Chapter 11 Interrupting the Party
The dress shop Nelda and Jacqueline went to was fairly exclusive and prided themselves on exact fittings. They also delighted in pairing shoes and jewelry with their creations and Nelda was in awe from the moment they stepped into the shop.
"May I help you?" asked the little woman behind the counter.
"I'm Jacqueline Nallier, I have an appointment for a gown for the Sapphire Ball. I spoke with a Ms. Jackson earlier today."
The little woman glanced at a notebook in front of her and nodded. "Follow me then and we'll get started."
The little woman led them back to a room full of half-finished dresses and mirrors along every wall. "I'm Ms. Jackson," the little woman said. "Step up on the ottoman Ms. Nallier and I'll get your measurements. Are you going with someone or alone?"
Jacqueline was a little taken aback by Ms. Jackson's blunt nature. "With… With someone Ms. Jackson."
"Is he taller than you in your heels that you have on now?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Good, keep those on and stand straight and tall for me. Young lady," she said pointing at Nelda, "I appreciate other opinions but only when asked for have a seat on that sofa please."
Nelda watched as Ms. Jackson measured every inch of Jacqueline and was curious to know what difference scalp measurements made but she didn't dare ask any questions. After she finished measuring Ms. Jackson stood in front of Jacqueline for several minutes before demanding that she disrobe. "Down to your knickers young lady. Don't be shy, you don't have anything we haven't seen before."
Jacqueline stripped down to her bra and panties but kept her heels on as instructed. "Never thought we would get this close boss lady," Nelda whispered.
"Shush," Ms. Jackson said waving a hand towards Nelda. "Her parts are the same as yours. Now sleeves or no sleeves?"
"Well I prefer…"
"Shush, I'm not asking you. I'm deciding from looking at your figure. I think a one shoulder drape is in order and we will do the darkest blue fabric I have that is not a navy."
Twenty minutes later Jacqueline was draped in a gorgeous deep blue fabric and was trying to focus on the nightly news instead of the pulling and tugging she was experiencing from Ms. Jackson. A news bit about a shootout between The Joker and his lady Harley Quinn caught her attention. She watched in horror as the vigilante Batman swung out over the car that Jack and Harleen were riding in and gasped when he made direct contact with the driver's side of the vehicle. The footage showed Batman and Joker in hand to hand combat, but it was the motion on Batman's left side that caught her attention the most.
The news footage showed Jack brandishing a switchblade knife and swinging it towards Batman and she knew the minute it struck flesh… on the left side… right where Bruce had been injured. "Nelda can you see when this shoot out took place?" she asked, pointing at the TV screen.
Nelda looked at her curious but grabbed her phone and looked up the desired information. "The news report is from early Sunday morning, just after two o'clock in the morning. Why?"
Jacqueline shook her head. It wasn't possible, was it? Could he be? "It's nothing Nelda, just curious is all."
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The buzzer for her apartment sounded and she wasn't ready yet. "Who is it?"
"Alfred madam. I'm out front with the car whenever you are ready to leave for the party."
She grimaced. "I'm not quite ready Alfred. I'll be down soon though, I promise."
Jacqueline ran back to the bathroom and finished applying her makeup before slipping into her gown and shoes. Ms. Jackson had out done herself with the gown. It was a beautiful deep blue color that was one shouldered and gathered at the waist. It flared at the bottom in a mermaid style and even though she had not been able to give any opinions about the fit Ms. Jackson had created a vision. She had used very simple jewelry and her blue heels matched the gown almost perfectly. Her hair was piled high on her head with a million bobby pins holding it in place. She smiled when she thought about Bruce trying to remove them all and getting frustrated in the process.
Thirty minutes after Alfred rang the bell she was ready and strolling across the lobby a small overnight bag in her hand. "Ms. Nallier you look exquisite. Mr. Wayne will be enthralled with you tonight."
"Thank you Alfred. Do you mind if I ride up front with you instead of in the back? It's a lot more difficult to hold a conversation speaking from the back seat."
Alfred looked shocked but relented to her odd request and assisted her into the front seat before depositing her bag into the trunk of the car. The trip went quickly as they talked about favorite books and movies and before she realized it they were parked in front of Wayne Manor. Alfred opened the door and extended his hand to her to help her out of the car. "Mr. Wayne is waiting for you in the foyer. I'll ensure your bag is placed in the master bedroom."
She smiled at Alfred and gave him a quick hug before making her way up the stairs to the front of the house. Bruce in regular clothes was amazing. Bruce in pajamas was delightful. But Bruce Wayne in a tux was enough to give a woman a heart attack. He was beyond handsome and she suddenly felt ill prepared to deal with the evening. She wasn't a high society woman. What the hell had she been thinking? Just because she worked for a prestigious law firm didn't make her a member of this elite society.
Bruce watched her gingerly walk across the foyer and saw the panic in her eyes. He met her halfway and kissed her chastely on the lips. "You are stunning Jacqueline and I will be by your side all night long."
She smiled at him and let him take her hand to lead her into the ballroom where the benefit was being held. The room was awash in silver and blue with women in gowns of various blue hues. Everyone looked dashing in their formal attire, but no one was as handsome as Bruce. He introduced her to several people whose names she recognized from the paper and she was glad to be able to place a face with the name.
After making the rounds and showing his face Bruce pulled her onto to dance floor and began to swirl in gentle circles. Her hands were clasped behind his neck and his were firmly seated on her hips. "I'm not really a dancer," she said with a blush.
"Could have fooled me," he said leaning down to brush her lips gently.
"Not trying to hide that we are involved are you," she said and he chuckled.
"Why should I?"
"Because you are out of my league? Because there are women much more suited for you who are currently shooting daggers in my direction."
"Why do you think I'm out of your league?"
"Because I'm a fraud," she thought to herself, "and if you are who I think you are behind the face of Bruce Wayne then we are actually mortal enemies and you just don't know it yet."
She shrugged her shoulders instead of answering him and they continued to glide around the floor. After a couple of songs an older gentleman with a mustache interrupted their dance. "Ms. Nallier, I need to borrow Bruce for a few minutes if you don't mind."
She smiled at Bruce and because he looked pained to leave her gently pushed him away. "Go, I'll be out on the balcony. I need some fresh air."
The lower balcony was similar to the one outside of Bruce's bedroom but the view was not nearly as spectacular. She leaned on the stone rail and enjoyed the cool breeze that ruffled her hair. "Aren't you freezing?" Bruce asked walking up behind her.
His hands were on her shoulders and began a gentle rubbing motion attempting to warm her up. "I'm really fine, but I like you touching me so if you need to think I am freezing go right ahead."
He growled low at her comment and pulled her backside against him. "You are going to be the death of me woman," he said splaying his hands on her hips and kissing a hot trail down her neck and exposed shoulder.
"How long is this gathering?"
"Are you asking how long before I take you upstairs and make you orgasm?"
"Something like that."
"It's not over for several hours, but I don't have to be present for the entire thing. Alfred covers for me when I decide I'm done with this party business."
She turned to face him and wrapped her arms around his neck playing with his hair in the process. "I still can't believe you are really interested in me."
"You are an interesting woman," Bruce said before he kissed her. She automatically opened her mouth for him and the kiss became obscene quickly. It was several minutes before either of them tuned into the screams and gun fire that had started in the ballroom.
"What the hell?" Bruce said pushing Jacqueline behind him as he walked towards the open doors.
Jacqueline was distraught to see none other than her brother in a silver tux brandishing a gun and screaming at the crowd of Gotham's elite. Harleen was at his side in a trashy blue dress that would have been horrific on anyone else, but suited her style to a tee. There were several men dressed in black suits with bags held out in front of them working their way through the crowd.
"Well, well, well. Ladies and gentlemen we are thrilled to be a part of this year's Sapphire Ball and if you would all kindly place your jewelry and money in the bags then we will all get along just fine," she heard Jack say with that maniacal laugh behind the statement. "Where is our host? The fantastic Bruce Wayne. Anybody want to point him out to me?" Jack asked the room.
Bruce turned to Jacqueline and grasped her shoulders. "Make your way along the back of the crowd and get to Alfred in the kitchen. He'll know what to do. I have to stop this madness now."
Jacqueline grabbed Bruce's jacket. "No Bruce! You can't go out there. He'll… he'll kill you!"
Bruce lifted her chin and brushed her lips again. "He won't hurt me. Now move, hurry."
Jacqueline watched him begin to push through the crowd and took a deep breath before she made her decision. She followed the outside of the crows like Bruce had said, but instead of going to the kitchens she waltzed into the center of the room. "Jack," she said sternly. "What the hell do you think you are doing?"
Bruce stopped in the middle of the crowd when he heard her voice ring out loud and clear. "No," he whispered as he watched The Joker turn towards Jacqueline.
"Doll face," Jack said with a gleam in his eye. "I wasn't sure if you would be here tonight or not. You look damn fine my love."
Harleen strolled up to her. "Nice threads Jackie. I've never seen you look so good. I guess the Wayne fella is worth it though huh."
Jacqueline ignored Harleen. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and addressed Jack again. "Jack give these people back their belongings. This is a charity event and if you rob them then they won't give to the Children's hospital and it desperately needs financial help."
"Come on doll face, these rich bastards can throw some cash my way and put something towards the hospital for brats too."
Jacqueline stomped across the ball room floor towards Jack and put her finger in his face. "I said give it back Jack. Give it back now."
The click of a gun being cocked broke the tension. "Don't know who you think you are lady, but you need to back out of the bosses face. You want me to take her out boss?"
Jacqueline turned to face the young man with the gun pointed at her face and she couldn't help but laugh. "You must be new," she said gasping for air as she continued to laugh. "You obviously don't know who I am. Now give the lady back her necklace before it gets blood on it please."
"Why the fuck would it get blood on it…"
He didn't get to finish his sentence and Jacqueline flinched as Jack pulled out a gun and shot the young man. He collapsed in front of the woman he had been robbing, her necklace still clasped in his hand. Jacqueline cleared her throat. "Monte," she said addressing Jack's right hand man, "will you please make sure the body is removed. I don't want it to mess up the party. Now Jack, if your men can just return everything we can be on our way. Let's go grab some dinner and put this whole mess behind us."
Jack stared at her with his mouth gaping open in a grotesque smile. "But doll face you haven't introduced me to your new squeeze."
She shook her head. "I wasn't planning on it Jack. It's over with him anyway, there's no point in you meeting him."
Jack laughed in her face. "From my limited experience a woman dressed like you is not planning on ending anything."
"She's with me," Bruce said from the edge of the crowd. "If you would kindly back away from her."
"Hot damn! Look! It's Bruce Wayne in the flesh and isn't he a looker," Jack said with a monstrous grin.
"He's pretty fine," Harleen agreed, "but he's no you Mr. J."
"And he wants me to back away from you doll face. He obviously doesn't know who we are to each other."
"Leave him alone Jack."
Jacqueline made her way over to Bruce and placed her hands on his chest. She spoke quietly so that only he could hear her. "Bruce I need you to just be Bruce Wayne right now. He won't hurt me, but he will hurt you if you try to interfere."
Bruce stared at her trying to determine what exactly she was implying and his stare caused her to repeat herself. "Please, just be Bruce Wayne right now. Don't be anyone else."
She pushed away from him and strolled back over to Jack and Harleen. "Monte I think the evening is over." She started towards the stairs and turned back to Jack and Harleen. "Are you coming or do you want to spend time with these people?"
Jack turned to Bruce and gave him a wink. "She's amazing isn't she?" Jack and Harleen followed Jacqueline up the stairs.
"Jacqueline, wait." She heard Bruce say. "I don't understand what's happening? How can you leave me for him? He's a criminal and he's…"
"My brother," she said turning towards him. "I've kept it a secret for so long that it feels good to be honest."
Bruce's mouth dropped open. "The Joker has a sister?"
She nodded her agreement before following Jack and Harleen out of the building and away from Bruce forever.