A/N - So much for finishing this by the end of August... Crazy stuff happening here - trying to sell our house! 18 showings within 6 weeks is a little nuts! So, that's 18 times I've had to clean from top to bottom... I'm going crazy. So, this has been put to the side.

Only one more chapter after this, I believe.

I've already started or played around with another idea I have going. I'm moving over to the Iron Man/Avengers genre for a bit. It'll be different than what I've seen being written lately...at least I think that it is, being that I haven't had the chance to read too much. Either way, I like what I have going, so after this one is complete, that's where I'm headed.

Gordon spun his car around the moment the call came in over his radio. It continued to squawk from officers communicating with each other as they arrived at the train terminal.

"Damn it," Gordon cursed, knowing that Bruce Wayne's plan to get out of the city had backfired. The least that he could do now, was be there and act as though he knew nothing about the truth of Bruce Wayne. It made him sick to his stomach.

Traffic couldn't move any faster than he wanted it too. Even with his siren and lights, he wouldn't move too far in the traffic. Instead, he pulled over and grabbed his radio, snapping it to his belt before running out onto the sidewalk.

"Out of my way!" he cried out more than once as he raced towards the train terminal.

He glanced up at the night sky as the sound of the news helicopter appeared and headed straight towards the station.

His radio continued to talk to him as he darted through the tight traffic and went around pedestrians. He suddenly stopped on the sidewalk when he heard something come over the radio.

He grabbed it from his hip and put it up to his ear, fully intending to hear every word that was said.

"I have a visual of the roof! It's the Batman!"

Gordon instantly put the radio to his mouth.

"This is the Commissioner! Hold your fire on the Batman! No one is to enter the building until I arrive."

He paused for a second after speaking and then heard a dozen or so replies, telling him that they heard. Once again, he raced down the sidewalk, making a bee line for the train station.

"Come on, let's go," Bruce said, as he pulled Emily up to stand. He grabbed his back pack from the floor and pushed his way through the train station with Emily beside him.

He glanced over his shoulder, watching as Batman continued to fight within the disgruntled crowd. Bruce looked ahead and could see the flashing lights of the police cars from outside the main doors. Emily saw the same thing and stopped, turning to look around for an alternative exit.

She saw a door with a sign above clearly marked 'authorized personnel only'.

"Over there," she said, pointing in the direction of the door.

Bruce nodded and together they ran towards the door. He stopped and tried the handle, but it was locked.

Clara was screaming and no soft spoken words from Emily was calming her. She quickly pulled Clara from the wrap and held her close to her face, attempting to soothe her.

"Damn it," Bruce cursed, as he turned and attempted to push it open with his shoulder. Clara's screams increased the tension as he knew that this would be their only way out. He glanced at Emily as she anxiously bounced Clara in her arms as he repeatedly tried to get the door to open.

The door wouldn't budge.

"Let me give you a hand," a familiar voice said.

Emily turned, not expecting Bill's voice to come from the body of Batman.

He stood behind her, out of breath.

Bruce saw him and backed away from the door, grateful for the assistance. He simply nodded.

Batman lunged forward at the door with his shoulder, instantly breaking it off the hinge.

Bruce smiled, seeing the door fall to the ground and turned to Batman.

"Thanks," he said. "It looked easier than it was."

Batman nodded. "You both better go while you have the chance."

"You too," Bruce quickly stated as he assisted Emily in climbing over the solid door on the ground.

Batman turned and saw him, but knew he wouldn't be able to move fast enough. The man holding the gun was far worse for wear and in his anger and pain, wasn't aiming properly.

Bruce heard the gun go off, and quickly spun around, in time to feel something hit him in the shoulder and it knocked him back, hitting the edge of the door and to the floor.

"Bruce!" he heard Emily exclaimed, in his foggy state.

Bruce could feel himself begin to drift, and Clara's screams echoed in his mind as he struggled to keep himself from passing out.

"We have gun fire!" a man shouted over the radio as Gordon raced through the taped off area of the station.

"How many?" he asked, completely out of breath as he made his way up beside Officer Blake.

"Just one," he replied. "We haven't seen the Batman come out yet and as far as we know, Bruce Wayne is still in there. How would you like us to proceed?"

"We have civilians in there," Gordon stated, as another officer handed him a bullet proof vest which he proceeded to pull over his head. "Unless there is a reason for us not to, we're going in."

He pulled his gun from his hip and along with a dozen officers, they pushed in the front door.

Shouts from officers echoed in the building as they all fanned out. Gordon could hear the distinct sound of a wailing baby and followed it.

"It's Batman!" someone suddenly called out, gaining his attention as the caped crusader was seen flying up to the open rooftop before disappearing into the darkness.

Gordon walked forward, his feet crunching on the shards of glass as numerous people were seen handcuffed on the floor. It appeared that they had been in a brawl. Some had cuts on their faces or bruised lips. A smile came to Gordon's lips.

"Bring them in," Gordon said, as the officers began to pick up the people from the ground.

The sound of the baby continued to echo in the station and he turned his head when he saw Emily kneeling beside someone and Clara laying on the cold ground beside her. He walked slowly until he realized that there was blood on the ground. Gordon broke into a run and slowed down when he saw what was going on.

Emily's hand was covered in blood as she had it pressed firmly against Bruce's shoulder. The billionaire's face was starch white as Emily spoketo him, encouraging him to stay awake as tears threatening to come from her eyes.

"I need a medic!" Gordon shouted into his radio before he knelt down beside Emily.

He didn't need to ask what happened as Emily quickly explained.

"The bullet must have knicked his artery," she said, her voice attempting to be bold, but couldn't hide the shaking. "There is just so much blood. I'm scared to move my hand."

"Help is coming," Gordon assurred her, before gently picking Clara up off the floor.

Despite the stranger holding her, she calmed slightly although her eyes and face were red. Gordon looked at Bruce.

Bruce seemed to be trying to stay awake, but the blood loss was starting to be too much.

"Stay awake, Bruce," he told him, sternly. "Don't close your eyes."

It appeared that even breathing was difficult for Bruce. A smile appeared on his face as he looked up at Emily.

"I love you," Bruce whispered.

Emily shook her head, tears in her eyes. "Don't give me that crap, Bruce. We have been through hell and you're not going to let this get you."

She stopped, feeling Gordon's hand on her shoulder. Emily glanced over her shoulder to see the EMT's quickly approaching with a stretcher. Gordon quickly explained the situation and they moved right in, putting their hand over Emily's as she slid hers out.

In what seemed like moments, they were rushing with Bruce out of the station.

Emily and Gordon followed and stopped as Bruce was put right into the ambulance.

Flashes of lights from the news cameras around them went off in a flurry, all wanting to see why the billionaire was being rushed to hospital, and even worse, why Emily Tucker was covered in blood.

"I'll give you both a ride to the hospital," Gordon said, glancing down at Clara in his arms as the ambulance pulled away, sirens blaring.

Emily looked down at her hands and her sweater, stained with Bruce's blood. The overwhelming emotion suddenly hit her and she turned, quickly walking back inside the building. She threw up.

Alfred hated not knowing what was going on.

He sat in the waiting area of the hospital silently and as patiently as he could. The hospital had been gracious enough to limit visitors to where they were and to increase security since the Gotham newspapers had camped outside, waiting to hear anything on Mr. Wayne's prognosis. Commissioner Gordon had been helpful in setting up a police presence within the hospital as well.

Alfred looked up from the magazine on his lap at Emily in front of him. The woman stood, swaying side to side with little Clara, asleep on her shoulder. The sweet baby had fallen right asleep after she gave her a warm bottle and wrapped her in her favourite soft blanket. He could hear Emily humming a softly. The scene brought a smile to Alfred's face as he remembered Martha doing a similar thing to Bruce when he was a baby.

"I can hold her for a while, if you'd like," he offerred. "Give your arms a rest."

Emily nodded, turning towards the old man and gently placed the sleeping baby into his arms. Clara opened her eyes for a brief moment but after cuddling up to Alfred's chest, she soon fell back asleep.

Emily sat down beside him and sighed.

"How long has it been?"

She had lost track of time. It seemed like she had been waiting for hours.

"A good two hours now," Alfred replied, softly. He paused before continuing, wanting to change the subject for her benefit.

"Have you heard from Mr. Dravis?"

Emily shook her head.

"It's good to hear that the charges against Master Bruce have been dropped," Alfred said, which gained a nod in agreement from Emily. "It looks like I wont be alone in Wayne Manor afterall."

Alfred smiled, looking down at Clara's face, her mouth partially open as she slept soundly against him.

"Hopefully, with all of us," Emily said softly.

Alfred turned, his smile fading. He reached over and put his hand on Emily's where she rested it on her leg.

"All of us," he told her, praying that he was right.

Nearly another hour had passed before a doctor walked into the waiting room. Emily sat with her eyes closed, dozing as Alfred watched the muted television screen up in the corner.

"Excuse me?" the doctor said, softly, noting the sleeping baby. Emily's eyes opened at the unfamiliar voice and turned. "Miss Tucker?"

Emily sat up in her chair as the doctor sat down beside her. A pit grew in her stomach, noting how he was approaching her. It would be the same way as she would approach a family to inform them of bad news. She felt Alfred's hand on her shoulder, and noticed him squeeze it.

"Mr. Wayne is out of surgery," he told her. "He made it. The bullet did graze his subclavian artery which explains why he lost so much blood and because of that, he is very weak right now but he has been asking about you."

"He's awake?" she asked, surprised.

The doctor nodded. "He's in recovery."

"Can we see him?"

The doctor looked from Emily, past her to Alfred.

"Yes, but I would suggest just one at a time."

"Emily, you go ahead," Alfred said softly, from behind her. She turned to face him. "He's been asking for you."

Emily smiled, and looked down at Clara before she stood up to follow the doctor into the hallway.

Alfred glanced down at Clara and put a soft kiss on her forehead.

"I told you that your Daddy would be all right."

He looked so pale. His hair was in a disarray and his torso and left arm were bandaged up together. She barely recognized him.

Emily closed the door behind her and slowly walked in. The rythmic beeping of his heart monitor was a reassuring sound. As she approached him, she noticed that his eyes were closed. Realizing that he probably fell asleep, she simply leaned over and gently kissed his cheek before brushing her hands through his hair. To her surprise, he slowly opened her eyes and a tired smile appeared on his lips.

"You were faking?" she asked, incredulously.

He nodded grogily. "I thought you were another nurse coming in to check on me. I was starting to get annoyed with the questions and banter that I just pretended to be asleep. When you kissed my cheek, it surprised me."

Emily chuckled.

"I'm glad that you are all right," she said, touching his cheek with her fingers.

"Me too." His smile faded and turned to concern. "Where's Clara?"

Emily gestured to the door. "Asleep in the waiting room with Alfred."

He nodded. "So, did they tell you?"

Emily nodded. "You're lucky to be alive. They're keeping you here for the next few days until you have your energy back but then you have to keep your activity level to a minimum. So, you know what that means?"

He smirked. "I'm sure we can figure out how to keep our activity level to a minimum."

Emily rolled her eyes. "I'm not talking about that! What kind of drugs have they given you anyways?"

He shrugged lightly, feeling the sting when he moved and winced. Emily reached for the chair against the wall and brought it up beside the bed where Bruce lay. She reached for his hand and gently held onto it.

Bruce looked at Emily, noticing that she was no longer looking at him and instead, she was looking at his hand where the IV was firmly taped to it.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"We haven't heard from Bill," Emily told him, her voice soft. "He didn't return to the bunker. I think that he may be hurt or in trouble somewhere," she said, as Bruce could predict where the conversation was going. "He saved us and because of him, we no longer have to hide for the rest of our lives."

Bruce nodded, and cleared his throat before he spoke.

"Go back to the bunker," Bruce whispered. "The suit has a tracking system integrated into it. It will lead you right to him."

Emily looked up at Bruce, surprised that he was suggesting that she would go find Bill.

"But I want you to be careful," Bruce added.

"I promise," she told him, taking his face between her hands before leaning in and kissing his lips. She felt his one hand reach up to her cheek.

A knock on the door broke their kiss. Rather than waiting for someone to answer it, the door simply opened. Emily looked over her shoulder as a nurse appeared in the doorway.

"I'm sorry, but Mr. Wayne needs his rest," the nurse remarked. "You may come by later."

"Actually, I was really hoping to see my daughter, Clara," Bruce said with a smile.

The nurse paused for a moment and a smirk appeared on her lips.

"Fine," she stated. "But just for a few minutes."

Emily shook her head, looking down at Bruce. She quickly gave him another kiss and leaned down to whisper in his ear.

"Don't flirt too much while you're in here," Emily told him.

He chuckled lightly before Emily turned to walk towards the door.

"Remember what I said earlier," Bruce called out as Emily walked past the nurse, looking at her disapprovingly.

"Remember what I just said."

Emily smiled before walking out of the room.

Emily had never been in the bunker alone before. There was an eerie silence to the place.

Once the platform had reached the ground, she stepped off and headed straight for the computer. She pulled off her jacket and drapped it over the back of the chair before sitting down. The computer was still on although the screen saver had turned the screen black. After a tap at the computer, it sprang to life.

She quickly moved the mouse to where Alfred had instructed her to. The older man offerred to come with her to help, but knowing that she didn't want to bring Clara along and they couldn't leave the baby with Bruce, she went alone. The man gave clear directions on how to start up the tracking program. It sounded like he had done it more than a few times in his life.

Once the program was underway, she stood up and went to the living area, intending to change into something more appropriate for what she was about to do. When she pulled the black hooded sweater over her head, she could hear the computer.

;;Tracking complete;;

She walked out and looked at the screen, noticing the location.

Wayne Manor.

Becoming increasingly concerned, she ran towards the motor bike and grabbed a helmet. Within seconds, she was on the platform with the engine revving and took off the moment she was back above ground.

"And you're certain of this?" Bruce asked, his cell phone to his ear.

Alfred sat in the chair beside him, holding Clara as he gave her a bottle. The nurses had become increasingly cooperative to the billionaire's requests. It didn't take much. He smiled and he flirted, much to Alfred's dismay. Now that they were left alone, he was finally able to give Emily a phone call to see if she knew anything.

"Bruce, the cave is empty," she told him. "The suit is here, right where you'd expect it to be. Nothing is missing. It's as though no one has been here. I'm heading upstairs to see if maybe Bill is there."

He could hear the distinct sound of the lift pulling her to Wayne Manor.

"That doesn't make any sense," Bruce said, as he thought.

Emily stepped out of the lift and into Wayne Manor. The lights were still out and the house seemed cold. No one was there since they were there last. She made her way towards the kitchen and stopped when she saw a flashing light by the phone.

"We might have had a few voice mail messages while we weren't home," Emily said aloud into the microphone at her mouth, as she pressed the button by the phone, allowing them to play. "The place is secure though. Front gate is closed and locked. No issues with the security system either."

It wasn't until the third message, that she paused, recognizing the voice.

"Hold on a second, Bruce," she said, rushing back to the machine. She replayed the last message and turned up the volume.

"Hey Bruce. I heard that you made it to the hospital. Sorry about taking your stuff, but I had to do something for you. You've done so much for me and I just couldn't let you take the heat for what was being said about you. I have to say though that..car of yours is awesome, man. I brought her back in one piece for you. So, I'm headed out of town right now. I've got that 'clean slate' thing that you gave me, so I should be good. I hope you don't mind, but I'm borrowing one of your cars. I'll somehow pay you back for it. Thanks for being a good friend. Honestly, I thought you were just an arrogant son of a bitch when I met you. But now, I consider you a brother. I know you'll take care of Emily. I only wish I could be at your wedding, but I figure that I'll end up seeing pictures or news about it somewhere being that it isn't everyday that Bruce Wayne gets married. Just don't stall too long on it."

They could hear Bill chuckle.

"Have a good one."

There was an audible click as Bill hung up.

Emily sighed and shook her head as a smile came to her face.

"He's right, you know," Bruce concluded, with a snicker.

"About what?"

"Stalling," he replied. "That's what we've been doing. We could have gotten married any number of times since I asked you. Why haven't we?"

"Bruce, our lives have been in chaos lately," Emily told him. "There was no possible way that we could have thrown a wedding together in the middle of it all."

"If we really wanted to, we could have. Remember who you're wanting to marry. Our lives will never be without chaos."

Emily smiled, as she walked into the main parlour of Wayne Manor with the headset on.

"I'm still willing to jump in, if you are," he added.

Bruce honestly felt a tinge of nervousness, knowing that he was giving Emily an 'out' if she wanted it. The past few months had been crazy and he knew it. He could think of over a dozen reasons why she shouldn't marry him.

He looked over to Alfred, seeing the older man's eyes on him with a hopeful look on his face.

"Bruce, I had so many chances to run the other direction," Emily said, her voice echoing within the main entryway of Wayne Manor. "If I haven't done it yet, why would you think I would now?"

A smile came to Bruce's face.

"There is no one else in this world that I'd want to wait up for every night, knowing that he's out beating the crap out of the criminals of Gotham," Emily said. "So, let's do it and stop stalling. But lets wait until you're out of the hospital."

"Deal," Bruce told her.