“Rachel Dawes was a brave woman, she would no back down. No matter how this city tried trip her up along the way.” He paused to clear his throat; it stopped the feeling of constriction. She always fought for what was right and just.” He looked over the crowd and then dragged his eyes over to alter, and finally to her picture once again. “Finally, I know I speak for everyone who knew her, she will continue to live on in our hearts.” Tears flooded his eyes once again, he dapped them away with his handkerchief.

“And now a dear friend of Rachel’s, Bruce Wayne will say a few words.” He met the young man half to the steps. Looking at him, Wayne looked as sad as he felt. They shook hands and patted each other on the back. Carefully, he made his way back to Barbara. She gave him one of her brave smiles. As he sat down next to her, she took his hand and squeezed it. In this time when he felt hollow, the simple gesture warmed his heart, knowing he could stay strong with her by his side. It hit him, listening to Wayne’s words that he was glad knowing that Rachel, was in a better place and never saw what had become of Harvey, it would have most likely broke her heart.                          

            “Ok, ok! Let me go! I’m not going anywhere.” He angrily looked at the five of his men who were restraining him from the fiery blaze. He had already tried running in again but they had secured him in a vice like grip.

            “We can’t afford to lose you too, Commissioner.” One them said in stony voice.

            “This is an order from your Commissioner.” He said through gritted teeth.

            They finally let him go. He shook the feel of their hands on him off. He kicked the nearest piece of burnt wood beside him. He walked a short distance away but not enough to raise their concern, he hoped. 

            What the hell, were they going to do now, he asked himself angrily. None of those lawyers would be able to stand up to the plate like Dent and prosecute the underbelly of Gotham. They were all going to walk and he was going to have to watch them do it. Maybe Rachel could do it. He knew she could do it. Damn it, he had not been able to save her fiancée. Guilt unraveled in his stomach, he had promised to protect her, Batman had saved her and he couldn’t even get here fast enough to save her fiancée. He had let all of Gotham down. At least they had all worked together and got that maniac the Joker.

            A crackle from over the radio broke into his thoughts. The office closest to him answered it. He saw the man, swallow visibly. That was not a good sign. He nodded, he caught the look in the man’s eyes, they looked grim. The man got out of the cruiser.

            “What’s the news officer?” Gordon walked the short distance over.

            The man cleared his throat. “Dent, is alive but in serious condition at Gotham General.” The man cleared his throat and looked past him. “That means…” His voice trailed off.

            The news hit him like a ton of bricks, he whirled around and looked at the burnt out hulk of the factory. It was Rachel’s final resting place, no he screamed in his head. In actuality, he had failed Rachel. Sadness and anguish gripped him, angrily he looked down.

            “Dent is alive, Jim. Just.” He turned to look at the officer. “But back at M.C.U. the Joker’s gone.”

            “With Lau?”

            The officer nodded.

            “The Joker planned to get caught. He wanted me to lock him up at M.C. U.”

            “We better get back and see who is left.” The man said grimly.

            “Yeah.” He said flatly.

            Dawn was going to break in about an hour or two, he couldn’t go home again. Not yet anyway, there was so many things that had to be done. But now he had to, he had to say goodbye to her. He drove over to 52^nd street, emotions mostly anger and grief swam in his head. Pulling up the smoldering haul, he saw that there were some firefighters still putting out some of the flames. He went to the side that he knew they wouldn’t see him. He got out and walked the few short feet to the mouth of the building.

            He looked around all he saw was blackness and soot, he heard dripping water could be heard. His heart was racing, he felt sick to his stomach. He felt like he was going to be sick. He clenched his hands into fists. 

            “I’m so sorry, Rachel.” He whispered. “I’m sorry.”

               We shared a kiss; he could still feel her lips on his as he climbed the steps up to the precinct. He needed to think, he hoped they wouldn’t send him out on patrol. He walked in unnoticed and went straight to his desk. He flipped on the lamp that stood on his desk before flopping down on his sofa. Taking his glasses off, he rubbed his brow. He had held her close, kissed her back it felt so right.

He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt. Sure, he was separated for about a month and a half officially even before the paper work had gone through anyone could have thought that was already the case.

The kiss had felt so right, so perfect in his arms. Stretching out fully while on the sofa, he sighed deeply and put his hands under his head, he smiled up at the ceiling. Tomorrow morning during coffee, he would have to tell her about his separation. He kicked himself for not telling her sooner, but it wasn’t as if it was the easiest thing in the world to tell someone. To be honest with himself, he was surprised that she had kissed him. She could have anyone she wanted, he saw more than his fair share of the guys tongues dragging behind them when they saw her, Flass included.

His smile grew while as a swell of pride filled him thinking about she kissed him. Maybe I still got it, he mused while swinging his legs back over the edge, and he might as well get to some paper work considering he had been out for so long. Right as he was about to settle behind his desk, his intercom’s buzz filled the quite of his office.

He pushed the reply button, “Gordon, here.”

“Can I see you in my office, Sergeant?” Asked Loeb, his voice filled with annoyance with tinges of boredom.

Gordon couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Certainly, sir.” What was going to be the lecture tonight he wondered, irritation began to fill him. Just then, the memory of Rachel’s warmth and the taste of her lips washed over him and banished any sense of irritation. He smiled to himself, give me your best shot, he snarled to himself walking out to Loeb’s office.

10 Minutes Later....

            In the ride up the elevator, he made sure, he was fully composed; he checked his reflection, however warped in the metal of the walls. The doors opened, he ran a nervous hand through his hair. Turning the corner her spied her sitting at her desk, he watched has she turned her head, trying to relieve a possible tension she could be feeling in her neck.  Since he last saw her, he also noticed that she had unbuttoned the top button of her blouse. I had better go on over, he thought before someone spies him watching her. Before doing so, he noticed her carefully look from side to side before she slumped down ever so slightly in her chair and closed her eyes. She rubbed her brow and covering her mouth she, yawned. Silently, he walked up to her desk.
            “Trying to steal a few winks while on the job, Ms. Dawes?” He inquired, giving her one of his mischievous smiles.

            Startled, her eyes snapped open and she was stilling erect in the span of a breath. “Ahh oh.” Her hands immediately went to the papers on her desk. When she saw it was him, she smiled. “Hi, I wish you wouldn’t have seen that.” She looked from side to side. 

            He gave her a half smile. “It happens to us all, especially on stakeouts.” He looked at Finch’s name scrawled on the door. “So should I go right in or do you have to announce me?”

            “I’ll let him know that you are here.” She stood up, and put on her blazer that she put on the back of her chair. She gave him a smile before knocking on the door. Inaudible words could be heard from the other side of the door. She cracked open the door, and stuck her head in. “Sergeant Gordon, is here sir.” She paused. “Ok, will do sir.”

            Straightening she smiled at Gordon. “You can go in.”

            “Thank you very much, Ms. Dawes.” She opened the door further for him, as he passed her; he gave her a polite nod. He caught a swiff of the perfume she was wearing he was almost positive it was the same kind from the other day.  

                                                                                            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~

            “Hello, Sergeant. I’m glad you could…” She heard Finch say before she closed the door.
             Oh my god, she mouthed to herself, nervous excitement was tickled her. Knowing she had to contain herself, she made her way to the Ladies Laverty. She looked and noticed it was empty. She let out the sigh that she had wanted to release. It came out in a whoosh. 

            Then she going to the center sink, in the black and white checker room, she braced herself against it. She looked into the mirror. “What is going on with me?” She closed her eyes, and leaned her head against the cool mirror. It felt good, it was nice contrast to the flush that seemed to linger all over her since she saw Jim staring down at her a mere moment again. She let out another sigh. There was just something about him.

            “What am I doing? What is happening to me?” she asked herself. 
            Distantly, she could hear a pair of heals clicking on the floor. She immediately straightened, and listened. They soon passed. She shook her head; she couldn’t very well hide in here the whole time Jim was talking to Finch. She took several deep breathes; she grabbed a towel and ran it under the cold water. Wringing it she brought it to her neck, she closed her eyes. The moment she did, she recalled earlier that morning, the smile he gave her when he handed her his handkerchief. She opened her eyes almost immediately, and patted the towel on her cheeks and forehead. Crumbling it into a ball, she through it in the bin. Looking in the mirror one last time, she opened the door and made her way back to her desk.  
          Sitting in her chair again, opening the bottom drawer of her desk she took out her purse. Opening she took out her Altoid tin, she took a mint and replaced the tin. She eyed the card Jim had given her earlier. She put her open purse back in the drawer and just held the card; she traced the edges with a finger.  

“I’ve got it bad.” She thought then gritted her teeth. “What am I doing to myself? He probably hasn’t even thought of me once. He’s got a wife for Christ’s sake.”

She tossed the card back into her purse. Angry with herself, she started putting the papers into neat little piles. Looking at the clock on the computer monitor, she noticed that it was quarter to six. “Maybe when Finch is done talking with Jim, he’ll let me go and get a bite to eat.” She wondered to herself. “But most likely we will have to order in.”
                Rachel pulled up the term paper that she was supposed to hand in on Friday. Might as well, go over it one last time. With the hours she had been pulling, she was glad that she had finished it early.  

            Words, then onto the sentence structure and grammar were all things she checked, double and triple checked. Then she heard the ever-familiar click of the Finch’s door opening. She closed the file of her paper. She hunched over the desk looking at the piles of papers, which held testimonies, evidence and notes on the people involved. 
           “Thank you, for coming by Gordon. We are going to be able to use that.” Finch paused.

            “Sounds good to me.” She heard Jim say.

“In a day or two, I will have Ms. Dawes call you to let you know when we will need you on the stand.” Finch said. “I’m sorry I kept you so long, I bet you are long over due for dinner.”

She could not suppress the rush of joy she felt knowing she would have to talk to Gordon at some point in the week.

“During the week, I usually eat at the precinct or something on the go, talking with you was more important.”

 “I almost forgot about how dedicated of an officer you are. Well, it was good to speak with you Gordon, have good night.” She could see Finch smile from the corner of her eye.

“I’m glad that I could be of some help, anything to nail that Maroni from rising in Falcone’s footsteps.” Gordon paused; she could feel his eyes on her. “Ms. Dawes.”

She turned to look at him; she was so glad there was no way he could detect that her heart picked up speed by him just addressing her. She smiled politely at him.

 “Rachel, I just realized you haven’t had dinner, since we’ve been ordering in all week why don’t you go and get yourself a bite to eat. And then when you return and we can go over the very helpful information that the Sergeant just confirmed for us.”

“That would be great, thank you Finch.” She nodded, grabbing her purse and taking her coat off the hook she hurried to the elevator. Relief washed over her as she saw Jim’s back facing her.

She took a few silent steps up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and Rachel noticed his face light up with a smile when he saw her.

“Fancy running into you again,” she said lightly. “Finch, let me actually go out and get a bite of dinner.”

The elevator chimed with its arrival, she was happy to see that no one else was in it.

“After you,” He said making a sweeping gesture with his hand.

“Thank you.” She nodded and went in.

“Wow, I heard they never let any of the new interns barely put a foot out of the building.” He chuckled; she enjoyed the sound of it. 
                 “I guess I must be doing something right.” She paused and looked at him as he pushed the button for the basement; she assumed it was where he had parked. She didn’t necessarily want to eat alone, but would it be brazen to ask him to join her. You only live once, she thought to herself. Of course, where would have to be up to him. She had no idea where they could go. “Jim,” She bit her bottom lip. “Would you join me for a quick bite to eat?” That was harmless enough.

She watched as he looked at her, he was silent. Her fingertips tingled, she would have loved more than anything to make the one small step over to him and kiss him with everything she had in her. She'd allow one hand glide through his dark brown hair and the other would him close.

“That would be a great change of pace.” He smiled.

“Yes, it would. I’ve been having either pizza or Chinese everyday this week.” She sighed.  

           “Well, then I know the perfect place that we could go.” He gave her a wink. “And I promise it doesn’t serve Chinese or pizza.”

            “Perfect.” She smiled; he had taken her up on her offered. Joy filled her from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. “So what kind of place is it?”

           “If you will allow me, let me surprise you with this place.” He gave her a sideways glance. “I do believe it’s the best kept secret of Gotham.” The elevator chimed, as the doors opened at the ground level. Off to the left she could see his car.

            “Sure, why not. I love surprises.” With you, I would go anywhere she couldn’t help thinking. 
            “Excellent.”   

20 Minutes Later…

“Jim, I really have to thank you. My morning didn’t turn out to be as horrible as it has been looking.” She smiled.

“It’s all in a days work.” He smiled back and gave her one of those powerful winks.

“Though you know what this means,” She almost hesitated saying it but she just had to. She really wanted to spend some more time with him; he was helping her forget that they lived in such a crazy city. “Now, I owe you a coffee and muffin.” Then with that, before he had chance to react, she opened the door and scooted out. She leaned in the doorway, “Thank you again.” Smiling she turned and started her climb, as fast as possible. She had no desire to get wet all over again.

Later that afternoon…

File in, file out, paper work to the left paper work to the right. There were new leads on the muggings that had take place near Rachel’s dorms at the university. That brought him back to this morning; he had done what was right. I have nothing to feel guilty about, who was he kidding he thought to himself, she made him feel young again. Gordon was glad that he could help her out this morning; she would have been soaked to the bone if he had not decided to go on patrol.
               He really shouldn’t feel guilty, he mused. He and Barbara had separated, from the looks of it; he didn’t really think she was going to take him back. She just couldn’t take him always being in danger and the long hours, it put too much stress on them, she told him repeatedly. You couldn't start a family with the hours he kept.
             “Gordon?” asked the Sammy from the front desk. “You got a call; I’ll patch it on through.”

            “Aright, Sammy.” The phone buzzed. “Gordon here.”

            “Hello, Jim.” Rachel’s voice came through the receiver.

            “Hello, Rachel is everything ok?” Worry immediately hit him in the stomach, then he thought about it, she would have used the number he gave her if something had happened.

            “Everything is fine,” She said smoothly. “Finch wanted me to call you, to ask if you would mind coming in to go over some of the finer points on the Maroni case.

            Delight filled him at the prospect of dropping by the office, well over possibly having some more small chat with her, if he were to be honest. “That’d be fine. When would he want me to come in?”

            “Could you come in now?”

            “Sure, that would be fine.” He paused. “I’ve just been shuffling papers around today.”
            “That would be great. I’ll let him know.” He could hear her contentment in her voice. “See you soon, then.” She added.

            That made him smile. “Yes. Goodbye.”

            Standing up, he put his blazer. He was relieved that, Flass had called in. he didn’t have to worry about him hovering. He went up to the front desk.

            “Sammy, Finch wants to go over the finer points of the case with that two-bit Maroni. If I’m needed I’ll be there.” He paused. "Then depending on how long that will take I may grab a bite to eat on my way back to the precinct."
            “Ok, Gordon.”

            Gordon, once out of eyeshot he took the steps two at a time, so he could get down to the street faster. He knew what he was doing was foolish, considering that, he was a man in his mid-thirties and separated, what would a woman like Rachel want with him. Nevertheless, this feeling of joy he felt knowing he was going to see her was all that concerned him.