Masterstroke | The Dark Knight Trilogy

FIVE - BIRTHDAY REVELATIONS

The sunny day did nothing to abate the crisp chill, that came with fall, and luckily I was attired in a warm clothing to not notice. My sunglasses protected me from the glare of the sun on the water.

"I never knew Gotham had such a nice café. Private, secluded, and beautiful."

"I found it when I was getting to know the city during my first week, transferring over here." I gave Bruce a smile, putting my sunglasses over the crown of my head. He was holding a bouquet of gardenias. They were personally my favorite flowers. I had a gardenia perfume, one of the ridiculously expensive things I splurged on along with shower products like my body and bubble. Along days of roughhousing criminals, a bath is an easy way to unwind.

"Who's the lucky woman?"

"I'm looking at her. Happy Birthday."

I raised an eyebrow, "Thank you. How did you know it's my favorite flower?"

"I have my ways."

"Ominous. Care to have lunch with me?"

"Alright."

Bruce followed me, and we got seats, ordering the best Italian food next to my mother's cooking.

We had the Fettucine carbonara, salad, and breadsticks, splitting up a Tiramisu for dessert, while casually talking about work and life. I talked about my family, which no one really knew about, for obvious reasons and Bruce alongside Gordon were the only folks I could trust. My father was a mechanical engineering professor and my mother was an Astrophysics professor. We used to live in Gotham, before moving to Bludhaven due to the depression. My older sister was a neurosurgeon, married to a cardiologist, and had my five-year-old niece Anna. My younger brother was twenty-two and a journalist for the Bludhaven Sun. I told him the reason of why I became a police officer was because I looked up to my uncle Chris who was in the police force for LAPD.

He told me more about his time traveling abroad and who exactly Ra's Al Ghul was to him, with the League of Shadows and all.

"I left Gotham seven years ago to learn more about the world. About how other people lived." He paused and then shrugged. "About myself." He paused again as the knot in his gut tightened even more and he shook his head. "None of that matters," he said eventually. "Everything about Ra's was a lie."

My expression was soft and understanding. "Maybe. But it sounds like you found something worthwhile in whatever he taught you. His lies don't make that less real." I reached out to squeeze his arm gently, offering comfort. "It's okay to regret how things ended."

He gave me a wry smile. "Most people wouldn't come back to Gotham to clean it up."

"I guess we're both suckers," I said with a small smile.

***

Rachel took a sip of her coffee, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Alright, Nina, let's hear it. How was your birthday? I heard something about a bouquet of gardenias?"

I took a sip of my own coffee, savoring the warmth as I considered how much to share. "Oh, it was really nice. Bruce and I went to my favorite café—really secluded, with a beautiful view of the water."

Rachel's eyes widened, clearly intrigued. "And?"

I shrugged, trying to keep my expression casual. "Yeah, he knew that gardenias are my favorite. It was really thoughtful of him."

Rachel's eyebrows shot up, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Thoughtful, sure. But come on, Nina. Bruce going out of his way? That's not just a friendly gesture. He must have some serious feelings for you."

I laughed, feeling a slight blush creep up my cheeks. "Rachel, it's not like that. Bruce is a great friend, and he's been really supportive. I don't think it means anything more."

Rachel leaned in, her grin widening. "Oh, come on. Bruce Wayne doesn't do things like that for just anyone. There's definitely something more there. You can't tell me you didn't notice the effort he put into that gesture."

I shook my head, though I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "Rachel, he's got a lot going on, and so do I. We're both focused on our work. It's just a nice gesture from a friend."

Rachel's grin softened to a knowing smile. "Nice gesture, sure. But don't be so quick to dismiss it. Sometimes people show their feelings in the little things. If Bruce is making an effort like that, he might be hoping for something more."

I took a thoughtful sip of my coffee, considering Rachel's words. "Maybe. But right now, I'm focused on my work and making a difference. If something more develops, I'll deal with it when the time comes."

Rachel chuckled softly. "Fair enough. Just don't let something good pass you by because you're too caught up in your work. Sometimes the best things come when you least expect them."

I looked at Rachel, a small smile on my lips. "Thanks for the advice. I'll keep that in mind."

As we continued chatting, Rachel's playful observations lingered in my mind. If Bruce liked me, I couldn't afford that. My uncle Chris had lost his wife as a form of retaliation, from a criminal he got arrested. Being in law enforcement and having attachments was a dangerous combination, and I couldn't risk dragging someone else into that peril. Keeping my private life as secure as I could, from my parents and siblings to my friends, was already a delicate balance. A romantic involvement with Bruce would only complicate things further, and the risk of someone using him to get to me was too high.

I looked at Rachel, her eyes twinkling with amusement, but my thoughts were already racing ahead. Maybe it was time to set Bruce straight. I needed to be clear about the boundaries of our relationship, whatever it was, for both our sakes.

"I appreciate your insight, Rachel," I said, my tone more serious than before. "But I need to be upfront with you. If Bruce is interested in something more, I should probably set him straight. Being in law enforcement comes with its own set of risks, and I can't afford to let my personal life become a liability. For his sake as much as mine."

Rachel's expression softened as she took in my words. "I understand where you're coming from. It's tough balancing a personal life with a demanding job, especially one as dangerous as yours."

"Exactly," I said, nodding. "I have to be careful about who I let into my life. If Bruce has feelings for me, I need to make sure he knows where I stand. It wouldn't be fair to lead him on or put him in a situation where he could be hurt."

Rachel gave me a sympathetic smile. "It's a difficult position to be in, but being honest is the right approach. Just make sure you're clear and gentle with him. The truth is better than confusion or false hope."

"I'll keep that in mind," I said, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. "Thanks for the advice."

As I finished my coffee and chatted with Rachel about lighter topics, I couldn't shake the feeling that a difficult conversation lay ahead. It was clear that Bruce and I needed to have a talk, and I needed to be prepared to address my concerns honestly. I valued his friendship and support, and I hoped we could navigate this situation without causing unnecessary hurt or complications.