She awoke to sound of some puttering in the adjacent room, stretching she felt refreshed and blissful; making love with James was so wonderful. Seeing James wasn’t next to her in bed she wondered what he was up to. Shuffling out of the bed, she skipped quietly over to his closet, grabbing one of his button shirts, slipping into it; she walked on her tippie-toes to the louvered sliding door. On her way over, she smiled noticing that the clothes they had discarded in their passionate haste were still lying on the floor. She could hear clinking of glasses from the other room. Taking a deep breath, she tried to peek through the louvers; she could see a twinkle of candles.

“Rachel,” She heard him chuckle at the other side of the doors. “I can see you. Come in and join me.”

Pulling the doors apart, Rachel gasped at what she saw. She brought a hand up to her mouth in surprise.  

There on his small table was two slender candles lit. There was a small bottle of wine, two plates with little steaks on them with some trimmings; it looked delicious. In the center of the table was a vase it had a single rose in it. He came around to her pulled her close. “I hope you are hungry.” He whispered into her hair.

“I’m starved.” She whispered back.

Letting her go, she watched as he pulled the chair out for her. “If you would be so kind.” She watched as a playful smile spread across his face.

She went and sat down. When she sat down she, noticed a petite cake off to the side, tiny rosebuds circled its edges. She watched as he sat down, he had put back on his jeans. “I hope I’m desperately under dressed.” She kidded.

“My shirts suit you.” He raised a glass. “I would like to make a toast.”

The glass’s stem felt smooth and cool to her fingertips when she picked it up.

“To happiness.” He smiled, at her.

“To happiness.” Then she took a sip. “It’s quite good.”

“I was hoping it would be.”

They ate, their conversation flowed through their meal. Everything tasted wonderfully, from the steak to the asparagus to the mash potatoes. “So what class will you be rushing off tomorrow afternoon.”

“Elements of Prosecution 327.” She said before sinking her teeth into the delicate asparagus.

“That would be perfect for you.”

“Yeah, it’s not bad. But I have to admit I’ve learned more because of my internship than my classes.”

“Nothing beats experience.”

 Rachel couldn’t believe how wonderful this day had was, she had never been so romanced. Before they were going to tackle the dessert, she thought that she had better freshen up.

“James, if you will excuse me a moment.”

“Of course.”

Walking through the louvered doors, she made her way to the bathroom. After closing the door, looking in the mirror she noticed that her hair looked a bit rumbled which was to be expected but otherwise she was glowing. Distantly she heard him put on some music, after finishing, she took a deep breath and went back out to James. Even after all that they had shared, he still caused her butterflies in her stomach. He had turned on some Sinatra she realized once she was closer to the doors. When she went into the other room, he was standing by the huge picture window. The city lights reflected in his glasses. He turned and smiled at her when she got closer, he spread his arms wide.

“Care to dance with me?”

“I would love to.”

She felt giddy and bubbly all over, she was certain, it was being with James and the bit of wine she had with dinner. She eagerly went into his arms. He wrapped one arm around her and held her hand, which he kissed. For a moment, they two simply swayed to the beat of the song.

Then she smiled up at him. “You really know how to romance a girl.”

“You’re an inspiration.” He smiled down at her. They shared a brief kiss.

She was in a dreamy haze, swaying and twirling to the music. He was so warm and solid, to hold onto.

 Her head was swimming, things couldn’t get any better than this she mused and she idly allowed her fingers to trace shapes on his chest as the cuddled in close to each other. A warm, deep chuckle came from him. Taking a hold of her hand, he kissed her fingertips. After enjoying the dessert, they had made love again.

She sighed and cuddled closer, and she felt him kiss the top of her head.

“You are so intoxicating.” He murmured into her hair.

“I could say the same thing about you.”

She couldn’t suppress a yawn that bubbled forth.

“Why don’t,” He yawned. “We try and sleep.” He suggested.

“Sounds good to me.” She looked up at him. “It will be great to sleep in your arms again.”

“I enjoy having you there.”

They shared a soft kiss, before she rested her head on his chest. She could feel shifting slightly, then the familiar tiny clink of his glasses going on the nightstand. Before she had a chance to say goodnight, sleep enveloped her.

For a while, he stared into the inky black of the room, listening to Rachel’s steady breathing. He caressed her arm idly that rested across his chest. Today had been great. Worry crept into his sleepy mind. He couldn’t help but wonder how long their happiness would last. Gotham tended to sate itself on happiness; he already was concerned for her welfare. She was a mere intern and she had been attacked. 

He knew was sure that she could accomplish and exceed any of her goals but if she got to enjoy them, was another story. This city seemed to thrive on the good and innocent. Heck still didn’t know how he managed to make it all these years. He knew he wasn’t as innocent as she was, honest and good yes but he couldn’t afford the innocence she had in her heart. He could see her doing wonderful things for the city. Maybe in turn she would be able to enjoy that. He hoped that no matter what happened he could keep her from harm, he mused. He sighed; he gave her a soft kiss before finally surrounding to the dark current of sleep.

He awoke with a start his phone was ringing. Shuffling over, squinting he grabbed his glasses and managed to hit the right button to accept the call.

“Gordon, here.” He grumbled into the phone. He noticed that it was five in the morning.

“We need you at the precinct, Sergeant.”

“Alright, I’ll be there in fifteen.” He clicked end.

He couldn’t suppress the grumble of disappointment. Looking over at Rachel, he saw that she was still soundly asleep. He sighed back beside her. He didn’t want to leave her side or his warm bed. But he had too. Easing out of bed, he was careful not to wake her.

He shrugged into a white t-shirt and a button down brown shirt, along with a pair of olive green pants. Grabbing a tie, he ambled into the bathroom that always had a cold tiled floor, he snapped the light on, he squinted but it did the trick of waking him up more. Grabbing his toothbrush and putting some paste on the bristles, he grumpily brushed his teeth. Rinsing and then looking into the mirror, he knotted his tie, a grimace plastered across his face. He snapped the light off on his way out.

He looked down at Rachel, she looked so peaceful so beautiful. Opening the drawer beside her side of the bed, he grabbed the hotel paper pad.

Rachel,

I was called to precinct. I’ll be back as soon as I can. I will be back no matter what to drive you to class. Maybe we could have dinner tonight? I hope you slept well. See you as soon as I can.

James

He scrawled onto the pad, he placed it on the pillow that had been his. Walking fast, he went over where they had dinner. He grabbed the rose that was in the vase, shake the drops of water off he placed it beside the note. He leaned over, lightly pulling her hair from her cheek, he kissed it, and she sighed. The sound warmed his heart. Then pulling on his socks, going over to where he kept his gun, he put the holster on and his blazer after that. Quickly he picked up Rachel’s satchel & shoes she had discarded beside the door, he placed them on her side of the bed so she wouldn’t have to trek all the way over to the door to retrieve her incidentals. He slipped into his shoes; he gave Rachel one more glance before heading out the door.

Right before the elevator stopped at the garage, he turned up his collar. He already knew it would most likely be cold. The weather didn’t disappoint, a fidget blast hit him hard in the face. After turning on the engine, he turned the heat up high. It did little to ward the freezer that was now his car. Luckily since it was so early there was no traffic.

Parking by the curb like always, he ran up the steps, it warmed him a bit. He couldn’t help but wonder what was up. He hoped it wasn’t just for some tedious speech that Loeb felt he needed to give him. He pushed open the door,  Michael who sat the desk during the night was still there, the man most likely had an hour or two left of his shift.

“Sergeant, Loeb has called on you and some of the others in devising a plan to arrest The Chechen. They’re around and in the conference room.” Michael informed him.

“Thank you, officer.” On the way over, Gordon grabbed a cup of the infernal coffee they had in the station.