Good evening ladies and gents! As promised, here is the weekly revision for Holding Out for a Hero. Again... thank you for all the support from the series whether it be through favorites, alerts and reviews! It always makes me smile to hear from my amazing readers. Below is the revised version of the third chapter and continue to show your support for Cassidy. Enjoy! - trs0010
Chapter III: The Show Must Go On
Night descended upon Gotham, and with it came the who's who of the city's elite socializing amongst the grounds of Wayne Manor.
With her emotionally intense encounter with Bruce, Cassidy feld to her former sanctuary within the Manor.
The room remained relatively untouched since she last inhabited it. A few boxes and former décor pieces that once brought life to Wayne Manor now called the room home.
The space never felt more unwelcoming and distant as it did at that moment.
Cassidy collapsed on the edge to let the threatening tears fall until none remained.
She reasoned it was safer to let all of the budding emotions out now than risk creating a scene once the benefit was in full swing.
She needed her wits to survive the sharks that would be circling amongst the grounds.
With her eyes dried, Cassidy fumbled through the motions of preparing for the evening's festivities.
She showered, perfected her hair and makeup and dressed in a blur. She barely recalled any of the actions, only the finished product.
One second she was clad in jeans and her classic white t-shirt, and she blink to see her reflection dressed to the nines in a black evening gown.
Alfred ordered the dress himself.
It was a simple gown without the glamorous embroidery or gems that would be common amongst the crowd, but the dress carried all the class in the world.
She needed all the grace and class she could stumble upon to survive the night.
The halter dress featured a plunging neckline with the fabric twisting tight at the waistline. The floor-length skirt had a thigh-high slit on the left side to show off her toned legs.
Cassidy pinned her auburn hair in an elegant up-do and did one last-minute check of her makeup.
The most powerful and wealthiest citizens of Gotham were attending the benefit, and they had enough ammunition on their hands with her relationship with the Clown Prince of Crime.
She had to blend in and mirror herself as one of them. She did not need her appearance to be another item on the list of criticism spoken in whispered gossip.
She was representing the Wayne family, and that held a lofty reputation and legacy to follow.
Once she emerged, the estate was buzzing with guests.
Cassidy mingled amongst the crowd like a veteran as she descended the grand staircase.
Tonight marked the eighth year she served the role of hostess in Bruce's place. During the span, she paid her compliments and respects. She gave thanks to mayors, congressmen, CEOs, billionaires and their wives all while knowing that the kindly spoken and sickly sweet words said to her face turned to whispered rumors ranging from the almost true to the utterly outrageous once her back was turned.
"She was the one kidnapped by the Joker."
"She was mastermind behind the whole thing. He was far too insane to think all of it through. She played him the fool, and he took the fall."
"I heard she gave birth to his son. Birthed a demon spawn with a gnarled face to match. She keeps him hidden within the Manor and is training him to carry his father's legacy."
"Like she honestly believed she would fool us by having those dreadful scars removed. We know who she really is."
The list of similar tart remarks was endless, but Cassidy braced herself for the brunt of it.
She armored herself in her best fake smile that she had perfected through the years. Her head always held high.
She move onto the grounds of the Manor were the traffic of guest was at its peak.
"A lamb amongst lions," she whispered to herself.
"Cassidy, darling," came the overly sweet voice of the mayor's wife Veronica Garcia. "How stunning you look this evening! Thank you for once again organizing an outstanding turnout. I always think you will not be able to top yourself, but you've done it again. Will your cousin be joining us this evening?"
"The Wayne Foundation strive to support the continued peace of Gotham, and I am humble to do what little I can," Cassidy replied like reading a script. "I am afraid Bruce is not able to attend this evening. He was predisposed, but I will send your regards. If you'll please excuse me…"
Cassidy gave Veronica a polite slime as she continued to navigate the crows outside.
The mayor's wife was the perfect example of the two-face members of Gotham's high society. Sweet and gracious to Cassidy's face, but she was the same woman who pressured her husband to have Cassidy permanently removed from the force.
She felt Gotham did not need that type of filth governing the streets. It was a danger.
Cassidy was beyond thankful to have Gordon in her corner. He had her back from the state, and though her work was now limited, she still had a job.
Her limited access within the force was enough to quiet Veronica… for now.
Cassidy weaved her way toward a waiter and quickly and not to mention most unladylike downed a glass of champagne.
Whatever it took to soothe her nerves.
She scanned the crowd to take note of those in attendance. She easily spotted the exotic beauty known as Miranda Tate. Tate was a member of the Wayne Enterprises bard and had a not so hidden interested in Bruce.
Cassidy had always been polite in her few, brief exchanges with the Miranda.
She did not hate the woman, but she did not entirely enjoy her company either, but anyone that was attempting to help Bruce in whatever way was tolerable.
Cassidy had a flick of hope that Miranda could be what Bruce needed to snap out of his depression.
"Well, well well… what do we have here?"
Cassidy whipped around at the sound of the sleazy voice behind her.
It was not too surprising that it belonged to a politician. Congress Gilley to be exact.
He was a womanizer and had a reputation to boot. Cassidy was far from happy with the appreciative look he shot her way, as he looked her up and down.
"Congressman, this is Detective Williams."
Pete Foley, deputy police commissioner, supplied the introduction.
Cassidy was not in the good graces of her superior. He paraded around like he ran the place, and his distaste for Cassidy was not hidden.
"Detective, you don't say?" the congressman questioned with a wicked smile. "You can give me the good cop/bad cop routine any night."
"I'll have to decline," Cassidy replied in a tone that made her feelings clear. "Have you seen the commissioner, Foley?"
Foley gestured to a tent pavilion across the yard.
"Suck up all you want, Williams," Foley warned. "He won't be around forever to save your skin."
"I do not need him."
"She is a little spitfire," the Congressman noted. "I like her."
Cassidy knew she was lying as soon as she said it, but she wanted Foley to known she was not afraid of his threats.
Without Gordon, Cassidy would have been canned years ago.
She stormed off towards Gordon, relived to be away from a jackass cop and the roaming eyes of the congressman.
"Finally someone that I actually can stand," she joked as she joined Gordon.
"You seemed pretty chatty with Foley," Gordon countered with a joke of his own.
"I'd rather watch paint dry than have a conversation with him," Cassidy said. "I need another drink."
She drowned another champagne and a few hors d'oeuvres over some idle work chat with Gordon.
The speeches would begin shortly, and being the hostesses, Cassidy was expected to say a few words on behalf of the Wayne Foundation.
She recycled and rehashed the same speech year in and year out, but one seemed to notice or care.
At least no one ever said anything to her face over it. She was certain that in the sanctity of their own homes, every sentence of her speech was scrutinized each year.
"Harvey Dent Day may not be our oldest public holiday, but we are here tonight because it's one of the most important," the mayor began to open the business end of the benefit and drawing the crowd's attention.
Mayor Anthony Garcia stood on top a lifted stage behind a podium. The stage was decorated with flowers and looked upon a sea of hundreds of Gotham's elite.
He was a sandwich between two large, framed photos of Harvey Dent, the courageous white knight who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect Gotham …or at least that is the picture that was painted each year.
"Harvey Dent's uncompromising stand against organized crime has made Gotham a safer place than it was at the time of his death eight years ago."
Cassidy silently rolled her eyes.
Each year, it became increasingly difficult to bit her tongue and play her role in this farce.
They ha raised Dent so high, ignorant of his crime, just as quickly as they thrown Batman under the bus despite all her sacrifice for Gotham. All over one simple lie that the Dark Knight was willing to live with for the greater good of Gotham.
Yet if true evil ever struck Gotham again, Cassidy knew whom the city would cal for, and it wouldn't be Dent.
"This city has seen a historic turn around," the mayor continued. "No city is without crime, but this city is without organized crime because the Dent Act gave law enforcement teeth in its fight against the mob."
The Dent Act.
Just another item on the list of things Cassidy held a love-hate relationship with.
The Dent Act was not without its merits and had accomplished great things within the battle with crime.
The act massively cleaned up Gotham and destroyed the mob scene to allow the city to sleep easier, but now the workload for police department was at a minimum.
The Dent Act brought excessive idle time filled with tedious paperwork …the bulk of which landed on Cassidy's desk.
She was itching for something… anything to break the monotony of the city whether it is a case to solve or a masked villain to capture.
For all that shuffled through lock up as of late were a few petty robberies. Gotham's crime scene was all but dead.
With that, the fear of cutbacks was a looming reality in Cassidy's mind.
Gotham did not have the need to staff as many officers and detectives on the payroll while the Dent Act was enforced.
Cassidy knew her name would be the first on the chopping block if it came to playoffs.
"Now people are talking about repealing the Dent Act, and to them I say not on my watch."
The crowd erupted with applause, and Cassidy took that as her cue to maneuver her way towards the podium.
"I would like to thank the Wayne Foundation for once again hosting tonight's event," the mayor concluded. "I am told Mr. Wayne could not be in attendance tonight, but I am sure he is with us in spirit. His delightful cousin, Detective Cassidy Williams of our own Gotham Police Department, had played our outstanding host once again this evening. I will pass the podium over to Miss Williams…"
Cassidy sauntered up to the podium giving a kind smile to the Mayor Garcia.
She took a deep breath as she gazed out at the ruthless socialites before her.
Public speaking was never her forte, especially not in front of this particular crowd.
"On behalf of the Wayne Foundation and the Wayne family, I would like to thank you all for joining us as we honor the memory of the courageous Harvey Dent," Cassidy began.
Her stomach churned as she spoke. Harvey Dent was far from being worthy of such words.
"Though I regret I did not have the opportunity and pleasure of spending more time in Dent's company, in our few brief encounters, he carried himself as a leader Gotham was in desperate need."
"It has been said that a hero is someone who has given his life to something bigger than oneself," she continued. "I know there may be very little all of us gathered here tonight will agree on, but this fact is one of the few: Harvey Dent was… no, is a hero. His death led towards the greater good of this magnificent city."
Cassidy smiled and left the podium escorted by a round of applause.
Yes, his death was for the great good of Gotham. That was no lie.
If Dent was still alive, Cassidy did not want to think of the terrors he would have punished the city with. Not to mention, every single thug, murderer and mob member that Dent locked behind bars would be all for not and they would roam free once again.
"Thank you, Detective Williams," Mayor Garcia said as he returned to his emcee duties. "Now I'm going to give way to another important voice…"
Cassidy returned to Gordon's side as he went over last minute details of his speech.
"That's one hell of a speech, Gordon," she teased. "I knew you were going to upstage me this year."
"The truth about Harvey Dent is complicated," he muttered as he made his way toward the stage.
The mumbled word brought a sense of hope to Cassidy's heart.
A couple years earlier, Gordon confided in Cassidy about what really happened the now infamous night Dent died.
Little did he know that Cassidy was already well informed, but she played the part of surprised. Since then, Cassidy waited for the day that Gordon dropped the charade and let the truth flow freely.
Cassidy would go on pretending for Bruce's sake, but Gordon's hands were covered with this façade. His guilt was eating him alive inch by inch, day by day.
Would tonight be the night the legend of Harvey Dent was demolished?
"He can tell you about the bad, old day," the mayor continued his introduction. "When the criminals and corrupt ran this town with such a tight grasp that people put their faith in a murderous thug in a mask and cape."
The line made Cassidy's blood run cold and her smile faltered.
Every year and every speech, the blow did not come easy. Having to sit idly by while Batman, her Bruce was slandered.
She balled her hands into fists till her knuckles were white. It was her last resort to clam her outrage.
"A thug who showed his true nature when he betrayed the trust of this great man," he gestured to the portrait of Dent, "and murdered him in cold blood. Jim Gordon can tell you the truth about Harvey Dent, but I'll let you tell you himself. Commissioner Gordon!"
Gordon reluctantly joined the mayor on stage and positioned himself behind the podium. Cassidy knew he hated giving speeches that glorified Dent as much as she did if not more, but she had faith that tonight that would change.
"That truth?" Gordon questioned as he looked out over the eager crowd. His gaze held Cassidy's for a moment that seemed to last a lifetime. "I have written a speech telling the truth about Harvey Dent. Maybe the time isn't right…"
Cassidy let a frown cross her face as she watched Gordon carefully folded the truth up and placed it safely inside his jacket pocket.
Her hope was dashed as quickly as it came. The truth was to remain buried for another year.
As Gordon closed his speech, the crowd erupted in applause. He sulked away towards Foley and was soon lost in the crowd.
Cassidy stomached enough of the highlife to last a lifetime during her brief stint of hosting.
She was exhausted of the false kindness and building up an even falser hero.
She retreated back inside the Manor and slipped into the kitchen to find Alfred. He was instructing a petite, brunette server on where to deliver Bruce's dinner.
"I'm heading out, Alf," she announced. "Think you can manage this shindig without me?"
"It will be a challenge, Miss Cassidy, but I will have to muster on for the show much go on," he smiled and went back to barking out orders to the kitchen staff.
Once in the garage, Cassidy relaxed for the first time since she arrived at the Manor. She cranked her SUV and made the trek down the looping driveway into the heart of Gotham.
Her apartment was waiting to shield her from the pretty lies she had witness and spew herself.
Little did she knew that her sanctuary would not be the relief she was expecting for an envelope addressed from Joe Kerr was waiting in her mail.