Thank you for the review and favourite alerts. I've had this part done for a while but I'm only getting the chance to post it now. I have the next part nearly complete and I hope to have it out in the next few days.

With her hands full, Emily carefully picked up the hem of her dress as she walked down the stairs in her bare feet. In one hand she carried her heels and a matching clutch and the other held onto a pair of earrings that she was in the process of putting on. She looked at the clock on the wall as she made her way towards the piano along the bookshelf. She pressed the three chord progression on the piano and heard the click of the secret passageway unlock for her. Emily put her heels and clutch on the grand piano before walking through the passageway and into the steel cage to lower herself down to the cave floor.

In the distance, she could hear the voices of Bruce and Alfred speaking to each other, but she was still too far to decipher what was being said. As she rounded a corner, she could see Bruce sitting at a desk with Alfred right behind him, a suit jacket drapped over his arm.

Bruce turned to speak to Alfred directly when he saw her. Alfred noticed Bruce's attention drift away from him and he turned as well.

"Miss Emily," Alfred said, walking towards her. "It's far too cool to be down here dressed as you are."

He took Bruce's coat from his arm and wrapped it around her bare shoulders.

"I thought you both would be down here," Emily said with a smile, before looking over at Bruce. "We need to go in fifteen minutes if we're going to make it on time."

Bruce stood up and walked over to her. She noticed that he was nearly dressed, but not appearing ready to leave. He had a black tie drapped around his neck over his starch white dress shirt. Emily saw the silver cufflinks and tie clip resting on the table.

"You look beautiful," he said, a smile on his face before she leaned in and gently kissed his lips. He noticed the two stitches partially hidden by her hair line.

"Thank you," she replied, with a grin. "I just wish that when I picked this dress out, that I would have had considered something with a bit more breathing room."

He looked at her in the long, strapless wine coloured dress. It did fit a little more tighter around her midsection; the site of her discomfort and the evidence that life was growing inside of her. The dress tapered down from her hips to the floor. Bruce smiled.

"I think you look perfect," he told her before grabbing a box from his desk. "And, I thought that you may be able to use these."

Bruce handed her the box. Emily opened the box revealing a beautiful, single pearl necklace to match the earrings that he had given her earlier.

"They're beautiful, Bruce," she said in awe, as he took the necklace from the box and she turned around, realizing that he was wanting to put it on her. She lifted her brown hair off her neck.

"I had Lucius add a little something special to them," he said, as he did up the clasp. "You'll be able to talk to me anytime and I'll be able to hear you as much as you can hear me."

Emily turned, dropping her hair back over her shoulder and then gently placed her hand over the necklace.

"It's a microphone," she concluded as he nodded, reaching for his cufflinks.

"And your earrings hold the transmitter." He reached over to his desk and picked up a small plastic container. "And these are the receivers. You place them just inside your ear and no one would ever tell they're there."

He watched as she opened the container and pulled one of them out. Bruce sighed.

"I really wish that you'd consider staying home tonight," Bruce added.

It wasn't just Crane that had his attention now. After being told by the Commissioner himself that Joker had disappeared from his cell at Arkham a few night prior, Batman had been busy every night trying to track him down. The media hadn't been informed of the escape in fear of a mass hysteria given the destruction and chaos the man had caused the last time he was running amok through the city. Only a handful of people within Gotham had known of the escape, and Emily wasn't one of them. Bruce had made sure of that.

Emily turned and sighed.

"I'm not going to hide and turn Wayne Manor into my own personal safe house. I took your suggestions and I've been hiding out here for 4 days now and nothing has happened. If Crane really wanted to come after me for some unknown purpose, he'd know exactly where I'd be and the front gates wouldn't stop him."

"But at least here, you're not out in the open."

"And you wouldn't have to worry about protecting me," Emily concluded. "Bruce, don't worry. If needed, I'm sure that I'd be able to take care of myself tonight."

He watched her. Something seemed off. She seemed awkward. He gently wrapped his arms around her in an embrace and brought his hands down her back and then to her hips before he felt it on her thigh. It was so discreet that he wouldn't have noticed unless he touched her there.

She could see it in his eyes. He had found the small revolver attached to her upper leg.

"Emily..."

She tried to avoid rolling her eyes as she cut him off.

"Bruce, I know how you feel about guns, and I completely agree with you. You taught me a lot but it freaks me out to think that I'm not only looking after myself anymore."

He watched as her right hand rested on her stomach. He reached forward and put his hand over hers.

"I know how you feel."

Emily glanced down and entwined her fingers between his own.

"Commissioner Gordon is upping the security tonight," Emily reminded him.

Bruce smiled weakly.

"Unfortunately, that doesn't mean much in this city. So, I'm going to need you to listen to every word that I tell you."

Bruce looked past her as Alfred seemed to reappear and caught Bruce's eye.

"Sorry for interrupting, but I believe everything is in order for you, sir."

Bruce nodded his thanks and turned towards his desk.

She watched as he began to adjust his tie as Alfred passed him the cufflinks. Emily looked past Bruce towards the computer monitors and saw an image which she never hoped to see again. A spread of articles on the Joker filled the monitor and although she couldn't see the wording on the screen, just looking at the scarred face brought back a wave of emotion and memories. They turned her stomach.

Bruce seemed to see her look past him before quickly turning her attention back to him before pulling his suit coat from her shoulders and handing it to him.

"Ready to go?" he asked, pulling on his coat.

With a slightly forced smile, she nodded.

Bruce glanced over at Emily as she sat beside him in the backseat of the Bently as Alfred drove them across town to the Gotham Grande Hotel. Her eyes were on the cards in her hand and he heard her sigh as she looked up briefly to check on how much further they had to go. It was obvious to him that Emily was nervous about giving the speech requested by Wayne Enterprises but he knew that she would never admit it. He watched as her mouth moved as she recited the words in her mind and he noticed her knee bouncing lightly. Public speaking horrified her.

He reached over and gently put his hand on her knee, instantly ceasing the movement. She looked over at him.

"If you'd like, I can go up with you when it's time for your speech," he suggested.

She shook her head and scoffed. "I can do this Bruce. I don't need someone to hold my hand."

Bruce sat back in his seat and smiled, noticing that they were approaching the hotel and a myriad of lights.

"My offer still stands if you change your mind."

Emily looked towards the hotel and felt her heart drop as she realized the throng of media that had gathered around the large entrance. She half-listened to Alfred's comment about parking in the garage and waiting for them at penthouse level but past that, she couldn't hear much more over the thumping of her heartbeat.

As the car pulled up in front of the entrance, she could already feel the intense scrutiny before she even stepped a foot onto the pavement.

She glanced beside her as Bruce suddenly disappeared from his seat and the sound of people calling his name flooded into the car.

"Enjoy yourself this evening," Alfred called over his shoulder as Emily's door was opened wide.

She smiled at Alfred before taking the offered hand of the hotel's staff member and she stepped out of the Bently. Her name was called out towards her as Bruce quickly took her hand and walked with her towards the hotel doors.

"Bruce! Emily! A picture please!" someone called out.

After walking a few more feet and hearing the request over and over, Bruce squeezed her hand as they stopped and turned, allowing for the photographers to get the photo they were asking for. Emily put her arm around Bruce's back as the flashes of light didn't seem to end and neither did the questions.

"When are you due?"

"What exactly were your injuries in the involvement of the clinic explosion?"

"Any wedding plans yet?"

"Is Bruce Wayne the father of your baby?"

Bruce chuckled at the statement and looked at Emily, waiting for her to respond.

She was still so new to the public eye that she wasn't certain what to answer or even how to answer as it was most likely that her words would be printed or quoted some place before the end of the night. She knew that she didn't want everyone to know exact dates.

"Our baby should be here by the end of the year and no, no wedding plans as of yet," she replied aloud. She glanced down at her wrapped arm. "And I'm feeling fine, thank you."

Again, the questions volleyed back at them. Everything from asking about whether Emily was experiencing morning sickness to asking if they'll want to know the sex before the baby is born was tossed at them. It was almost dizzying when the words began to mesh into each other and nothing made sense. Emily was thankful when Bruce spoke up, silencing the media.

"We're just enjoying this time knowing where our child is and that he or she is entirely ours for this short time in its life."

Bruce took Emily's hand and together they walked into the hotel past a line of police officers and towards the hall. Waiters carrying trays filled with flutes of champagne walked around the room as the live band played a soft jazz song from the corner of the hall. Women in beautiful gowns with glittery jewels walked around the room, as though they were trying to show each other up. Most of the older men stood among each other, sipping on champagne and eyeing the younger, figuresgque ladies.

Many people greeted them as they passed by. Emily had no idea who most of them were. Bruce would introduce her, and she was quite aware of the stares that she was getting. Most of the people would smile at her through their teeth, only speaking to her because of her association to Bruce. She wondered if they were even aware that they were doing it.

As Bruce would speak to these people, she searched the room for someone, anyone that she knew. Although she saw many people she recognized from the newspaper and television, she didn't see anyone she knew until her eyes drifted towards the long table of food. Her smile broadened and Bruce noticed, following her gaze.

Michael shoved a piece of sushi into his mouth and waved at Emily.

As the people Bruce was speaking to walked away, Emily turned to him.

"You got them to allow Michael to come?!" she asked happily, looking from the man with food in his hand to the billionaire in front of her. "When were you going to tell me?"

Bruce shrugged and smiled coyly. "I had to pull a few strings but I knew that it was important to you to have people that you know be here so I had the board make an exception."

Emily suddenly reached up for Bruce's face and kissed his lips and said a quick 'I love you' before happily making her way over to Michael. She excused herself more than once and was on the receiving end of a grouchy woman's scoff as she passed by.

Bruce watched as Emily unabashedly wrapped her arms around Michael's neck as he laughed aloud.

"So, you're knocked up and you're getting married?!" Michael exclaimed, aloud catching the attention of more than a few irritated guests.

Emily ignored them.

"Shocked?"

Michael took her hand and walked away from the crowds of people before turning to her.

"Shocked that it took a rich playboy to break through your icy cold exterior or that you're actually going to marry Bruce Wayne; the man that you despised for years? Not to mention that you're having his baby!"

She smiled coyly at him. "Don't tell me that you're not jealous."

He smirked. "Who wouldn't be? So, you can just imagine my surprise when Mr. Wayne himself gives me a call and invites me to this thing as his guest."

Michael grabbed a cracker from the table and shoved it into his mouth.

"He also said that you're making a speech tonight," Michael added to which Emily nodded. "Then I'll be right in the front row. We wouldn't want you to be looking at all these sour faces while you're freaking out over speaking in front of them."

Emily chuckled when she saw Janie suddenly approach her, and quickly embracing her.

"I'm so glad to find a familiar face," she said. "Louise was really wanting to come tonight, but her doctor suggested that it may be too much for her yet. I told her that she wasn't missing out on much."

Emily smiled, while Janie took a sip from her glass.

"Good evening Mister Mayor."

Emily suddenly turned hearing Bruce's voice in her ear and realized for the first time that the microphones were working and he probably just heard her conversation with Michael.

"Mister Wayne. Good to see you. I heard that you're getting married to one of the doctors of that clinic that this benefit is for. Now, where is your bride-to-be?"

"She's around here somewhere."

Finally, she saw Bruce standing half way across the hall talking to Mayor Garcia. Emily smiled when she caught their eye.

"Well, I wish you both the best," she heard the Mayor say. "Oh and Bruce, take care of that golf swing of yours. The annual charity golf tournament is later this summer."

"I wouldn't miss it."

"Em! Emily!"

She suddenly turned back to Michael in front of her.

"Are you all right? You seemed a bit out of it for a moment."

Emily shook her head and smiled. "I'm fine. I was just in deep thought."

"No kidding," Janie stated, putting down her partially full champagne flute on a passing waiters tray as the music from the band picked up a bit. Michael put out his hand to her.

"Wanna dance?"

Janie let out a mock laugh. "No thanks. I don't dance."

Michael turned to Emily who merely scoffed. "With you? I've danced with you before and from what I recall, it wasn't pleasant."

"For you or for me? I remember my feet being sore afterwards from the many times that you stepped on them."

She shrugged. "I warned you that I couldn't dance. I'm the worst coordinated person when it comes to dancing and this is the last place that I want my lack of skill to be revealed."

Michael reached forward and took her hand, before walking with her towards the dance floor. Janie encouraged him, nodding with her approval.

"Michael, no!" she said softly, pulling at his hand.

He stopped and let go of her hand as he walked over to the band leader to whisper something into his ear. She watched as the leader nodded and then began to conclude the current song that was being played.

Emily crossed her arms as Michael walked over to her.

"Em, I'm your friend," he said, softly to her. "I wouldn't let you make an ass out of yourself especially in front of these vultures."

As the music started up again, he put his arm around her and took her hand. Emily let out a sigh as she put her hand on his shoulder.

Bruce took a sip from the champagne glass in his hand as he half-listened to the business man ranting about his most current financial conquest. He stood around with another four men and when one began to laugh, Bruce simply smiled and chuckled as he pretended to take another sip. He glanced over towards Emily when he suddenly no longer heard her speaking.

Oddly, she was. He could see her mouth moving as she danced with Michael.

Bruce gently touched his tie clip, tapping it to see if she made any inclination that she heard it.

Nothing.

With a smile, he put down his glass and glanced down at one of his cufflinks, gently spinning it to ensure that the receiver was working properly.

"Damn it," the business man suddenly said, looking at his smart phone. "I'm not getting any reception in this place."

He nudged Bruce and took another drunken swig from his glass.

"You'd think that if you're going to buy a hotel, Wayne, you'd at least make sure that you get decent reception in the place," he commented, walking towards the entrance with his phone in his hand.

Bruce reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He wasn't getting any reception either when he was certain that he was just moment prior. Bruce glanced back at Emily before stepping out of the hall.

"Just follow my lead and don't worry about my feet," he said. "I don't have much feeling in them anymore since the last time I danced with you."

Emily scoffed and playfully swatted Michael on the shoulder.

As they danced, Emily tried to find Bruce within the crowd. She hadn't heard much in her ear of his voice and was beginning to wonder if the receiver wasn't working or if Bruce had disappeared.

She winced when she realized that she stepped on Michael's foot and gave him a soft apology to which he simply shrugged.

More than a few couples quickly filled the floor around them but the feeling of being centred out, didn't disappear. She could feel their gossiping eyes on her as they scrutinized not only her, but also the mysterious man she was dancing with.

When she stopped moving, the room didn't. Rather than letting go of Michael's hand, she held onto it, tightly.

"Em, are you all right?"

She let out a deep breath, feeling her head get light and her face flush. "I need to sit down."

Nodding, he led her through the crowd towards an empty table and pulled out a chair allowing her to sit.

"Can I get you something to drink?" Michael asked, genuinely concerned.

Emily ran her hand over her face and shook her head. "Maybe something small to eat."

He nodded and looked towards the food. "I'll see if I can find Bruce too. Will you be all right here for a minute?"

She nodded and smiled, as Michael walked away from her towards the food table.

"Bruce, where are you?" she whispered, but again, she heard nothing. The radio silence was beginning to make her nervous and was only aggravating her anxiety.

As the band ended their next song, Emily had managed to eat a cookie with Michael at her side. It wasn't until she noticed Lucius Fox walking up to the podium that she felt sick to her stomach.

"Damn it," she cursed softly, as she reached for her clutch and pulled out the small handful of cards.

"On behalf of Wayne Enterprises, I'd like to welcome you all here this evening. We're here to support a cause that gets little recognition within our city, but is very needed; the medical services for those that require it but are unable to afford it."

As Lucius spoke, Emily looked down at the cards and felt her heart race. It wasn't until she heard her name being announced followed by a chorus of clapping that she stood up. Michael stood up beside her and graciously offered his arm to which, she took as they walked up the podium. She let go of his arm as she climbed the two steps and met Lucius' smile at the microphone.

Emily turned towards the crowd and smiled down at Michael, who stood by the platform.

"I'd like to thank Mr. Fox and Wayne Enterprises for this opportunity to get the support and funding that our clinic requires. As you all should know, the clinic was destroyed a few nights ago, but plans are already underway for reconstruction. The people of Gotham depend on this service and I'm proud to be able to give it to them."

Emily paused and quickly scanned the crowd, still not seeing Bruce anywhere. She knew it wasn't a time that he'd disappear without telling her and she couldn't help but be concerned. She looked back down at her cards, knowing that she needed to focus on the words.

"W...Without the support from the people of this city, we wouldn't be able to operate. It's people like you that give the chance for those less fortunate to receive quality medical care without financial discrimination. We will continue to endeavour to..."

Emily's words were cut off when a side door suddenly blew in behind an explosion that sent dust and debris into the room. People screamed. Emily quickly ducked down as Lucius reached forward to ensure she stayed low. A volley of gunfire popped into the air as police officers stormed into the room yelling at the guests to get down. Not too many heeded that warning as they pushed to get out of the building but quickly found that the officers weren't letting them pass.

"What the hell is going on here?" Gordon cried out, seeing some officers standing by the blown door as a man walked through it.

"Good evening, Commissioner."