Protect Me Dark Knight

13: Official

*1 month later*

Sweat dripped down my brow as I kicked the sand bag with all of my strength. Bouncing back on my toes, I blew a strand of hair away from my face. Hearing the steady water flow down the cave's walls, I immediately grew comfortable. A determined grunt left my gritted teeth as I let out a burst of punches. My mind was completely blank as I fought against the sand bag. That's why I fell in love with learning how to fight, it made all my broken qualities drift away for awhile. Stopping for a minute, my ears filled with the squeaking and rustling of the bats overhead. "You're down here more often than Master Wayne." Turning to the British accent, I let a smile cross my lips. Out of breath, I just nodded. Alfred placed a plate on the metal table which held my phone and water bottle. "You also need your energy Miss Smith." Looking to the plate of mushroom ravioli I then realised how ravenous I was. Unwrapping my hands, I spoke "Thank you Alfred." As I sat down, to eat, I sensed that the butler was still standing there and I looked over my shoulder. "Is everything alright?" Turning to him, I rose an eyebrow. "Master Wayne is worried about you, and frankly we all are." Sighing, I put a ravioli in my mouth, listening to the bats and water. "There is no need to worry Alfred, I'm fine." I heard him sigh in defeat and make his way back to the Manor. Finishing my food, I made a quick decision. Throwing away the gauze that I used for my hands, I hurried to my room.

After showering, I slipped on a pair of dark skinny jeans and a hoodie. Leaving my wet hair down, I walked out to the living room, looking for Bruce. Turning the corner, I ran into a hard chest. "Sorry, my bad." John's throaty chuckle filled my ears and his hands gripped my shoulders. "You're alright baby girl, you're alright." His voice was cautious, as if not wanting to scare me of. Rolling my eyes at his silliness, I shoved him lightly. "I'm not made of glass John." His laugh echoed down the hall and he engulfed me in a bear hug. "I've missed you Gina." Letting a strained giggle escape I wrapped my short arms around his waist. "I love you too, now get off, I can't breathe." With a another laugh he skid down the hall, sliding down the marble floor. Shaking my head, I made my way threw the house. Seeing Bruce's muscular build hunched over, I smiled and then realised how long it had been since we spent more than 10 minutes with each other. I stood there at the corner, watching him with paperwork surrounding him. He raked his calloused fingers threw his already messy hair. Bruce sat straight, sensing someone watching him. He turned to me and I tensed, waiting for his reaction.

A warm smile spread across his features and he opened his arms, as if welcoming me home. Smiling, I made my way to his outstretched arms, carefully stepping around the papers. Sitting in between in his legs, I felt him snake his arms around my shoulders and I tangled our fingers together. Bruce put his lips right below my earlobe, just like the first time we met. Leaning into his embrace slightly, I felt him smile. "How are you?" His raspy voice made my insides melt and then I felt my heartbeat in my cheeks at my silly thoughts. "I'm better," Craning my neck to look up at him, "How about you? You look exhausted." A small smile didn't quite reach his eyes and he shrugged. "I'm just glad you're out of the cave before 11:30 for once." A sheepish look appeared on my face. "If you spend any more time down there, you might be the one looking over me." Laughing, I shook my head as he pulled me closer. Bruce moved his arms to around my arms and waist, bringing me as close to him as our bodies would let us. We sat in silence, enjoying each other's presence.

"Do you remember when I made the comment of making your last name mine one day?" I was now sitting upside down on the couch, watching Bruce sort the hundreds of papers in specific piles. A blush made my cheeks a faint pink by recalling the memory. "Yes, why?" He surprised me by grasping my backwards face in his hands, holding me as if I could break at any sudden movement. "I was serious sweetheart. Be mine? Officially?" I sighed threw my nose at his words and smiled with teeth. "Yes." A genuine smile crossed his features as he pressed his lips to mine. Our lips moved in synch and I felt him smirk. "Come on, in the living room?" I jumped at the voice behind me. Separating, Bruce put his forehead to mine. After he stood from his crouched position, I rolled silently off the couch, landing on the balls of my feet. Huffing my now dry hair out of my face, I stopped in my tracks at the two boys' expressions. "What?" John rose an eyebrow and said "Where did clumsy Gina go?" Rolling my eyes, I walked over to them. "Haven't you heard of YouTube?" A posh laugh echoed from the kitchen and I immediately knew that Alfred had witnessed everything. Smiling at the people in the room, I let their voices drone out as I decided something. I was happy with the people I called family.