The streets were in chaos, shots were still filling the air. People were running like mad. Not sure what to do, she followed closely on Harvey’s heals. “Rachel, you gotta get out of here. Go somewhere safe.” He pushed her away.

“Ok.” Confusion was swimming in her head. Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion.

Turning around she saw some of the other cops surrounding Jim. What was going on? The Mayor seemed ok, did Jim take the bullets for him. Ice cold, panic seized her. She tried to get close to where she last saw him. He wasn’t among the standing among the crowd.

A cop she recognized, Michaels saw her and pushed her away. “You don’t want to see this.” He paused, “Is there anyway I can take you?”

“I don’t know, Harvey said to go to some place safe, umm the GMCU seems like the only safe place.” She said, she kept on trying to peak a glance around him but he kept on blocking her view. “Is Lt. Gordon, ok?”

“I’ll drive you there myself.” He paused, taking a glance behind them. “They’ll take care of him. He’ll be ok.”

“What do you mean? Of course he will be ok.”

Firmly he brought her to the car. She really didn’t have the energy to rebut him pushing her towards the squad car. Silently, they drove over to the GMCU. After walking through the doors, she saw a detective she knew that she could trust, Ramirez. She hurried over to the woman. It wasn’t till she was closer did she see the mask of distress she was wearing, along with the others.

“Ah, Rachel.” The woman spoke first, her voice shaking.

“What is it?” She demanded abruptly. “Don’t keep anything from me.”

The woman looked past her, took a deep breath then looked at her again. “Lt. Gordon,” The woman’s eyes became moist. “was DOA when they reached Gotham General.”

“What?” She closed her eyes for a second. “That can’t be.”

“I’m sorry Ms. Dawes it is.”

“Well, would it be too much, if I just have a moment in his office to say good and to compose myself?”

“Sure, go right ahead.” 

Her legs felt like they were going to give out at any moment. She didn’t know how she did but she managed to make it over to his office. Not hesitating, and not really caring how it looked, she closed the door. Stumbling, she made it over to his desk, and braced herself against it. Gripping the edges of it tightly and made it over to his chair, pulling it out she fell into it.

She put her head in her hands. How could he be dead, he was invincible, he was her hero. No, it couldn’t be true, just no, but a pang went through her heart, she it was. She slowly dragged her hands down her face, when she saw it laying across his the pile of papers in front of her, his handkerchief. She grabbed it, holding it to her heart. How could you be dead, you’re my hero. Heroes can’t die. You can’t be dead, she screamed in her head, as she hunched over holding onto the handkerchief. She squeezed her eyes shut.
 

~*~*~*~*~*~

“Thank you, very much for all of your information, Ms. Dawes.” He said, he gently rubbed her back. As he walked her out of the precinct.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be of anymore help, Sergeant.” Finally she was able to look at him. His voice was reassuring and his attention to details made her feel better. She was certain that if anyone could find her friend it would be him. “You’ll let me know if there are any developments.” She asked.

“As long as it doesn’t interfere with the case.” He promised.

His blue eyes, shined with dedication.

~*~*~*~*~*~

He turned off the engine, unbuckling he turned to look at her. “I know I suggested this but you don’t have to go through with it if you don’t want to.”

“No, I think I should know how to shoot.” She replied, she held her hands in her lap to keep them from shaking. She gave him his best smile. “With the way crime is going up in this city, I better learn.” She gave a shrug. “I might need to know how to do it.” She looked at him.

“Com’ere.” He gestured for her to lean in. Unbuckling her seat belt she scooted into his arms, they wrapped warmly around her. He gently patted her hair. She didn’t want to admit it but she was still very shaken over what happened the other day. It felt like miles way however when he held her like this. He was warm and solid, and the smell of his cologne just made it feel like they were worlds, way from Gotham. “Rachel I wish things were different in Gotham but it seems that it’s becoming the playground for all of these goons and thugs. No one should ever have to feel like this.” He soothed and he kissed her hair.

She looked up at him, his eyes were so deep and comforting. “Well, at least I get to learn with you.” She sneaked in a kiss.

A smile spread across his face. “You’ll be learning from the best.” He brought her mouth up to her gently. They shared a soft gentle kiss. Any apprehension she may have been feeling was melting away, especially with the gentle tickle of his moustache.

 
~*~*~*~*~*~

“As much as I love dancing to Sinatra with you, James.” She paused grabbing one of her CDs, opening it, she slipped it into the player. “I would love to dance with you to some of my music.”

“Oh really?” He playfully asked, a wicked smile played on his lips.

“I would.” She said with a smiling, she pushed play, then she hurried back to his arms.

His armed slipped tightly around her waist, holding her close to him. She wrapped her around his neck.

Let’s dance put on your red shoes and dance the blues

Let’s dance to the song

They’re playing on the radio

Let’s sway

While the colors light up your face

Let’s sway

“David Bowie, huh?” He asked, looking down at her. As they moved in time with the beat of the music

“Among, others yes.” She replied; delight filling her as she looked up at him.

“I may be, old.” He cleared his throat. “Older, but I know David Bowie’s music and Rachel believe it or not I happen to like his music as well.”

“I was going to say.” With a free hand she fluffed his hair which had fallen into his face. “Ah, you are so handsome.”

“Thank you,” He twirled her around.

The songs and the beats went up and down as the night went on.

“You’re really a fantastic dancer, Rachel.”

“My mother and the Waynes’ thought it was an excellent activity for Bruce and I to do on Saturdays.” She paused, smiling. “So better have some moves on you.” She giggled.

“I’m full of them.” He replied, with a wink, her heart, which was already racing with the dancing sped up even more with the wink.

 
~*~*~*~*~*~

“When it comes down to it, through all the bad and the good times as long as you can make each other happy it’s the most important thing in the world.” He said to her. His eyes looked moist just then.

She cleared her throat. “I’ll have to remember that, especially since we both knows how to swallow happiness whole.”

“Yeah, Gotham certainly has a knack of doing that.” He paused looked at her. “Thank you for telling me, Rachel. I’m honored to be the first one you told.”

“Jim, you are one of my best friends. How could I not?” She smiled.

“It is an honor, Rachel.”

Sometime later, she walked him to the door. “Jim,” She said as he had his back to her putting on his blazer. “Thank you, thank you for everything.”

He turned to her. “Does that mean I’m invited to the wedding?”

She chuckled, shaking her head. “Of course it does.”

“But no really, you’re welcome. I’m glad I could be there for you.” He sighed, he looked tired. It looked like all of this, the new wave in crime everything was weighing down on his shoulders. Impulsively, she hugged him again, he hugged her back.

“Goodnight, Rachel.” He said once he was in the hallway.

“Good night, Jim.” She closed the door, very quietly she opened the door and watched as he made his way to the elevator, and as he went in. “Don’t let Gotham swallow you Jim.” She whispered before closing her door again.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Slowly, she opened her eyes, everything was still there, and the world had not crumbled since her hero was now dead. Though, now there was a dull ache in her heart. She can’t keep on sitting in here; it won’t take the pain away. Might as well make herself, helpful. Maybe I can help them out there somehow, I used to intern maybe I can help with some paperwork.

Looking down at the handkerchief, she almost lost it completely again. She took a deep breath. Folding it, she placed it beside a photo of Barbara and their children. “You had a wonderful husband, a wonderful father.” She whispered, looking at it.

Taking one more deep breath, she made her way over to the door that led out to the precinct. She looked around his office one last time.
 

~*~*~*~*~*~

            He closed the door, and she was in his arms. Since she could reach it first she kissed his chin. She was grateful that he had his blinds in the closed position. They kissed in earnest, as he held her to him, it felt so right. She wished he would slip his hand under her sweater like he had earlier that morning, she loved the feeling of his hands on her.

            Then he broke off their, she had not wanted it to end. He was giving her one of his half smiles that made the butterflies in her stomach flap feverishly.

            “It’s great to have you stop by Miss Dawes.” He gave her a squeeze.

~*~*~*~*~*~

            She shook her head, she had to try and not think about him. She just had to stop. Clearing her throat she opened his door, a few heads popped up and looked at her, others remained focused whatever paperwork was in front of them.

            She walked over to Detective Ramirez who was looking in a filing cabinet. “Is there any photocopying or anything I can help with?”

            The woman looked unsure, then she looked down at the files then back up at her. “Sure,” She took out a file labeled “You could make copies of this file. The copier is over there.” The woman pointed over a gray machine that sat in the back corner, it looked so old and used that it looked older than she did.

            “Ok, thanks.” Rachel said determined.

            Time past in a blur as she copied one paged after next. When she finished, she made her way back to where Ramirez was. That’s when her phone started to chime, it was Harvey’s ringtone.

            “Harvey, where are you?” She juggled holding onto the phone, the folder and the papers. She made her way to an empty desk and put them down.

            “Where are you?” He asked in not a concerned voice but in tone she only hear when he was in the courthouse.

            “Where should I be, at the Major Crimes Unit.” She told him, it was no time to beat around the bush.

            “Rachel, listen to me. You are not safe there.”

            She swallowed hard. “This is Gordon’s unit, Harvey”

            “Gordon’s gone.” Hearing it again, caused the pain in her heart to expand, she swallowed back the tears that flooded her eyes.

            “He vouched for these men.”

            “And he’s gone. The Joker’s named you next.” Ice cold her crept up her spine at the sound of the Joker. She looked around, eyeing everyone who surrounded her. “Rachel, I can’t let anything happen to you. I love you too much. Is there someone, anyone in this city we can trust?”

            “Bruce. We can trust Bruce Wayne.”

            “Rachel, I know he’s your friend but”

            “Trust me, Harvey.” She cut him off, Bruce and Alfred were the last ones in this crazy city she knew she could count on. “Bruce’s penthouse, is the safest place in the city.”

            “Okay. Go straight there.” She heard him take a breath at the other end of the phone. “Don’t tell anyone where you are going. I’ll find you there."