A/N: I finally did it! I have a new chapter up. I am very sorry but there will only be one or two chapters after this one. I have just run out of steam. But please keep your eyes peeled for updates on my other stories. They will be coming soon!

Over the course of the next two weeks, Isabelle and Bruce settled into a routine. The first two days, Alfred carefully led Isabelle through the hallways of the manor, describing the different rooms on both the first and second floors. Iz quickly mapped the path between the bedroom, the library, the kitchen, and the den where the hidden entrance to the Batcave was in her head. By the fourth day of her stay, she could easily move about the main parts of the manor. By day, she kept Alfred company, or lounged in the living room listening to music on Bruce's impressive stereo system. In the evenings, she, Bruce, and Alfred ate dinner together at the small kitchen table, sharing stories from their respective pasts or discussing recent events. After dinner, Isabelle would walk with Bruce to the secret entrance to the Batcave, kiss him goodnight, and remind him to be careful. She never said a word about the long hours he spent prowling the streets of Gotham hunting criminals, or the cuts and bruises that always seemed to appear in the mornings. She knew that the city needed Batman, and that the cowl was simply another part of the man she loved.

One night, Isabelle awoke to the sense that she was not alone in the room. She slid her fingers over the raised numbers on her clock and found it was only 2:30 in the morning, too early for Bruce to be back. The air stirred around her, bringing the scent of tea and fresh soap, and she relaxed.

"Alfred. You startled me. What's wrong?" she asked, sliding to the edge of the bed. Gentle weathered hands helped her out of the bed, and tugged her out of the room and down the hall.

"The alarm company called. Someone tripped the system's perimeter. The police are on the way, as well as Master Wayne, but he told me to get you to safety in case it's the Joker after you." Alfred explained in a hushed voice. Isabelle scoffed softly as she allowed Alfred to lead her down the stairs to the official panic room. While the Batcave was infinitely safer, with the police on the way, it would be better to wait where they could actually find them.

"The Joker has no idea where I am. Besides, he struck me as having a very short attention span. Surely something has caught his attention by now." she protested. The pair passed through the door to the panic room and she felt the shift in pressure as the door shut and sealed.

"Master Wayne would prefer not to take any chances, and I agree with him." Alfred replied. Isabelle smiled wryly.

"He does fret like a mother hen sometimes, doesn't he?" she asked with a fond chuckle.

"He seems to worry more about your well-being then anyone else he knows." Alfred confided. Isabelle's smile softened, and she reached out to take the older man's hand.

"I worry about him too, Alfred. I would never ask him to stop being Batman, of course. That would be like asking him to stop being male, or stop breathing. It's part of who he is, and you never ask the people you love to stop being themselves. But I still worry that one night, he'll be terribly hurt. I think I finally understand what Aunt Barb goes though every day." she said. Alfred squeezed her hands in reassurance.

"Never doubt that he loves you as well. I don't mean to speak out of turn, but Miss Dawes could never reconcile the two parts of Master Wayne. Before she met Mr. Dent, she told Master Wayne that she would wait until he didn't need to be Batman any longer. She didn't want to accept that part of him. When she died, he grieved what he thought was the only woman who could possibly love him. He never imagined that there was someone like you waiting for him." he said. Isabelle opened her mouth to speak, but then she looked up at the sharp knocking on the panic room door.

"Isabelle, Alfred, you can come out now. The police caught the intruder." Bruce's voice filtered through the intercom next to the door. Isabelle stood with relief, but paused by the intercom. He spoke in his normal 'public voice', a tone he never used when at home with Alfred and Isabelle. She pressed the button swiftly.

"Bruce, I left my cane in the living room. Can you bring it down for me?" she asked, holding up a hand to stop Alfred from saying anything. There was a moment of silence, and the voice came back on.

"I've got it right here, Bella." he said, and Isabelle lurched back from the intercom. Bruce knew she never used her cane in the manor, and he never called her 'Bella'. She pressed back against Alfred, trembling slightly.

"That is not Bruce." she whispered. A tug on her hand led her to the back of the room, and the secondary entrance that led to the Batcave. This entrance was accessed only by a hand scanner. A soft sliding sound preceded the gentle puff of cool, damp air from the Batcave, and Alfred led Isabelle down the winding stairs to the Batcave. They reached the platform where the computer banks sat, and Isabelle heard the rustle of Batman's cape and the slow whine as the Tumbler powered down.

"What's wrong?" he asked in his guttural tones.

"Someone tried to get us to open the door by faking your public voice. I asked him to fetch my cane, and he called me 'Bella' so I knew it was a fake." she explained. She was briefly enveloped in strong arms and a cloud of sandalwood, before the presence was gone. She heard the heavy footsteps as Batman raced up to the elevator to the den. Isabelle carefully maneuvered to the chair in front of the computers, and heard Alfred rattling around in the small medical kit. She pillowed her head in her arms and drifted off to sleep to the sounds of the roaring waterfall and the soft footsteps of Alfred moving around her.

The warm sunlight on her face drew Isabelle from a deep sleep, and she stretched as best she could. Heavy limbs were tangled with hers, and the soothing scent of sandalwood cloaked the pair. She smiled lazily as she ran her fingers over Bruce's arms and along his shoulders to wrap around his neck. She could smell the faint trace of antiseptic, so she knew he was injured somewhere, but for now, she just relaxed in the arms of the man she loved. The soft click of the door opening made her turn her head, and she sighed.

"I guess everything is just fine since we're back in bed?" she guessed softly. Bruce's arms tightened gently at the sound of her voice, drawing a smile to her lips.

"The Joker finally found where you were hiding, and came after you. Officially, I was in a business meeting all night with Tokyo, so he obviously thought he could get to you. Didn't count on your keen ears, Iz." he said, pulling her into a sitting position.

"The police arrived to find him trussed like a Christmas turkey on the front steps of the manor. Batman is a hero once more to Gotham, and your cousin is wondering when you can resume your weekly walks in the park." Alfred piped up. Isabelle grinned widely and turned into Bruce's arms.

"Can you avoid the office and join me today?" she asked. She felt his chest vibrate with his laughter as his lips ghosted over her temple.

"I can handle that." he replied.

"I'll clear your schedule, sir. It's a nice day, so perhaps the convertible." Alfred said, and the door closed with a click. Bruce's hands slid down Isabelle's arms and encased her hands.

"I have something for you." he said quietly, as something cool touched her fingers. Her brow furrowed slightly as the metal slid along her fingertips, then she gasped as the band slid onto her finger.

"Bruce, I-" she began, but he silenced her with a kiss.

"I never thought I would ever get married, not even to Rachel. She couldn't accept who I am, what I do. But you never even try to imagine what I would be like if I wasn't Batman. I love you Isabelle, more than anything. I'll understand if you aren't ready yet. I know it hasn't been long, but please keep the ring until you are ready." he said. Isabelle sighed and laid one hand on the side of his face, feeling the shallow cut on his cheek.

"Bruce, I do love you, but you're right. I'm not quite ready yet. Give me some time to process everything that's happened recently, to deal with the personal issues, and I will be more than happy to marry you. I just need some time." she said. She felt his lips descend on hers, and she returned his kiss gladly.

"Take all the time you need. I'll be right by your side. For now, we should get up and get ready. How does a picnic with your family sound?" he offered. She smiled widely.

"I'd love it. You ready for the interrogation of your life? Uncle Jim may be a cop, but he's got nothing on Aunt Barb." she asked. Bruce laughed out loud and pulled her from the bed and towards the bathroom.

"I got a taste of it from Jimmy. I can handle anything."

Isabelle smiled as she and Bruce walked down the path to where they were meeting her family. Barb had been ecstatic about the chance to get together with Isabelle and Bruce, and had even convinced Jim to take the day off and join the family. The drive to the park had seemed lighter somehow, now that the threat of the Joker coming after Isabelle was no longer hanging over them. The couple strolled around the bend, Bruce carrying the large picnic basket, when she heard the tromp of feet coming straight for them. She braced herself just as little Barbie and Jimmy slammed into her. Only Bruce's arm kept her upright.

"Ooof!" she grunted with a wide smile on her face.

"Izzy, Izzy, Daddy came with us!" Barbie exclaimed, jumping up and down, tugging Isabelle's hand with each bounce.

"Of course he did. Iz brought her boyfriend and Mom and Dad want to check him out." Jimmy said, gripping Isabelle's other hand.

"Okay, let's go sit down so Bruce can set the basket down. Knowing Alfred, there's plenty of food." she said, and the two children began to eagerly tug her to the grass. She followed easily, the long skirt of her summer dress swirling lightly around her legs as she moved. She felt the blanket under her feet a moment before her aunt enveloped her in a tight hug.

"Hello Iz. How are you?" she asked warmly.

"Better now that the Joker has been caught. You actually got Uncle Jim to take a day off?" she asked.

"I heard that. Good to see you Isabelle." he said, pulling her into a hug of his own.

"Just glad you're spending time with the family." she replied.

"Am I correct in guessing the family is about to get a little bigger?" he asked, his hand lifting her left one to display the ring that sat there.

"Oh, Isabelle!" Barb exclaimed, snatching her hand from Jim to get a better look at the ring.

"Nothing official just yet. Isabelle needs some time to take care of some personal issues she wants to deal with, and I promised her she could take all the time she wants." Bruce said. Barb released Isabelle's hand and the blind woman could feel her aunt focus on her boyfriend.

"Really. Well set that basket down Mr. Wayne, and make yourself comfortable." Barb said.

"Call me Bruce, please, Mrs. Gordon." Bruce replied, and Isabelle felt him come up next to her and ease her down onto the blanket next to him.

"Then you can call me Barb." Barb replied. The scent of stale coffee wafted across Isabelle's nose, and she heard the rustle of things in the picnic basket.

"Relax, Bruce, Isabelle has excellent taste. You're practically family." Jim said quietly as he handed sandwiches to Bruce and Isabelle. She chuckled and leaned comfortably against Bruce as easy conversation filled the air between the group. Jimmy was eagerly awaiting the family's planned trip to the amusement park, and regaled Isabelle with his plans for the trip. After the food had been eaten, Isabelle and Jimmy stood and began their customary walk along the winding path, simply enjoying the sunlight and fresh air.

"Iz, why don't you want to marry Bruce yet?" Jimmy asked, pulling her from her thoughts.

"I just have a few things I want to deal with before I'll feel ready to get married" she explained. Jimmy was quiet for a moment, then she felt his hand squeeze hers fiercely. She was about to ask him what was wrong when she caught the scent of greasepaint and unwashed male.

"Well hello my little chickadee. Now we finally have a chance to, um, chat." that haunting voice said, before breaking out into hysterical laughter.