The next morning came too quickly. I tossed and turned for most of the night, still wondering if the Joker had left when I thought he did. As I walked down the main staircase and into the side kitchen, I could already smell coffee brewing. John and Alfred were midway through breakfast when I walked in. The small kitchen tv set that must have been there since the 90's was switched on to the local news channel, displaying images from damage left by last night's storms.

"Good morning ,Ms. Falcone" greeted Alfred, he gave me a nod as he held up his cup of tea. John looked up from his newspaper and smiled at me.

"Just Lucy, no need for formalities Alfred. And good morning. " I said as cheerfully as I could muster. As I went to pour myself a cup of coffee, I glanced over at John who was studying the daily paper carefully. I couldn't help but notice his strong jawline and clean shaven face. His body was built to be the new Batman, that was for sure. As I made my way to the kitchen table, the buzzing of the news caught my attention.

"We have our own Ms. Danielle Lee live outside Gotham City Hall with an update on the growing criminal activity. Danielle?"

"Yes, good morning Scott. This past week we have seen record breaking numbers of criminal reports. The GPD has yet to release any statements on the ongoing investigation into the Joker's escape from Arkham Asylum. As we continue to mourn the late Batman, polls show a lack of public faith in the Gotham Police Department. I'm Danielle Lee, live at Gotham City Hall-"

John shut off the tv.

"They've got to have more faith in our police force. A lot has changed since Batman… The commissioner has done a lot to improve the department."

Alfred pretended to be occupied with his cup of tea. I looked at both of them. Batman's friends and family were right in front of me. There was silence for a few moments as Alfred began to get up and take the dishes away.

"Alfred I got this," John said, folding his paper and beginning to clear the table. "You've done your time," he said with a wink. Alfred smiled and let John pick up the plates with a nod of thanks. Alfred turned to me.

"You're in very safe hands here, my dear. With the Joker out of Arkham and the city experiencing higher levels of crime, I'm sure the mob is quite preoccupied. Try to relax. " I nodded, lost in thought. Wondering how all of this would be affecting me in the weeks to come.

Sensing my worry, Alfred reached out a hand towards mine. Instinctively, I moved my hand under the table before he could make contact. It was a peculiar moment.

"I- I'm sorry" I began, "I haven't been feeling well and I should wash my hands..." I got up to go to the sink where John was drying the coffee mugs. It was an uncomfortable start to what I expected was going to be an eventful day.

"Lucy, I've got to go into the city to run some errands before tonight. I should be back around 6 or 7." John said as he finished washing the last dish. I figured this was a good time to broach a question that I'd been contemplating since leaving the narrows.

"Hey John, can I ask a favor?"

"Of course."

"I want to… go back to my old place to get my things. If they are still there. I left some important things in that room.

"I don't know, Lucy..."

"Alfred said it himself, the mob must have their hands full." I looked back at Alfred who began looking down at the morning paper, avoiding my gaze.

"But what about all the violence going on? The Joker? Your place is in the Narrows."

"That's why I'd be most comfortable going with you, rather than heading out by myself."

"What could possibly be more valuable to you right now than your own safety, Lucy?" John said matter of factly.

"My mother's necklace." I said, looking down. It was the only thing I had left of hers. I had hidden it underneath a floorboard in case my room was raided.

"Nevermind" I said. As I began to walk away he grabbed my hand. Not again…

His memories seeped into me like whispers from the darkness…

"Why the mask?"

"To protect the people closest to me…

There are always people you care about…

You just don't realize how much until they're gone..."

"You gotta learn to hide the anger, practice smiling in the mirror… Not a lot of people know what it feels like to be angry in your bones."

"Lucy?" I was staring off into the distance. Shaking my head I realized John was looking at me, puzzled.

"I said I'd take you… are you having second thoughts?".

I- No. No, I want to go. I just haven't been feeling well lately."

"Coffee on an empty stomach is never a good idea" chimed Alfred, standing up. "Let me make you some toast." He said smiling.

"Thank you," I said. He nodded and headed towards the pantry. I turned to John, who had let go of my hand.

"I just want you to be safe. You need proper training before you decide to return to the city. I just want to help you."

"John, I have plenty of training already. My father made sure of that-"

"It's more than just about throwing punches or knowing how to fire a weapon..." said John. After a few seconds of prolonged eye contact he let out a sigh. "Alright... after errands." I smiled and nodded in gratitude.

"I'm leaving in an hour or so. I have to stop by the police department but we can swing by your place on the way back. I'll meet you in the main garage." He left while Alfred was coming back with a beautiful plate of buttered toast and jam.

The garage was where Bruce had kept his extensive collection of cars and motorcycles. Some of which looked as if they had never been used. It probably would have taken me a good ten minutes to locate John if he hadn't called my name. In the distance he was pushing a modified red and black motorcycle towards the garage entrance.

"One of Bruce's?" I asked, grinning.

"Actually this is mine" he said matter of factly. "I built this and upgraded the parts. It's my pride and joy. Red Bird.

"You named it?"

"You have to! They're your babies!" He passed me a helmet and some gloves. I was grateful for both. Though I hoped the gloves would provide me with a different kind of protection. When I was suited up, he patted the backseat of the motorcycle, motioning for me to get on. I was reminded of how Joker had made the same gesture the night before on my bed. I shook the image out of my mind and got on.

"Hold on tight!" he yelled, revving the engine. I could hear the excitement in his voice. Wrapping my arms around him tightly, I realized how strong he was. Thank god I was wearing gloves. My palms were sweaty with nerves .

We whipped out of the garage and towards the gates of the estate in seconds. It had been over a week since I had been outside of the mansion. My shoulder still hurt but was relatively in good shape. I hung on and tried to enjoy the ride.

The main highway curved along the coast line and I could see the entire city as we approached it. From afar Gotham looked beautiful. For the most part, it still was. After years of battle, there it stood, tall and proud.

"Are you doing ok?" he yelled back.

"Yeah!" I replied, nodding my head.

"Good, we'll be there in fifteen!"

As the sun rose high into the sky, the autumn breeze swept by us. Peak foliage in the city was one of my favorite times of year. I could smell the crispness of the air. I had needed this ride more than I thought.

When we arrived at the police station, John parked his bike next to a few cops cars and exchanged a few handshakes from some of the younger officers. He surely was well liked.

"Do you want to come in or wait out here?" he said, taking off his helmet and placing it on the bike.

"I'll come in" I said, taking off my helmet as well. I was hoping with my new hair, I wouldn't be recognized. As if reading my mind, John gave me a pat on my shoulder.

"Don't worry, you don't look like a Falcone anymore."

I nodded in relief.

As we walked inside, I noticed the open floor plan and central wooden staircase separating the first floor from the second. In front of me the space was littered with cubicles and paperwork. Looking upwards, more offices circled above. Very hierarchical.

Everyone was consumed in their work as we walked towards an open office space at the far end of the room. A slightly overweight, balding, middle aged man squinted in our direction. He smiled in recognition.

"John! How are yah buddy? Couldn't stay away from the office, hah?" a born and raised Gothamite.

"I'm good, Ben. Nice to see you again... Hey listen, is the Commissioner around?" Ben hesitated, looking at me and then back to John.

"She's with me."

Ben nodded. "He's uh… up in his office. It's been crazy around here John. Real crazy. We could use the extra help if you decided to come back.

"I'll think about it", John said, patting Ben on the shoulder as we made our way up the stairs to the second floor.

As we approached an office door labeled "Dept. Commissioner, James Gordon," John led me to a bench across the hall from the door.

"Official business.. Boring stuff. I'll be out in a few minutes", he explained. I rolled my eyes smiling and nodded.

"Take your time." I said. He nodded, turning to knock on the door and let himself in. Not like I didn't already know what he was up to... John was getting tips from Gordon on all the crime hotspots around Gotham. Smart. He was well on his way to planning his first official trip into the city... as its new masked vigilante.

Feeling complacent, I looked around the police station. There were criminals being led into holding cells, grumbling as cops pushed them forward impatiently. Some of them looked homeless, others were on drugs, some too drunk or too beaten to be recognizable. It reminded me of the interrogations that used to go on in the family home. When my father thought I was sleeping and when my mother was supposedly in bed, that's when I would open my bedroom door to listen to the muffled screams coming from the basement.

I sighed and looked up at the ceiling. It was perplexing. John's memories still lingered in my head. So did the Jokers. The emotions, the anxiety - it was overwhelming. Never had my gift affected me in the way that it was now. The feelings were intense. And they stuck around in a very potent way.

"Thanks Gordon '' I heard, as the door opened to the comissioner's office. A half hour had passed in the blink of an eye.

"Sorry that took so long, feeling ok?" he asked. I must have looked distressed.

"Yeah. This is just… my thinking face." I said nonchalantly

"What a face" he smirked, "shall we?" He continued. I stood up and nodded.

On our way down the stairs, John mentioned to me that the Narrows were heavy with police units. We shouldn't have any problems going in and out.

As we were walking towards the main entrance, I noticed a face staring at me from behind the bars. He had a scar running down the front of his face like an open fault line. I looked away and ducked my head behind John's, hoping that he hadn't recognized me as Lucy Falcone.

My apartment had been ransacked. It was unnerving, but I wasn't as scared as I should have been. Maybe it was because I was with John. Or maybe it was because I knew, for now, the Joker was keeping me alive.

You're safest with me... his voice whispered in my head.

Dresser drawers had been thrown open, clothes were everywhere. Some of my paintings were gone. The bed was disheveled.. I didn't want to think about who was on it and what they had been doing. John looked around but said nothing. Something told me he was very accustomed to these types of scenes.

I collected some of my remaining clothes and then pushed my bed away from the wall. Climbing behind it, I peeled away some wallpaper from a tiny hole in the wall. Reaching inside with a finger, I pulled out a small black sack.

"Thank god" I said, letting out a breath of air and holding the bag to my chest. I opened it to reveal a thin gold necklace housing a semiprecious gemstone embroidered in a case of golden flowers.

"What kind of stone is that?" Asked John, looking intently at the necklace. I held it up and it glistened in the light.

"Tiger's eye. My mother's. She told me it would always protect me."

"Well, so far so good," said John, smiling faintly. I unclasped the necklace, reaching behind my neck to secure it.

"May I?" he asked. I hesitated but eventually held out the necklace to him. As he stood behind me, I held very still. I could feel his breath on my neck. Before long he had secured it.

I looked at myself in the broken mirror on my vanity and admired it. I was grateful to still have that one piece of her.

Just then, a door slammed loudly from downstairs. I stood motionless as John held onto my uninjured shoulder. He put a finger to his lips.

I could hear at least three distinct sets of footsteps climbing up the stairs. John instinctively reached for the gun holstered under his jacket. From the distance I could hear only mumbling, but as they climbed up the stairs I heard one of them complaining.

"I say we go somewhere else. I'm not a fucking carpenter. How the hell are we supposed to fix that hole in the ceiling?"

I froze.

"Let's just get it done and head to 23rd and 4th. I heard they got a fresh shipment of jewelry all the way from Italy."

"I like the way you think," replied the other man gruffly. As the footsteps vanished up the stairs, John motioned for me to follow him outside.

We did our best to exit the building quietly, eventually reaching his bike parked behind an old dumpster.

"So much for a heavy cop presence" he commented, as he started the bike. "Looks like they might actually need some extra help."

I strapped on my helmet, and threw behind me my bag of valuables.

"Thanks, John, for coming back with me. It means a lot," I said as he turned on the ignition.

"Don't mention it, just promise me you won't come back here on your own again, alright?"

"Alright," I responded. He revved the engine and we made our way back to Wayne Manor.