"I don't see how you're okay with this," Adriana said to Bruce. "What woman knows who was behind that drug and-"
"I am not okay with it," Bruce said to Adriana slowly. "But it seems the Catwoman is all you've talked about for weeks. There haven't been any new cases of Burgeon users in almost a month."
"Bruce..it's just...I can't believe you're so apathetic about all of this.." Adriana said.
Bruce looked at Adriana from across the dinner table and said nothing.
"What...is going on with you?" Adriana asked.
"I'm not sure what you mean," Bruce said. "This is not something we can do anything about at this point. Why worry ourselves sick?"
"Because-" Adriana said, and then lowered her voice, realizing she was beginning to shout.
Alfred came into the dining room and refilled Adriana's wine glass. She continued to speak as he poured.
"Because we are vigilantes," Adriana said. "This...is our responsibility..to make sure justice is served."
"I have not practiced vigilantism is a very long time, dear," Bruce said and wiped his mouth with his napkin.
"Okay, maybe not as the Batman but you were working hard on researching the chemical structure of the drug and-" Adriana stopped talking as Bruce stood up, without saying a word and left the room.
It was very strange. He didn't seem overly fed up or annoyed. He walked away as though he heard a phone ring or as though he heard someone calling him in another room. He didn't excuse himself or explain anything and did not leave in an angry or hostile way. Is was so surprising that Adriana was too shocked to call him back to the table.
"What the..." Adriana said and looked over at Alfred who was still standing beside her.
"Yes...that was rather...abrupt," Alfred said. "Would you like me to have a word with him?"
"No..it's..." Adriana sighed heavily and started on her second glass of wine. "It's fine."
After a few swallows she spoke again.
"Maybe I'm being a pest?" she asked. "I mean..it's eating me up. The way she looked at me and...I don't know I have a weird feeling about her."
"Is it a particularly bad feeling?" Alfred asked.
"Well...no...just weird," Adriana shrugged. "I mean..I don't even think she's...bad. But she's caught up in something, that Catwoman. Something I think that maybe she doesn't want to be a part of. When she was telling me about Burgeon basically going extinct..she sounded kind of relieved."
"Well, then that is a good thing, isn't it?" Alfred asked.
"Maybe, but...whoever they are...whoever she's mixed up with," Adriana said. "They have it in for the Batman. Burgeon...that drug... wasn't strong enough. It's crazy that this is going on..who knows that they have planned next. And Bruce doesn't seem concerned at all."
"I have noticed his behavior has been a bit..unusual lately," Alfred confessed.
"You mean his..moody attitude and...careless apathetic demeanor?" Adriana asked. "It's like he doesn't care about anything but us. You and me and Arsenio...He's missed a few days of work this week."
Alfred nodded.
"Maybe..this is all getting to him but..this is his way of showing it?" Adriana asked. "It's not like him..He likes to take charge and figure things out. He's never been a person to just let things go. Especially not something like this. The people out there behind this...they know who he is. They know his name. They know that the Batman is Bruce Wayne. I'd say that maybe he was just in shock but even shock doesn't last this long."
Alfred nodded again in agreement.
"Perhaps you should talk to him," Adriana said.
"I have made efforts," Alfred said. "And I will continue to."
"Thanks," Adriana said and reached for Alfred's hand.
.
.
.
Shade stood on the bridge, looking out over Gotham city. Tonight, of all nights, the city was peaceful and quiet. There wasn't much work to be done, and it was frustrating. She needed to take out her anger on something, and beating up thugs was as good a relief as any.
She needed someone to talk to. Someone who would understand. She had already talked Bruce's ear off. She had talked off Lucius' ear as well, though he was a patient listener. She wanted to talk to the Joker.
She wasn't far from his apartment. Going back to where she had stashed her clothing and bag was too much of a trip for her. And the night was still young. Anything could happen.
.
.
.
Shade scaled the building using her grapple gun, making sure she wasn't seen as she opened the window to his apartment. It took her less than two seconds to get inside.
As soon as she was on her feet she saw him standing there pointing a gun at her, which he promptly lowered.
"You have a gun?" she asked.
"Yes," the Joker said with an annoyed puff of air. "What are you doing?"
"I'm more curious about what you're doing with a gun," she said. "Did you think I was a burglar?"
"Who else would break in, in the middle of the night in dark clothing and a mask?" he asked and sat the gun on the counter by the sink next to the window she was shutting.
"Sorry.." she said and pulled off her mask. "I didn't mean to frighten you."
"Do I look frightened?" he asked.
"Oh.." she said, feeling silly for asking. "I mean..sorry for disturbing you."
"Mhh," he huffed.
"So..what do you have? Motion sensors around the outside perimeter? On the wall?" she asked. "How did you know I was coming to get your gun so quickly?"
"No," he said. "I am the motion sensor. I knew someone was coming."
"But how?" she asked almost laughing.
He shrugged. "Call it a sixth sense."
Adriana and the Joker looked at each other for a few moments.
"I'm sorry," she said, finally. "I...this was so selfish and stupid of me to just come in like this."
He looked like he couldn't disagree.
"I was just in the area and I needed someone to talk to and.." she said, feeling sillier. "Yeah. I'm sorry for assuming you're free and I mean...what if you had a girl here or something? Or if you were sleeping-"
"What girl?" he asked. "And I was sleeping."
"Seriously?" she asked, even more impressed by how rapidly he was prepared to defend himself against and intruder. "I mean..no particular girl, I was just saying you could have been busy or something and I was rude to assume you wouldn't be-"
"Well I am generally not busy," he said, closing his eyes tiredly and running a hand through his hair. "The assumption made sense."
"Yeah..but it was still rude," she said. "I'll go..you go back to sleep-"
"Too late," he said. "I'm up."
"Okay," Adriana said.
His sleepy appearance, in her eyes, made him incredibly adorable. When he was very tired, he developed the slightest lazy eye. Adriana had always noticed it. He would blink slowly and the right eye would close just a bit slower than the left. It was something that was always there..something that didn't change with laser surgery and dental work. Something unique to him that was permanent, like a stamp of authenticity. As he blinked again, she fell in love with it.
"And you are here because?" he asked.
"Oh.." she said, remembering. But suddenly it didn't seem important.
She didn't care about the Catwoman. Maybe Bruce was right. The drug was off the street and the last few people who had used it and had been arrested had made a full recovery. Maybe she was overreacting. Maybe she needed to just let it go, as he had done. It wasn't as though there was anything they could do at this point but be thankful that the Catwoman seemed to have been telling the truth.
"It's about Bruce, am I right?" the Joker said finally.
"Huh?" Adriana said, trying to avoid watching his blinks so closely. "What about him?"
"About his problem," the Joker said.
Adriana shook her head and picked up her mask.
"You're still on this?" she asked, felling like slapping her mask on and leaving.
"Well, he's still on the pills so ...ah..yeah," the Joker said.
"Listen, Jack," Adriana said. "This is the last time you'll say anything like that. Bruce isn't on any pills. Do you live with him? No! I do. He's home a lot. We spend 24/7 together on the weekends. If he was going anything I would know."
"Why is he home so much? Not going to work?" the Joker asked.
"He has months in accumulated vacation time," Adriana said. "He's allowed."
"So Bruce isn't what you came here to talk to me about," the Joker said.
"No," Adriana said. "I wanted to talk to you about the Catwoman and how she-"
"Ahh, yes, Bruce told me that you aren't letting that go," the Joker said. "He seems tired of hearing about her-"
"I really would appreciate if you and Bruce don't discuss me," Adriana said.
"Tell him that," the Joker said. "I just listen."
"Will do," Adriana said and put her mask on. "Goodnight-"
"Your denial is quite impressive," the Joker said.
"Denial?" she asked. "Your fantasy is what's impressive."
"You think I'm fantasizing about Bruce popping opiates," the Joker said.
"Yes and I don't know why," Adriana said. "Why you're so obsessed with this notion-"
"The Catwoman," the Joker said, seeming to take the conversation in a different direction by getting her attention. "Is very skilled. However not as skilled as you. I'm sure in a fight, she would be the best competition you've had in a while. You would fight hard. You might even get hurt. But you would win. And I think you know that."
"Well..thanks for the vote of confidence-" she said.
"It was not a complement," the Joker said. "That is why you are hyper-focused on her. Because you know that she...is a problem that you can tackle."
"Jack-" Adriana said crossing her arms.
"But the problem with your husband," the Joker said.
"There is no problem!" Adriana shouted.
"Makes you cower," the Joker finished his sentence.
"You're calling me a coward?" she asked.
"Eh..well, cowards cower so.." the Joker said and pressed his lips together. "Yes."
"I am not a coward," she said. "I'm the exact opposite-"
"Then humor me," the Joker said. "Just for a moment, if you dare."
Adriana let out a long, loud breath.
"Fine, Jack," Adriana said. "But you're wrong."
He was quiet as she stood with her arms still crossed.
"Go ahead," she said.
"You said you're with him 24/7," the Joker said. "But that is not possible. Unless you follow in on every bathroom visit, every errand, every trip to his office...I'm sure you get the point."
"He wouldn't sneak behind my back," Adriana said and the Joker raised a finger to silence her. "There's nowhere to hide his pills anyway. He leaves his office and desk unlocked since he's home more-"
"Let's just say," the Joker said. "For instance...if he was an addict. You know, addicts are clever. They will hide their substance of choice in plain sight. Places you would never look. But let's just say...you found some pills stashed in...oh, I don't know, one of his fancy three hundred dollar fountain pens. What would you do?"
"That would never happen," Adriana laughed. "Who hides pills in a pen?"
"An addict," the Joker said. "Now answer the question."
"That's not how Bruce is-" Adriana defended him again.
"Cowering again," the Joker said, shaking his head. "Shade...standing here cowering. Who would have known?"
"Fine!" Adriana said. "I...I don't know. I would.."
Adriana had to think. She couldn't. Her mind put up a wall. She couldn't imagine her husband in such a predicament. She imagined it was someone else's husband.
"I would.." Adriana said. "Send him to rehab immediately."
"Send him," the Joker laughed. "You're aware, you are married to one of..if not the most powerful man in the world."
"Yes, I would make him go," Adriana said.
"And what if he explains it away," the Joker said. "And convinces you he doesn't need any treatment?"
Adriana suddenly felt shaken. She didn't want to talk to the Joker about it anymore. She broke eye contact with him and now instead of crossing her arms, she felt like she was holding herself. He walked over to her and placed his hands on the sides of her arms. She looked at him again and his expression had changed. He looked serious and concerned.
"So.." the Joker said. "Tell me. What would your approach be if he insists he doesn't need treatment?"
"I..." Adriana said. "I don't know. I can't...I...are you going to call me a coward again?"
"No," the Joker said.
"What should I do?" she asked, now even more shaken by the fact that she was considering the possibility.
"I cannot tell you that," the Joker said. "I can only tell you my concerns as his friend and encourage you to have a plan of action when this comes to light. I want him to get help. Now."
Adriana nodded and looked down. She was sure she wouldn't find any pills, but she had to show him she was not afraid to entertain the idea. She was not a coward.
"Tell me your approach," the Joker said, sounding like he was preparing her for something very important.
"Jack...I love him," Adriana said. "If he refused treatment and he needed it..I...I can't control him-"
Adriana paused, feeling like she was going to cry, but she pulled it back in. No tears.
"You're his wife," the Joker said. "You can control him more than you think."
"How?" Adriana asked. "Cry? Beg?"
"He will soothe your tears and reassure you that he is fine," the Joker said.
"What?" Adriana said. "How do you know so much about-"
"I had a lot of time with Dr. Kapoor's library," the Joker said. "Addiction is a fascinating thing."
"Oh.." Adriana said.
"So," the Joker said. "When he calms you and assures you that all is well."
"Jack," Adriana said, wriggling away from him. The topic was too uncomfortable. "What could I do? You told me he's the most powerful man in the world so I can't control him and then tell me I can control him because I'm his wife-"
"I said you cannot simple make him go to rehab, because he is powerful," the Joker said. "But because you are his wife, you can convince him the convince himself to go, somehow."
"How?" Adriana asked. "I...have nothing to convince him with but to plead and beg him and-"
The tears began to flow as Adriana spoke, surprising her.
"And he will find a way around that," the Joker said. "You can only cry for so long."
Adriana wiped her eyes quickly. The Joker's tone became harsh the moment she began to cry.
"Fine!" Adriana said, firmly. "I would threaten him."
The Joker looked, not exactly surprised, but like he was about to hear something he was unprepared for. He waited for the solution for his friend.
"I would threaten to leave him," Adriana said. "I would...I would threaten to leave and take Arsenio with me."
Adriana looked at the Joker's face. The entire time, he had been the confident one. The one asking the questions. The one trying to build up her strength for the situation. Again, it seemed her words did not surprise him. But for a second, it appeared on his face and he could not hide it. A sadness. A hurt. Arsenio would never be removed from his father, the Joker knew. But the idea alone hurt him. The Joker had spent enough time with Arsenio to know that the boy was extremely attached to his father and loved him more than anything. And he knew that Bruce loved his son and his wife more than anything in the world.
"Yes," the Joker said, his voice low.
"Yes?" Adriana said, not sure if she had said the right thing. But she couldn't think of anything else to force Bruce to do something.
"He would comply if given such an ultimatum," the Joker said. His voice still low and sullen. "He would get help."
The Joker looked into Adriana's eyes and she felt like she was not alone in this. She would do what needed to be done.
.
.
.
"You're back early," Bruce said and wrapped his arms around Adriana as she got into bed.
"Slow night.." she said. "Gotham...slept."
"That's rare," Bruce said and kissed her.
Adriana held his face and looked at him. Suddenly, everything she had talked to the Joker about seemed ridiculous. He was Bruce...her Bruce. The one who gave all he had to her and Arsenio. The one who worked hard to take care of them. The one she loved.
"I love you," Adriana said.
Bruce smiled and whispered the same against her lips before kissing her again. As their kisses deepened she wrapped her arms around him and he leaned over so that he was on top of her. She felt his back, it felt cool and damp.
"You're sweating," she said.
"Mm," he said as he started another kiss.
"A lot," she whispered and felt the lower part of his back where his spine curved in slightly.
"Well," he said, speaking in between kisses. "With any luck, we'll both be sweating soon."
And he was right. After over an hour of lovemaking, Bruce was asleep. Adriana looked up at the ceiling, feeling relaxed and loved. Somehow she knew that Bruce would not lie to her and keep things from her. But she looked over at him and saw his skin still glistening as he slept. The sweat on his complexion made his skin look pearly and glowing. She could see the outlines of the muscles in his arms and abdomen even in the dark. He was alight. He was an absolutely beautiful man. She kissed his dewy cheek as he slept.
She got out of the bed and went into the bathroom. After using the toilet she went over to her sink and looked at herself in the mirror. But she couldn't see herself. She felt like she saw past herself and right through to Bruce's sink..the reflection in the mirror.
Adriana walked over and looked at the items there. They were few compared to her bottles of products and styling tools and makeup and contacts lenses.
The gold plated stand for his razor set caught her eye. Her arms seemed to move on their own, intuition somehow guiding her in a meditative way. She picked up the small razor brush and as soon as it was in her hand, she heard something move around inside of it. In a stoic and calm movement she twisted the bristled top and it came off easily. Inside she saw a single pill.