Another super long chapter… make a coffee take a tea and settle into flashback city.
Once again... I own nothing - from the Nolan Verse to the Criminal Minds Verse
Bruce ran the information he had about Jack through all of his systems and they all came up empty. He didn't exist digitally.
He watched them eat dinner on his surveillance system and he hoped she would say his name or something that could help him find his true identity. Since Holly was gone Penelope asked him to spend the night—so she could take him the hospital tomorrow morning.
Jack was on his best behavior – which just made Penelope putty in his hands – Bruce had watched him do this to her before and he didn't understand how she could be so oblivious to his manipulations. When the movie was over he tried to kiss her, Bruce knew what would be next, he reminded himself that he was needed on a rooftop somewhere. How hard was it to ask for exclusivity, he thought. But, he wouldn't even know about this if he weren't spying on her. He decided he couldn't watch anymore when he heard her say, "I can't." Bruce turned to the screen and watched the rest unfold.
"I want us to focus on your recovery," Penelope said.
"You are apart of that – you make me whole," he countered softly, leaning in for another kiss when she put her hands on his chest.
"You need to be whole without me – I could be with you again if you left the hoods, had a normal job, and found the right medicinal concoction – I love you no matter what but I want more."
"What Brucey gives you?" Jack chided.
"Bruce and I are friends," she said clearly, "Do I like Bruce?" she shrugged, "Sure. But that shouldn't make you angry – you're in my heart Jack – only you and I need you to be better—to be well—to be the man I envisioned when we were kids. There is a crazy man out there, now—The Joker and what if he targets you? Or the guys? I can't loose you and this seems like the only way…"
"You promised," he said as anger filled him.
"And I'm not breaking it," she said taking his hand and kissing it, "—but you need to be well first and then we can start working on that promise."
She watched Jack as a tear sailed down his face, he never cries, she thought. Christ this isn't going the way she thought it would.
"Hey," she said moving closer to him, "Jay, nothing is changing," she said stroking his cheek.
"Penny Bear," he paused, "What if – I'm broken and can't be fixed," he asked removing her hand, "what if these desires never stop and no concoction helps?"
"Dr. Alice believes she can control the mania without leaving you feeling all grey and washed out… and then you can work at a non-profit. Trust me – everything will be all right. I mean the medicine she gave you seems to be working."
"Right?" she asked.
"Yes," he muttered avoiding her eyes, "I get it."
"Do you?" she asked as she raised his face to hers.
"I do," he looked at the blanket and pillows she brought out, "Can I – Can we do things like movies or are we not even friends?"
"You're my heart darling… but only friends. Until you're better."
"So… I'm on the couch. …Till 6 months of good behavior?"
She nodded.
He nodded, "Ok, Ms. Garcia," he began to make up the couch
"I'm going to bed, 8am Dr. Alice."
He nodded solemnly.
When he heard her bedroom door close, he muttered, "Fuck you Bruce Wayne."
Alfred entered the room and he quickly turned off the surveillance screens, Jack wasn't the Joker he thought, but that voice—was so distinctive. He had to get to the bottom of this – the sooner the better.
"What was that your working on?" Alfred asked as he placed a beverage in front of him.
"The case – no progress," he said hoping Alfred would leave it alone. Alfred didn't know he had Penelope under surveillance. Bruce knew he wouldn't approve.
Two days later, they pulled up to a little house in the Sonoma Valley Bruce announced we are here.
"And where is that?" Penelope asked looking around, "did you take me to a farm or some type of orchard?"
"This is my parent's place," he said walking to the trunk, "Welcome to the Wayne Vineyard. It's fully operational."
"Carlos," he said gesturing towards the mansion on the other side of the property, "runs this place, makes a batch every year and we gift it to Wayne employees at the holiday party. Have you tried the wine?"
"I never go to the holiday party," she confessed
"You are missing out," he teased, "but you're in luck. I'm sure I can find a bottle somewhere."
After they loaded everything into the house she was surprised that Alfred made them meals for their mini-vacay. "I don't understand why don't you let him go and then he could just live with you and be like the odd couple."
"He's always been my caretaker—" Bruce began…
"But, if your parents were alive they wouldn't make your bed, pack your lunch, or take you to lunch dates… we could've made our own…" Bruce quickly interrupted her.
"He's more than that," he said annoyingly terse, "you are being obtuse in your simplification."
"Ouch," she said as she took her glass of wine and left the kitchen.
He tossed the sponge into the sink, Alfred was more – he was everything and he didn't have to explain it to her. Outsiders never understood what the man was to Bruce, he thought as he heard the front door squeak upon closing. He knew, he was too harsh. He followed her out the house.
He watched her walk down the main path of vineyard looking at the grapevines. He shouldn't have snapped, he thought.
He walked after her, as he caught up to her and she knew he was behind her.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly, "I have a habit of putting foot in mouth… case in point."
"I shouldn't have snapped," he added
"We're different," she said, "I get that – you cave dive for fun. The bruises from your last trip are the colors of the rainbow."
"I get it," she sighed dismissing their almost argument, "It's pretty gorgeous out here – do you know the different grapes or are the all just one type?"
"We're not that different," he said stopping her
"Uhm, you have a vineyard and I have a tomato plant – that's dying a slow and painful death. But it's fine. I think I would get pretty bored dating me – just like you would hate dating you… balance," she said as her hands were the scales finding the happy medium.
He laughed, "This grape is from the Loire region of France, a robust, medium bodied grape." He continued showing her all of the different grapes and they tasted a few.
Bruce wondered if that was their first argument—if so it dissolved faster than most.
They ate dinner on the deck as sun moved to it's resting place.
"Dessert?" Bruce asked as he brought their dishes inside.
"I'm stuffed," she replied and quickly followed, "But what did he make."
"Panna cotta with mixed berries," he replied.
"Who does that? Let me whip up some Panna cotta" she said in a fake British accent.
She smiled and exhaled, "This getaway is exactly what the doctor ordered. "
"You and Holly don't go on an annual vacation?" he asked trying to ease her into the interrogation part of the evening.
"Well, Holly and I aren't family in the technical sense but she is the closet thing I've ever had to a sister."
"We met when Jack and I came to San Francisco…. She just had a string of bad luck and bad foster families. I know how bad foster families can be—Jack told me his stories and they were pretty gruesome. Between the homes and the foster families- the chances of you getting someone normal is like winning the lotto. I'd just lost my family so we kind of adopted each other and lived happily ever after."
His silence prompted her to continue and she did, "She really smart. She knows what I know instinctually—she would be great in computer science but I have a feeling she is going to do something with clothes. She wants to go to Brown… she'll get in.
Worse come to worse, I'll hack it for her."
A worried look crossed his face, "I'm kidding – she can do it on her own merit."
"Jake didn't seem too fond of Holly when he stopped by," he wanted to find out more about the mystery man.
"Jack," she corrected, "he was pretty crazy last week. He gets these manic highs and Dr. Alice, at Gotham General, would be able to find the right mix of medication if he would just stay put. He wasn't like that before – its something that started about a year and half ago. The treatments are expensive and he never completes the testing."
"I've admitted him several times and he always hates me for it in the beginning and then he's normal for months and then he's like he was yesterday. He's had a hard life."
"How long have you been together? Where did you meet?" Bruce asked too quickly.
"Are we playing 20 questions? When is it my turn," she teased.
"We were best friends since I was 10 and then he moved away. We lost touch and then reconnected after my parents died. We fell in love and then we weren't. He became consumed with these projects, we continued to drift apart, and I ended things after thanksgiving last year. He hit me by accident during his manic highs and Holly was there and her mom was abused and it just triggered all these things which is why I try not to have him around when Holly's home. I had to set boundaries until he finds the right medicinal concoction. I've read that people with bipolar disorders find it hard to stay in the middle of the road but it is possible. In the past, I've over extended myself but…" she trailed off.
She cleared her throat and sipped her wine, "I mean we all have two sides to ourselves and its rare that you let anyone truly see you but Jack refused to see his mental illness and he refused my help so I had to step away."
"Does mental illness run in his family?"
"I don't think so. The Napier's seemed perfect. Jack always ate Sunday dinner with us and when the entire family came over they seemed happy. They were like that family that never argued and when they did it was like the Cosbys. Y'know problem solving with a smile and a quick anecdote. They seemed so perfect minus the laugh track. His father was a comedian – my dad thought he would make it big."
That was all he was going to get and he was sure it was more than enough. Jack Napier, her hometown, neighbors about 15 years ago, foster care, and parents died. Alfred should be able to sleuth out the rest. A smile crossed his lips as he thought of Rachel's killer finally getting justice.
"I'm feeling pretty stuffed… I'm going to go walks this off and check in on Holly."
He wondered what she promised him – according to surveillance, he crashed every Thursday and sometimes Sunday. He wasn't supposed to know and she didn't bring it up so how could he ask her to stop – it not like he was her boyfriend- they hadn't progressed to 3rd base. Rachel would laugh right now at this conversation—what was he like in 4th grade? When she spoke of Jack her eyes become brighter and she glows – if he wasn't ill they would be together. He hoped for the first time that Jack wasn't the guy. Maybe he miss heard – or he was just a member of the new crew in town—the joker's crew.
As they stood up he took her hand, "do you still love him?"
"I'll always love him—he my family. Just like you love Alfred."
"Ok," he tried to say like Penelope. She had this way of taking in the most heavy of topics and situations—assessing them and accepting them. He held grudges, clinged to doubts, and tried to see the best but always saw the worst first. Like now all he could think about was the pieces she omitted – like the hoods? Did she create programs for the entire underworld? She feared Jack would get involve with the Joker but she worked for the both of them. Was she lying? he was confused and then she kissed him and the doubts went away—he caressed her cheek.
"I'll be back," she said like Arnold in Terminator.
When she left he called Alfred to look into Jack Napier. He is a possible member of the hoods. He wanted her to come out of the other side clean on this—even though her hands appeared dirtier and dirtier. Working for Jack and the Joker. Maybe Batman should pay Jack a visit. He called Alfred back and asked him to do a financial search on Ms. Garcia—maybe emotions were clouding his judgment. Maybe he missed something. Alfred almost refused – he believed he should ask her, but he wasn't prepared for her answer so he remained in the shadows. He wanted to let all thoughts of the case go and focus on today… tonight. Tonight, he just wanted to be Bruce and she to be Penelope Garcia—two people who liked kissing each other.
She came back at bit after sunset. The sound of a pick-up caught his attention, he saw her giving the driver a hug, and he gave her two bags and flowers. Everyone was a fan of Ms. Garcia. He officially put the case to bed and focused on being her number one fan.
"Hey," she said smiling.
"I'm sorry – so many things happened," she said as she walked into the house, "I was talking to Holly and I meant to stay close by but then I was in the middle of nowhere with a dead cellphone. I was kind of close to the farmers market and I couldn't resist."
She pulled out flowers, "I bought you flowers because even though you seem like a formal kind of gardenia-kinda-man. I think you're part elegant and wild – and Tom let me make my own bouquet since it was the end of the day—and I just love hcyanthias so I had to toss some in." She emptied both bags between the talk.
"My mom loved gardenias," she said as she passed him one to smell.
"I wanted to call you but the phone died and Daniel—who owns a vineyard close by offered me a ride and so I waited and drank prosecco and ate fresh fruit.
And the fruit is so yummy taste it," she said placing a strawberry in his mouth.
"So good right?" she continued at a rabbit speed, "While I waited. I shopped and bought us breakfast food. Dan gave us a few bottles to try. Need less to say I'm fuller and tipsier than when I left."
"I can see that," he chuckled to himself.
"Is tipsier a word?"
As she put the last item in the fridge, she grabbed the vase and started clipping the ends of the flowers and placing them in a vase. He watched her bustle around the kitchen as he ate a few strawberries.
"I want one, "she said as she returned from placing the vase on the table. She reached for a strawberry but he pushed them out of her reach.
"Hey," she said playfully.
He took one out of the crate and placed it close to her mouth. When she opened her mouth he pulled it back.
She began to pout when rested the berry on her lower lip. She opened her mouth slowly and seductively- took a bite. Unfortunately the berry was ripe and splattered on her lips chin upper chest. She laughed lightly, "I imagined that going another way." She said trying to capture the splatter with her fingers and tongue.
Before she could put her finger stained with strawberry juice in her mouth he licked it while looking in her eyes.
Her eyes widened and he gently licked the strawberry juice from her lips in a sensual erotic way that caused her to stumble from the heat radiating from her center. Small savory licks that became kisses as her pressed her against the counter. She could feel his firmness through his slacks and was surprised by his size. She murmured his name as he began to lick the bit of berry above her collarbone. In one quick movement while sucking on her neck he lifted her to the counter. When his lips parted from her flesh—all remnants of the strawberry were gone.
Penelope looked up at him in wonder, "wow" she said with a smile.
"Do you want more?" he said as he held another strawberry at her lip.
She nodded and took a bite of the berry, which stained her lips more than the first. Bruce let out a low groan before gently kissed her lips again.
He pulled her close to his firmness, and she shifted her legs wider – the friction increased her moans and she tried to back away for his heat. He pulled her closer again and firmly put his hand behind her back. Her dress and his pants were the only thing separating their fire from spreading. He could smell her need and it took everything not to climb on the table and devour her like a meal.
He pulled down her spaghetti straps down and caressed her shoulder blades and she began to rock into his firmness.
Bruce, she murmured as her hand went to his face and her soft velvet tongue explored his mouth. He hiked her dress to her waist and firmly held her close to him. He picked her up and carried her to the living room in front of the fireplace.
The passion his eyes made her come undone without a single touch. He crawled on top of her and whispered in her ear, I want to taste you.
Yes she murmured and he began his decent.
He pulled her dress above her head and kissed her nipples through the lace. As her nipples puckered to attention his hands replaced his lips and he continued to kiss his way to her core. He began with long languid licks – she tasted so sweet, better than he imagined. Her moans of encouragement continued as his tongue circled her bud. She dug her hands into the rug and rocked into him.
"Oh Bruce please," she said as she ran her fingers through his hair.
She immediately moved her hands back to the rug and said, "sorry, please don't stop,"
"Oh, Bruce please," she encouraged through her moans
"Don't stop," she chanted as he placed two fingers in her and watched her come.
As she laid in front of him panting he began to remove his clothing.
When she looked up she saw him removing his last piece, his shirt, she sat up and helped him. She rose and began to finish unbuttoning his shirt, "your turn," she murmured as she kissed his chest.
When his shirt was opens she rose to her knees and removed it. She reached down and began to massage him.
He stopped her hand and she looked up perplexed.
"Tonight is about you – I want to please you—pleasure you."
She was taken a back—Jack was quirky, she couldn't touch him during oral sex if she did he would bring her to the almost hilt and stop and it was his turn. He liked things rough… and sometimes, so did she but Bruce's gentle touch made her feel special.
Never in the 6 years they'd been together had Jack said the night was about her pleasure. Jack was romantic outside of bed—but in bed – he was a dominant, firm, passionate lover- rarely gentle.
"I've wanted you since the party and when you kissed me – I knew it was inevitable."
"This was inevitable."
"I want you too," She replied as she caressed his face.
"I have condoms."
"I'm on the pill so all bases are covered – well bases are loaded with no extra innings and no penalty kicks."
He laughed, "sports analogies?" He positioned himself on top of her and between her legs. He could look at her forever, he thought.
"Oh you want to converse? I thought you wanted to round the bases but your hanging out at the foul line."
"Stop please, or the tickle monster will come out," He said with a fake sinister glint in his eyes.
She looked confused and a bit scared, "You don't want to touchdown?"
His hands danced on her belly till she was out of breath. She kissed him passionately and they alternated between passionate sex and random conversation until the fire went out and she fell asleep in Bruce's arms.
The sun beamed into the bedroom as they slowly came together. They couldn't get enough of each other.
"That was amazing," she said falling on to her back.
He turned to her propping his head up looking down at her, "You're amazing and beautiful," he said looking down into her eyes.
"You're pretty freakin handsome too,"
He leaned down and kissed her slowly and she reached up towards him. Her hand caressed the side of his torso where she felt a few scars.
She broke away from the kiss and took a peek at the scars.
She propped her head up and asked, "How did you get these?"
"Sparing and y'know jumping off of buildings," he said nonchalantly in his billionaire Bruce Wayne voice.
She rolled her eyes, "I thought sparing was about play fighting these look like real injuries."
"I get into it," he said placing his hand possessively on her hip.
"I don't get it—you could be any place in the world and you choose Gotham. You could do anything …" she trailed off.
"It's my home—My family has always been good stewards and advocates of Gotham it would be – its like my job."
"I get that but I would do all that from London or Paris. I mean there is a beautiful world outside of all the grey—when Holly is accepted into Brown I think I will say au revior to San Francisco—Gotham."
"Where would you go?" he said realizing for the first time this could be fleeting – these feelings could be all one sided.
She hopped on top of him, "is off the grid a destination?"
He laughed.
"You could come with me – leave the grey for color and spice?"
He would leave with her – he instinctively thought, if she were really asking.
She her hair fell to his face and she kissed him slowly.
She eased herself on to him as he watched her bring herself to ecstasy.
The days flew by – and soon their mini vacation was drawing to a close.
"That was the best min-vacation ever," Penelope said as she put her last bag into the car.
"I aim to please," he said smiling.
"Ick, there goes creepy billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne."
"Creepy?" He said as if he was insulted
"Yes, creepy—I mean we haven't even had a first date and you're all I am to please."
"This was a date."
"This was a getaway, "She shook her head, and "a date is out like dancing or movies or something social – this wasn't a date I'm not complaining just pointing out the facts."
"You don't want to be in the papers – so I've been keeping it low key," Bruce countered.
"Is that what you're telling yourself? You're the billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne – you don't know how to avoid the paps so we can be normal? I thought you were more resourceful."
"Is that a challenge Ms. Penelope Garcia," his eyes danced awaiting her response.
"A question," she said innocently as she hoped in the passenger side.
As they drove home they alternated between DJ Penelope and chatting. Bruce concocted a great All American Date for Penelope. He was glad they took the Land Rover instead of sports car because they appeared normal.
Bruce parked the car at an outdoor lot.
"Where are we?" she asked finally paying attention to the road.
"Were going on a date," Bruce said eagerly.
"Bruce I was teasing," she looked around, "we can go home."
"Nope, you wanted a classic date and you're getting one," he said as he made his way to the trunk.
She got out of the car— "where are we going?"
"Surprise," he said as he slipped from his button down to a plain navy blue t-shirt.
He locked the car and took her hand. Come on he said as he grabbed her hand.
He lead her to the gate H of the Giant's Stadium, On the way he bought a baseball cap from a street vendor – to make him appear more average.
They drank Abita beers and watched the game from the bleachers. She took him to Mallories for the best hot dogs on the west coast.
"You can't kiss me if you're getting a hot dog with the works."
"Eat one too… we can have smelly breath together," he said kissing her quickly.
She shook her head, "Nothings worse than onion breathe… I'm not sure I can make an exception"
"You said it was the best," he pretended to whine.
"It is Mr. Wayne," Lucius said behind the two lovebirds.
"Lucius," she said dropping Bruce's hand like a hot potato, "Happy Sunday—you never come on Sunday. "
"I'm sneaking one—Janice doesn't need to know."
She laughed nervously, as Bruce reclaimed her hand.
"We uhm," she began try to figure out how to explain to her boss that his boss was holding her hand and kissing her on the street
"Are dating," Bruce said as she simultaneously said
"Just came from a baseball game," she said letting go of Bruce's hand and running it through her hair.
Lucius laughed, "I don't care what you love birds do outside of Wayne enterprise… as long as a get an invitation to the big day," he teased.
She turned red, placed her head on Bruce's shoulder, and groaned, "Please don't tell anyone in the office."
"Are you shamed about being with the Wayne?" Bruce asked mockingly
"The Wayne?" She said looking at Lucius rolling her eyes— "I don't want them to think – I get preferential treatment."
"Secret is safe with me," he said giving Bruce a happy smile.
"Great," Penelope sighed, "What kind of dog do you want? The Wayne is treating."
Two months later he found himself creeping out of her bed and dressing quick and quietly.
"Where are you going?" she murmured, after she reached for him and he wasn't there.
"I have," he began to list his excuses.
"I know international calls, meetings," she looked around her bedroom and saw the time. 1 AM
"I gotta ask. Is it the bed?"
He didn't understand the question and gave her perplexed look as he buttoned up his pants.
"I know you like the person in the bed, I think you really like what we do in the bed so it must be the fact that my breakfast skills aren't as good as Alfred's," she tried to address the problem as a joke
He sat by her on the bed, "I love your breakfast," he said kissing her.
"How would you know are you confusing me with Ms. Wednesday?" She quipped back.
His eyes changed to concern and she hated those eyes more
"I know," she said rolling her eyes, "I'm just being a girl go scoot."
"I could reschedule,"—he said knowing that the shipment was coming in today, but it had been a few weeks since the cabin and he could barely count the overnights one hand. He wanted to make her happy.
"Psssffft, no go," she said as if the previous conversation never happened.
"Dinner and a movie this Friday?" he asked tossing on his shirt over his bruised torso.
"Can't – the CES is in town—I think you're making a speech."
"Thursday?" He countered.
"Its Sunday we can play it by ear."
He was about to protest when she said, "No go I need my beauty sleep."
"I can't imagine you any more beautiful,"
"Agh, you are such a charmer."
Under the Golden State Bridge, the sounds of the orchestra hummed through the air as Bruce address the crowd of tech socialites, venture capitalist, and entrepreneurs
"Tonight is a very important night for all of us we are adding a street to Gotham tonight. A virtual street that will lead all of us to prosperity, welcome to Silicon Valley. The best and the brightest of the world have decided to converge here—open up an extension of their business here."
He looked around at the crowd and continued.
"This will benefit all of us even the traditionalist—we will have better schools, better, programs to help all members of Gotham get on the road to prosperity. What better way to wrap up internet week, CES, and the Technology Trade show with a party and fundraiser to benefit upgrading the community centers and public schools in the tenderloin – the heart of Gotham. Let's celebrate the bright colorful future my father always wanted for this beautiful city."
The crowd raised their glasses and the cheered as the band started to play the bossa nova music louder.
He had to make an appearance being one of the main firms in the city—but he would rather be out helping Gordon who had a solid lead on the joker in the warehouse district. With the joker gone he could truly think about retirement – for batman that is. He was tired of lying to her—he hadn't woken up next to her since their weekend in the country. Even when she spent the night at the mansion she was in the kitchen with Alfred. The city was becoming a tech destination and maybe it would be like New York.
As he walked over to her Lulu and Lucius he heard him say.
"Can I change your mind?"
She shook her head, "I need something new and Holly will be leaving soon—its an opportunity – well an adventure. New York a place with 4 seasons and filled with digital start-ups. It won't be as sexy as what we do but I just might love it."
"You're like a daughter to me—will you come back and visit this old blue chip fogey."
"Of 'course daddy-o But we can talk about it on Monday."
"Talk about what?"
Bruce could see the sadness in Lucius's eyes as he tried to blink it away.
"Work stuff. Nothing big- great speech," she said as she kissed him.
"Would you like a drink," Lucius asked both of them.
"I'd love a Malbec."
"The usual for me," knowing Lucius would bring back ginger ale or seltzer disguised as a Gin & Tonic.
"What happened this morning?" Bruce asked.
"Hmm," she said looking into the crowd.
"You were gone," he said looking at her slightly annoyed
"Bruce, I," she turned to address him and was surprised by the frown on his face, "I – went home. I thought it would be fun for Holly and I to give each other manicures and make breakfast. Your bed is huge and comfy but I hate waking up alone – the mansion can be cold y'know."
"When did you leave?" He said softening and feeling a bit guilty that he hasn't told her about his nocturnal activities.
"Last night, I know you have to get up with the markets and I could never find you in that ginormous house so – I cabbed it."
"You could've been," he said beginning to frown again.
"Hey, I'm a big girl—and I know you aren't a morning cuddling breakfast in bed kind of guy." She looked at him trying to assure him, "I know what this," she gestured between them, "is Bruce and I'm fine with it."
"Penelope," he said
"Argh, you never call me Penelope. This is a night of celebration not heavy conversations," she said giving him that smile that melts his heart.
"We can talk when the hoopla of CES is over" she took in the event, "it's amazing how the city has changed," she said ending their previous conversation.
Lucius arrived with their drinks.
"Thanks, I should go find Holly—that boy band is about to perform and her head is going to explode."
She walked towards the crowd.
"What was that about?" Lucius asked
"It's about me not knowing how to be a boyfriend – because I don't know how to have a proper relationship."
"Proper, I mean with your night time activities Mr. Wayne – she has to know you aren't the typical man."
"I haven't—"
"You haven't told her?"
"Hoping to retire after this – skip the whole reveal – it didn't work that well with Rachel."
"Where does she think you go? What about the," Lucius was interrupted by
"Ladies and Gentleman… excuse me," as the mic shrieks in feedback.
Two Gunshots.
"Ladies and Gentleman," a masked man called out, "We are tonight's entertainment."
20 men with clown masks and guns surround the crowd.
"Holly go to the car," Penelope ordered
"But," she began
"Go Holly Alfred will be there," she ordered more firmly.
But Holly was just as stubborn as her, "What about you—"
"I have to find Bruce. I'll be right behind you," Holly looked worried and she added, "I promise."
"Don't go," The leader screamed into the mic, "you will miss the fireworks," he chuckled
As the people scurried Penelope searched for Bruce when she felt someone grab her.
"He's going to like her," said the masked man with purple hair.
"Let go of me," she said trying to grab her arm back.
"Let me," she screamed as she kicked him and punched one but his buddy with the red hair just grabbed her and then slapped her hard. She felt dizzy after.
"Hey, Hey" the leader whispered into the mic as he jumped off the stage, "we don't hit girls- against the rules" and he shot the man in the foot.
"Step right up," the masked leader said to Penelope.
"Don't be shy," he added when her feet didn't move.
He waved the gun motioning for her to walk towards him when she didn't they walked her.
The ringleader tilted his head and leaned closer and closer to her while twirling a knife. He got closer and closer till she could smell booze and sweat.
"Boo," he bellowed and she jumped out of her skin but didn't laugh
"Why so serious?" he whispered in her ear, "I thought you liked surprises," he said into the mic.
She leaned closer to him, "Jack" she whispered
He made an error sound out the side of his mouth and said, "Joker"
He laughed a manic laugh, "The night just got interesting but where is that damn BAT."
The Joker pretends to look towards the sky as if the Batman was going to land stage left. There were about 150 people left under the bridge.
"Wanna hear a story? It's a love story really," he asked Penelope.
"She was 10 and he was 14. He knew when he met her that day on his Schwinn bike that she was the girl he was going to marry. He went to college but came back to take her to her junior and senior prom—see those things were really important to her. The events. The actions of love. He was called to war and he liberated people. She liberated people too every rich Tom, Dick, and Harry—literally. When he came back he tried to love her but she wasn't only his anymore." He grabbed her face, "see he's possessive," The Joker shrugged, "–me I can share – as long as it's fair."
"Jack stop," she pleaded
"Joker," he corrected her.
"He loved her - heart, lips and soul. He needed to always posses her. Have her. So he took his favorite parts and kept them close."
Joker aka Jack touched Penelope's bottom lip and said, "Do you want to know what his favorite parts were?"
"Jack," she tried again
"Joker," her growled at her that caused her to stumble.
"What did he take, what did he take?" he said as he walked around her with a skip in his step.
"Her lips and her heart," he whispered in her ear—as he smacked her bottom firmly.
He opened the knife, "I still have your heart—I can see that," Joker made lip-smacking sounds beneath the mask and added, "but those lips—everyman's kryptonite."
"Jack, Please we can"
He took off his mask to reveal his face painted crazily he snapped the mask back on.
"DO I look like Jack sweetheart!" he screamed and the tears just flowed down her face.
"Tonight we will show Gotham what happens when Prosperity meets Chaos."
"String'em up boys," he ordered
As the gangs took the remaining people and tied them to the pillars Batman appeared. He took down half the gang and set the partygoers free.
"Bats did you really think it would be that easy?"
Batman found the Joker back on the stage and the Joker continued, "We haven't even had the fireworks portion our show."
He hit a button and rocks and boulders flew everywhere.
When Bruce came too he was tied to the bridge. Bruce was shocked that Gotham PD hadn't arrived. As if the Joker read his mind he said, "It's just you and me Batsy – I'll show you mine if you show me yours."
"You won't win tonight," he said forcefully
Joker waived him off, "Stop it. I've won."
"Unless," he moonwalked- skipped back to Batman, "Are you going to untie yourself and fight me to the death. I mean if you are then heck, I will untie you but you will fight me to the almost death and then what would happen. I would be in Arkham and you would miss me."
He let Bats ponder that for a moment.
"Soooooooooo," he dragged out, "I won't kill you either—because then the balance would be out of balance and we know what happens when that occurs."
"I will stop you—" he growled
"Yeah, yeah," the Joker dismissed, "but not tonight."
"Rack'em up boys."
"Joker stop," Penelope pleaded as her yellow gown was captured by the breeze from the bay, "This isn't you—"
"Leave," Batman said forcefully.
The Joker chuckled, "She kinda hardheaded."
One of them men tried to stop her and he said don't touch her.
She continued to walk,
"Not another step or I'll shoot," Joker warned her.
She stopped, "Jack let these people go—this is just between you and the batman. You guys can fight this out and we can go home."
He nodded, "Like a brawl—but he cheats he has gadgets…"
"You don't want to hurt anyone—untie them," she asked gently.
"But I do,"
He skipped towards her—"darling, I can't be fixed. I tried and I like myself like this. Feels good – feels normal. Now come on." He grabbed her
"No."
"Come," he growled as he proceeded to drag her.
"You're hurting me," Penelope whimpered as she tripped to keep his pace.
He stopped and scratched him self with the knife, as his masked rested on the top of his head.
"Come with me to live," he said giving her a choice
"No, you untie these people and we can—"
"Fuck the hospital Penelope."
She stepped back.
"The girls always choose you… I think I need a better costume," he slammed down his foot and a blade came out of his oxford. He kicked and stomped batman until blood poured out of his sides.
"Now save them," he said as he ran away with his gang.
Joker stops and hold out his hand and she sees a flash of Jack in his eyes, "Come on, Penny Bear!"
"You can fix this she called out—this isn't you"
"Now," he screamed as his comrades urged him to go.
"Lulu go," Batman whispered
She looked down and said "Bruce?"
Jack called her one more time but she started to untie Bruce and he ran to catch up with his team.
The bridge will blow he said.
"He's rigged it to a computer," Bruce said with more strength in his voice, "you have to go."
She ran to the computer and immediately recognized the program – she wrote it. He altered it a bit but she was able to terminate it as batman untied the people from the pillars.
Manual Override flashed on the screen and she screamed it going to blow.
The blast blew Bruce to the furthest pillar and bridge shook.
All Bruce remembered after the blast was telling Penelope to take him to Alfred.
He woke up in the in his bed. Seven days later.
The first thing he saw when his eyes came into focus was her. In his dream she saved him so it was only fitting that would be the first face he saw.
He tried to smile but a wave a pain came over him.
He licked his lips as she disappeared from view.
He blinked and when he reopened his eyes, Alfred, Lucius, and Leslie, his doctor appeared.
"You took quite a beating, Master Wayne." Alfred said as Bruce tried to sit up
"No you can't," Penelope's voice uttered from a distance.
"You were stabbed 15 times in the abdomen, twice in the back, and 8 times in the leg. Sever concussion with contusions along your spine. Your ankle was crushed and two broken fingers."
"Is that all?" Bruce replied.
"We are trying to highlight how your survival was a miraculous event and the tumultuous path Leslie had before her."
"I hope this is our last time putting you back together." Alfred added.
"Even humpty dumpty got off the wall," Lucius added with a chuckle.
He cleared his throat, "I thought I saw Lulu – is she here?"
Alfred nodded, "indeed she is, sir," he said solemnly.
"Penelope dragged you to a pick up truck and drove you to the mansion – she saved your life."
She was staring out the window – She walked over to standing out of reach looking at him with tears in her eyes.
She tapped the photos on her knee and hoping it would keep in the tears. She stared at him lost for words.
He noticed the pain in her eyes and asked the room, "Can you give us a minute?" A moment later Alfred, Leslie, and Fox exited.
"How are you?" he asked
"I've been better," she continued to tap the photos, she discovered on his desk in the bat cave, on her leg as she sat on the edge of the bed.
She looked out the window, "Jack, I mean, The Joker is in Arkham – he'll be tried after they assess his mental capabilities," she finally looked at him, "It seems so unreal – doesn't it."
She put the photos face down by his feet and stood up, "I mean did you know he could be the ringleader?" she began to pace.
"I mean the batman you not the Bruce you— I mean I think the Bruce you would've just told me and we could have brought him in together- how do you separate the two? Or are you guys like one?"
"I – it's complicated Penelope," he answered unprepared for these question because he hoped she would never know.
She stood up – "Penelope huh? Explain it please—I found these in your bat cave."
She said showing pictures of her on the street and at home. Jack making her breakfast.
"Was this Batman or Bruce?"
"I knew you were apart of the hoods since you installed that program—your moniker the black queen. Every programmer has a logic paradigm and or signature—and you used the same pieces of code from your time at CalTech, Hoods, and Applied Sciences."
She looked at him as if he slapped her, "Since the day I installed the program – a year ago."
As she processed the information the questions germinated in her head.
"You've been watching me since we – how did you get the cameras in?"
"Lulu, I knew you were apart of it but once I got to know you—I saw the good in you and I knew there was more to you than being the hood's hacker."
"You saw the good in me," she said letting those words sink in, "How sweet of you— so instead of turning me over to the police—you thought sleep with the girl to get close to the man who allegedly killed the love of your life? And you thought I was a monster"
She began to pace again as she ran her fingers through her hair.
"Jack is ill—I mean he thinks he's a playing card. You owed it to me to tell me what you were thinking. He's confused and"
"A killer," Bruce added self-righteously.
"We could of prevented 67 deaths – if you told me," she retorted quickly.
"I didn't know what he – " he answered
"So you bugged my house but not his?"
"When did you know?" she fired at Bruce
"It not relevant," he said too quickly.
"To me it is – when."
She paused waiting for his answer to fill the space of silence.
"At the BBQ, he repeated a line I heard when he crashed the Wayne fundraiser a year ago."
The puzzle finally started to come together,
"The BBQ, and then we went to Sonoma-" she lost her breath
"I told you –" tears sprang to her eyes
"And then we…" she gasped
"Jack warned me about you" she said angrily.
She paced fervently back and forth processing everything as Bruce just watched her and wished for forgiveness.
She finally stopped, "God, I wished you lied to me –" she said wiping her tears, "So none of it was real – means to an end."
"Did Alfred and Lucius know too?" She fired her last question at him.
"No," he said meekly.
"You could've just asked me—you didn't have to build such an elaborate lie."
"You could've told me," he countered, "you lied about your past—who you were—but I've forgiven you. Gave you a clean slate. You should give me the same courtesy."
"The Benevolent Bruce Wayne— thank you for your graciousness."
She snapped back, "How could I tell you anything when you are out... y'know being the batman and all. How did you keep all the lies straight – "
"Penelope, it wasn't like that – I developed feelings for you."
She shook her head, "based on lies -I mean but on some level you are an elaborate liar right, batman. I must've been really dumb to believe sparing with grand masters, waking with the markets, all of those Wayne enterprise emergencies—but I thought" she laughed, "I thought you were just seeing other people not being other people," she paused "I trusted..." she started.
She waved her hands in her face – "who cares what I thought. This was for Rachel and Harvey—so how does it feel to have your vengeance," she asked as she placed the pictures on his nightstand.
"He killed Rachel and Harvey—you can't deny that and now he will pay for their deaths."
"Yes, he will pay," She takes her jacket, "You and jack have a lot in common -Jack wanted vengeance too – the Falconies killed his family—set them on fire. He wakes up screaming swimming in sweat because in his dreams he can smell them burning- and look at what he evolved too."
"We all end up paying," she put on her jacket, "I hope it was worth it."
"Lulu wait I'm not done," he ordered
She paused,
"I did this to protect you. I could have turned you into Gordon but I chose to protect you –"
"But who protected Jack? He's my family Bruce – I mean how did you see this ending?"
She paused on her way to the door, "Really, How did you see this ending? I mean after Jack was safe in prison would you just get out of bed one night and remove the cameras and poof I would never know. And then there is this whole batman thing."
"I can explain if you would just."
Penelope shook her head, "We're – we're done. Have a nice life Bruce and don't worry I won't tell anyone who you really are," she laughed as she thought about that statement- "heck, i don't even know."
When the door closed he heard their voices faintly—
"Will you be back for dinner?" Alfred asked
"Can we love Alfred's pesto?" Holly chimed in
"No," she said definitively
"Tomorrow?" Alfred asked
"Take care of him, Alfred."
Lucius entered his room three weeks later.
"Mr. Wayne," he took his seat by his bed
"Lucius," he said trying to sit up in the bed.
"How is Lulu?"
"Good, Janice and I visited her last weekend,"
"Visited?"
"She resigned."
"You didn't accept it, did you? She is just angry with me but it will pass."
"She'd been talking about it for a couple of weeks now, actually. She wants to be close to Holly and NYC has silicon alley," he saw the pained look on Bruce's face and said, "I thought you knew."
Lucius exhaled "I know you didn't tell me the details of how you planned to bring them down but – it was messy. You hurt her Mr. Wayne – she's," Lucius tried to explain when Bruce cut him off.
"What's done is done," he said dismissively, "I'll go talk to her"
Lucius cocked his eyebrow, "you don't understand women do you?
"Master Wayne," Alfred chided, "Leslie said that you could…"
"I know what she said but I need to see Penelope—she not taking my calls, she quit, I have to make this right."
"Perhaps you should let her go Master Wayne," he said regretfully, "leave well enough alone."
Bruce scowl took over his entire face as Alfred continued, "She's he type of woman who is lead by her heart—she kept bedside vigil over you – even when she knew what you had done and who you were. She cared for you deeply but I fear that—" time has passed – Alfred thought but could not bring himself to say.
"I lost Rachel Alfred and I thought nothing – no one was ever going to," he paused.
"But then she came in to my world and I felt something I never have with Rachel
She won't stay mad forever."
"Master Wayne that is what got you here in the first place," he sighed, "you can't control everything – you can't know everything—you have to trust in your faith"
"How do I—" Bruce began then faltered.
"Do you think what you've done is forgivable?"
He knew it wasn't but he hoped, "she'll understand," he said confidently
Alfred wasn't convinced
"Help me with this brace," he said returning to the task of getting dressed.
"Thank you."
"How do I look?" he asked as he finished buttoning his shirt
"Don't answer—that bad?" he joked.
"You need a blazer and maybe flowers – declarations of love go best with flowers, good hair, and chocolate—two out of 3 ain't bad," Alfred chuckled at his own joke
"DJ Holly I don't hear you moving out there-" Penelope said when she noticed the music stopped playing.
"If you are napping again you won't drive till we pass Chicago."
Penelope called Holly's name one more time has she leaped down the stairs.
She froze when she saw Alfred and Bruce, "Hey Alfred," she said with a smile and then, "Bruce"
"We're going to grab some take out," Holly said gesturing towards her favorite grey haired man
"Weaseling out of work?" Penelope asked
"Were going to Pure Thai," Holly said taking Alfred by the arm and leading him to the door.
"Ok." She put her hands into her pocket, "You know what I like."
When they left, she looked up at Bruce, "you shouldn't be here."
"You're not taking my calls."
"Because I don't want to talk to you," she said like a 90's teenager.
He passed her flowers—She raised her hands in a simple refusal, "I don't want them."
She walked to the door and opened it– "leave."
"I'm sorry," he said
"Please leave." She asked again.
"I'm not leaving until you listen to me," he said as if he was in charge.
"You don't get to come here and make demands. You lied to me for months, spied on me, manipulated me—I trusted you – I slept with you and allowed myself to feel things," she sighed to hold back the tears.
"No, I want you to leave now."
"Penelope it's not that black and white let me explain," she shook her head.
He walked towards her please, she looked down at her toes and he took it as a sign to explain.
He made is case but she was just unresponsive—she tuned out.
Lulu he said reaching for her, she looked up with her face streaked in tears. She quickly wiped them and stepped out of his reach.
"I've never felt so foolish and inconsequential. You're so self righteous – nothing you can say will ever fix this."
"Let me be clear- We will never be friends – I never want to see you again. There is nothing you can say, do, or buy that will change that."
"If you could just get past your anger."
"Get past my anger—" she scoffed, "Jack my only family. the only person I love. And he's in the worst mental facility in the state... an island off the bay. He is mentally unstable, he's mentally ill, and instead of confiding in me and telling me your suspicions – you allow him to become more unraveled. I've tried to visit him and he has to be restrained - see, he either attacks me because I tried to save the batman—his nemesis or he's so sedated that he thinks we're 11 years old meeting for the first time. And I can't rationalize the man he's become – a killer of 72 people."
"But, I can't forgive you - after the bbq I could've had him committed again—if you said something but being a liar I can see how hard that is for you. I'm not going to even bring up you being batman – masked vigilante and cape crusader—I can't even wrap my mind around that one."
"I care for you Penelope," he pleaded
"Liar," she gritted out, " – I listened are you finished or is there more?"
He stepped closer to her and she was loosely pinned between him and the door, "I am truly sorry. I never meant to hurt you or for things to get like this."
He raised chin and looked into her eyes, "I need for you to forgive me."
For a second he saw his old Penelope in her eyes and he knew in that moment that he loved her he began to tell her, "I," he stated
She stepped away from him anticipating his next words, "you don't. You love a project, a challenge, and that's all that I was to you. Once the guilt my tears evoked subside you'll be right as rain… trust me," she said as she walked towards the door, "Now I have a lot of packing to do."
He stepped across the threshold, and she looked at him.
"Bye Bruce."
The door closed.
Alfred and Holly returned and one of them was surprised to see Bruce outside.
"Didn't go as well as expected?" Alfred asked sadly.
Bruce looked up at Alfred cross.
Holly sat next to Bruce on the stoop.
Holly took his hand. "She's still mad at you?"
He nodded
"Do something sweet and romantic… like take her to Belize for a weekend getaway candles and an infinity pool—she'll forgive you."
He smiled, "I wish it were that easy." He stood up with the aid of his cane, "I should go."
"Will you come this Friday to our bon voyage party?"
He shook his head
"Come one Charlie is throwing it and we leave the next day for a Thelma and Louise style road trip."
"You could be my special guest," She patted his arm, "she will forgive you—I'll work on her."
He hated this helpless feeling, "I can't I have a doctor's appointment out of town—but I will have a Wayne Enterprise care package waiting for you on campus."
"What's in?" she asked
"The question is," he corrected her, "what's not in it."
She laughed and they hugged, "I'm going to miss you Holly."
"Visit me," she said to Bruce and Alfred.
When they hesitated, she added, "Rhode Island isn't far."
Bruce nodded.
"Promise?"
"I promise," the said in unison.
She kissed and hugged them both.
As Bruce sat in the car—he allowed himself to feel the aches and pains of his body. Broken just like his heart—this would be the last time he saw Penelope. Or so he thought.
There is one more flash back to go and then we will be in present day solving the case. Apologies for the typos- but if you want to beta let me know.
Thank you for reading and please follow and review!