"You're good to go, if you feel like you can walk," the ER doctor told Adriana after explaining to her that her scans were all clear. He handed her a sheet of paper telling her after-care steps for her bruise. She lifted the small ice pack off of her hip and stood slowly.

"I feel great," she said but couldn't help sounding a bit annoyed because she had been texting Damien and had received no response.

After signing her discharge papers, she walked out to the front of the hospital. It was a dark and quiet, so calm compared to the events that happened a few hours earlier. Adriana started to walk and opened the Uber app on her phone. Before she could request the ride, she noticed a car pulling up beside her in the corner of her eye. She turned and looked for a second at the black Lamborghini Murcielago. The driver's side window came down slowly.

"Bruce," Adriana exhaled. "You scared me, driving up so slowly. I almost grabbed my pepper spray."

"I wasn't entirely sure it was you," he replied and stepped out of the car while it was still running. "I also wasn't able to come in to see you, sorry about that."

"Oh, it's okay," Adriana said, immediately seeing his thoughts with very little effort. A high profile person such as himself had to keep a low profile in some situations. Also, he was unsure if she had other visitors that she would have to explain him to.

"Are you alright?" he asked with genuine concern.

"Perfectly fine," she said with relief. "Thanks for asking, and for coming. I appreciate it."

"Of course," he said, with his hands in his pockets. He was wearing a very casual outfit. A black polo shirt with the top button undone and black slacks with black leather oxfords. "Where are you walking to?"

"Oh," she answered, looking back down at her phone. "I was just about to get an Uber home."

"Nonsense," he said immediately. "Let me take you."

"That would be great," she responded without hesitation. "Thanks."

He was already walking around to the passenger side of the car and opening the door for her. She walked around and stepped into the car and was surprised how spacious the inside felt, considering how it looked externally. Bruce shut the door and made his way around the front of the car and to the driver's side. She fastened the seat belt and leaned back as much as she could to prevent the belt from digging into her sore hip.

"I live by Brentwood," she said once he was in the car. "I could give you the address-"

"I know where you live," he said with a polite smile and pulled off.

"Your car smells very new," she commented after they drove for a minute.

"It is," he said stopping a red light. "Totaled my last one, had to get a replacement. I have other cars, but this model is my favorite."

"It's very nice," she said and lifted the seat belt with her index finger to create a small space where her hip bruise was.

"You could take off the seat belt if it's bothering you," he said and started driving again after the light went green.

"Oh.." she said with uncertainty.

"I'm a very careful driver," he assured her. "I'm aware I just told you that I totaled my last one of these cars, but it was intentional."

"Really?" she laughed and immediately saw the memory without trying very hard. She saw him speeding to intercept a driver who was attempting an assassination. "That was brave...and risky. Saving him."

"You know what happened?" he said but the quickly continued. "Ah, right. You know everything."

"Well, I can find out a little with some effort, but I don't know everything," she said and unfastened the seat belt and then his thoughts came in even clearer after she concentrated on them for a brief moment. He wanted to ask her what happened but felt it was inappropriate at this moment, to ask so soon. He did not want to bombard her as soon as she got into the car. However, he still felt it was necessary. He was debating with himself in his mind about if and how he should begin talking about it with her.

He stopped at a red light.

"It's okay, I'll tell you what happened," she said.

"If you are up for it," he said to her.

"He was trying to escape, ran into me in the hallway," Adriana said. "He had me hide with him in one of the offices but I took a fall. The guards got him after that."

"I see," Bruce said after a pause. "They've transported him back to Arkham."

"Yeah," Adriana nodded. "I'm assuming that's what my boyfriend is doing when I was trying to call him. Although, that shouldn't take hours.."

"Right, the cop," Bruce said. "The transport was completed a little over an hour ago."

Adriana sighed again.

"I'm sorry," Bruce said after a few moments of silence as he pulled onto the freeway.

"For what?" Adriana asked.

"Putting you in this predicament, asking you to interact with a monster, placing you in danger.."

"No, no," Adriana assuaged his guilt. "This could have happened to anyone. If it was someone who was afraid of him...who knows what would have happened."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean if I was another patient..or anyone who was afraid of him. Someone who would have tried to run..it could have ended badly. I didn't try to run, I just went along with it and stayed calm. As calm as I could."

Bruce glanced away from the road for a second to look at her and then back ahead.

"So, you're not afraid of him? He could have killed you."

"I..I know," she answered. "I don't know. He just doesn't scare me."

"Maybe that's because you're in his head," Bruce rationalized. "You can negotiate much better that someone who wasn't, I imagine."

"I don't believe he is someone who can be negotiated with," Adriana said. "At all. I don't know...I think fear is one thing that irritates him. He doesn't make a lot of eye contact but seems to notice when others are avoiding looking at him. It's...all very strange. But I'm glad that I knew that and I wasn't afraid to keep my eyes on him the entire time."

Bruce exhaled.

"So you fell and then?" he asked. "How were you found out?"

"I screamed," Adriana said.

"Screamed," Bruce said. "And they heard you."

"Yes," she told him.

Bruce glanced at her again.

"He could have killed you to silence you," Bruce said, again sounding guilty. "I assume the guards were close."

"Yeah...I guess," Adriana said.

"So you just hurt your side," Bruce said and switched lanes.

"Yes," she said. "It'll be fine in a few days. I just have to ice it."

"Okay," Bruce spoke. "I have eyes and ears in the precincts. Seems to be that there are some rumors going around there that you were harmed."

"Lies," Adriana said in an annoyed voice. "Gordon is updating the reports."

"I've already seen the updated report." She could see easily peer into his thoughts again. He was relieved but still blaming himself.

"I'm totally fine," she said.

"I believe that," Bruce said taking the exit off the freeway. "Perhaps this wasn't a good idea though."

She sat silently waiting for him to continue. "You mean this..assignment?"

"Yes," he said stopping at a light that was turning yellow and then turned to face her. "If anything like the rumors that I was hearing had happened, I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself. I appreciate the work that you've done so far though."

He put his hands back on the wheel and pulled off. They drove silently the rest of the way until he parked in front of her house. She glanced out the window at her front door, but somehow she didn't want to leave the car yet. She realized that she liked being around him.

"Do you want me to tell you..what I learned about him?" Adriana asked quietly. "I made notes..they're so sloppy I can barely read them though."

"You said there were no triggers for him, no areas of vulnerability, no memories.." Bruce said, reaching to turn on the light in the car and then looking at her. The light reflected off of his skin and rich dark hair, and revealed his very stern expression. "Has any of that changed?"

"No," Adriana answered. "But one thing that I learned, during that ordeal earlier.." she paused and looked away for a moment.

"His escape plan?"

"Not really..he doesn't think very much. I mean he does but not in the moment..he just reacts."

"Yes," Bruce said and leaned back. "I'm aware. He is quite spontaneous and unpredictable which is the most frustrating thing about him."

"But that's just it..." she went on. "He thinks so much beforehand that there's not much thought required in the moment when he's executing something. His escape plan tonight...he was okay with it not going as planned. He has plan A..B...C and more...He wanted to go back to the prison or Arkham if the escape didn't work. He's not as spontaneous and unpredictable as you think. He plans very meticulously. Almost everything he does is part of a grander design. He pays extremely close attention to details..things that wouldn't matter to the average person. Tiny details about people, things that he may be able to use against them. In the end, it looks completely spontaneous, but he watches people closely for a long time. He knows how they will react. He is great at predicting that, and depends on it. He even knows how the Batman..Sorry, I mean you, will react to things."

Bruce was leaning back a bit, taking in her words.

"What's more..I'm almost sure positive to be sent back to Arkham. I could only see it for a second or two... He knows he can escape from there," Adriana said. "He wants out and...I couldn't see how he would make it happen, but he intends to."

"I understand," Bruce said. "Stunned."

"Yeah, I was stunned too, when I saw how much of a strategist he is-"

"No, I meant stunned by you," Bruce said. "Of course I'm stunned by the fact that he's an very meticulous and detailed strategist but, your gift is incredible."

"Oh," Adriana said and smiled slightly. "Yeah, it's something. I probably could have gotten more about why he wants to be back at Arkham or how he will escape there if I didn't have that treatment to reduce this..ability."

"Well, you didn't make it sound like it was pleasant to have it at full capacity," Bruce said. "Sounds like things are much better for you now."

"That's true," Adriana agreed. For a long moment they were silent until Bruce looked like wanted to say something.

"Are you in my thoughts?" he asked somewhat cautiously.

"No," she said. "Not right now. Should I be?"

"I'd rather you didn't," he said in the gentlest way possible.

"Oh," she said evenly. "Well luckily, now I have the ability to respect that. Once upon a time, I wouldn't have a choice but to hear whatever it is you're thinking."

"Yes," he said while turning off the lights and unlocking the doors. "And because of that you can still see me as a gentleman." He gave her a small smile.

She resisted blushing.

"Good night," she said and opened the door, resisting the powerful urge to know what he had been thinking. "Thanks for bringing me back."

"You're very welcome," he said and she shut the door.

She started to walk towards her door when he pulled off and she noticed Damien's car coming from the opposite end of the street. She rolled her eyes and continued walking and stuck her key in the door. Damien hit the horn on his car for a brief second to get her attention before she went in. He then parked and walked over to the door and went into the house with her.

"Who was that?" he asked straight away after the door closed behind him.

"What?" she said and sat to take off her shoes. "Ow," she said as her pants hit the bruise on her hip as she bent forward.

"Who was that in the Lambo?" he asked in a serious tone. She could see his thoughts easily.

"You think I'm cheating on you?" she said with a small laugh. "With someone that drives a sports car, hmm."

"You're dodging the question," he said.

"Ehh," she moaned as she took of her other shoe. "That was my Uber. Nicest one yet."

"That's the best you can come up with?"

"I'm not cheating on you, you idiot," she said as she wiggled free from the pants, feeling incredible relief from her hip pain. "But you cheat on me."

"You're really going to bring that up now," he said glancing down at her legs.

"You know that I know," she said. "So what is this? An open relationship? For you but not me?"

"You want an open relationship?" he said, and she could hear what sounded like jealousy in his voice. The was thinking about the dark and mysterious luxury car he had seen pulling away.

"I don't even think I want this relationship anymore," she answered honestly and sat on her couch. "To be honest with you. You lied in those reports tonight."

"Wait," he said and walked over to her and sat beside her, his vocal tone changing dramatically. "Let's talk about this-"

"Really?" she said. "Now you want to talk?"

"It's because of the other women," he said a bit louder. "I'm sorry about that! But can you blame me?"

"Yes," she said calmly.

"No!" he said, now shouting and standing. "I have needs! But you don't care about that."

"You don't care about my needs either," she said. "You never have."

"Don't give me that, " he said. "I've put up with your hiatuses. Your lethargy. All I need is twenty minutes, at least two or three times a week. Is that so much to ask? You barely let me touch you."

"Twenty minutes," she said holding in a laugh. She couldn't recall a time when he had lasted more than five minutes.

"Yes," he said.

"But you're getting that from..what's her name? Karolina."

He was quiet and hard-faced, hearing her bringing up the name of the woman he was seeing recently. They he relaxed and sat again.

"I won't see her again, if we can fix this," he said, touching her knee. "I promise."

She took a deep breath and could see, at least in this brief moment, he was sincere.

"I'm way more attracted to you I am to than her, baby," he offered, massaging her leg.

"Please don't talk about her," Adriana said.

"I'll forget she exists," he said and moved closer and started to kiss her cheek, then neck.

"So, how are we going to fix this," she asked. His lips felt nice, she wanted to enjoy him, but couldn't. "Tell me."

"This is how," he said and kissed her lips. "You making me happy again. And me being faithful to you."

"That's it?" she sighed.

"Yes," he said and let his hands roam her body. "This makes me happy," he said looking down at her figure. "And satisfied."

"Mhmm," she murmured. "Happy and satisfied. I want that too."

He looked at her with a sudden deviance and gave her a rouge smile. Extremely happy that she had finally seemed to give him the okay. He began to kiss and undress her quickly and then removed his own clothing even quicker. Thank God, he was thinking. The bruising on her hip gave him pause for a second as he observed it and then he kept going with more kissing. Immediately he went to penetrate her.

"Wait," she said softly. "What's the rush."

"Heh," he said smiling wider. "I need it,baby. I just told you."

"Don't rush," she whispered in his ear. "Let's warm up to it at least-"

"Ah," he inhaled quickly. "I see."

She couldn't help but giggle a bit at how quickly he was down on her.

"Slow down," she said between breaths but he was moving rapidly. The sensation was nice, and she tried to relax but as soon as she felt her body begin to relax and loosen enough to fully enjoy what he was doing, he was back up again and entered her very quickly.

"I need it," he murmured in a desperate and pleading voice as he thrusted hastily, using a bit of force to make himself fit inside her.

She heard him murmuring words into her ear for a few minutes, and she felt completely disconnected from the act ensuing.

"I love you..I love.."he said, his speech almost slurring as he finished.

.

.

"Hello?" Adriana picked up her cell phone as she soaked in the tub.

"Yeah, you better pick up," she heard her sister Harri, short for Harriet, say immediately. "What's this I hear about you being in the hospital?"

"Oh Harri, that was just for a little bump," she replied. "I'm totally okay..I just got home about an hour ago."

"Okay," Harri said, sounding calmer. "What happened?"

Adriana gave her a brief explanation, trying to avoid scaring her even more. She even trailed off and told Harri about Sidi and how she had helped her reduce her abilities with herbs which Harri wasn't buying but then agreed that Adriana sounded less distracted and pained than usual. She then continued asking more questions about the injury.

"Damien said you were in the hospital and I am worried. Are you hurt-"

"No, no," Adriana assured her. I'm okay. I was just on a job and it got kind of crazy, I just fell down-"

"You should move to Chicago," Harri insisted. "Gotham is a hell hole! I don't even know why you want to live there! It's dangerous and ghetto as hell-"

"Maybe I will move soon," Adriana said, thinking of the newfound wealth she had been given. "But Chicago isn't much better than Gotham, really."

"Please move," Harri went on. "I'm coming to see you this week. I'll be there in about two days if I can get off work-"

"Oh Harri, you don't have to," Adriana said.

"I do! I need to come help you pack," Harri said. "Gotham is such a dark place. As soon as I get out of the Amtrak there, every time, I can feel it. Darkness. You are the last person who should be there, with your mind reading and all. I can't imagine a worse place for you. You gotta leave."

"Okay," Adriana said. "Let me think about it and prepare."

"Yeah, okay," Harri said. "And don't use Damien as an excuse to stay. He's no good."

"Trust me I know," Adriana said. "No good at anything."

"Hahaha," Harri laughed. "Elaborate."

"He's just so impatient, and he cheats," Adriana sighed, reaching for the glass of ginger ale beside the tub and taking a sip. "The longer I'm with him the more impatient I feel."

"Impatient.." Harri said inquisitively. "So he's useless in bed?"

"I didn't say that."

"Didn't have to," Harri laughed. "I wasn't given the mind reading abilities when I was born like you but I am very intuitive, you know this. Especially when it comes to matters of a sexual nature. I have a sexual sixth sense, and you know that."

"Yeah," Adriana laughed back. "You're right. Ugh. I don't enjoy it. Whenever we do anything, I feel like I'm just taking one for the team. And afterwards I feel more wound up than before. No relief."

"You know what you need?"

"What? A gadget?" Adriana went on laughing. "I have those-"

"No," she answered. "You need to step out a bit. I mean he does, so what's the big deal? And not a lot..just like once or twice. I don't understand why you don't just break up with him, but maybe getting some different action will help."

"So, some one night stands?" Adriana sighed. "That's not really me...I think I will feel worse afterwards."

"Not necessarily," Harri said. "I mean you must know some guys, a nice one that maybe likes you a bit. That way you're at least a little close and comfortable with each other already."

"I don't know any guys," Adriana answered. "Except cops. I don't want another cop."

"Every woman knows guys," Harris said like she was rolling her eyes. "And you definitely don't need a cop. You need the opposite of a cop."

"The opposite?"

"Yes," Harri said. "Cops..we think of them as strong and fearless. Right? But they hide behind the weapons they're allowed to use. They can get away with anything. Egomaniacs. That doesn't make them strong or fearless. It gives them massive egos. You need..I don't know, you need someone who's not afraid to just.."

"Just what?"

"I dont know..More bold and indomitable,"Harri said. "Cops don't have the..spirited audacious vibe you sound like you need. Damien is weak and egotistical. I can tell, you need someone free and bold to knock the dust off."

"You think I'm dusty," Adriana said.

"Don't worry," Harri said. "I'll help you find someone to polish it up."

"How's Antonio?" Adriana asked about Harri's boyfriend.

"Oh, he's doing great," Harri laughed. "Thanks to him, I've been dust free for years. Maybe I should see if he has any single friends."

Adriana laughed.

"He's good though, just took a new job at the accounting firm I was telling you about." Harri went on.

"That's great."

"Hey, I gotta go. I'm going to give you a serious makeover when I get there because I know you look rough. I can hear it in your voice, and we will get you someone better, for real."

"If you say so," Adriana sighed.

"Love youuu-"

"Love you too, bye."