"Life isn't about avoiding bruises."

The last couple of hours consisted of Alex's fingers flying across the keyboard on her work computer. Momentarily analyzing photos from the crime scene and evidence bags that got faxed from the crime scene investigators. Slight excitement coursed through her, knowing that the first crime this guy committed wasn't a one-off, and gave her the possibility of solving it and catching the creep. She also felt dread, knowing the commissioner was brutally murdered, again, and how it would affect Gotham over the next little while. The second commissioner murder in a year, first Peter Savage, now Jonathan Pike. The sound of his wife scream-crying echoed in her mind. It was gut wrenching.

It was nearing 4:00 am by now, and she felt her eyes slightly getting heavy. For a good couple of hours, her adrenaline was in full effect but as it wore off, the pain around her neck and on her eye was slowly returning, reminding her of hours prior of what conspired between her and James. But her job came first, she didn't want to pause to feel sorry for herself. She decided distracting herself in work for the next little while was the best thing for herself.

A small knock comes from her door then the door is being pushed open by Jim Gordon. He had been helping, but was rather occupied with the mayor and some other workers discussing what was to come now, since the commissioner was now dead. Alex had an idea of who would be next in line, but the thought of Jim becoming commissioner, although exciting, was now terrifying. Peter Savage was murdered by the Riddler, now Jonathon Pike by this new killer. She didn't want Jim to be in that kind of spotlight, simply because she didn't want to see him dead next, not that she wanted to see anyone get murdered, but that's just how Gotham seemed to be. Dark, gruesome crimes, targeting those in power. Trying to make a statement, shocking the citizens; making them scared for their lives.

"So, how's it going kid?" He shuts the door after himself and sits in a chair across from her desk. She knows she won't like where their small talk conversation ends.

"Getting there. When I'm done I was planning to meet with uh, Batman." She sighs, pulling her eyes from her monitor. "Should I start calling you Commissioner Gordon?" She feigns a joke.

"No no. And good plan, he might have some ideas. Now, there's something else I want to ask you about..." When she meets his eyes, all she sees is pity. She sighs inwardly, knowing what he'll say.

"I don't want to talk about it. I handled it, I can handle myself." She fights the urge to bring her hand to cover her neck at least to attempt a cover up, but that would definitely draw more attention to it. He's already seen the damage that's been done.

"I know you can, but you know we can talk about things right. Are you filing any charges? Did you know this person?" He asks like it's an interrogation. She knows his ways, she learned from the man himself.

She nods slowly, pushing back away from her desk and peering over to see him more. "I was seeing him for a bit, I don't know how, uh- he came over kinda intoxicated. He got out of there pretty fast when I waved my gun around in his face. I'm not pressing charges, unless he comes after me again. But I have my doubts. " Her mind drifted off, images of James terrified expression lingering.

Bat looks down at her, jaw clenched, eyes scanning her own. "I said I handled it."

"Name." She senses rage in him. Pretty terrifying.

"Fuck fine, James Wilson, that's his name." She sighs stubbornly, crossing her arms over her chest in an angry child-like manner.

Then he asked an odd question. "Are you in a lot of pain?"  She didn't expect that to come from his mouth.

"I think I'm more uh, shaken from it than anything. I guess."  She had shrugged, wanting the attention off her as soon as possible.

She hates feeling or even sounding weak. She hates that she let this happen. Let her guard down, let someone so horrible in and see her so intimately. Embarrassment, shame, hatred.

"Batman seemed pretty upset about it." Gordon mentions, quirking a brow. She squints at him, wondering where he's getting at. It's like he could read her mind, like he knows she was just thinking of him.

"Not sure what you're talking about." Alex lies, sounding nonchalantly.

"He seemed very pissed seeing you like that, don't play dumb Flores." Gordon counters. "I've never seen that guy show that kind of emotion really. Always mulling, stoic, angry I guess, but not about something personal."

"It's not his place to, so what?" Gordon sensed her defensiveness so he decided to drop it.

"Okay. Well, if you need help you know I got your back." Gordon states, rubbing a hand over his tired eyes. "Want me to come meet him with you?"

"No, it's really okay. Maybe go get some rest. After I meet with him, I'm going home to do the same."

...

Alex leaned against the cement wall, ruffling through her file in her hands, waiting for the masked vigilante to arrive. After she completed her work, she gave him a quick call to meet. He didn't say much over the call, but promised to meet her shortly, where they first did weeks ago.

She heard the elevator ding and watched him stride out, holding a gloved fist in his opposite hand. Although it was dark, it was easier to see when rain wasn't flooding her vision. Deep crimson blood dripped out of his glove, down the dark armor.

"Hi." She says, grabbing his attention. "Where did you go these last few hours?"

"Don't worry about that. Are you okay?" He surprised her by asking. Gordon's words nagged her.

"I'm just fine. I compiled some information from the first murder and of Pike's." She holds it out but retracts but when he reaches out to grab it. "Take off your gloves." She instructs.

"Huh?" He's now caught off guard.

"Your hands are bleeding, I don't want my nice file covered in your blood." She replies simply. She places the file on a rickety little table behind her and reaches forward, grabbing onto his glove to help him. He recoils back quickly, not used to the contact. 'What the hell are you doing?' She asked herself that, just as he did mentally. "Let me help." She grunts, getting a good hold on the thick glove. He winced but then wildly enough, let her pull off the bloodiest glove. She tugs the other one off. She feels as if the blood on his hands had something to do with her and James. She hoped she was wrong though.

His naked hands were thick, pale, but covered in reddish purple bruises, with some split open cuts on the knuckles. The sight was gross of course but also slightly beautiful. She found the contrast of dark colors on his massive hands quite the sight. She felt weird thinking about it, thinking a part of him as being beautiful. She didn't know him.

"Are you okay?" She mimicked him.

"Yes."

"But the other guy I assume, is not." She pushes. His gaze snaps up towards hers. "Tell me who. I had to tell you earlier, so I think it's only fair." She reasons, gently placing her hands under his, bringing them up to examine them closer.

"James Wilson."

Fear flashes in her eyes hearing him say the name with such anger and disgust. She wondered how badly the Bat had hurt him. But she was also pissed off in a way, she assured she handled it. She didn't need him to swoop in and finish it. She was confident she wouldn't see or hear him ever again.

"I-I want to thank you, but I also don't. I told you I handled it." She sighs, pulling her hands away from his own, clearly upset. "I don't need a fucking hero to come save me."

"I didn't save you, I finished the problem he started, by laying his violent hands onto you." She hadn't realized how close she stood to him, it was intimidating but felt weirdly right. He was really good at intimidation, it was astounding. She wasn't scared of him, per say. But what he was capable of.

They delved into conversation comparing the Locke and Pike Murder, getting sidetracked by conversation of Gordon possibly becoming the new Comissioner of Gotham. The worries ensued, hoping he wouldn't become the next target. Maybe security could be placed with him at all times. Alex made a joke about Batman becoming Gordon's personal body guard and she swore he smirked slightly at the lame attempt of a joke. Next they discussed the Joker card, guessing that it was a signature they hoped to not see any more, but it could give them some insight in the future. They brainstormed possibilities. At least they had a signature.

...

"Gotham mourns the loss of Commissioner Jonathon Pike who entered the role after the horrible murder of Comissioner Peter Savage last year on October 31st, Halloween night." The newscaster speaks, a solemn look on her face. "He was brutally murdered in his home yesterday evening, leaving behind his wife, Linda Pike and daughter Samantha Pike." She continues on. Alex, along with a couple other detectives gather round the TV in the bullpen.

"As of now, there aren't any suspects who caused the Murder of Comissioner Pike and Samuel Locke, but an inside source informed us this morning that a joker playing card was found at the crime scene leading citizens of Gotham to call this killer the Joker." She takes a dramatic pause, turning to her partner. "Will the Joker strike again? Please stay tuned for further information. If anybody has any information, please call our helpline or the GCPD."

"Oh for fucks sakes, 'the citizens of Gotham' don't give a fuck. They're not calling him anything. Journalists scum..." Alex yells, throwing an annoyed hand up at the TV.

"Jesus Christ." Detective Jensen mutters, a palm to his hand. Alex glances at the evidence bag, containing the Joker Playing card. Hushed conversation fills the bullpen. Her mind drifts off, wondering if Batman watched the 6:00 news.