This one is slightly shorter than what I've been doing but it was done and I wanted to get it out before the weekend was over. Thank you to those who have put this story on their alerts and favourite lists. Please let me know what you think thus far. I have some plans for Emily and Bruce and I'm beginning to like the dynamic between the two.
Another one.
Jim Gordon was not having a good month. This time, the victim appeared older. But just like the other homicides, there was that gray substance on the fingers.
Jim stood up from where he had been crouching over the dead body and ran a hand over his tired face. Suddenly, that black figure was standing in front of him.
"His name is Carlos," Batman simply said, as Jim quickly looked around realizing that there were no other cops in the direct vicinity at that time. "He was involved in an attempted assault earlier tonight. You may want to do a blood analysis on this guy," Batman said, getting right to the point with the commissioner. Batman crouched down beside the body and pulled out a small syringe.
"Why?"
"His behaviour was unusual," Batman replied, looking down at Carlos as he drew blood from the dead man's arm. Finally, he stood back up and pocketed the small vile. "Was there a cause of death?"
Gordon shrugged, looking down at the body on the ground. "Nothing that looks obvious. No stab or gunshot wounds. Overdose perhaps, especially if you're saying that he was acting unusual."
Gordon turned to find that Batman once again was gone. At least this time he left with a little bit more infomation than what the police force had been running with for the past month.
Emily lay in bed, feeling the soft sheets against her cheek. She had just got off her cell phone with Bill who was near frantic. The man had continued to run until he was out of breath and found himself near the docks. Bill had apologized numerous times saying that he thought that she was still behind him. He told her that he'd make it up to her when she gets back from vacation with a trip to the coffee house they intended to visit. Emily was ready to refuse, but knowing how the man was most likely upset and it was his way of helping, she accepted.
It was now nearly 3:30am and after a nice warm shower, Emily was finally feeling sleep come to her. She still felt slightly uncomfortable; not only about staying in Bruce Wayne's home when it appeared that he didn't want her to be there but also because she was wearing his clothes. She laid on her stomach, as she remembered the words that Alfred had told her as he led her through the halls of Wayne Manor.
"You need to forgive Master Wayne for his outburst," Alfred had said. "He had lost someone very dear to him that day."
"That's not an excuse."
Alfred nodded. "Perhaps not, but he's still angry with himself and most likely hasn't forgiven himself for it."
"Who was it that he lost?"
"Rachel Dawes. She was the assistant district attorney and Harvey Dent's girlfriend."
He saw Emily's face appear confused.
"I shouldn't say anything about it as it is Bruce's business, but Rachel had been his best and closest friend since they were children. She was around when his mother and father were killed."
Emily nodded, appearing to understand.
"We've all lost someone in our life," she explained. "But that's not a reason to hold on to them so much that you hold yourself responsible for their deaths. He needs to move on."
"He will," Alfred said, pulling back the sheets in the bed. "He needs to be the one to decide when it's time."
Emily looked towards the windows as she laid in the bed and closed her eyes. She was already asleep when the door slowly opened.
Bruce looked in and saw the Emily in bed, her head turned away from the door. He watched her back rise and fall with each breath indicating that she was most likely asleep. Still, he quietly walked in and placed the two bags on the floor by the side of the bed. The room smelled of lavender and flowers. It was an unusual scent for Wayne Manor. He was about to leave but stopped to see that her eyes were indeed closed as he had thought that they would be. He let out a soft sight as he ran his hand through his hair. Bruce was hoping that he could at least apologize for his behaviour in the cave earlier. Batman needed as many allies that he could get and Emily was one that he wasn't wanting to push away. Finally, he turned before walking slowly to the door and gently closed it behind him.
Sunday, April 11th
Morning came too soon for Emily. She knew the moment that she woke that she didn't get enough sleep.
She was awake enough that morning to get herself dressed in the attire that she had tried on a few days prior and managed to fix her hair into a sophisticated bun. Her shoulder muscle cried out as she quickly did her hair and was thankful for the pain killers and muscle relaxants that Alfred had served her with breakfast. Alfred had also assisted her in changing the bandage on her back, noting that it was barely bleeding anymore and appeared to be healing well.
Nearly 2 hours later and she was standing on the tarmac beside a private plane that was in the process of going through a pre-flight checklist, for the second time.
Bruce Wayne was late.
In fact, Emily hadn't even seen him at Wayne Manor that morning and Alfred had only commented to her saying that he had some things to get done before they left.
She sighed, and smiled as Alfred walked up beside her.
"He's on his way," Alfred told her, pocketing the cell phone. A thought suddenly came to him and he quickly riffled through his pocket and pulled out an ID card. "Oh, and Master Wayne asked me to give this to you. It makes it look more official."
Emily flipped it over, seeing her face on it with the name, Bethany Morris.
Alfred seemed to hear her questioning eyes and answered the question she was thinking.
"Master Bruce thought it would be best if we didn't use your real name," Alfred said softly.
She clipped it to the blouse beneath her jacket as a Lambourghini pulled up onto the tarmac, in front of the jet. Emily watched as Alfred stepped forward and opened Bruce's door allowing the man to step out as three flight attendants made their way down the ramp to load any additional baggage. Bruce pulled down his sunglasses over his eyes and walked around the car, not even bothering to cast a glance at Emily before reaching inside the passenger seat to pull out two leggy models, each standing an inch taller than him.
Emily gulped, realizing that they were the same women that he was with the day prior at the theatre. She adjusted the glasses on her nose, hoping that they wouldn't recognize her. The women walked right past her towards the stairs talking and giggling between themselves. Bruce followed as Alfred instructed the attendants on who's luggage belonged to whom.
"Sorry I'm late," Bruce announced aloud as he made his way to the steps with one model on either side of him. "These ladies kept me a little preoccupied this morning."
Each of them giggled beside him before he let them go to make their way up the stairs to the plane. Emily watched as he followed behind them. She took a deep breath and walked up behind Alfred.
Emily gripped the hand rests beside her as she sat in the plane. The flight was a little more turbulent than expected, causing the plane to jostle more than once. Emily felt her stomach flip each time the plane lurched in a certain direction. A few rows ahead of them, Emily could see the tops of the models heads with Bruce's brown hair between them. Every so often, she'd hear them giggle followed by Bruce's voice. Alfred looked with concern from where he sat across from her. He leaned over.
"Are you all right?"
She took a deep breath.
"I don't like heights but I'm usually okay with airplanes. I'm just not certain what is making me feel more nauseous; the rocking of the plane or the annoying school-girl giggles of those airheads a few rows away."
Alfred smirked, and shrugged.
"We will be landing in about an hour or so, and Master Wayne has informed me that we'll be making a stop in Key West to drop off the two ladies."
Emily smiled.
"They're starting to drive me a little crazy as well," Alfred added with a chuckle.
Emily once again glanced ahead but this time she caught the eye of one of the models. She quickly looked down but a moment later, she could see that same model sitting up higher and gesturing for her to come over with her finger.
"What do they want?" Emily asked, more than slightly annoyed.
Alfred watched Emily stand up when he realized that one of the models was trying to get her attention. He knew too well that these type of women could be ruthless to the other ladies in Bruce's employ.
"Just be polite," Alfred suggested. "If you're not a threat to them, they'll leave you alone."
She let out a sigh as she mumbled sarcastically, "Great, I'm in high school again."
Emily walked down the aisle, using each passing seat to keep her balance. She smiled sweetly.
"Can I help you?"
Bruce looked up with his arms around the models shoulders on either side of him. He seemed surprised to see her.
"Yes, Bethany Morris," the model slurred in her Eastern Europe accent, straining to read the name on Emily's ID card. "We would like drink."
Emily's eyes narrowed. "You already appear intoxicated. Why would you want another?"
"I want my drink," she restated, leaning forward. "Right now."
The plane rocked slightly and Emily gripped the top of the seat a little harder. Her stomach literally flipped on her.
"Just get her the drink, okay?" Bruce said firmly with a flirtatious smile.
Emily realized it was all part of his persona, but she was too busy concentrating on holding her stomach to argue with the man.
"Wha...What kind of drink?"
Emily swallowed.
"A martini with 2 olives," the model said, holding up two fingers.
"Make that two," the other model added. "Two martini's, not two olives."
Emily nodded, feeling another wave of nausea sweep over her. She could barely hear the model's speaking.
"On second thought. Make mine with only one olive."
The airplane lunged again and this time, Emily's stomach had enough. She quickly put a hand to her mouth before turning to run towards the bathroom near the back of the plane and slammed the door behind her.
Both models seemed confused as Bruce sat up slightly to see what had just happened.
"I'll get us those drinks," he said, slinking his way out from his seat. He walked towards the back of the plane to find Alfred already at the door, attempting to get Emily to open it for him.
He put his hand on Alfred's shoulder, getting the older man's attention.
"Can you get them their drinks? Maybe then they'll shut up for the rest of the flight so we can all get some rest," Bruce said softly.
Alfred smirked. "Yes sir."
Bruce leaned in to the door and gently knocked on it.
"What?" he heard Emily's voice call out weakly.
"Let me help you," he said softly. Emily paused.
Bruce could almost hear her roll her eyes from behind the bathroom door.
"I don't need your help Bruce and frankly, I don't want it."
Alfred walked past Bruce with the two martini's on a platter before he discreetly passed him a syringe with a smile.
Bruce took the syringe and put it in his pocket.
"I have something that can help if you just let me in," he said. After a few seconds, he heard the door unlock. He proceeded to open the door and found Emily sitting very unladylike on the floor beside the toilet, with her head resting in her hands. She didn't even look up when he closed the door behind him.
Her face was white as a sheet. She had abandonned her glasses to the counter. She didn't appear impressed to see him within the small, confined space with her, but she wasn't in the mood to argue.
Without saying a word, Bruce reached over into the small cupboard behind the door and pulled out a small washcloth. He turned on the water in the sink and rang it out before crouching down beside her to place the cool cloth on her neck.
"Thank you," he heard her say softly.
Emily took a deep breath to steady her stomach, and inhaled a unique scent. She assumed it was Bruce's cologne. It smelled nice.
"I have something else that will help," Bruce said, standing up slightly to pull the syringe out of his pocket.
Emily glanced over at him when he crouched back down beside her.
"An antinauseant," he told her.
Without saying another word, she held out her arm. With a small smile, he gave her the injection. "Give it a good few minutes to kick in. You'll be feeling much better then."
She nodded and sighed.
Bruce considered leaving the bathroom, but he didn't want to; not yet.
"Emily, I want to apologize for how I spoke to you last night," he said, softly, turning the cool washcloth over on her neck. "You were only trying to help and I shouldn't have yelled at you the way that I did."
Emily shook her head.
"It's all right," she told him, as she pushed herself up to stand. Bruce stood up beside her. Finding the room awefully cramped, Emily stepped back from Bruce as much as she could in the small space. "I shouldn't have said those things. It was uncalled for and was not my place to say them to you."
Bruce smirked before reaching towards the sink where she had left her glasses. He gently picked them up and handed them to her.
Emily turned to the mirror and put them on as she looked at her reflection. A few strands of hair had fallen down and she carefully tucked them back up.
Suddenly, the plane rocked slightly and Emily placed both her hands on either side of the sink, steadying not only herself but her stomach. She felt the washcloth on her neck once again and Emily looked up in the mirror to see Bruce standing directly behind her.
"I'm okay," she told him, as she took a deep breath. "I think the medication is starting to kick in."
The door clicked and opened, revealing Alfred at the door. He looked from Emily standing at the sink to Bruce right behind her.
"The pilot has suggested that everyone takes their seats," Alfred told them. "He says that there is some rough weather over the panhandle and the northern part of the state that we're flying through." He turned to Bruce. "And your guests are wondering when you'd be joining them again."
Although he smiled, Emily was certain that she heard Bruce groan as he stepped out of the bathroom and made his way back to the two models. Emily left the washcloth on the counter and walked with Alfred back to their seats. She barely casted a glance at the models as she walked past them, but noticed that their martini glasses were empty.
Bruce stepped out of the doorway of the plane, and enjoyed the warm breeze hitting his face. He watched as a dark vehicle drove up to where the plane sat at the Key West airport. Bruce turned to the two women behind him. They both staggered somewhat as they each gave Bruce a kiss on his cheek before slowly making their way down the steps to the ground. Bruce winced inwardly a few times, watching them nearly miss a step. His goal of getting them drunk enough to keep quiet had succeeded. He assumed that they most likely wouldn't remember much of their trip to the island.
A few minutes later, and the car was pulling away from the plane. Bruce smirked as another car pulled up onto the tarmac and stopped beside the plane. He ducked back into the plane and walked towards Alfred as the older man met him by the door.
"I haven't mentioned our change of plans to Miss Tucker," Alfred said softly.
Bruce glanced over Alfred's shoulder seeing the woman looking down at a magazine in her hands. He noticed the wires coming from her ears and followed the trail to a small mp3 player sitting in the chair beside her.
Emily looked up for a moment towards the front of the plane where Alfred and Bruce were talking. The models were gone and she was beginning to wonder when they'd be heading back to Miami. When she looked back up from her magazine, she saw Bruce walking towards her. She pulled out the ear buds.
"There has been a slight change of plans," he said, with a smile on his face. "We're going to be staying here for the day and we'll fly back to Miami tonight."
Emily sat up straighter in her seat as a smile grew on her face. "Really? You're serious?"
Bruce grinned as he nodded. "I thought that it would be a nice surprise and you'll have the chance to get that vacation that you haven't had in a long time."
Emily stood up, resisting the urge to joyfully hug the man. To say that she was excited was an understatement. She looked out the window, seeing the palm trees swaying slightly in the breeze and the warm sun heating up the island.
"I have a yacht waiting for us at the docks," he said as she followed him towards the front of the plane. "You'll be able to spend the entire day in the sunshine if you'd like."
Emily shook her head in amazement as they walked down the steps, finding Alfred already at the bottom ensuring that the luggage that they would be needing was being loaded into the trunk of the car.
She quickly rushed up next to Bruce, matching his stride as he walked towards the car.
"I really appreciate it, but you don't have to do this," she said. Bruce stopped and turned to face her, his hands in his pockets. "It was never a part of the agreement."
He smiled and extended his hand towards her. She looked quizzedly as his outstretched hand.
"What are you doing?"
"Making an amendment to our agreement," he said. "Let's shake on it."
Emily took a deep breath. "I don't want you to feel obligated."
Bruce shook his head, still keeping his hand out towards her.
"I don't," he said, glancing down at his waiting hand before looking back up at her face. "Besides, knowing the man that you'll be meeting at tomorrow's meeting, you'll deserve this."
Emily paused, looking at his hand as though it may bite. From as far back as she could remember, Emily disliked being offerred favours and gifts that she would never be able to repay, and this one, she knew she couldn't.
Bruce leaned in towards her and then looked down at his waiting hand. "Don't leave me hanging. Do we have a deal?"
Emily chuckled before taking his hand.
"Deal," she finally said, as Bruce smiled.
"We're ready to go now sir," Alfred announced from the car.
Bruce let go of Emily's hand before walking towards Alfred. Emily shook the feeling that washed over her as Bruce released her hand. She could still feel the warmth from his grip long after he let go. It was a firm and reassuring handshake.
"Are you coming Miss?"
Alfred broke Emily out of her daydream and she quickly nodded before heading to the car.