Later that night….

            As she made her way to the suite her and Harley shared there was still a spring in her step. It was half past Midnight and she still felt fantastic. The coming down the hall she saw someone, she didn’t recognize. They were tall, lanky and leaned forward slightly as he made his way down the hall. He seemed to have come out hers, but that couldn’t be. She tried to not look him, as the two met in the same patch of hallway, out of the corner of her eyes she saw him looking at her from underneath the fedora that sat on top of his mop of hair, he a had lecherous smile spread wildly across his face. Picking up her pace, she made it to the suite, before taking out her key; she gave a look down the hall and noticed that he was gone. Relief washed over her. Taking out her key, turning it in the lock she could hear the bubble pop music Harley’s playing.

            Rachel looked out the peephole on their door. She shrugged she didn’t see him. Slipping out of her shoes, she went at sat beside her desk. She noticed Harley was cleaning up some glasses.

“Hi Brownie!” Harley chirped. “Are you ok?”

            “Hi Harley, did your new beau just leave?”

            “Oh!” She clapped, excitedly. “Did you see him when you reached the top of the stairs?”

            “I’m not sure.” She stretched. “Was he wearing a fedora?”

            “That’s him. He’s such a snazzy dresser.”

            Rachel couldn’t help but giggle, she had been worried for no reason.

“What’s so funny?” asked Harley, picking up the glasses, she brought them over to their little kitchen nook at the other side of their suite.

“I had seen him, not knowing who he was made me worried to have someone lingering in our hallway.” She called over to the effervescent girl. Rachel had to admit, he certainly had a very sinister smile. Getting up she hung up her coat. “So tell me how did your exam go?”

“It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.” She called; she ran some water over the glasses in the sink.

“That’s good to hear.”

Rachel quickly changed into her pajamas, set her alarm clock, and put her cell phone on the charger before there was a chance for a text or call. Going over to their sofa, she went and sat down. That’s when she noticed that there was a single rose sitting in a vase on their coffee table.

“So you seem in good spirits, how was your day?” Rachel turned in direction of Harley as she was drying the glasses.

“Where do I begin?” Placing her elbow on the back of the sofa, she placed her chin in her hand, and sighed. An image of Jim giving her one of those quiver-inducing winks popped into her head. She let out a contented sigh.

Distantly, she could see Harley look over towards her but a dreamy haze had enveloped her.

            “Rachel, earth to Rachel.” Harley snapped her fingers, as she came to sit beside her. “Are you ok?”

            “I’m fine!” She squeaked. “I’m good. Fantastic really?” She stretched contently.

            “I knew there was someone!” Harley squealed. “Who is it? Tell me!”

            Rachel pulled her knees to her chin and hugged them, trying to look as innocent as possible. “I’m not sure if I should tell you.” Rachel admitted it wasn’t as if she didn’t trust the girl. It was just that she’d tell her and then in a day all of Gotham would. Last thing she wanted was causing problems with Jim and his wife. That thought made her feel like someone knocked the wind out of her. How was it now she really felt bad about what happened, Rachel asked herself. I know how, he’s just too charming and too good of a kisser, that’s how and far too good looking for his own good.

“Brown, you have to tell me, why you are smirking? Who’s doing this to you?”

“Sergeant, Jim Gordon.” She replied in a rush, then she smacked her hand over her mouth, she felt her eyes doubling in size. What had she just done? She closed her eyes, them and tried to burrow her head into her lap.

Harley started laughing exuberantly, it made Rachel burrow into her knees further, flush of embarrassment flooded her face. It was not over the fact that it was Jim or anything, just that she had spilled the beans like that and now that Harley knew she was carrying on with, no less than a man ten years her senior and married on top of that.

Finally, gasping and not being able to laugh any more Harley quieted down.

“What’s so funny about that?” Rachel managed to mumble between her knees.

Harley cleared her throat. “Nothing, actually.” She shook her head. “It’s just that from what I heard from the psychologist, I assist with, you know the one that works for the department has told me that he recently separated from his wife.”

Rachel snapped her head up. “Really!”

“Yup!”

Rachel’s heart started thudded with excitement. I have nothing to feel guilty about. She could almost whoop for joy. “What made you laugh, though?”

“It’s just that when many of the other officers I met found out that you were my roommate they were all asking if you had a boyfriend.” Harley’s eyes narrowed mischievously. “From what I’ve gathered a fair amount of them are crushing on you.”

“Really?” That was crazy; Rachel thought to herself, Harley must be mistaken.

“You better believe it.” Harley shook her head. “The reason why I laughed is you could probably have your pick of cops to date and you pick the one who not only just got on the market but is so much older than you.”

“He’s not that old and anyway he’s distinguished.”

“I suppose if you like guys with moustaches.” Harley rolled her eyes

“I like it.” Rachel shook her head. “I thought you would be happy for me, that I finally found someone.” She finally said exasperated.

“Oh, I am.” She laid her hands on Rachel’s knees. “I am.”

“Sure, you are.”

“Brownie, don’t be annoyed.”

“I’m not.”

“Promise?”

“Yes.”

 “Ok, good! See, it’s just that there are several who would love to date you, many of whom I’ve had my share of crushes on and you decide to pursue to the one is separated.”

“I suppose I can see your point.” Rachel relaxed against her corner of the sofa.

“Now! Tell me. How did this all come about?”

“Well, all I will say is this,” She wanted to spill the beans on everything the kiss, everything but she knew she shouldn’t. “Well, I suppose I’ve had my own crush on him going on and I didn’t even realize it till we went to dinner tonight.”

“Oh, so what happened?” Harley’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “Did you two end up kissing?”

“Ah, no. We shared a very nice meal together, and I realized I was smitten.”

“Well, Rachel you’ve gotta make the first move.” Harley yawned. “Tomorrow, err actually how about the day after tomorrow you and I discuss how do go about making the first move?”

 “Why on Saturday?” Rachel raised an eyebrow at her roommate.

“I have a date tomorrow, I was told to not plan on returning home till way into the next evening. He has something special planned for us.”

“Really?” Boy, he didn’t waste any time Rachel couldn’t help thinking. “Do you feel safe enough with him, to do this?”

“Oh yeah! I’m already packed.” Harley told, cheerily.

There was that carefree attitude of Harley’s sometimes she wished she had. “Alright, I hope you have fun. But remember I’m just a phone call away if you need anything.”
                 “Awww, Brownie you’re the best.” Harley hugged her tightly.

“Well, hey you’re the best roommate!” She replied, hugging her back.

“The same goes for you too.”

“I promise.” Rachel’s gaze lingered to her alarm clock. “Oh dear, I better head to bed, I have to be up early again.” Getting up, Rachel stretched.

“One of these days, they had better let you sleep in.” Harley wagged a finger.

“They’d be too easy if they allowed that too happen.” Rachel laughed but a yawn came through.

Pulling her bedclothes aside, she crawled into bed. “Goodnight, Harley.” Rachel said before reaching over and turning her lamp off.

 "Goodnight Brownie."
                He’s separated; she couldn’t suppress the joy that filled her. This meant the kiss was ok, more than ok since he initiated the second one. Oh, that means. She imagined herself through herself into his arms and kissing him for all that it was worth. She closed her eyes and smiled.

“Oh, Rachel?” Harley squeaked from her dark corner of the room.

Her dreamy haze vanished; Harley only called her Rachel, when something serious was going on. Leaning over again, she flipped on her light. “What’s the matter?”

“We got another one of those phone calls tonight.”

Damn it, Rachel thought, not another one. “What did they say this time?”

“Something wicked this way comes.”

“A Shakespeare quote?” Rachel shook her head. “Did you star 69?”

“Yeah, it was another pay phone.”  

“Last week, it was Ray Bradbury, I don’t get it. Well, we better get to sleep.”

“Alright. I just wish they would stop.”

“Me, too Harley. Me too.” Rachel turned off her lamp once more.

Grabbing her pillow, she tried to think about her and Gordon, meeting for coffee. But hearing about the new phone call distracted her, but it didn’t take long for her to finally fall asleep.