, I reached for the remote pathetically on the coffee table positioned ever so far away from my location. When I finally reached the device, the news channel rang through my migraine infested head. As always, the anchors were infatuated with the return of Batman and they constantly talked as if they knew the real reason why Batman came back.
Rolling my eyes, I turned off the TV once again and rolled myself off of the couch. "Might as well do something productive today…" I muttered while attempting to walk. My hand was placed firmly on the hallway wall as I shuffled my bare feet to my bedroom.
I was still shaking from my nightmare. The thought that I might have practically ruined my idol's secret life was no helping my migraine from ceasing whatsoever. I had to apologize to Mr. Wayne… I thought while opening my bedroom door.
I have to…
My hands clutched tightly around the large metal knocker. The force of the knock against the bulky wooden door echoed not only through my head, but also to the other side of the door as well.
I stood tall waiting patiently for a reply for a solid two minutes before I turned to my cab driver waiting in the driveway. After bribing the driver with an extra $50 bill to take me outside the city limits to the Wayne Manor, I also had to bribe him once again with a $20 bill so I could apologize quickly and return to the city.
"Hello!?" I cupped my hands over my mouth looking towards the window on the side of the house. "Mr. Wayne? Mr. Alfred? Anyone!?"
Nothing. Nothing but silence and birds chirping in the distant forest.
With a heavy sigh, I knocked a few more times and waited. To keep myself occupied from the awkwardness of the stillness, I tapped my shoes lightly against the marble staircase.
The cab driver honked at me obliging my gaze upon the obese bastard of an impatient man. He waved with his hand in a motion in order to persuade me back to the yellow cab.
This only led me to glare while shaking my head in response. 'Just hold on…' I mouthed and then turned back to the door. "Hello!? Anyone home in this oversized castle!?"
Nothing but silence once more.
Every fiber in my body told me that no one was home and I should just give up my stupid escapade… but my heart told me to wait. In combination with the extra honking of the cab driver and my stress level at the current moment, I rested my aching head against the cool metal frame of the door. "Pleaseeee… please someone answer-"
The creak of the door forced me to stand up straight and stare at the person answering my call. "Good morning, Miss Robin." Alfred nodded. His usual smile I had witness last week was gone. "Might I help you?"
"Oh, um… yes." I nodded and held my forehead in the palm of my right hand. "I was wondering if I could talk to Mr. Wayne…"
"More Batman nonsense?" He coldly snapped back.
His tone of voice caused me to retract my hand. "No, actually… I was, uh, wanting to apologize."
"Oh really?" Alfred nodded while crossing his arms. "About what might I ask?"
"About his money…" The tone in my own voice was not only meek compared to the butler's stern attitude, but also revealed my splitting headache. Clutching my temples I massaged the spots tenderly. "I'm sorry… Maybe this is a bad time and I-"
"Would you like some tea, Miss Robin? Caffeine is one of the best cures for a migraine." Alfred's tone got lighter suddenly and he motioned by opening the door for me to enter.
I smiled and nodded warily while placing one foot through the threshold of the mansion. While following the older gentleman through the hall, I noticed certain aspects of the household that I hadn't recognized before. For one, the walls were unembellished and windows unsheathed by curtains of any type. Like my previous thought, the inside looked just like a museum.
Entering in through another doorway, Alfred and I entered into the kitchen. It was complete with a large counter island in the middle, stove and other appliances against the wall, and a large open pantry on the opposite side of the wall. "No table?" I motioned with my hand.
"Well there is one in the large dining room… but usually Mr. Wayne eats in his bedroom." Alfred reached into the pantry looking for supplies for my tea.
"And what about you?" I asked and then cursed myself for doing so by the extremely pissed off look on his face. "I'm sorry… that's not my position to ask."
Alfred smiled while placing the small porcelain mug filled with tap water into the microwave. "It's quite alright. I usually just eat here with one of the bar stools or in my bedroom as well."
"It must be lonely here. Everything seems so… quiet." I murmured. There was no need to raise my voice due to the echo and the silence within the mansion.
"It is…" the old man nodded solemnly and then picked out a small tea bag from one of the open pantry shelves. "But, it will be even quieter when I'm gone, I'm afraid."
"Mr. Alfred, are you…sick?" I felt extremely awkward in his presence now that I knew he was dying. Instead, the old man grinned. "Not at all… actually, I'm retiring early."
"Oh." I nodded. The microwave beeped loudly causing a daunting echo that trembled my sensitive brain. "Ow…"
"How much sugar would you like?" Alfred whispered even softer than before. I massaged my head once again before answering, "Two please and no cream or anything fancy…"
My comment made the old man chuckle and as I finished my mantra on my splitting headache, the porcelain cup appeared just in front of my position near the countertop. "Did you wake up with it?"
I nodded.
"Ah." Alfred winced slightly, "Those are the absolute worse." Taking in the warmth of the steaming liquid within the cup, I tapped my painted fingernails along the ridges of the cup. I was thinking of the right words to reveal my presence this trip.
"Mr. Alfred… I woke up with this headache," I started to say while bringing the cup to my lips and taking a small sip of the blistering hot liquid. "Because I realized something…something horrible, in my dream last night."
The man sighed apprehensively. "And what is that, Miss Robin?"
"I'm the reason why Mr. Wayne lost his money." I stated looking at the cup on the countertop still with my hands surrounding the container. After a moment or so of listening to the both of us breathing in the silence, I looked to Alfred with a concerned look. His matched mine.
"Well… I realized," I continued to say while maintain my eye contact with him this time. "That day those robbers came in and killed James Washington at the shop, they took a set of customer files."
I paused for a moment to see if Alfred had gathered my conclusion. When he shook his head slightly, I had to fully explain my reasoning. "I tried to stop them from taking the files but they knocked me out. I'm so sorry… and I just wanted to tell Mr. Wayne that if it wasn't for those files they took then maybe his identity would have been better protected from the Cat Burglar lady."
"How do you know about that?"
I shrugged, "Blake told me and Mr. Wayne told him…" The butler nodded in return. "I just wanted to tell him I was sorry about it… If I would have known I-"
"Margaret." Alfred commented in the middle of my apology. "Master Wayne would not have wanted you to risk his life for those files. On behalf of him, I want to thank you, but there's no need to risk your life."
"I just," I practically shrunk down in my shoes from the retaliation of Alfred. Of course I should have known. Batman would have not wanted me to risk my life over money… that wasn't why Bruce Wayne became the Dark Knight. "I just wanted to say sorry… that's all. Is Bruce Wayne here?"
"I'm afraid he is not…"
"Oh." I sipped more of my tea and hummed in relief afterwards. "Well, this is rather embarrassing on my part…"
"And why would you say that, Miss Robin?"
I chuckled before taking another sip. "I wasn't thinking clearly, I guess. I mean, I practically begged the cab driver to bring me here so I could warn the man that probably already knew why he was robbed in the first place… I mean, he's Batman after all."
"Yes." Alfred grumbled, almost in a distasteful way.
"And I mean Blake's already seen him in person like twice now and I've only seen him on TV and stuff-" I stopped myself from saying anything more. Now all of a sudden I was revealing my jealously of Blake getting to meet Batman in person… that wasn't the real reason why I came to Wayne Manor. "Ah, never mind… I should go."
Alfred chuckled at me and took the empty cup away from my reach and into the large sink. "Here, let me get you some medicine for that headache."
"Yea, cause I'm pretty sure it's causing me to say things I probably should keep to my damn self." I wanted to punch myself in the face for saying a curse word in the old man's presence. As he turned around I frowned, "Sorry…"
He chuckled once again while handing me the pills and a small glass of water. "No more apologies, Maggie." He pointed a finger at me, "And no more risking your life. You have so much to live for yet."
I wanted to roll my eyes at that statement, but instead I took the pills and washed them down with the glass of water. "Yes sir. I'll do that…"
As we walked back to the front, I noticed a single picture of a woman hanging down a part of the hallway we didn't pass by earlier. "Who's this?" I stopped walking and pointed to the image.
"That," Alfred placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Was a dear old friend of Master Wayne."
"What happened to her?" I questioned probably more than I should have intruded in. Not only was I in his home, but now I was prying into Bruce Wayne's personal life. "I mean she looks so young and-"
"She died. The Joker kidnapped her and Harvey Dent. Rachel didn't make it out…"
I gasped and covered my hands over my agape mouth. "I'm… I'm so sorry… I didn't know… I… I…" Alfred patted my shoulder and then turned me towards the front. "I just need to stop talking… don't I, Mr. Alfred?"
He chuckled once again before opening the door. "Well, I will inform Master Wayne of your apology when I see him again. Until then, Miss Robin, drink caffeine for that migraine if you get it again."
I nodded while taking a step out onto the porch, "Will do. And thank you again." When I turned around to look at the bright yellow cab waiting patiently for my return, my jaw dropped instead.
The cab was nowhere in sight. Gone with my $70 bucks…
"That motherfu-"
"Ah… well Miss Robin. Might I give you a ride back home?" Alfred cut me off just in time. I nodded to him while attempting to keep my violent thoughts in shape. "I was just getting ready to head out before you visited. This way," He shut the door while leading me back through the mansion once again.
As we walked passed by Rachel's picture once again, I didn't forget to pay my mental respects to the woman smiling brightly in the picture.
"Actually, would you mind turning down here, Alfred?" I asked pointing against the glass of the passenger seat of the Bentley. "I want to stop by and see an old friend."
"Of course, Miss Robin." The old man smiled and turned the car down the road. With his bags all packed in the back seat, Alfred was headed straight for the airport. He informed me, as well, that the car was going to be donated to a charity for the cities Orphanages on account of Mr. Wayne's orders.
We neared closer and closer to my destination and I literally felt myself bubbling with excitement.
"I do apologize, Miss Robin. But why exactly are we heading to The Gotham Waffle?" Alfred asked just before turning into the parking lot.
"Blake and I know a friend that works here. I just wanted to talk to her for a bit." I nodded while tightening my zipper on my hoodie jacket. "Thank you so much for taking me."
"Well of course. And thank you for keeping me company this morning." Alfred smiled after parking the car near the front door. I turned my head looking to him with a genuine smile and without another thought, forced my arms around his shoulders to hold him tightly and sniffed in the strong scent of peppermint and old cologne on his shirt.
Alfred was almost like having a grandfather, I assumed as he tightly squeezed me and patted the top of my blonde head with his old wrinkly hands. "Goodbye Margaret."
"Bye Alfred. Thank you for listening."
"Of course."
As I pulled away from his grasp, I took in that last inhale of his scent once again. With a nod and wave goodbye, I opened the car door and shut it closed before making my way into the timeworn restaurant. "Hey, is Carmella around?" I asked the waitress at the host's stand.
She looked to the back briefly before popping her gum to face me. "I think she just got here… you want me ta check?" I nodded in response. "Fine. Wait 'ere."
With a heavy sigh, I looked to the waiting spot and took my seat. Of course, being as old as the building was, I sunk into the old cushion and struggled to get myself out of its confinement.
"Margaret! Darling come give me a hug!" An overjoyed Carmella ran from the kitchen towards my figure stuck in the seat. I didn't even have time to get up before Carm threw me into her plump arms and hugged the crap out of me. "Why haven't you visited me in so long? I miss you and John!"
I giggled and pushed myself out of her cigarette-smoke lingered arms. "Blake's working, Carm. I just came to talk for a little bit. Are you on break?"
"Honey," She rolled her eyes and tightly grabbed my wrist. "I'm not even working right now. I just came here early to visit with Frank."
I sneered at her comment, "Carm you're not still trying to hook up with that good-for-nothing cook are ya?" She had told Blake and me about her relationship with the new cook a couple months back. "He's a looser."
"I know…" She grunted leading me towards the break room for the employees. "But he's got a nice body and damn he's-"
"I DON'T want to know!" I shouted. Carmella was basically my mother figure. The last thing I needed to hear was her elaborate sex-stories. Once the two of us arrived out into the back of the restaurant, she and I sat on the curb.
After offering me a light, she flickered her lighter to her lips and cigarette after I politely declined. "So sweetheart, what's up?" She puffed out a mouthful of smoke.
"Well," I sighed while resting my chin on my hands as I sat on the yellow painted curb. My headache had finally subsided thanks to Alfred's miracle tea and medicine. "I don't really know why I came here… honestly." I muttered feeling stupid.
So far this morning I had acted completely off of impulse. Wayne Manor and now G-Waffle… there was no thought out plan why exactly I was visiting these places.
"Honey… what did 'Officer Blake' do?" Carmella puffed out another mouthful. I only giggled in response. "I actually don't think it has anything to do with Blake, Carm… for once."
"Really?" the older woman raised an eyebrow at me and then took another puff of her cancer stick. "That wasn't the story two years ago."
"Two years ago, I was a drunk and completely idiotic." I admitted. "I'm lucky I kept my job… let alone my roommate."
The woman shook her head before throwing her cigarette on the floor and stepping on it. "He loves you, dear. More than anything."
"I know…!" I growled. The mentioning of the 'L' word was causing my migraine to come back. "I just can't do it Carm. I can't be hurt again…"
"Sweetheart. That boy has been with you for eight years… if he didn't care about you, he would have left by now… trust me, I know."
"I know you do…" I muttered scratching the top of my head. Carmella had her husband of six years leave her suddenly and for no reason. It was devastating, not only to her but to John and me. "…I know."
"Then what's the real reason why you came here sweetheart? I know you're not coming to get some hash browns… that look on your face tells me that much."
I nodded before standing up to face the older woman. Over the years I've grown to not only love this woman, but to respect her completely. How hard she worked for what little she made… plus the fact she treated each customer with the same amount of respect, drunk or sober.
"Carmella…" I hugged her tightly taking in that sweet scent of cigarettes and perfume. I pulled away and nodded with a sigh, "I just want to tell you how much I care about you."
"Awww~ sweetheart I-"
"Please… you have to be safe. The city is about to be in some deep shit and I just want you to be safe." I snapped. The look in Carmella's blue eyes told me she was utterly concerned. "What do you mean?" She whispered.
I gulped a thick amount of spit down my throat before answering. "A lot of people have died already… there's a terrorist. Do you remember the news about that person who robbed the stock exchange?"
She nodded in understanding. "Yes, the person the Batman was after… I saw it on the news! I was so excited to see him back again. I know how much you and Blake love Batman."
Her comment caused me to smirk, "Yea, I was exited about that too." Then I shook my head remembering what I was originally telling her. "Anyways, there's a really bad guy out on the loose. Worse than Joker… I just want you to be safe, okay?"
Carmella nodded just before hugging me and kissing my cold cheek. "Of course sweetheart. I'm always safe…"
Her comment made me giggle and suddenly I felt my phone start to vibrate in my pocket. Tapping out of my hold, Carm let me go in order to reach into my pocket and retrieve my phone. Blake's caller ID appeared on the screen.
"Hello?" I answered in an annoyed tone as usual.
"Mags? Whatcha doing? I came to the house but you're not here?" Blake's voice replied sounding annoyed that I wasn't following his beck and call. I rolled my eyes before answering back, "I'm at G-Waffle. What do you want, Blake?"
"I got a surprise for ya!"
"Well unless it's bags full of un-stolen money, I don't really care at the moment…" I responded.
Blake laughed on the other line while sparking my interest. "What if that's pretty much exactly what you just said?"
"Blake?!" I cautiously responded. "What the hell-?"
"I got promoted to detective! I went to Gordon with that information you told me last night and he promoted me, in front of Foley might I add."
My eyes widened as much as my mouth did. Not only was Blake getting us more money than the both of us could ever imagine for two orphans, but now he was getting more money and rubbed that shit in that asshole's face! Life was good… Well besides Bane's threat on my life…
"That's amazing Blake! Oh my gosh! This is awesome! I can't believe it!"
"I know!" John laughed on the other line. "Well, I'm coming to pick you up now… I was gonna head back to the house to put on my new suit and tie… and I was also thinking about something."
"Oh yea," I added looked to Carmella with a thumbs up about the whole situation. "What's that?"
"Wanna go back home and give me congratulatory sex for my new position?"
With the large blush flushed on my cheeks, even Carmella could have guessed what exactly Blake had asked of me. "God damnit…"