A/N: SOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I've come up with some FUN for YOU! That's right, YOU! The reader, the person who spends their precious time reading my junk and being kind enough to review. I'm going to have a little contest. Whomever leaves the 100th review for this story will have their name or the name of their choice, immortalized in my writing. I know, I know, oh wow, big deal?! Well, I thought it'd be entertaining. It's interactive, to show you I care! Now, here's the rules, please DO NOT psycho review ten times in a row to be the 100th person. Just review as per usual (I'm capping people at two per chapter) and hopefully by luck of the draw you'll reach number 100! Good luck! And happy reading!

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I woke up groggy as hell; my head literally felt that it was a spilt cantaloupe. I moaned, unable to open my eyes, the seer thought of it sending another agonizing ripple through my skull.

"Audrey?"

I turned my in the direction of the voice, "Gordon?" My voice came out parched and crackly.

I felt his hand on my own, a slight squeeze for reassurance. "Here, have a drink of water." He urged.

I opened my eyes a crack, as he gently brought a glass of water to my lips. "Ahhh…" I sipped; it was like water cascading over land charred crisp under the sun's heat.

"Thank you." I tried to open my eyes more, but the lights were blinding, so I just closed them again.

"Can I get you something else?"

"A pair of those big Hollywood shades, you know the ones with the big thick frame, that'd be real good about now."

At least it made him laugh. "You gotta stop doing this to me, kid."

"Someone's got to keep you on your toes-"

"AUDREY!" Someone shrieked my name, it made me jump. "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, you had me in a fit, girl. I've been so worried about you. I get this call, and you're in the hospital again, I nearly dropped dead."

"I'm fine, Kayla." I attempted to reason.

"How does one person get into some much trouble? You really need to get another job."

She was by my side now. I could smell her coconut perfume mixed with hair product. "Maybe like a secretary or something, but then you'd probably end up being attacked by the stapler!"

"I'm fine." I repeated.

"The hell you are!" Anthony's voice joined in. "You got a goose egg on your head the size of a -"

"Oh would you shut up." Kayla cut him off. "You think she wants to hear that, right now?"

"Audrey Ray-Ann Marsh." Tanner's voice called from the door. "Who shot you this time, cause I swear I'll kill them." He was by my bed, in three strides. "Oh, hey ya Commissioner."

"Hello Tanner." Gordon responded in his serious voice.

"I'm fine." I told Tanner. "And no one shot me."

"What was it this time?" He questioned.

"Some crazy bitch tried to drop her twenty stories, but first they cracked her head open!" Kayla cut in.

"Yes, but I'm fine now."

"They tried to drop you from how high?" Tanner questioned.

"Man, it must have been at least twenty stories if not higher." Anthony joined.

They all started talking, at once, except Gordon. It was like sitting in a busy hall, and everyone speaking at once, it's like the walls would burst at the volume. I couldn't take it, it was killing my head.

"SHUT UP!" I yelled, a lot louder then I meant to. I hadn't realised I'd opened my eyes, but they all look sheepishly at me.

My friends. They were just concerned. I really did have a lot to be thankful for.

"I promise you guys I'm okay. It's just a bump on the head; even ask the doc, I'm not concust!" I tried to reassure them, shrugging slightly.

"I still don't think you're all there." Anthony chirped in. "I called in S.W.A.T. as soon as I heard gunshots. That must have been when Batman got there. I saw you jump. The news anchor said you were pushed. But it didn't look like that to me!"

"WHAT?" Gordon, Kayla and Tanner all said in unison.

"Ya, she damn well jumped. Just launched herself in the air. Like she thought she was a bird or something." Anthony went on.

I rolled my eyes.

"Are you crazy?" Tanner asked.

"You jumped?" Gordon questioned, giving me a stern father-like look.

Anthony laughed, Kayla hit him in the gut, and it all started the frenzy of conversation again. I just sat there, too tired to protest.

"I don't think this is beneficial to Ms. Marsh's health." A cool voice cut through my friend's ranting.

I exhaled; I never thought I might be so happy to see Bruce Wayne. But just when I needed rationality, my very own billionaire strolled in. Somehow I knew Bruce would be my prudence, when I needed it the most.

"Mr. Wayne is right." Scrabbled Gordon, standing from the chair by my bedside. "Perhaps we should let Audrey get some rest?"

They agreed, embarrassed at their behaviour, I couldn't blame any of them; I'd would have probably acted the same way.

Tanner came to my side and bent over to kiss the top of my head. "This isn't over." He whispered.

Kayla gave my hand a little squeeze, and Anthony nodded. They filtered out of the room, closing the door behind them. And then there was silence.

"Hi."

"Hello." Bruce smiled.

I smiled back, a warmness spreading through my body.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, laying flowers on the side table. He pulled the chair Gordon has been sitting in, closer to the bed.

"Well…" I shifted my head from side to side. "Like someone bashed the back of head in."

He chuckled a little. "Well, don't you think it's getting you out of Christmas with Alfred and I."

"Darn it." I laughed.

I opened my hand to him and he took it, sighing. "Audrey."

"I'm fine."

"This time…"

"Please don't reprimand me."

"I'm just concerned." He scratched his chin. "You really did jump." He started, then as if a second thought added. "Didn't you?"

I met his eyes. "I had to." I paused to lick my lips, they were so dry. "She was using me as leverage against Batman."

"So, you threw yourself off a building for some guy who flies around in a rubber suit?" He grilled.

"Pretty much."

He bobbed his head attempting to understand. "You're unbelievable."

"Crazy has been the prevalent description thus far."

"What am I going to do with you?"

"Hold on tight and pray to God I don't hit a dead end."

He smiled, and reached out to brush my cheek. "I'm happy you're okay."

"Me too…"

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After I was released from the hospital, the search for Blondie began to consume me. Searching for her became my mission, tenfold. Gordon had restricted me from the station, putting me on light duties, once again. But, that didn't stop me. I swung by one afternoon, careful to make sure Gordon's car was gone.

I brought a box into the archives room and starting taking whatever I could find relating to Blondie or Ra's Al Ghul. I slipped from the room, and was heading throw the main hall, slightly giddy at my sneakiness.

"MARSH."

I jumped.

"Hey, Marsh."

I turned and relaxed. "Silverman, hey." I nodded.

"I got that background check you asked for." He handed me a file.

"Oh, right. I forgot about that. Thank you."

"Now, it isn't my business, but…" He leaned forward. "Why Wayne?"

Oh shit. I thought. "Um, well I'm dating him."

"Oh," Silverman nodded his head all too knowingly. "You're the paranoid girlfriend type huh?"

I shrugged. "Um, ya."

"Well, right then. Don't let it go too far, that's how you became…." He leaned in again. "I got a little attached to my ex." He grinned.

"Oh all right then, too much information. Thanks again!" I tucked the file under my arm, and high-tailed it out of the police department.

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On the 24th of December, a black town car pulled promptly up to my apartment building. Alfred smiled as he exited the car, rounding it, to greet me.

"Good evening, Ms. Marsh." He smiled his quick clandestine smile. "I was happy to hear you decided to send the night at Wayne manor with us."

"Well, secretly I've always wanted to see it after the re-model."

"Ah, very few have. Mr. Wayne keeps it very exclusive nowadays, only brings his special guests there."

I laughed, blushing slightly. "Special guests huh?"

He nodded.

Wayne manor is just on the outskirts of Gotham, the approach to the manor itself, is shadowed with great drooping willows, that were barren in the season but had beautiful icicles hanging off their branches, creating a very white gothic setting.

The manor itself stood, erect and gleaming in the wintery moon light, fashioned in a classical British influence that made it pretentious yet undeniably suited to Mr. Bruce Wayne. I'd heard the stories of the drunken billionaire burning his precious abode, yet here it stood, rebuilt, strong and absolutely breath-taking, a true sign of resilience.

"It was modeled to match the original manor built by the Wayne's' many years ago when they first settled here."

"It's lovely."

Alfred's eyes twinkled in the rearview mirror, and I realized he was just as proud to serve Wayne manor as he was to call it home. There was a fierce loyalty in his servitude one very unlikely to be surpassed. It caused me to think about just what kind of man Bruce was to invoke this kind of respect. I sighed.

"Somewhat the matter miss?"

I continued to look out the window as we approached the house, "He's sincere with me, isn't he?"

"Yes." He said after we pulled to the front of the house. "Yes I believe he is, Audrey."

----------------------------

Inside Wayne manor was just as impressive, furnished and decorated to the "nines", impeccably clean for its sheer size. Alfred took my coat and directed me to a living room on the second floor, overlooking the bluff. I could see the lights of Gotham from here.

"Mr. Wayne is running a little late." Alfred said from behind me.

I turned and nodded, "Something I'm noticing is a tendency."

"More often than not, I'm afraid."

"It's ok." I shrugged.

"I'll bring up some wine."

"Thank you."

He inclined his head and left.

The room was dim, except for the illumination of the fire. I took a seat by the fire, and Alfred returned with the wine.

"Will you sit with me?"

"Absolutely."

Alfred's company was most pleasing, he educated me on the history of Wayne manor, the actual time he spent surviving the family, Bruce as a child.

"I can't imagine the hardship the two of you endured after …" I looked down.

"I would think you'd know better than most."

I looked up.

"Sometimes it's easy to feel empathic to other's suffering more than one's own." He continued.

"The past is best left forgotten, in my case." I tried to smile.

"Ahh…" He stood. "I am going to check on the status of dinner, and our missing host." He smiled, and left the room.

I finished my wine, and stood, deciding to take it upon myself to explore. Saying the manor was huge, was a complete understatement. I wondered around, finding a game room, a library, a few bedrooms and a trophy or gym room of some sorts. It was that room which interested me the most. There were ancient displays of different weapons on the walls, masks, portraits of mystic battles, statues of warriors. I paused at the statues, staring at their cryptic stoic positions; their sheer emptiness was baffling to me. Their worth captured in their armor protecting their body, shrouding their identities in ambiguity to make them faceless warriors, dedicated to nothing but the cause. The cause… I cocked my head to the side.

"Fascinating aren't they?"

I jumped a little and spun around. "Look who decided to show up."

He approached me with a slight smirk on his face. "I am sorry. I was caught up with some business."

"It's ok. I understand." I took a moment to observe his appearance; his hair was damp, fresh from the shower. Whenever he'd been, he'd felt the need to shower before joining me.

I think I caught him off guard. "Thank you." He replied, adjusting his blazer. He looked down for a moment with a slight laugh. "So, you like the warriors?"

I nodded and turned back to look at them. "Yes, I envy their mystery."

"Ah…" I heard his steps echo across the room as he approached me. "Envy is not always a good thing."

"It's never a good thing." I laughed, casting a casual glance over my shoulder at him. "But mystery, ahh there is the rub."

He was at my back then, and I could hear the rustle of his clothing as he extended a hand to brush my hair away from the back of my neck. His hand rested against the nape of my neck, and his lips brushed against my ear.

I shook slightly, but I did my best to keep it from showing, as I refused to let him know his mere presence could affect me.

"If it's any consolation, I think you're quite the mystery." His husky whisper sent another electrifying chill through me.

He kissed my neck, his hand slipping to the side of my neck, as his lips moved down towards my collar bone.

"I'm curious." I stammered.

"Mmm…"

"Where did you get this one?"

He stopped, with a little laugh, his breath hot on my neck. "Half way across the world."

"Is there a particular reason you own this one?"

"I studied this particular fighting style."

"Oh, when?"

"A while ago, I spent a few years there."

"Well aren't you full of surprises."

"I do try…"

"Show me?"

"Huh?"

"Your particular fighting." I turned to look at him. "Or, are you scared Mr. Wayne?"

He raised an eyebrow, and shrugged off his jacket. "Scared? I don't think you know what you've gotten yourself into."

I undid the button of my cardigan.

He retrieved two Japanese styled swords. "Have you used one before?"

"Oh ya, every day, we prefer them to our guns actually."

"Well in that case we should leave the sheath on."

I pulled mine off. "You were saying?"

"Alright." He brought the tip of his sword to mine. Slowly he moved, brought it away and clacked against mine, then mimicked the action again, 'til I met his swing half way. He nodded, a little smirk edging his features. "Ready?"

He circled around me, careful in his swings, holding back. 'Til I became the aggressor, but he pared my swings each time, and with a quick little flick my sword was out of my hands. I looked up at him. "Show me?"

He nodded, and I went to retrieve the sword. He showed me a few more times, and I managed to pull of the move off myself.

"You're a quick learner."

"Well shucks." I handed him back the sword. "Thank you for showing me."

"Any time…"

"Sir?" Alfred popped his head in the door. "Dinner is ready."

"Excellent." Wayne looked at me and extended his hand.

I took it, without a second thought, and it felt right as we walked the long corridors of Wayne Manor.

Dinner was wonderful, and after some convincing Alfred joined us. The three of us sat around a ridiculously oversized table, chatting and sipping wine. It must have been after mid-night when Alfred excused himself.

"Merry Christmas." He waved casually over his shoulder.

"Merry Christmas." Bruce and I called back.

Bruce leaned back in his seat taking a long sip of his wine. "It's been some time since we've had guests."

"I'm honoured."

He raised his eyebrows slightly then dropped them with a light laugh. He held up the bottle of wine, and I shook my head.

"I think I've had enough for tonight."

He ignored me and added more to my glass then his own.

"Are you trying to get me drunk, Mr. Wayne?"

"I remember a certain comment made by a certain someone along the lines of being more fun when she's drunk?"

I rolled my eyes, "She sounds like a lush!"

He laughed, and took a sip of his wine. "Do you want to go sit by the fire?"

I nodded.

I had to rely on Bruce to navigate back to the sitting room Alfred had shown me earlier, I had no idea where to go in his monstrosity of a house. "This house is ridiculous."

"I know." He sighed.

"Then why do you live here?"

"Tradition."

"Ahh…"

"But, I prefer being closer to the city, if that's any consolation, so I keep my penthouse." He informed me, pulling me against his side as we walked.

"Why of course, Mr. Wayne, it wouldn't be appropriate for you not to have a penthouse."

He sighed, "Why do you enjoy mocking me?"

I shrugged, under his arm. "I guess, because someone has to."

"That's why I keep Alfred around, he fills the quota."

"Oh, well in that case, I suppose I should lay off?" I stepped into his path, to face him. My cheeks warm from the wine.

He shook his head, "I'll tell you something in confidence…"

"Mhm?"

"I enjoy it, but secretly." He brushed my cheek.

"Ohh, I see… secretly."

He nodded again.

"Do you have a lot of secrets then?"

His face because stoic for a moment, and he frowned. It gave me an eerie feeling, reminding me of the warriors I'd seen in his museum.

"That isn't a trick question." I murmured, as I put my arms around his waist.

He pressed his cheek to mine, "More secrets than I'd like to keep."

I pulled back a little to look at him. "You can trust me…"

He smiled, finally, breaking through the awkward moment, "I know, but…"

"You're not ready to let me in." I whispered.

He watched me, as I said the words, and I saw him flinch a little. "It's not that Audrey… something's are better left in the dark…"

"I'll accept that… for now…"

He laughed. "Alright, for now."

He took my hand to led me to the sitting room, but I stood still, and shook my head when he looked back at me. "I want to see your room."

He measured me for a moment, and then a sly smile spread across his lips.