"Seems like you don't need my help at all," Bruce said after he and Adriana removed their hearing protection and set down their guns.
"Must be luck," she said as Bruce admired the black disk with the line of bullets perfectly in the center on the target.
"I almost want to take a picture of that aiming mark," Bruce said. "Perfection."
"Thanks," Adriana smiled as Bruce wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"Just work on your stance a bit," Bruce whispered into her ear. "Stand with your feet a bit further apart. Move your left foot forward a few more inches. A strong stance is necessary."
"Okay," she replied and obeyed.
"Good," he said. "And make sure you keep your shoulders relaxed."
"I'll try," she said, trying to ignore the pain in her collarbone. She had gone home and quickly changed into a black turtleneck and black jeans before meeting with Bruce to keep the bruising hidden.
"If that gym injury is still giving you trouble, I'll have Gustav stop by," Bruce said, mentioning his masseur.
"Thanks," Adriana responded as Bruce wrapped his fingertips around her wrists to raise the gun again after she picked it up.
"Good grip," he said as he touched her fingers. "You're a natural."
"Your shoulder is hurting too," Adriana read his mind.
"Yes," he said, wrapping his arms around her waist again. "Last night was a bit rough."
"Lucius told me," Adriana said.
"So you two really are best friends now," Bruce laughed.
"Maybe," Adriana said, still aiming the gun straight ahead. "He's awesome. So last night was bad?"
"Oh yes," Bruce said. "Yeah, last night was a tough one."
"So..." Adriana looked around, making sure that no one was close, and spoke quietly. "He told me about Shade and something about...a bazooka?"
"Yes," Bruce seemed a bit annoyed at the mention of his Shade.
"You don't like her?" she asked.
"I'm not sure what to make of her," Bruce said.
"People in Gotham seem to like her," Adriana said as if she was observer.
"Yes, maybe that's because she takes the train and interacts with them," Bruce said. "I don't think that's wise."
"Yes, you're fond of keeping your distance," Adriana said while lowering the gun. "Why isn't it wise for her to do that type of thing?"
"I think she's digging herself into a hole," Bruce said. "Keeping your distance is best. Especially when you are making enemies like the Joker. She's too easy to access. She'll likely be killed soon."
"That's sad," Adriana said quietly as Bruce rested his hands on her hips. "Lucius told me she saved you."
"Are you the president of her fan club?" Bruce laughed against her neck, dodging the topic. He would never admit that he had at any time needed help.
"No," she said. "I was just...glad that she helped you is all. I'd be really sad if something happened to you."
"Would you?" he asked and caressed her waist.
"Yes," she said. "I hope she looks out for you when you need it...not that you need it. Maybe you'll end up working together-"
"No," Bruce answered plainly. "You know I've had people dress up pretending to be me. Interfering, trying to offer their 'help', and that's never ended well. The Joker sees them as targets as well. Even tortured one and sent a video of it to the news. Hung the body downtown."
"I saw that," Adriana said sadly. "But..I mean isn't this different? She's not trying to be you. She's another vigilante."
"It's not different to the Joker," Bruce said. "He killed them because they admire what the Batman does. Anyone appearing to be a vigilante is a target for him. And after last night...he can see that Shade is in that camp as well. She's quite foolish if you ask me. And if I knew who she was I would warn her. It's only a matter of time before the Joker does the same to her. Kills her and strings her up."
"Oh.." Adriana said as Bruce pressed his body against her back. He was using his fingers to lower the fabric against her neck as he gave her small kisses on her ear. His words kept replaying in her mind..the Joker would kill her, eventually. He really seemed to believe what he was saying. She knew there was no way she could tell him that she was Shade.
"Is this okay?" he whispered as he kissed her neck. His thoughts told her she seemed a bit distracted and distant.
"It's wonderful," she said and turned to the left to kiss him. She leaned her head back so that her lips would meet his. He kisses were warm and inviting, as were his hands that were slowly sliding under her shirt. She reached up caressed the side of his face as they kissed, smiling blissfully.
"Adriana?" she heard a voice say. She opened her eyes as they broke the kiss and saw Damien standing behind them.
"Oh," Adriana said as Bruce looked in Damien's direction, still holding her close with both hands on her stomach under her shirt. "Damien, hi."
"Hi," Damien said, his look was a blend of shock and fury.
"Uhh..Bruce this is Damien..Damien this is-" she started to say.
"I know who he is," Damien said. "We've met."
"Right," Adriana said, remembering the night that she and Lucius uncovered a bomb intended to kill the governor. The party where she and Bruce acted like they didn't know each other.
"Good to see you again, Officer Ricard," Bruce said, reaching to shake Damien's hand. Damien looked reluctant for a moment and then shook Bruce's hand.
"Yeah," Damien said, still looking at Adriana. "You too. Well I'll get out of your way."
Damien left as quickly as he had appeared and Adriana let out a sigh of relief.
"That was so awkward," Adriana said.
"Was it?" Bruce said sarcastically. "I hadn't noticed."
"Yeah...I hate him," Adriana explained. "I keep running into him, it's like I can't escape him."
"Well...many cops visit this place," Bruce guessed. "Sorry about that."
"No, it's not your fault," Adriana said and gave him a kiss.
"I'll be back," Bruce said. "Need to use the facilities."
"I'll keep practicing," Adriana said and put her earmuffs back on.
.
.
.
Damien stepped out of the stall in the bathroom, unable to hide the annoyance on his face, as he noticed Bruce at the sink. Bruce Wayne. Never could he admit to himself that he had lost and that Adriana seemed to have found someone better, a million times richer, and much more refined. He cleared his throat as he approached the sink and reached for the soap dispenser.
"So..you and Navarro," Damien said, unable to keep silent, using her last name in an effort to make himself sound as distant from her as possible. He would not admit to jealousy.
"Adriana," Bruce said while rinsing his hands. "Yes. Fantastic woman."
"Mehh," Damien scoffed and Bruce's reflection shot him a strange glance in the mirror. "I mean she's alright, if you like insane. I gotta warn you, man, she's definitely a loose cannon."
Bruce looked at Damien in a scrutinizing way as he took a few paper towels.
"She's not at all insane," Bruce said plainly.
"Well, that's because you don't know her yet," Damien said. "I mean, I'm not trying to talk badly about her-"
"No, of course you're not," Bruce said with restraint.
"I'm just giving you a head's up," Damien said. "She does crazy things sometimes and needs someone to pick up the pieces. She can be a mess. A handful."
"Even if that's true," Bruce said. "Which I'm sure it's not, she is worth it."
"Right..." Damien shrugged, wanting to do the most damage he could. He didn't want to lose Adriana to this man. "I mean she's gorgeous. The most beautiful ones can be some of the craziest though and have their own share of problems-"
"And you believe I need to be told about beautiful women?" Bruce spoke to Damien as if he was a child.
"That's not what I was saying," Damien offered. "I'm sure she's not your first...or 50th. That's why I'm saying...you know, you could do better."
"That so?" Bruce said, tossing the paper towels into the trash.
"Yeah, I mean guys like us we need a certain type of woman," Damien said. "That's why I had to leave her, Adriana just wasn't it."
"Like us. And what type is that?" Bruce asked, not needing any information from this man but asking out of pure amusement that he would go to such lengths to tarnish her.
"Come on...you know," Damien said and grabbed a few paper towels. "I mean she's not exactly great in bed, am I right? She's frigid. Never wants to do anything, practically had to beg to get something once a month. I don't even think she likes or wants sex. That's why I'm saying, you of all people could do better."
"Have you ever considered," Bruce said, taking a step toward Damien. "That maybe she just didn't enjoy you?"
"Well-" Damien started.
"And I don't appreciate," Bruce said stepping closer and closer, causing Damien to take a few steps back until he was almost backed against the wall by the urinal. "You speaking about her in this way. I find it very infantile, and personally offensive."
"Right..well sorry about that," Damien said, intimidated by Bruce's stance, even though he was speaking incredibly calmly. "Just thought I'd warn you."
"Have a good day Officer Ricard," Bruce said and left the restroom.