Happy Monday! Hope chapter nine treats you all well! Be on the look out for a new chapter coming Friday! Thank you for all your patience with the project, and hope you stick with Cassidy and me in the future. As always - be sure to favorite and add the story to your alerts to keep up with updates. I'd love to hear from you in the reviews! Just you're interested in any of my other projects - I've done a complete overhaul of my Game of Thrones series, including a brand new chapter released last night. Check it out! Have a wonderful week - trs0010.

Chapter IX: Patrol Car Confessionals

Bruce Wayne escorted himself from the lobby of Wayne Enterprises, the company his family built from the ground up. The company his father expertly oversaw a lifetime ago.

It was not that many years ago when Bruce served as a board member, and the organization acted as a beacon of success and hope to Gotham. Today, Bruce was asked to remove himself from a board meeting of a company that bore his name.

He lost his seat on the board. He lost the company more money than anyone liked to admit gambling on "crazy futures" – as some members of the board phrased it.

So much had changed since Rachel's death pushed Bruce into the safety of his solitude. So much had changed since Bane brought him back to the forefront.

Now a mob of angry shareholders berated him about lost investments. Reporter swarmed him, firing off question after question.

"Wayne! How's it feel to be one of the people?"

The mighty had fallen, but he could never be one of the people. He had dedicated too much of time and sacrifice too much for the city of Gotham just to be one of the people.

Bruce brushed off the comments and questions. He refrained from speaking a word. Reaching the company's valet, the quick exit he was expecting backfire, realizing just what the reporter was referencing by her earlier question.

"I'm sorry, sir," the valet apologized. "They had paperwork."

Over the valet's shoulder, Bruce witnessed his Lamborghini towed away, leaving him stranded in a crowd of angry men who wanted his head and vicious reporters licking their chops, ready to blast the story through every media channel.

"Looks like you need a lift," a voice shouted over the noise.

Bruce searched for the voice, finding officer John Blake leaning against his patrol car that was parked by the curb. Bruce nodded his appreciation to the younger man as he weaved out of the sea of vultures before joining the officer inside the sanctuary of his vehicle.

"I now understand what Cassidy means when she says you show up everywhere," Bruce joked as Blake pulled away to join the congested traffic of downtown Gotham. "Believe she's more frustrated by that than I am at the moment."

"Sounds like my Cass," Blake retorted with a smile.

The two men continued in silence for a spell. Bruce kept his eyes trained on the city he knew like the back of his hand. Studying the skyline dotted with skyscrapers that reached the clouds. Gotham was his damsel, and she needed saving once more. He contemplated Cassidy's fears. What was he willing to sacrifice this time?

Blake shot quick glances over to the legendary Batman, sitting unmasked in the passenger seat before he worked up the nerve to ask a question that plagued his mind for a while.

When you began," Blake started, unsure of how to word it, but his curiosity had the best of him. "Why the mask?"

"To protect the people closest to me," Bruce answered as if it was the most apparent reason in the world.

"You were a loner with no family then," Blake countered. "Cass was on the other side of the country when you started. You had no one here to protect."

"She's here now," Bruce began. "I almost lost her to Joker. I still haven't forgiven myself for dragging her down into all of this and the damage it did to her."

"There are always people you care about," Bruce looked over at the young cop. "You just don't realize how much until they're gone."

Bruce returned to his vigil, staring out the window to collect himself. The grief of Rachel's death hit him like a ton of bricks. The pain was far too fresh even years later.

"The idea was to be a symbol," Bruce finished. "Batman could be anybody. That was the point."

"It was damn good to see him back," Blake mused.

"Not everyone agrees," Bruce laughed.

"They'll figure it out in the end," Blake countered.

"Tell that to Cassidy." Bruce touched is cheek that still held the mark from the powerful slap his cousin delivered. He shook his head at the comical thought of his tiny cousin carrying that much power; though he wished, he wasn't on the receiving end of it.

Blake laughed at Bruce's comments. "She was not happy with you," Blake recalled. "Figure you got an earful. She won't admit it, but she was damn proud to see you back. I saw it in her eyes. She just worries about you, you know. It's her job. You're all she has left. She's scared she'll lose you, and after all, she's been through, I don't blame her."

Bruce turned his attention back to Blake. He studied him as he made quick glances between the road and the dashboard. It wasn't the speedometer the officer was keeping tabs. Bruce noticed photo, slightly larger than one kept in a wallet, taped to the dash.

It was a photo of Blake and Cassidy. From what Bruce could deduce, it was taken during the annual Christmas party held at the station.

Cassidy was facing the camera's lens, but she wasn't posing. She was laughing. It was one of the laughs Cassidy saved for the things she found truly hilarious. Her body would shake with giggles she couldn't stop, and it brought tears to her eyes. It was the kind of laugh that forced anyone around her to laugh as well. It was intoxicating. She had a beautiful smile on her face. She looked genuinely happy. Bruce couldn't remember the last time he had seen that look on Cassidy's face.

Blake wasn't eyeing the camera either. He was staring at the star of the photo – the laughing brunette. A large smile plastered on his face. The kind of goofy grin a guy gets when he looks at the woman he loves, and he can't hide it. Bruce couldn't help but notice how the camera captured how much the officer cared about Cassidy. It was so clear.

"Am I all she has?" Bruce asked with a hint of tease.

Blake looked from the road to the picture, to Bruce, back to the picture before settling on the road. A hint of a blush crept on his face from being caught by Cassidy's "big brother."

"Got anything on Bane's whereabouts?" Bruce asked, changing the subject and sparing Blake any more embarrassment.

"Yeah, I've got five hundred pages of tunnel records and a flashlight. I could use some help." Blake answered after clearing his throat to regain his cool.

"You know what?" Bruce said thinking out loud. "Drop me in Old Town."

They remained silent for the remainder of the short trip as both men fumbled through their thoughts about Bane, Cassidy and her relationship with a particular cop.

Blake pulled into an empty spot on the side of the street in the Old Town district. Like Blake earlier, before Bruce could exit the vehicle he had a question he needed to ask.

"Why do you keep that there?" He motioned to the picture of the couple attached to the dash.

Blake didn't look at Bruce while he answered. He didn't look out the windshield or the driver-side window. He kept his gaze fixed to the photo the entire time he spoke, never once faltering.

"It's a tough job, even a dangerous job some nights. Dent locked up half the city, but I still get the rare punch thrown at me or shots fired my way. She's a reminder that the world isn't a horrible place. There are beautiful things worth fighting to protect. She's a reminder I have someone waiting for me to make it home safe."

"You love her." Bruce didn't ask. He just stated the truth was staring both of them in the face. Blake didn't confirm the statement, but he also didn't deny it. "Believe she muttered something about a date tomorrow night?" Bruce asked. Blake met him with a nod.

"Be that guy," Bruce pointed at the picture. "Be the guy that I just saw. She says you name more time a day than any other word. She cares more than she shows. Trust me. She just needs time."

Bruce patted Blake on the shoulder, giving him a sympathetic smile.

"Don't wait up," Bruce said, exiting the car. "I'll get a cab."

"You got money?" Blake called over the top of his car at the retreating form of Bruce.

"Actually, no," Bruce said with a sheepish smile.

Blake handed over a couple of bills before Bruce crossed the street.

"She loves Hawaiian pizza and Beauty and the Beast," Bruce called, shooting Blake a wink.

All Blake could do was shake his head with a defeated smile. The radio inside the patrol car squawked, gaining his attention. Blake climbed back inside, speeding off in the direction of the disturbance.

Cassidy sat by Gordon's side at Gotham General. He was her mentor, and she often thought of his as a father figure. If the two were alone, Cassidy and Gordon would've exchanged stories about the Batman.

She knew Gordon had been excited as anyone to see the Dark Knight return, but sadly they were not alone. Foley stood over Gordon going over details of their investigation of Bane. Cassidy and Gordon listened intently.

She was not directly involved in the investigation. With Gordon sidelined in the hospital, Foley called the shots. He wouldn't let Cassidy anywhere near the project. His personal vendetta ran deep. If he had the authority, Foley would strip her of her badge in a heartbeat. The only reason he was discussing the investigation in front of her now was on Gordon's insistence.

Cassidy feared the day Gordon retired. Foley was the likely candidate to take over as commissioner. Cassidy knew on his first day in the role; she'd be packing up her desk. Her days on the Gotham's police force were numbered.

Officer John Blake interrupted the trio. Cassidy's eyes lit up at the sight of him, a smile tugging at her lips. She scolded herself for being of apparently happy to see him. She prayed none of the men noticed, especially Blake.

"Can we help you, officer?" Foley muttered.

"John Daggett's body was found in a dumpster about an hour ago," Blake explained. "Though you might like to know."

"Why?" Gordon asked with confusion evident in his tone.

"Because Daggett's name is all over the permits I pulled to map the tunnels under Gotham."

Blake handed Gordon a stack of files. Foley shot Blake a glare, while Cassidy couldn't help the look of pride over Blake's handy work spread across her face.

"MTA maintenance, sewer construction," Blake continued.

"Where did you get with the tunnel searches?" Gordon asked Foley.

"Williams, you were supposed to babysit the hothead," Foley spat, looking at Blake with annoyance. "You didn't pay me enough, chief," she answered way too cheerily for his liking.

"We've had a team down there, but it's a huge network," Foley explained.

"Get more men," Gordon ordered. "Work a grid. I want him found."

"Yeah, yeah… the masked man," Foley off-handedly commented. "We're on it."

"I'll start mapping out the area, assigning teams and schedules," Cassidy offered.

Gordon nodded his approval while hungrily eyeing the files in front of him.

"This is good work," Gordon complimented. "Lose the uniform. You're working for me now. We could use some hotter heads around here."

Cassidy shot Blake a genuine smile. Despite the dread of working more closely with the man she was desperately trying, but failing to distance herself from, she knew how much he wanted this and how hard he fought to get here.

"This could just be a coincidence," Blake said.

"You're a detective now, son," Gordon corrected. "You're not allowed to believe in coincidence anymore."

Blake nodded, trying his best to conceal his excitement from Foley. With one more round of appreciative thanks, Blake left the room with Cassidy on his heels.

Once safely outside of earshot from the room, Blake let out a shout of pure excitement. Cassidy couldn't help herself as she threw her arms around his neck to congratulate him.

He returned the hug, lifting her off the ground, allowing himself to spin her around a couple of times. He gave himself a moment to feel like a kid and be unprofessional for just a split second.

"Welcome to the big boys club," Cassidy smiled once he returned her to the ground. She hadn't removed her arms from around his neck, and he still had his gently around her waist. He didn't realize how close their faces were until that brief moment of silence, but he wasn't complaining at all.

"Your first mission, if you choose to accept it,' Cassidy spoke in all seriousness, "is to drive me to the nearest burger joint, rookie. I'm starving."

She finished with a wink as she broke their embrace and sauntered out of the hospital.

What else could Blake do? He'd follow her anywhere, scared to death that Bruce Wayne was right. Was he in love with Cassidy Williams?