Disclaimer: I do not own Batman Begins. Just my OC.

A/n: Here's another chapter ya'll! Enjoy! Thank you for the follows, favorites, and reviews. I truly do love you guys! You're all amazing. Enjoy!

Chapter 13: Many Happy Returns

I paced back and forth outside of Bruce's room. I just remembered him muttering black birds, poisonous over and over on the way home that spooked me. Alfred was trying to take care of him for the past two more days. For the past two more days I hadn't slept, ate, or done anything remotely human except use the restroom every now and then and cried my eyes out, hoping Bruce would make it through the toxins inside of his system. Alfred called in a special friend named Lucius Fox in which I had no idea that they used to work together. Lucius saw me as a nervous wreck and told me to sleep it off, but I couldn't. Instead, I just slumped over in a nearby chair and finally fell right asleep…

Which is what woke me, aside from the birds chirping outside the window was Bruce waking up beside the chair. I blinked awake and saw that Alfred was by his side. He saw me at the corner of his eyes and then I quickly closed mine, and pretended like I was going back to sleep, unsure if I should wake up, or if I was really too tired to be awake at all.

"How long was I out?" Bruce's voice made me lift my eyes open. I yawned and lulled my head over to the side, still so sleepy.

"Two days," Alfred said. "It's your birthday. Many happy returns."

He nodded. He sighed and looked at Alfred who pointed towards his health drink to drink it. Bruce took it off the nightstand and took a sip. "I've felt these effects before. This was so much more potent. Some kind of hallucinogen. Weaponized in aerosol form."

"Where's Melanie? Is she safe?"

"She's fine. Sleeping right next to you," Alfred motioned a quick nod over to me and I closed my eyes again. Bruce turned and I felt his eyes on mine, finally relaxing that I was indeed okay and with him and not burned alive like my apartment had been. "Called in a panic. Good thing she did. It was dangerous, but if it hadn't been for you, Master Wayne, she would have been burned alive no thanks to Crane."

"In her defense, she didn't know him. She probably just got unlucky, since she's not a high profile person in Gotham. Could happen to anyone in the Narrows," Bruce replied softly after he took his health drink in his hands, grimacing as he did so.

"Well, maybe we should keep it that way for awhile. I did prepare the guest bedroom for her so she can stay here if she likes till she finds a new place," Alfred said.

"That's a good idea," Bruce nodded and then yawned.

"New place, also comes with a new job. Bruce," Alfred said. "Earle fired her yesterday for not coming into work."

"What?" Bruce asked in alarm.

"She has nothing and no one right now, Bruce," Alfred said firmly.

"Well, she has us,"

"And me, if you'd like," Lucius appeared from the corner and walked inside the room. "I can take her in if she's too much of a hassle for you."

"No, no, she won't be too much trouble for us. We're okay, right Alfred? Plenty of room?" Bruce asked.

"Yes, definitely. Plenty of room," Alfred said.

"Or, ya'll can just ask her yourselves since she's listening in on said conversations," I said and sat up from my chair. The men looked at me and I smiled at them.

"Okay. Where would you like to stay?" Bruce asked me as he turned around to face me.

"Can I stay here?" I asked. "I mean, I still have my other street clothes here anyway and my makeup bag. It makes sense. Is that okay?"

Bruce chuckled and nodded. "Yes. It's more than okay. After all, we're still "dating" right?"

" "Right", serious girlfriend's stay over at serious boyfriend's houses. For Rachel," I smirked at him, sending the quotes right back at him.

"Well, you two have been hanging out in the wrong clubs Mr. Wayne. Ms. Blake," Lucius said.

I chewed my bottom lip nervously. "That could have gotten me fired?"

"Possibly," he nodded. "Earle doesn't tolerate anyone who's late to the office, and that's been a couple times already for you. He let you go yesterday morning and gave me a memo to let me know you will not be joining me anymore for our lunch dates," he shook his head.

"Hmm, sad, I'll miss those lunch dates," I said.

Bruce glanced between the two.

"I called Mr. Fox when your conditioned worsened after the first day," Alfred explained to Bruce.

"I analyzed your blood, and then synthesized a compound," he said.

"Am I supposed to understand any of that?" Bruce asked.

"Not at all. I just wanted you to know how hard it was," he replied.

"Bottom line I synthesized an antidote," Fox said.

"Could you make more?" Bruce asked.

"You planning on gassing yourself, again, Mr. Wayne?"

"Well, you know how it is, Mr. Fox, out at night, looking for kicks, I'm not the one passing the weaponized hallucinations," Bruce said and I smacked his shoulder lightly. "Owe,"

"Be nice," I said.

He chuckled. "I am."

I blushed.

"I'll bring what I have," Fox nodded. "The antidote should inoculate you for now."

"Alfred, always a pleasure," he said and then looked at me. "You gonna sleep here or are you okay and would like to help me make the antidotes?"

I yawned and stretched my arms.

"Oh, Melanie, has a party to get to. Her first one. A little birdy told me that it was her birthday yesterday, and we're planning on celebrating it tonight, right Mel?" Alfred asked her.

"Oh, right, uh…"

"Yes, she's my date tonight," Bruce smirked at me.

"I don't mind helping-"

"Say no more, it's okay," Lucius held up his hand. "Just make sure it's worth it, hmm?" he said, glancing at me seriously. Did he see something in me that I didn't already feel or how I was starting to feel about Bruce already?

I nodded and gulped. "Of course. Thank you, Mr. Fox."

"You're welcome Miss Blake. Have a good evening."

"So, I guess I have to get ready. I don't even know what to wear. I mean I can't wear this twice-"

"Go check the guest room," Alfred said.

"Yes, Mel. There's another dress waiting for you," Bruce said. "Don't worry I got you covered, I promise."

I drew in a deep breath. "Thank you, Bruce. I don't know how I can ever repay you back."

"You already are," he smiled, knowing he was going to get Rachel. I nodded. I hoped I was. I hoped I wasn't feeling anything else either. Maybe it was just a phase. I smiled softly at Alfred and then excused myself to go get ready for the party, hoping Lucius was wrong about my current predicament.

~*BB*~