Song of a Trickster

Chapter 18

Devyn's POV

Walking into the penthouse I'm greeted with an open space, a living room. FurnitureFunature and walls white. To the left of me are some dark curved stairs leading upwards. My mouth falls open as I take in everything, 

"This place is massive.."

Bruce laughs at me and I hear heels click. Looking forward I spot the woman from the party, her name was-

"Rachael! This is Devyn, a friend of Gordon's"

"I already know who she is...Harvey told me..."

She walks forward until shes only an arms width away, now I could see her face properly. Her chocolate hair down and wavy. Green eyes, lined with tears, 

"I'm so sorry...c..can I?"

Her arms open at the beginning of a hug. Seeing her so affected by what she knows of or about me it's so moving. I feel like I'm connected to her like I've known her for years, shared childhood memories, seen her in her worst and best moments and been with her through life's milestones, but it's only been a mere few minutes, 

"yes"I croak, 

Pulling me in gently, her arms wrap around me closely. I nuzzle my head into the crook of her neck, holding her just as closely. She smelled..beautiful, like summer, clear and light. Like the wind and the air dancing together in the sun. A single tear falls from my eye, I'm scared. Scared for her, she's associated with the wrong people, it's dangerous,

"Do you feel it?"I whisper, 

"yes, yes, I do.."

"I feel like I've known you for years.."

"maybe from another life"She murmurs, 

Pulling away I lift a hand up to wipe a tear from her eye. Looking around I couldn't find Bruce but I was glad, I wanted to speak to Rachael, 

"About the Joker.."

"You want to hate him but you can't...You saw a side to him that no one else has, you understand him and see him properly, not the way the world see's him.."

"wha- how?"

A sad look paint's itself across her features as she takes my hand in hers gently, 

"I see a side to Batman that no one does, I see Bruce in a mask.."

"I keep defending him and everyone calls me crazy"

"you just have to believe in what is right, even if that means you, loose people if you think it's necessary"

"thank you" I smile, 

She lets go of my hand and shows me to the room I'll be staying in, it's just as big as I thought it would be. Super king bed in the middle and a walk in wardrobe, plus a balcony.

"I'll be down the hall if you need me"

"thank you, Racheal"

Once she's gone I lay flat on the bed and take a deep breath, trying to piece things together. 

~

As I walk into the bedroom I see Rachel watching Gotham through the window.

"Harvey called. He says Batman is going to turn himself in."She doesn't look at me,

"I have no choice."

"You honestly think it's going to stop the Joker from killing?"She states now facing me,

"Perhaps not. But I've got enough blood on my hands. I've seen, now, what I would have to become to stop men like him."

Rachel looks at me like she's lost all hope.

"You once told me that if the day came when I was finished..."I said moving closer to her, "We'd be together."

"Bruce, don't make me your one hope for a normal life-"

I take her into my arms as worry settles in her face,

"But did you mean it?"I ask

There's a little bit of silence but then,

"Yes."

I lean down and press a soft kiss on her lips, kissing back she breaks looking sadly into my eyes.

"But they won't let us be together after you turn yourself in."

I nod and leave the room, She watches me go.

~

Alfred shovels documents into an incinerator- blueprints,

designs, files. He pauses, looking down at a book.

"Even the logs?"He asks me,

"Anything that could lead back to Lucius or Rachel."

Alfred tosses the book onto the fire. Staring at me.

People are dying, Alfred. What would you have me do?"

Alfred looks into my eyes with a fearsome gaze. Something I've only seen a handful of times,

"Endure, Master Wayne. Take it. They'll hate you for it, but that's the point of Batman... he can be the outcast. He can make the choice no one else can face. The right choice."

I shake my head at him, sighing,

"Today I 've found out what Batman can't do. He can't endure this."

I chuckle looking back at Alfred,

"Today you get to say 'I told you so' "

"Today, I don't want to."

We head towards the exit,

"Although I did bloody tell you."

I sink the Bat-suit, Alfred closes the incinerator and we head for the lift.

"I suppose they'll lock me up as well. Your accomplice."

"Accomplice? I'm going to tell them the whole thing was your idea."I grin,

The building powers down, leaving the Bat-bunker in darkness.