[Batman's POV]
The Wayne Manor
- The Cave -
"What happened, sir?", Alfred asked me as soon as I got out of the batmobile. I should know he'll wait for me in the cave. He must have followed the news.
"Joker", I muttered.
I took the Batman mask off my face. I noticed my hand was shaking. It make no sense.
"Are you alright, sir?" Alfred asked concernedly.
I ignored him. I need to get through the evidence I've gathered. Alfred followed my footsteps.
"He's planning something", I continued, putting down my mask. Joker has been quiet for the last few months.
I sat down at the computer. Once again, I carefully reviewed all the evidence of all previous Joker's activities. But I couldn't find the connection.
What is he planning?
"Do you know what?", Alfred asked me.
"No. I think he was looking for someone present in the room. I'll have to check them all", It must have been Michael. It has to do something about Michael. He was the only one standing on Joker's way ever since he became a new district attorney. It was part of his job. But I wasn't sure. Meeting Rose distracted him enough for me to arrive before he could start what he planned.
"Is everyone safe?", Alfred asked.
"Yes, they are. He didn't kill anyone tonight", I stated.
"Ahem", Alfred cleared his throat.
"And miss Rose?", Of course he'll mentions her.
"She's also fine, Alfred. I came at the right moment. She took down two of his man by herself", She surprised me. I didn't expect that. I didn't know she has it in it.
"Well, she's the Commissioner's niece. He tought her some moves, I suppose", Alfred added and I agreed.
"I don't like what Joker said to her", I spoke to Alfred worryingly. When I heard Joker calling her "my new bride" the blood froze in my veins.
"You think she might be in danger?", Alfred asked.
"It's possible. I keep eye on her. Just to be sure", I stated.
"Is that the only reason why?", Alfred asked suspiciously.
No, because I'm in love with her.
"For her protection", I muttered.
"If you say so, sir", Alfred spoke raising his eyebrow. I saw out of the corner of my eye. I noticed Alfred wasn't convinced.
"For her protection!", I repeated out loud before realizing.
Later that evening...
The Grand Gala at Gotham City Hall
[Rose's POV]
People were screaming and running in all different directions around me. At one moment, Bruce was just there, standing next to me, we were talking before an explosion happened and I lost him from my sight. This gala ended in disaster. I didn't understand what's happening. Everything happened so fast before my own eyes.
I spotted Michael in the crowd and rushed towards him. He was the most closest to me. "Have you seen Bruce?", I asked him. He was absent, he didn't hear my question. He was in a state of shock.
"I need to get you out of here", Michael said recovering as he grabed me by my waist without my permission and started carrying me towards the exit.
"No! I can't leave without out Bruce!", I yelled at him, trying to escape from his grip. He didn't let go. I struggled to get away until I got tired and started crying from fear. Michael doesn't understand, I'm in love with Bruce. I can't just leave him. It force Michael to stop for a moment.
"Rose, they are here for me. Since you work with me. You're in danger too", Michael explained moving my hair from my face.
"You're so beautiful, Rose", Michael whispered into my ear. I felt his warm breath on my cheek. He exhaled loudly.
"What did you do, Michael?", I mumbled, tears falling for my eyes, he didn't reply. I heard a sharp sound behind him. Before I realized what's happening, I fell down on the floor with Michael's arms around me. I managed to free myself from his grip and turn around towards him, kneeling next to his motionless body, waping tears from my face. Michael was laying down, unconscious. Blood flowed all over his forehead. He was injured. Michael needed help. I lifted up my head and saw a man standing next him holding a gun. I assume he was the one who hurted Michael in first place.
"I found him, boss!", the man exclaimed loud. I didn't understand who he was addressing to. I got up fast on my feets and I was getting ready to run, searching for help, when someone caught me from behind.
"Look what else we found. Boss will like her", the man who was holding me spoke. Somehow I knew he was talking about me.
"He would love this one. She's gorgeous", declared the man across me.
The sudden sound of a gunshot changed the atmosphere of the room. A heavy silence fall upon the room. I noticed a man appearing from the crowd, waltzing. He was wearing a purple suit and tone of makeup on his face. His hair was dyed in green. He looked like a clown from a horror move. The chills run down my spine. I recognized him. I saw his face in one of the James's files.
Joker clapped his hands. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, please stay calm and stay where you're at or I'm going to shoot you random", Joker warned. "Am I make myself clear?", Joker continued playing with a gun in his hand as he moved to the center of the room. The crowd obeyed his order.
"Now, that I've got your attention", Joker stopped talking for a moment and glanced across the room. People were terrified, theirs eyes pointed at Joker. He got everyone's attention. The man who was holding me waited patiently for Joker's order. His grip weakened, I tried to get away from him but it was pointless - he noticed my intention just on time to stop me, grabbing me even tighter. Joker turned into my direction, looking at me in amusement. I shouldn't have done that. I disobeyed his order. I prayed for him to ignore me but he didn't.
"You, there, bring her here", Joker ordered the man and he immediately obligated. "Let me see what we have got here", a sadistic grin crawled across Joker's face.
"My, my. Well, hello, gorgeous", Joker moved gently his hair from his face while still holding a gun in his other and continued looking at me with curiosity.
"Aren't you gorgeous? Where did you come from? I would remember pretty face like yours. But your eyes, they look familiar. Haven't we met before?", Joker spoke directly to me, leaning closer to my face. I could feel his breath on my skin. I immediately looked away. I've never been so scared as now.
"I thought you would like her boss", the man spoke content. Joker immediately moved away from my face and looked at him angry. His grip weakened again. He was just scared of him as I was.
"Shut up! Don't you see I'm talking?", Joker yelled at him.
Joker turned to me, staring.
"Where I was-- I've never see such a beauty. You're something special, aren't you? Please, say whats in your mind. I won't bite you yet, gorgeous", Joker spoke to me again.
"Go to hell!", I exclaimed and hit the man with my elbow in his ribs, shifting my strength forward, freeing myself from his grip and ran away.
"You, get her! And don't harm her. She's mine", I heard Joker ordering someone.
I ran as fast as I could towards the exit where someone caught me from behind, again, and brought me back to Joker.
"Calm, calm, little darling. You are feisty, little one. Aren't you? I like you already. You'll be my new bride", Joker spoke to me.
"Never. I raither died!", I exclaimed.
"Be careful what you wish--", Joker started talking but I interrupted him, knocking down his other man.
This time I stood on his feet, he yelled in pain as I freed myself from his grip. He tried to grab me but I bent down, lowering myself, and swiped my leg against his. He felt on the floor hitting his head hard. I immediately rushed down to him to see if he was still breathing. I felt relieved. I couldn't leave with myself if I killed someone.
"I guess, I have to do it all by myself. Whats the use of you? My two best man get beated by a tiny girl. Shame", Joker muttered to himself.
I clenched my hand into a fist. I got up fast and I was about to punch Joker all over his face using my all strength when he blocked my attack and pushed my body down to the floor. I fell hard on side, unharmed.
"You know, you have some nice moves for a girl but you can't hit hard enough", I made Joker were angry, he lost his temper. He raised his hand at me. He was about to slam me.
"But I can", Batman, appearing out of nowhere, grabbed Joker's hand stopping him for hitting me. People started screaming and running all over the place once again. Their hero came to the rescue.
I immediately turned my head away, I heard Joker's scream behind me but I decided not to look. I crawled across the floor towards Michael. He was waking up slowly. I noticed he stopped bleeding.
"Rose", Michael mumbled my name as I putted his head in my lap.
"Are you fine? Can you stand?", I whispered to him as his brown eyes slowly opened.
"Yes, I need a moment", Michael said quietly.
I suddenly noticed how quite has become when I heard a glass breaking. I lifted my head and looked a front me to found Joker bleeding and standing near a broken window. Batman was standing just a few feets away from him. I felt relieved. Joker didn't hurt him. I should know by now Batman can take care of himself but I doubt I could stop worry anyway and I didn't know why.
"Nice to see you, Bats. But I must leave now. The night has come to an end", Joker said to Batman with a creepy smile on his face as he jumped through the window from the 10th floor building. Batman followed him but he stopped at the very edge of the window. I was doubting if Joker has survived in first place. Batman turned in my direction, looking at me while I held Michael's head in my lap. Batman glanced briefly at Michael, clearly thinking about something. He lifted his head and gazed into my eyes. He was checking to make sure I was okay.
"Thank you", I whispered from my lips. He nodded and jumped after Joker.
I helped Michael to get up. Uncle James came fast.
"Have you seen Bruce?", I asked uncle James.
"No. I'll take care of Michael. Go, search for Bruce", uncle James suggested.
"Thank you", I nodded.
Uncle James carried Michael downstairs to the paramedics.
I looked for Bruce among the crowd, but did not find him. He must have left. I sent him a message to make sure he's okay.
I found later Michael wound was superficial. There was nothing to be worry about.
[Bruce POV]
The Wayne Manor
I was sitting in my armchair in the living room when Alfred came in.
"Are you fine, sir?", Alfred caught me staring at my phone. I've been doing it for an half hour or more, I think.
"Rose sent me a message", I replied.
I need to write her something, anything. She's worried. I don't think she'll be able to sleep if I don't. I know her that well by now.
"I don't know how to respond to her message", I confessed.
I've been typing and erasing for the past half hour...
"You should tell Miss Rose the truth", Alfred suggested.
I don't know how to tell her I'm Batman.
"She isn't ready", I stated.
I don't want to lose her. I can't lose her. But I can't hide much longer neither.
"I believe you're fearful because you don't want to lose her. She has been around for a long time, I think it's about time for you to trust in her", Alfred read my mind.
She isn't the one I don't trust.
I'm the only problem here.
"I strongly believe Miss Rose will understand and accept the truth", Alfred added.
I wish I had faith like him.
"Perhaps you're right but now it's not a good time", I'm procrastinating.
"It will never be a good time, sir", Alfred had a point.
"But perhaps it will be better if you tell her about your feelings for her first", Alfred reminded me.
"Alfred", I muttered.
"It's about time for you to confess you have feelings for young Miss Rose", Alfred added.
"Sleep on it, sir", Alfred frowned.
He thought literally.
"Funny, Alfred", I muttered as he exited the room.
Alfred knows I don't sleep much, at all, especially not at nights.
I don't understand the point of having a bedroom when I rarely use it anyway. The worst investment ever.
Rose...