"A good laugh heals a lot of hurts."

"Hey kid. How are you holding up?" Gordon says through the phone. Alex and Gordon call every few days it seems. It fills a void in her heart, and he's happy to help. When they worked so closely together, it was like he was a mentor to her, a father figure if you will. Of course Alex wasn't close with her own father, but she loved him dearly. But Gordon was there for the extra things, to guide and teach her, mainly through her career. They used to have late night talks, about general life lessons in general.

"Better each day I think." She replies, forcing a small smile on her lips, though he can't see her obviously. She always told herself to fake it til you make it. Maybe if she faked a smile, it would start to feel real.

Honestly though, Alex's pain did subside with each passing day. Which was a relief. She was working towards going back to work soon, to keep herself busy and occupied. Sitting around in the Wayne manor, with no responsibilities or things to do was causing her to feel a little crazy.

"Glad to hear it." She can sense his relief through the phone.

"I want to maybe come back next week, you think that's okay?" She nervously wonders, her fingers toying with a loose thread on her pants. He was shocked, for sure, at her readiness. It hadn't been long since her fathers killing. Of course, the case was at a standstill for this reason, but it was more important Alex had this time off to mourn, and the case would be taken over by someone else, since it got so personal so fast. As Commissioner, he couldn't do this himself, but he could help for sure.

"So soon? I'm not sure..." He's filled with unease.

"Jim." She rarely used his first name, so it tells him she's being serious. "I'm ready. And if I find it too much, I just go back on leave. Worst case scenario obviously. I can't just.. stay cooped up anymore." Alex explains with an annoyed sigh.

"I guess you're right, yea. Might and well try." He sighs. Gordon knows she's a tough person, but he's seen it in the field before; you think you're ready but when it comes down to it you aren't yet.

They go back and forth a little, Alex asks if there's leads, Gordon says there isn't. Then again, Gordon talks about his wife, his new role, and suddenly the phone call ends. Alex feels good, refreshed after telling him she's ready. She was scared to speak it into existence, she already knows Bruce will not be pleased when she tells him she's ready to go back to work. He's worried, as she's now a target. But she can't just stop her entire life because of this. The faster they catch Joker, the quickest she's no longer a target. Easy as that.

She slides the phone into her pocket and tip toes out of the bathroom. She only took the call there because Bruce and Alfred were downstairs having a business meeting, and obviously people couldn't spot her at the Wayne Manor. It would jeopardize Bruce's public image, and raise suspicion since her father was literally killed, and it was known in the media her and Bat were partners during this time to locate Joker himself. It would be too easy for connections to be made, and suddenly Bruce would be exposed. Game over. She would hate to be the reason that happened.

She slowly places her ear to his door, leading into the hallway, above where the meeting was taken place. She gently grabs the knob and pulls it open ever so slowly so no sound is made. The voices thankfully become clearer.

"Honestly Bruce, it's a good idea." Alfred says gently.

"I need to put more thought into this, obviously." Bruce replies, Alex can sense annoyance in his tone.

"It would be a great use of your funds Mr. Wayne. Think of the lives you'll help, those poor children." A random voice interjects. "And obviously it's great for your own image. You've seen lately, all they talk about is how you're Uhm, stowed away in this house." The last part comes out hesitantly.

"I know." He simply replies. "I will think of it. And we will discuss it, alright?" Alex could tell he wants the meeting done as soon as possible.

"Of course." Alfred replies. Suddenly, gently clanging of dishes can be heard of them being collected.

"The reopening of the Orphanage will be huge. And no offence, but this time, it can be done right." Says a woman's voice. Bella Reál perhaps? Sounded familiar to Alex.

"I agree fully." Alfred says, sounding like he's trying to close the conversation. "Dory can you please show our guests out? We will be in touch Ms. Reál."

"Of course. Thank you for meeting with us." Alex steps back into the bedroom and shuts the door silently, hoping she was unheard by them below her.

Reopening the Orphanage could be huge. She obviously doesn't know the crazy details of the Wayne's old affairs, but she could sense it perhaps striking a nerve in Bruce. She obviously knew about the Wayne's, but she wasn't one to keep up with ever minor detail in the gossip.

...

Bruce was eeriest silent at the dinner table, clearly a lot on his mind. It was only the two of them, Alfred had gone to settle to bed long ago. The pair had a habit of eating very late at night, just before Bruce went out on night watch. "I think it's a good idea." She suddenly says, grabbing his attention quickly.

"Were you eavesdropping?" He asks, tone cold.

"I didn't really mean to but yea, Bruce, I was." Alex told him honestly, putting down her cutlery. He paused and did the same, looking up to meet her piercing gaze. He had a hard time staying annoyed with her. "They're right, all people say is how much you're hidden in here with your parents fortune, and it doesn't paint a good image Bruce. I know you don't entirely care, but people are going to start to notice, and things could potentially become suspicious. I know I don't know a whole lot, but I do know you can't stay here alone, forever, and have nobody catch on to you know, your other life you live."

He tries to interject, "Alex-"

"Let me finish. This would be amazing publicity for you, and honestly, that's not all. I'm sure it would ease some anxiety, doing some good for this city. You want to make a difference, no? I know that's what you want, you said that to me before." She lets out a shaky sigh, hoping she doesn't piss him off at all.

"Alex, for one thing I'm not cooped up here alone. I have you and Alfred." He pauses, his words making a small smile tug at her lips. "Also, my dad tried to run the orphanage if you might already know, and it didn't go well. It painted a bag image, I'm not trying to have a repeat of that again." He explains thoughtfully. She was shocked he wasn't mad and told her to drop it and stay out of his business. Bruce wasn't a rude guy, but he was closed off obviously when it came to his family.

"You're not your father Bruce. You can make it different this time around. Proper pay for adaquest staffing. You know how bad the old orphanage was. You could reinvent it, obviously with your money it wouldn't be all your planning. The kids would be cherished, and not be dying out there for nothing." Alex trails off, eyes boring into his. She rises from her seat and makes her way towards him at the other end of the table. He glances up at her confused when she stands in front of him, "Consider it. I'm sure Alfred would be so happy with you as well, if you were to go through with this." She swiftly sits on his lip, wrapping an arm around his neck. She leans in close to his face. His eyes slowly shut, indicating he wants to kiss. She learned a thing or two about him since living with him. She leans forward and presses her lips on his. He kisses back, full of want. She pulls away. He snakes his arms around her waist, interlocking his hands and resting them against her.

"You're such a good person." He simply replies.

"Not really." She chuckles nervously, running her fingers through his dark locks. She wasn't great with compliments, neither was he. "Don't change the subject."

"I disagree." Bruce says, taking a leap and leaning forward, ghosting his lips over the skin on her neck. The feeling of his breath against her neck sends a shiver down her spine. She involuntarily let's out a shrill giggle from being ticklish and pulls away, causing him to laugh at her lightly.

"We can discuss more with Alfred later." He promises.