Two weeks have passed. Jonathan and I have been spending most nights together after my dinners with Bruce. Tonight we were walking back from a nearby diner where we had dessert. Jonathan had my hand in his and as we passed the alley near my building, he pulled me down it again, we had made it a habit of stopping down here. I giggled as he pressed me to the wall and kissed me. I pulled him close to me, angling my head a bit to deepen the kiss. Jonathan had his hands in my hair, one slowly making its way down to my neck then to my chest, then to the front of my pants. He had wiggled a few fingers in, when a loud siren went off. We pulled away, and looked at each other confused.

"What is that?" I asked.

"An emergency announcement system," he said. Taking his fingers out of my pants, he took my hand, "We need to go inside." We began walking back up the alley.

"Good evening, Gotham!" A shrill voice rang through the hidden speakers echoing through the streets of Gotham. Jonathan stopped, looking like he had just seen a ghost. "It's me."

"Who is that?" I asked.

"Did you forget about me? Little old me locked away in an insane asylum? How could you forget about your favorite party clown? The Joker is back, baby."

My heart dropped. Looking at Jonathan I saw he too had the same fear, his eyes watching me. I gripped his hand tighter and tugged on it to signal we should move.

"I'm back," the voice continued, "I'm back and I'm ready to play. I'm ready to bring a smile back to your grim little faces."

A giggle could be heard through the speakers, just in range of the microphone, "Tell 'em you've got friends with yah, Pud!"

"I was getting there!" The microphone dropped and the slap of skin-on-skin contact came. The mic fumbled and the man was back, "Sorry for the interruption, kiddies. Our fun begins tonight! Consider this your sneak peek! My boys and I already had a little fun, but nothing has really… sparked out interest." He gave a high pitched giggle, "See ya around."

The microphone dropped. Jonathan and I began walking again, making it to my building and to the elevators. Getting inside, I kept my tight grip on Jonathan's hand as we rode up. When the doors opened, we walked out and rounded the corner. Jonathan pulled me behind him and slowed me down. I looked over his shoulder and found a figure standing in my living room.

"Who's there," Jonathan asked, turning on the lights. The figure was a man dressed in all black with a mask over his face. He wore a cape that fit around him like a pair of bat wings. "You."

"Crane." The man's voice was low and gravely.

"What do you want?"

"The Joker has escaped."

"Yeah, we heard the announcement."

A loud booming sound came from somewhere outside causing me to jump. Off in the distance a large fire was raging. Jonathan pointed in the direction, "Shouldn't you be there helping the police catch the Joker? Why are you here?"

"Making sure you had nothing to do with his escape."

"Why would I do that?"

"You were in the cell next to him."

"Doesn't mean we formed a friendship."

"What were you doing tonight?"

"I don't have to answer to you."

"He was with me," I said, stepping out from behind Jonathan, "all evening."

The man looked at me, "Can you prove that?"

"This building is heavily surveillanced," I said, "Just check any of the video feeds."

Outside the window, a bright light appeared in the sky.

"They're calling you," I said gesturing to the window, "Now, if you're finished harassing my boyfriend, can you please leave?"

"I'll be watching you, Crane," he said, "One toe out of line and I'll know."

"That sounds like a threat," I said, "Pretty daring coming from a vigilante working outside the law."

Looking at me he said, "I'll be watching."

He walked over to us and opened the door to the outdoor patio. He climbed over the railing and jumped. I moved forward to make sure he was okay, but Jonathan stopped me, "It's fine. That's how he leaves every situation."

Sure enough in the distance I saw a man gliding through the streets of Gotham.

"Who the fuck was that?"

"Batman."

"That was Batman?"

"Great guy, isn't he?"

"Where is my phone?"

"Why?"

"I'm going to call the police! A man just broke into my apartment."

Jonathan gently took hold of me and kept me from moving, "It'll be no use. They're too preoccupied with whatever just blew up, and with the Joker out there they'll be spread thin trying to find him. Just lock the door, and we'll be safe up here."

I looked at him and thought about it, then nodded, "Right." I left him to lock the door to the patio. "Do you want a drink? I think I need a drink." Walking past him to the kitchen I pulled out an unopened bottle of wine and two wine glasses. I pulled out the wine opener and made to cut open the foil around the cork, but my hands were shaking.

Jonathan came over to me and took the opener and calmly opened the wine. Pouring me a glass he handed it to me and I took a long sip. He watched me for a moment, then asked, "What are you feeling?"

"Scared."

"Why? You weren't here when the Joker first showed up."

I frowned, "I need a reason to be frightened of a man who dresses up like a clown blowing up buildings?"

Jonathan held up his hand in surrender, "You're right. I'm sorry, I'm just… trying to help."

I nodded, taking a sip, "I know."

Jonathan was quiet for a moment, then he gave a small smile, "Boyfriend?"

I blushed, "Yeah… it was the only thing that I could think of to get him to leave."

Jonathan's smile widened, "Yeah?"

I gave a nonchalant shrug, "Yeah. You know… I would have said anything to get a crazy man out of my apartment."

Jonathan's face fell into a mock serious look, "Yes, of course."

"Right."

I took a sip of my drink, and Jonathan said, "I, um… I liked it."

I gave a small smile, "So did I."

My phone rang in my pocket. Pulling it out I found it was my mom. Answering it, I didn't get a change to greet her before she said, "Where are you?"

"I'm home."

"Oh thank God, stay there! Bruce left as the announcement started to get you, he should be there by now. He says that the Penthouse should be fine, but being outside the city will be the absolute safest. Stay inside, and don't go anywhere until Bruce gets there. It might take him a while to get into the city. Stay inside, do you understand me?"

"Yes, mom. I understand."

"Good."

She hung up without saying goodbye. I sighed and drained my glass of wine. "We're going to Wayne Manor."

"We?" Jonathan frowned.

"Yup."

"Why?"

"Bruce is on his way here now to take me out of the city. Apparently being outside the city is going to be safer than being here."

Jonathan nodded, "He does have a point."

Walking to the bedroom, I pulled out a small bag and began filling it with clothes, "Well, I'm not leaving you to go to your house. So you're coming with."

Jonathan gave a nervous laugh, "Is Bruce okay with that?"

Looking to him I said, "He's going to have to be." I got the go bag ready, filling it with what little clothes Jonathan had left here for the frequent nights he's spent over. I set it down in the living room, and turned to look at Jonathan. "You're okay coming with me, aren't you?"

"I'm going to have to be."

Walking to him I placed my hands on his chest while he placed his on my waist. Looking into his icy blue eyes, I said, "I want you to be safe. If this man is dangerous, I don't want you in this city."

"He's very dangerous."

"And you were next to him in Arkham?"

Jonathan was quiet, "Yes."

I frowned, "I'm so sorry."

"Don't be. That's behind me now."

I nodded, "More wine?"

Jonathan smiled, "Sure."

We finished the bottle and Bruce was still not here. I was beginning to worry. As Jonathan made to open a new bottle, my phone rang. Grabbing it off the counter, I didn't bother checking to see who it was, "Bruce?"

"I'm almost there, sorry it's taking me so long."

"Where are you?"

"I should be there by the time you get to the lobby."

"Okay. Be safe."

I hung up and Jonathan and I made our way downstairs. Bruce pulled up in a sports car coming to a stop. Jonathan and I stepped out of the building as the sirens went off again. I grabbed onto Jonathan's hand as Bruce got out of the car.

"Hello, hello, hello again!" The Joker's voice again echoed through the city, "It occured to me that I didn't tell you anything about what I'm doing."

"Bethy, get in the car," Bruce said. "What is he doing here?"

The Joker continued, "You see, I missed my dear old friend, Batman. I want him dead!" A bang came through the speaker.

"He's coming with us," I said opening the car door.

"No." Bruce shook his head.

"I want the Batman, plain and simple. And I'm willing to offer you all a reward!"

I frowned, "Deal with it Bruce."

I threw my luggage in the back of the car and motioned for Jonathan to get in, which he did. Bruce frowned at me but got in the car after me. Driving away, we moved through the city still hearing the Joker's voice.

"I want Batman alive. Whoever brings me the human bat will get a reward of my own monetary choosing. If he is not brought to me in a week, I will blow up another building! And in the meantime, my crew and I will be having fun of our own." He gave a high pitched giggle, "Let's see what you're made of, Gotham!"

The announcement cut off with a high pitched screech and all was quiet. Bruce was fuming next to me, but I didn't care. I looked in the side window to Jonathan who sat nervously behind me. I caught his eye in the mirror and gave him a smile. Bruce had no troubles leaving the city, and we pulled up to Wayne Manor in less than twenty minutes. We got out and entered the building where my mother was waiting.

"Oh, thank God, Bethany, you're okay." Pulling me into a hug she caressed my head, "I was so worried."

"We're fine, mom," I said trying to pull away.

My mother let go of me, but only had eyes for Jonathan, "What is he doing here?"

"You said it was unsafe staying in town," I said.

"For you."

"Well, Jonathan was with me, and I wasn't about to let him go home at this time, so he's here. Deal with it." My mother's eyes snapped to me, clearly pissed. I turned to Jonathan and took my bag from him. Taking his hand in mine I said, "Come on, I'll show you where we're sleeping."

"Um, different rooms please," my mother called.

Ignoring her, I said, "You can stay in my room."

We made it up to the room and I let him in, closing the door behind us.

"I shouldn't be here," he said.

I frowned, "Why not?"

"I'm not wanted here."

"I want you here," I looked at him and let the fear in me show, "I really need you here."

Coming to me, he wrapped his arms around my shoulders pulling me into a hug. "It's okay. We're not in the city, we're far safer here than the penthouse, Bruce was right to come and get you. And look," pulling away he lifted my face to look at his, "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."

I smiled, "Good."

"That's what boyfriends are for right?"

Smiling wider I said, "Definitely."