"Stop! HELP! He stole my bag! Someone stop him!"

Bruce immediately snapped his head up in the direction of the cry. This being something that he trained himself to be able to pick up easily over the streets of Gotham. So, even with the din of the crowd, he was able to identify the direction of the cry. And sadly, for the crook that is... He was heading directly at the man who calls himself Batman.

...And someone was about to have a bad day!

Looking around, Bruce took stock of the crowd around him. Seeing how they were reacting to the man dashing through them. Doing a general assessment at the locals that he needed to make sure no one was going to be hurt, or get in the way. Some heard the cry, but more moved out of the way. And there were some that was ignoring it and just going about their business if they had noticed. Just another day in Gotham. But the scattering provided the crook a clear path towards him. But out of everyone, there was only one other that wasn't moving. Primed and ready to act like he was... And that was his girlfriend at his side.

Obviously hearing the cry of distress as well. But turned as she noticed him looking at her. Their eyes met as the bag thief broke into the pocket of empty space where the pair was standing. Pushing a man out of his way in hurry to try to escape, he wasn't paying enough attention to the danger that he didn't know was laying in wait for him.

In an instant, Bruce watched as the man aimed to try to run through Velma. As she was closer to where the thief had charged into where they were. But Velma only proved to be a solid resistance that he bounced off. Shouldering him off balance with their contact. Surprising her boyfriend as she reacted beyond just hitting into the guy. With the skill of a pickpocket, Velma was able to snatch the bag out of his grasp as he was trying muscle past her. In his shock, his eyes followed the bag with his head as it left his hands. Leaving a perfect opportunity for Bruce to make his own move!

With the neck exposed to him, Bruce stuck swiftly at the same time he swept the feet out from under the man. Between the lack of consciousness and the downward thrust of the strike, the would be robber crumpled to the floor in a pile. Dropping him like a sack of potatoes. Easily putting a stop to the man and his thievery.

But it was only after the pair had dealt with the man out of reflex, that they realized what they had done. Their eyes seeking one another out in a moment of panic!

"Catch!"

Bruce only had a second to register that the bag was being chucked in his direction. Velma tossing it at him as she had something else in mind. She was only gone for a second before she returned with a handful of scarves from the store they were still standing in front of. Hog tying the man in seconds, possibly beating the world record... Bruce watched in rapt fascination as Velma made quick work to tie up the thief. Tucking the bag into his hands, Bruce left the bag to be found by the cops that he was hearing shouting only moments away.

Out of habit, Bruce found himself up the fire escape before he could even think of what to do. The action engrained into his body from his other half. Used to letting Gordon and the other Gotham Police Department to clean up when he didn't want to get himself involved. And well, he wasn't even Batman right now, so he didn't want the attention for capturing someone looking the way he for their date...

'WAIT! Where is Velma?'

Fretting with concern he realized that he might have just left Velma back there! Hoping that he didn't just ditch her to deal with the cops, alone. Trying to crane from his higher vantage point up the fire escape to seek her out in the crowd that was gathering around the officers and the tangled man. Though it would be harder to pick her out, since she wasn't wearing her classic look. Too many people wearing black in the crowd for him to be able to find her in a scan, making him stress more that he couldn't find her. His heart blasting in his ears in a frenzy... Before a voice rang out in the smallest whisper on his earbud

"Phew, we made it..."

Looking around behind him, he found his Velma clinging up a pipe nearby. Holding on to it for dear life in an awkward grip of her own panic induced flee. Not as graceful as his own for sure, but it did the job. Especially for one less used to avoiding the cops as he was at times. The tension dropped from his shoulders as he was relieved to see her ok. Crossing over to the other side that was closer to where she clung. Not hiding his impressed look that she was able to climb two stories on that thin pipe! Getting almost as high as he was.

"Here, let me help you."

Leaning over the railing, he put out his hand to try to get her over to the fire escape. It was stable and could easily fit the two of them. And the windows that sat beside them was not only closed, but tapped up less they would be noticed by whom ever might or might not be living there. So, they would be safe for the moment, on the metal platform. Away from prying eyes.

"Oh... Right."

Taking a quick glance to realize the state she was in. He watched as Velma noticed just how she was up the pipe, and then at the assistance he was offering. Accepting his help, she reached out at his hand. Her grip was light but firm, leaning her weight on the hand without a moments of hesitation. Trusting him without a second of doubt, she released the pipe and pulled herself towards the fire escape. Pushing off slightly from the wall to add some momentum to aid in his retrieval. Letting him tug her easily up and over the railings and into his arms. Pressing her into himself to make sure she was all there.

With his hands wrapped around her, he held her for a moment before realizing what he was doing. And moved to apologize for hugging her without her consent.

"Oh shoot sorry... I couldn't help myself and wanted to make sure you were safe. I didn't mean to leave you down there..." He quickly rambled into her hair, with both arms giving her a hug before pushing her away to get a good look at her. Making sure she was in one piece and didn't hurt herself trying to follow after him. Worried brow knitted and eyes scanning her over for injuries. Taking stock of his girlfriend.

She started shaking slightly, making even more lines add into his brow. But soon she burst into giggles as she looked up at him, beaming a smile.

"I can't believe heehee we just did that! Heeheehee..."

Collapsing in relief, Bruce found himself being supported by her, quickly jumping to catch him and lower him to lean back against the railing he had just rescued her from. His legs going limp as he was glad she seemed unharmed. She fussed though still giggling as the adrenaline was probably still rattling around her as well. Her laugh being infectious and made him burst out into laugher to join her.

"Oh man... I am heh, sorry... I didn't meant to ditch youhoohoo..."

"Shhhh... heehee. Don't be, I mean we both hee hee, had to get out of therehee."

Sliding down the side of the metal siding to the fire escape, she sat next to and leaned against him. Still working out the giggling. Trying to stay more quiet but struggling, since they didn't want to draw attention that they were up there. In case someone caught a tailwind of where they had dashed off to. Lurking in the shadows and laughing at their impromptu criminal takedown.

"Oooooh man, that was some impressive lasso'ing! I guess we can attest to the strength and durability of those scarves that you got Daphne. Might have to get her fifty of them for her now."

"I think hee hee... If she had that many. Phew. Fred might end up stealing them more often to know that she had extras in storage. So, heh. Daph might not appreciate that. Though, Sister Diana taught me and Daphne some basic roping stuff to add to what hee we already knew from previous adventures. Glad that came in hee-andy. Did some also in a themed Western resort named Cyber Gulch on a mystery back in the day."

"Wait... Sister Diana? As in Wonder Woman, Diana?" He asked, eyes growing wide. Why was this the first time he heard about this?

"Yeah, heh ahhhh after some Justice League things me and the gang did, she invited us all to go over to Themyscira for a small vacation and to help her with a mystery her and the amazon's had. While we were there, me and Daphne got adopted by the end of it. Got a bit of training in as well. The guys had to mostly wait in the plane."

Looking over at her, she was still all smiles from their little adventure. And well, while he might have to talk to Diana later for not sharing that information. He couldn't have picked a better pair to add to their ranks though. Totally able to see her and Daphne being accepted over there with their skills. Made him happy to know that Diana would go to bat for her Sister in Velma in a pinch. Good thing to know.

But Bruce was happy as well, since Velma was accepting his touch at the moment, leaning her weight on him. He pulled up his arm, and she just slide into the gap that was created. He wanted to put his arm around her, but also felt bad that he hugged her before when he saw that she was unscathed. She said earlier that she was still getting used to his touch so, he left it hanging. Especially since the subway thing, he wasn't sure and didn't want to make things worse without asking permission. Not trying to scare her away with his casual grabs of physical affection. Making her look up at it, and then him. Getting a confused look on her face.

"May I?" Bruce asked politely.

"Oh you... Get over here."

Tugging on his arm, she pulled the arm around her shoulder and across her collarbone. Bringing up a hand to place over his on her other shoulder. Leaning into him more before she spoke up again. Though most of her giggling had died down by that point. Wiggling a little to get comfortable against his side. Him trying not to show that he was over the moon with her directing his hand around her like that.

"I was surprised to see you so nimble to get up here. I mean, I have watched you do the same before, but well... Putting two and two together. Not like you lose your skills once the costume was off. But I am shocked you didn't tear anything to get up here. Your silk shirt is in one piece still! Going from the trash can, to the dumpster. Before a bounce off an AC unit to get to grab the base of this level. Before swinging up to get over the railing. I mean, I've watched Shaggy do something similar, but I fear I will leave the acrobatics to you experts... I just scrambled up here unceremoniously."

She used her hands to energetically recount his method for getting to the fire escape. Only letting go to punctuate her story before automatically returning to grip his hand on her. Him being amused at how well she was able to track him all the way up. But he had to hand it to her, she did climb to match his the height he reached.

"Hey, I don't think normal people would have been able to scale two stories at the drop of a hat. Quite a skilled feat in itself. That pipe didn't exactly give the best hand holds." He complimented her.

"Oh great, glad to be not normal." She droned sarcastically at him.

"Yep. So much better! Wouldn't have you any other way." He said grinning and laying the side of his head on the top of hers. Rubbing into it slightly and giving her hand a squeeze. She craned her neck slightly forward, resting her head on his arm and sighed. His head moving with hers. Though to him it didn't seem a bad sigh. And it seemed she didn't mind him snuggling into her head either.

"Well, I guess I need to be weird just to keep up with you."

"Seemed to me, you kept up fine."

"Oh, you know what I mean."

"I got no complaints. Well, I guess I would rather you not try to take down a crook in broad daylight... but I guess the same would be said for you at me. It's just who we are. We can't help ourselves to do what is needed and just."

Sometimes he forgot that the dainty looking woman before him, was also a world famous crime fighter and this was as natural to her as it was to him. Her reactions were one of practice and planning. Not something most people might be able to come up with, on the spot. Let alone execute fully in the moment. As she knew exactly how to get the crook off balance. Who knows how many men she had taken down in similar fashion. Though usually there was a gang and a trap involved. But, it worked all the same here. She set him up, to make the final blow before she made sure he wasn't going anywhere. As well as skillfully removing the stolen item from the man before hand. Even if the thief had somehow gotten away, she had robbed him of his prize. So, even if Bruce hadn't stepped in, Velma had solved the distressed woman's problem. Capturing the bad guy, was just icing on the cake.

"Though it was fun to watch him stunned when he pushed over that big guy, only to bounce off of my, mwah petite, you." He said picking up his head enough to kiss the top of her head again.

"B~!" She mushed her cheek into his arm.

'Probably being bashful again. So adorable.'

"Though only WE would have the luck to be right there for a robbery, to be able to stop it." Velma slumped against his hold, as she was reacting to her own statement. Shaking her head slightly at their fate of such things. Adding a small huff of air out of her nose, cutely.

"Well, it's pretty normal for me. As 'luck' would have it, this happens a lot around me. But well, Bruce Wayne makes an enticing kidnap-y. I mean, more then once did some villain come along to grab me, as well as any valuables they could get their hands on in like a museum banquet. I mean, with all those rich people in one place, I guess it's hard to resist. Though if the security can't do anything, Batman usually does."

"Great, now I have to worry about two people getting kidnapped. One was bad enough!" She sighed with a small chuckle at the end of it. More of a sigh for 'oh no, not again'... probably.

"Maybe you two should compare notes... Though Daphne is possibly just as clever at getting out of it as you are. Since she mostly finds her way back to us, if we don't find her first. But then again, might not be good to encourage either of you two."

"Ah, future conversation then." Leaning up, he took a look as the police car drove off and the crowd was beginning to disperse. "Hm... Looks like the party down there was breaking up. We might be able to get down soon."

"Yeah, we need to get back to shopping anyway." She almost sounded disappointed that they would have to move from being comfortable spot laying against him. Well, he hoped that was the reason she was disappointed.

"Oh shoot! We have to go back there and pay that scarf guy back for the ones you took for the tie up." Thinking about it, it didn't sit right with him to not refund the man for services rendered. Since those scarves did impress him with how well they seemed to work with tying the man up with. Not tearing in the effort or taking to the knots poorly.

"Oh, don't worry about it. I made sure to toss him a handful of money at the time. I didn't count it exactly, but if anything, he got a large tip and well... Maybe some accidental promotion for being involved in a criminal takedown. Who knows..."

"Well, this is Gotham. That will quite possibly be a boon for that seller. I just hope they didn't get a good look at us enough to report the good Samaritans to the news, or the Gotham Gazette. They would eat that up... And the last thing we need is Vicki or some other journalist hunting us down for the scoop."

"Oh great. I'm trying to psych myself up for the reveal of us being together... I don't need to be on the news already..." Velma whined into his arm.

"Well, we'll deal with that as it comes. I can contact Barbara if you are really worried. She can scour the internet and delete any posts or photos she can find if someone was able to snap off anything good for identifying us. And what the news programs might be buzzing about."

"I mean, for me I don't think it's a bad thing. As it is what I do. And I can always blame Daphne. But how would it be for you? I mean, Daytime you?" Velma looked back at him, concern in her eyes.

"Well, I didn't do anything. He seemed to trip on his own two feet, right?" He shrugged and gave her his best convincing look. Which only made her roll her eyes at him but smile.

"Ah, who would think that Bruce Wayne would be skilled enough in anything to take down a crook?"

"Yep, Leaving it all to my amazing, Crime solving girlfriend who made the takedown! Plus, I took some self defense classes. It was required by my insurance policy holders, after some of my kidnappings."

"Ah, made sure to cover all your bases, don't you."

"Always! It's happened more then enough times that I got plenty of occasions I can cite to for the skills. Or well, I can always pretend that I meant to run away and ended up getting tangled in the guy, had you not been there to lend the assist and most of the credit. I'm a terrible buffoon when it comes to those things, you see. As long as I seem to be incompetent, people believe that it was an accident that I got away with doing something. But I doubt in the panic, most people were paying attention to us. Gossip would blow the story out of proportion anyway."

Though he did like to hedge his bets. So, he would totally take a moment when Velma wasn't looking to contact Barbara just in case and let her in on what happened. Maybe get Tim on that if she needed a second set of eyes to go through all the cell phone data from the area. Making a mental note for the time that the event occurred.

"True, but still...I guess I have to get used to your cover story about being unskilled. Hard to picture you trying to play the fool. Must be hard, I'm sorry you have to go through that. But I think that was enough of a close call for today. Let's hope that we don't get any encores. I haven't gotten to tell the gang yet, and I would hate it to be on he evening news how they find out..." Velma grumbled into his arm again.

"I would swear to not do it, but I know that it would be a lie and both of us would have done the same thing if it happened again."

"Sigh, you are right. But I guess, I need to prove more of the capable one then. Going to feel weird."

"Or we need to get the gang to start being a better influence on me. Once both of us are ready to emotionally handle that being said aloud. But once the gang knows, you guys can become my excuse for being better at getting out of something like that. Being 'bad influences' and all that."

"Daphne would get a kick out of that."

"Oh, I bet she would. But not yet. Let's tell her about Wayne and see how that goes. But, we better get going..."

He had to say it. He would love to stay there, but they only had managed to get some scarves for Daphne, let alone anything for the rest of the group. So, sadly he had to move. Giving her hand a squeeze, he lightly tightened his over the shoulder hug on her, before reluctantly letting go and unwrapping his arm around her. She made a small unhappy sound as he let go, tugging at his heart strings for having to move. But maybe later they could get in some more snuggle time. Getting to his feet to offer his hand to help her up. He watched her grip his hand and lock for a second. Almost seeming like she wanted to pull him back down with her. But she relented and let him get her to her feet instead.

With another escort grip on her hand, he led her to the first floor of the fire escape. He noticed the latch to let down the fire escape and got an idea. Looking at it, then looking at her. He let go of her hand and held out that empty hand towards her with his palm up. Head nodding in the direction of the ladder.

"May I?"

Instantly, her brows scrunched together. One eyebrow raising to look him over. But he watched as the wheels were turning in her head. Looking down at the mechanism that would release the fire escape ladder down, and at his open hand.

"Are you suggesting we..."

"Yes, I've done it before. Many many times. Can totally hold our weight."

"... That is terribly unsafe."

"True, but it might be fuuu~uuun, my Lydia."

Bruce wiggled his fingers at her, and grinned. Had he not done this tons of times, as Batman. And knew the general overall strength of the mechanic and the ladders scattered around Gotham. He wouldn't have suggested it. But it was a small enough fall, that even if the ladder didn't work like it should, he would be able to react to keep them both safe.

Though honestly, it was harder to go up one, then it was to go down it.

"Mrrrrrrr..." Came the sound out of Velma as she was considering it. Wandering over and looking at the ladder with her own detective brain. Probably looking at the latch and if there was any faults or wear. He was pretty sure they should be rather new. After some issues with some fire escapes on a patrol a while back, Bruce had sunk in some funds to update and make sure the fire escapes were up to code across Gotham. Not only to make sure him and his kids were safe, but it was a great tax right off for the business. As well as some great publicity for the Wayne side of things.

"...Fine." She relented, putting her hand in his.

Tugging her to him, he got her close enough to wrap an arm around her back. Pulling her close, he used the other hand to grasp the ladder. She wrapped her hands around him, securing a grip. He would love to have done a princess carry for her, or pulled her up higher to have a grip under her legs letting her be high enough to wrap her arms around his neck to be safe. But unless it was a legit rescue, he felt like those were beyond her comfort zone and relented. Emergencies only, till they had been together enough for him to grab her like that with her permission. Not wanting to push things, since she was accepting his indulgence at the moment.

Turning to her to see if she was ready, he moved his ladder hand to place a finger to his lips. Shushing her for what was about to happen. He didn't need her to let out a yell, and get people looking their landing. She looked at him for a second, before her eyes opened up and gave him a nod. Realizing what he meant behind the shush.

"Hold on."

Flicking the latch to the ladder, he quickly moved his grip to the rung as gravity kicked in. With her pulled to him, they both fell with the escape ladder. It was a short ride, but an exhilarating one. Watching her suppress an 'eep', before she tightened her grip on him. As the metal touched down, he dropped the last few rungs to reach the alley floor. Making sure he hit the bottom and cushioned the fall before her feet did.

"See, that wasn't so bad."

He let go reluctantly, and her arms slid off of him as her feet touched the ground. Turning her back to him, she stood still for a moment as he tried to read her body language. Still not have spent enough time for him to have fully translated how she might react to things. Waiting a pensive second caught up in his throat, she flipped up her hood and did a single small bunny hop forward. Hearing her take in and out of a breath, she then turned back at him. Her eyes twinkling from the rush, and then she nodded her head towards the packed sidewalk. It had resumed it's normal ebb and flow, the moment of the capture lost to the everyday rush of foot traffic.

Unable to resist smiling at her antics to keep quiet and yet express her feelings from their actions. Bruce grinned back at her giddy look and nod to get back to their shopping. Mentally recording her actions to keep in mind. Loving every moment he spent with the small woman with the large presence that took up his field of view. Finding that he could fall even deeper in love with her. Not being able to wait to see how far that might lead him.

"Let's go."

"Right behind you."