“That’s fine, she’s an old friend.” He said into the intercom, a moment later Rachel, a bit breathless, dressed in a formal gown entered his office and closed the door behind her. Her hair was partly falling out of the jeweled clips that had meant to hold it up. He got up and went over to her, she looked small, and frail he had never seen her like this. Except of course, the night when she had been mugged. “Are you ok?” He put his hand on her elbow while she caught her breath. “What’s the matter?”

He led her to sit down on his sofa she was trembling. He could feel the chill of the night air clinging to her but he knew she wasn’t trembling from the cold.

“I’m shaken; I was just thrown out of one of Bruce Wayne’s penthouse windows.” She continued to steady her breath.

“What?” He asked, his anger from the events earlier with Loeb in the night bubbled forth. He tightened his hold on her elbow; he didn’t realize it until she looked down at her elbow, his hand and back up to his face. He loosened his grip on her.

“The Joker crashed Bruce’s fundraiser party looking for Harvey.” She looked at him wild eyed. “The Batman showed up luckily but then the Joker threw me out of the window.” She blurted out; he tried to be reassuring and rubbed her back as she spoke. “Batman stopped me,” She squeezed her eyes shut, without thinking he took her in his arms and held her. “from becoming a smudge on the sidewalk.” She continued, giving a violent shake.

Pulling back, he looked at her. He saw that her eyes were moist, he handed her his handkerchief. He kept a protective arm around her. 

“What happened to Harvey?” He asked her, hoping that by distracting her it would calm her down. He was sure if anything had happened to Dent, him and his men would be the first to know.

“I guess he hid somewhere when the Joker and his good showed because some time later in mass I saw Joker and his men leaving. He looked angry.” She dabbed her eyes. “Shortly afterward, when felt steady enough on my feet I went back up to Bruce’s penthouse and he was there safely. Bruce was safe too; I suppose one of the goons had knocked him out when they spread out in the penthouse. Oh Gordon.” She compulsively, threw her arms around him, he held her back tightly.

“It’s alright,” He hated saying words to her that he knew were hollow. He wished they were true, he just didn’t know what to say.

After a moment, he felt her breathing had evened and felt her pulling away. “Oh Jim, what would I do without you?”

He smiled and gave a toss of his head. “What about Harvey?” Now, that it had a chance to sink it, he was rather surprised that she had showed up at his door. Why wasn’t she with him, he was glad to see that she had believed in the promise he had made her.

“Jim, I told you long ago. You’re my hero, you always will be.” She put her hands in her lap, looked down. She looked up at him surprised and she had a broad smile on her face. He had to admit it warmed his heart to see her smiling for a moment he caught a glimpse of the Rachel he knew seven years ago. “Jim,” She held up the handkerchief. “Isn’t this the same handkerchief you had handed me, that day you rescued me from the downpour? It has the same JWG embroidered on it.”

The downpour, the downpour he racked his mind. “Oh, yes I remember that day.” He paused, “That’s the one.” He chuckled. “Those are my initials.  

She bit her lip, before handing it back to him. “James…hmmm Gordon, I can’t think of what your middle name would be, mmm William?” She guessed.

“Nope. It’s Worthington.”

“Oh? James Worthington Gordon.” She said his full name slowly. “I like it, a distinguished name for a distinguished gentleman.” She said with a smile.

“Oh Rachel.” He gave a dismissive gesture with his hand. He would never get used to the compliments that she would pay him or anyone else give for that matter. He was just a man, who tried to do his best. “Would you like one of those horrible cups of coffee?” He asked her.

“After a night like I had, it sounds perfect.”

“I’ll be right back.” He went out into the pool of the GMCU; no one even looked up from their paperwork as he went and grabbed the two cups of coffee. He was relieved to know that she still trusted him. It was nice that they could still be friends after all the baggage the two of them carried since those; he didn’t know what to call it. Those memorable six days, he decided as he poured the coffee into her cup. He poured his and then went back to his office; he closed the door with his elbow.

“Here you go,” He bent and handed her the steaming cup. “It’s a bit better than it was the precinct but not by much.” He added with a smile before going to lean against his desk.

 “Thank you.” She wrapped both hands around the cup.

He noticed looking at her the seven years had been kind to her, she had grown into a really beautiful woman. And the green dress only heightened her beauty. “So what are you going to do now?”

“I don’t know.” She sighed and took a sip from her coffee.

“I really think you should leave town.” He paused and stopped leaning against his desk.

She stood up. “Jim, I can’t just desert Gotham because of this Joker.” She sighed, putting his coffee down, he grabbed her shoulders.

“I couldn’t bear the thought, if he had made a smudge of you on the sidewalk as you put it. Thank God, the Batman was there.” He looked into her brown eyes. “You can be so stubborn.” His shoulders slumped. “I tried to tell Barbara to leave with the kids, she won’t listen to me either.” Shaking his head he walked over to his window.

“I just can’t leave Gotham. I can’t let some thug scare me out of town. If I didn’t leave after the mugging, I’m not leaving now.” She told him, he heard her walking over to him, he didn’t turn until he felt her warm hand on his shoulder.

“I guess the last thing you need is me telling you what to do.” He patted her hand, he sighed.

Her shoulders slumped. “I know you only say it because you care. We live in a horrible city, but thanks to people like you, The Batman and Harvey one day this place be back to the days when people could enjoy the city park or enjoy downtown without any worry.”

“Rachel, the city owes a lot to you as well.”

“Yeah, maybe if I we can get this RICO charge to stick against all of those criminals.” Now she was the one who looked out his window.

“What with them Judge Surrillo and Commissioner Loeb we’re going to have see what is next for our side of things.” He said, not being able to cover it with his disappointment.

“I couldn’t believe how organized it was tonight, it’s just terrifying.” He watched as she stifled a yawn. It was pushing one in the morning.

“It certainly is.” He paused. “Why don’t I drive you home?”

“I can take a taxi home.” She replied.

“Rachel, after everything that is going on, let me rest easy knowing you got home alright.” He practically demanded.

“Sure, if you insist.”

“I do.” He grabbed his blazer that hung loosely on the back of his chair. Without even thinking he draped it around her shoulders, she looked at him surprised. “I bet it’s colder out there now.”

“It was freezing when I got here.” She slipped her arms into his blazer. It made for an interesting contrast to the dress, even for him who didn’t pay attention to trends this looked humorous. He suppressed a chuckle.

He grabbed his keys from his desk drawer. “I’m parked right out front, we won’t have a long way to walk.”

“That’s good to know.”

He told her as the walked out of the door, that led to the steps down the main entrance of the GMCU. Going down the steps quickly he unlocked the passenger and opened it for Rachel before running around to his side.

“It’s nice to see that with the promotion they gave you, they gave you a new car.” She said to him as he started the car.

“Oh this? In one of our many adventures with the underworld of Gotham, Flass totaled it one day when they thought he had fully recovered from Crane’s toxin.”

“Ah, I see.”

“So where to Ma’am?” He gave her wink.

“I am off of 27^th and 3^rd” She told him simply.

“Oooh, very nice neighbordhood.” He remarked while he merged into traffic.

“That’s the perks of being an assistant DA.” She smiled.

For awhile the two drove in silence, “I’m glad you were there.” She finally said some time later.

“It was going to be a late night with all that happened” He said grimly, what he didn’t want to tell her was that he was worried over who was going to be the new commissioner. Loeb may have been a thorn in his side but who could replace him could be even worse.

“I can imagine.”

He pulled up the curb. “Here we are.” He saw a moment of hesitation flicker in her brown eyes.

She bit her bottom lip, glancing out the window, then she looked over at him. He could see worry splashed across her face. “Can you come up with me?” She looked nervously down at her hands.

“If that’s what you want?”

“It is.” She said simply.

He turned off the engine.

The two quietly went up to her floor. He noticed her hands shaking as she got her key out.

She sighed upon entering. “So here we are.” She dropped her keys and her purse onto a table that sat beside the door. Shrugging out of his blazer, she gave it back to him. “Here you go. If you will excuse me one moment, make yourself comfortable.” She paused looking at him, he couldn’t read her expression but he knew she was still worried. “The kitchen is through those double doors; help yourself to something to drink.”

He looked around a bit; her apartment was as he expected it to be. Simple yet tastefully decorated with personal effects. He gazed at one bookcase, which held much-loved books that looked like they had all been read at least four to five times through. His breath caught when he saw the elephant statue he had won her had Mirth Corners. He couldn’t believe she still had it after all these years. Then it hit him that he may be intruding on her privacy, he went into the kitchen opening the fridge, he saw that she had some Dr. Pepper. He grabbed one and then he went and sat down on her sofa. He was almost certain it was the she had in the suite.   

“I’m glad you made yourself comfortable.” Rachel’s voice came from behind him. Turning he saw that she had changed into a baggy t-shirt that had Gotham U scrawled on it and a pair of jogging pants.

“You have a very nice place here.” He took a deep drink from his Dr. Pepper.

“Yeah, it’s not bad.” She ducked into the kitchen, a moment later she was back out with a one herself.

He looked her over as she came to sit beside him. He adverted her gaze when she noticed him looking at her, he was surprised at seeing her dressed so casually. “I’ve never seen you like this.” He finally commented, he had to admit she looked quite adorable.

“A girl can’t always be dressed to the nines.” She put her drink down on the table, and then turned to look at him, before looking off into her apartment sighing.

“Is something on your mind, Rachel?” He asked, gently.

“No.” She said too quickly and her voice was good few notes higher than usual.

“I know that tone of voice.” He eased closer to her, putting his drink beside hers. “What’s the matter?”

Her face crumpled, tears came flooding out. “I’m so scared.” She said in a rush.

Without thinking, he immediately wrapped his arms around her, he felt her arms wrap around him. Sobs racked her body but he continued to hold her. He didn’t know what to say so he just held her. He wished he could take her fear away. “I’ve never been so afraid in my life.” She said hurriedly into his shoulder. He just continued to holding her, closing his eyes, he rested his head against hers.

When he felt that she was calming down, he pulled back slightly and took out his handkerchief out his pocket. “Here you go,” He said gently, he still held her close as she wiped her tears away.

She giggled softly, “I’m so embarrassed.” Taking his handkerchief she dabbed her eyes and face. “This is certainly has been handy.” She took a deep breath. “I didn’t mean for you to come up and just deal with me blubbering.” She hugged him suddenly. “Thank you.” She said over his shoulder. As she pulled back, surprised shook him the core as she gave him a kiss on the cheek. 

As if compelled, he could stop himself from grazing his now flushed cheeks with his fingertips. She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes. “I wouldn’t want you to be alone crying.”

“Oh Jim.” She held his hand to her cheek, turning she kissed his palm.

“Rachel,” He said hesitantly, he was surprised at how hoarse his voice was.

Their eyes met, with the span of a breath they were both holding onto each other desperately and sharing a kiss, it felt like all that they had pent up was released. He could feel her fingers as they coursed a path through his hair, it felt just as wonderful as it had all those years ago. He held her close to him and pulled her even closer if that was possible.

“Oh my god. What are we doing?” Rachel asked breathlessly, her arms dropped to her side. “I’m so sorry Jim. I shouldn’t have kissed you.” She paused.

“No, I’m sorry.” He mentally kicked himself, he didn’t know what had come over himself. “I just, I”

“No, it’s my fault I was upset and I don’t know,” She cut him off. “I guess back all those years ago, things felt oddly safer if that makes sense.”  She looked at him.

He took a deep breath. “In some ways they were.” He said simply feeling horrendously guilty, he had taken advantage of her and Barbara and the kids. What was wrong with him, he asked himself. He stood up, he was mortified that he would allow this to happen.

She stood up with him. “Where are you going?”

“I, I’m sorry. I should not have let that happened.” He couldn’t look her in the eyes, so he looked over the top of her head. “I don’t want you to think I came up here to…” His voice trailed off.

“Please don’t go Jim.” She put her hands on his arms, squeezing. “I need you here for a little longer, I need to talk you about something I’ve made my mind up about.” She paused, out of the corner of his eyes he could see her searching him out. Slowly embarrassed, he looked down into her pleading brown eyes. It melted all of the anger he had with himself.

“Alright,” He sighed. “I’ll stay. But I am sorry, I didn’t mean for that to happen.” He sat down.

“Thank you, Jim.” She sat down after him, curling one leg under her as she did so. She leaned over to get her soda. “Do you want yours?” She looked back at him.

“Please.” She handed him his, then she took a big gulp of hers. “Jim now, before I continue, please do not beat yourself up about this.” She eyed him. “It’s just this crazy situation, we are at our wits end.”

He made a grimace, before taking a breath. “I suppose you are right.”

“I am.” She smiled.

He wanted to chuckle but he decided against it. At that moment, she sounded like the old Rachel he knew. “So, what is it you need to talk to me about?”

“Well, I wanted you to be the first to know.” She paused and took another sip of her soda. “I’m engaged.”

“You’re what?” He almost choked, he couldn’t explain the surprise. “I’m so happy for you. To who?”

She smiled. “Harvey Dent.”

He paused. “Harvey Dent, that’s fantastic.”

“Jim, I know that tone.” Her initial worry she had over Harvey asking her unraveled in her stomach. “What are you thinking?”

He shook his head, sure he had thought the man was a rather arrogant sob but he had to admit if Rachel, cared for him that deeply, maybe it was the job that made him that way. “

He was surprised but he knew that he really shouldn’t be. Maybe there was more Dent than he had seen. If Rachel, cared this deeply about him, he must not be all that bad. “Does he make you happy, Rachel?”

“Yes, he does.” She took a sip from her Dr. Pepper. “He makes me laugh.”

“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.”

The Next Morning…

Rachel didn’t know how but she managed to wake up when her alarm went off. It was such a rarity. But as she stumbled through her shower and managing to get back to her suite she finally awoke from her sleepy haze, she was going to see Gordon in about a half an hour. She had no idea, what she should wear. Tempted she thought she could dare wake up Harley and ask her advice when she noticed that she was already gone.

 Finally, she chose her favorite maroon, cashmere turtleneck sweater and a pair of black leg hugging slacks. She always felt she was going to go on a heist when she wore the outfit since it was so streamline and extremely flattering. She just had dapped some perfume on her neck, when there was a knock on the door.

Unease caused a painful knot in her stomach, what if it was Harley’s beau was looking for her. What if it was the person, who had been making those phone calls to them? Taking a deep breath, she looked in the peephole.

Shock, almost knocked the wind out of her, it was Gordon. She had to suppress a giggle; his exaggerated features because of the glass of the peephole made him look adorable.

“One moment,” She hollered. Quickly she looked over the suite, like always it was neat as a pin. However, her bed was a bit of a mess. Luckily, since she was constantly in a state of exhaustion, she tended to not to move around as much, so her blankets were never in too much of a disarray but she still wanted everything to look good. In a speed she never thought feasible for her that early came out and made her bed look just as neat as Harley’s. She tossed her reflection in the mirror a glance; she realized her hair was down. Brushing it, the waves came through, she wanted to put it up but she didn’t want to keep him any longer. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

“Good morning,” She smiled broadly, was it possible that he looked even better than he did the day before, she wondered idly. 

“Good morning,” He remained in the hall, even though he gave her a very warm smile.

“Oh, I’m sorry please come in.” She shook her head. “How did you know, I lived on the second floor?” Her curiosity got the better of her and had to ask.

“I looked up your file.” He said simply, as he walked past her, as the smell of his cologne hit her, her heart, which was already racing, picked up speed.

She mentally kicked herself, how could she have forgotten that. “That’s right. Never mind me. It’s too early for me.”

“I hope you don’t mind.” His face took a concerned expression, as he turned to look at her after she closed the door. Oh, how much she wanted to hug him hello, but she retrained herself. She wondered if she should tell him that she knows about his separation. How could she possibly bring that up casually?

“Not at all, why would I mind?” He took a step towards her.

“I’m glad. I wanted to surprise you.” He gave her one of those half smiles; any concern was gone from his face. She could feel her knees, getting wobbly.   

 “You certainly did. I didn’t even get a chance to put my hair up yet.” She smiled and gestured to her hair falling in waves about her shoulders.

In the span of breath, he was right in front of her. She was looking up into his deep blue eyes. Before she could utter a word, she could feel his hand graze her cheek, before immersing it in her hair, tilting her head up, she could feel his breath, warm on her face before she felt the softness of his mouth. His moustache didn’t even tickle her this time. She could feel his other wrap around her waist, as he drew her closer to him. It was a good thing or she was sure her knees would have buckled. She wrapped her arms around him and gave herself into the kiss. Distantly, she felt his warm fingers; slip under the hem of her maroon sweater, his fingers caressed their way to her back where he held her firmly to him.

 Slowly, he broke the kiss “It looks very nice down,” he said huskily before he kissed her again.

Everything in her tingled all that mattered was the two of them. It felt so good. Mmm, he tasted so good, better than anything she could be nibbling on for breakfast, she thought wickedly.

She felt, him begin to break off the kiss again; she desperately didn’t want him too. Rachel was almost positive that she could feel his hesitation in ending the kiss, opening her eyes; she looked into the dark blue pools of his. She felt like she could swim in them always.

“I have to tell you something, can we sit down on your sofa.”

She simply nodded, she could find her voice, and Rachel was struck by the power of their kiss. Delicately, she could feel him let go of her. She wanted to take hold of his hand but she wasn’t sure if it would be the right thing to do. Rachel was sure that, he was going to tell her about his separation but still had no idea how she could bring it up.

A sigh escaped him when he sat down; he draped one arm around the back of it. A part of her yearned, wanted desperately to curl up in his lap and kiss him. His presence, something about his demeanor did something to her. She had not felt in far too long of a time. “Wow that is really soft sofa. Much better than the one I have in my office.”

“Alfred insisted on it.” She smiled, sitting beside him. “He knew how many times, I had fallen asleep studying on the ones up at the ones at the mansion when I was little.” His hand dropped from the edge of the sofa, he squeezed her shoulder gently. She almost lost all train of thought, when he touched her. She felt breathless. “So when he got word, I was going to have a suite to furnish he made sure, I would have some nice things.” She knew she was rambling out of nervousness; she looked around the room a moment before looking back at him. Then she got serious, and quickly composed herself. “You have something you need to tell me.”  

“Yes, yes I do.” He sat up straight. “I should have said something yesterday.” He cleared his throat. “I want you to know, that recently, well two months ago my wife, Barbara and I separated.”

She wanted to tell him, that she knew already but somehow right now, it just didn’t seem right. “Oh.”

            “In reality, we were separated a long time ago.” He looked away for a moment.

            “I’m sorry to hear it.” She had to be honest, with herself; she hated to hear when things like that happened to people.  

            “It’s better this way. We’ve been separated emotionally for quite awhile and this way, she also doesn’t have to be concerned with the hours I keep.”

            She really didn’t know what to say. “Yeah, the hours can be tough, just from my internship I know what you are talking about.” She smiled, though unease tightened in her stomach. She wondered if she should ask him what that meant for the two of them. As if feeling her concern, he squeezed her shoulder. “So I have to ask,” she placed her hand over his on her shoulder. She noticed for the first time that the gold band that she has seen months ago was on his finger.

“I want you to know that there is nothing I would love more than anything to continue seeing you.” Her stomach did a flip-flop, the excitement that surged through her stole her ability to speak. “That is if you feel the same way and don’t mind being with a man who is separated.”

“Oh James,” She could hear her voice trembling. “I don’t mind at all. There is nothing I would enjoy more than spending what time we can share together.” Her anxiousness was still there. Looking away, not focusing on anything in particular. She was worried she had said too much.

“Rachel,” She turned to look at him. “That sounds wonderful to me.” Sitting up he wrapped his arm around her and placed his hand on her knee. Before she knew it, she was in his arms. She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her chin on his shoulder. They stayed like that for some time, now she felt like it was official between the two that they were an item or sorts. Feeling him pull back gently, she looked at him. Together they leaned in for a kiss. It was not long before she could feel the passion from their earlier kiss envelop the two of them. Their tongues did an elaborate dance of love. Feeling both of his hands, slips under the hem of her sweater once again made her gasp and arch into his hands. From her heavy lids, she could see the mischievous smile that was across his face and she could hear a masculine groan come from his chest. In a rush of the fluttering of her stomach and racing heart, she gently pushed him into the cushions of the sofa. Holding him desperately with one arm, she let her other free hand delve into his feather soft hair. She lost herself in their kiss, in his taste, cologne it made for a dreamy haze in her head.

Distantly, it dawned on her that as much as she didn’t want to; she knew she had to start their day. Well, she had to start hers at the very least. Their kiss started to slow down, but she didn’t lesson her grasp on him and she felt that neither did he.

“As much as, I would love to kiss you, touch you all day, I better get you over to the DA’s office.” He said some time later into her hair, after she had curled up to him. She idly traced the shape of his tie with a finger.

“You’re right.” She sighed. “But it would be nice, but I know Carl would hunt me down. Right now, he’s most likely lost in his preparation for the court hearing on Monday.

“He’s lucky to have you.” He squeezed her.          

 “Thank you, I like to think so,” She gave him one of her half smiles.

Quickly she sat up and sneaked in a soft kiss on his throat, she could feel his surprise, as he gripped her even tighter.

“We were supposed to get going.” He said.

“I know,” Now it was her turn to give him one of her mischievous smiles. “That is just to hold you till...”

He silenced her with a kiss, it overwhelmed her more than the others had, yet he broke it off just as quickly as it started. “Now, that is to keep you till we see each other.”

She couldn’t resist playfully smacking him.