"Scars have the strange power to remind us our past is real."

The next couple of days were the same, keeping the nocturnal schedule, Bruce and Alex stayed together in the manor. They avoided too serious of conversations about her fathers death, or about their new found 'relationship' if you could even call it that. They tiptoed around the subject, but ended up in each other's arms at the end of the 'day'.

But it was starting to get suspicious that Batman hadn't been out in a couple of nights. He hadn't really heard from Gordon, and the signal hadn't been shining in the sky. But he knew he would have to get back out there. It probably wasn't as suspicious as he thought, but he couldn't help but be on edge.

So at nightfall, he went out on his usual night watch. Alex felt a little strange being alone in the manor, but she kept herself busy. Alfred had dropped off a new phone and SIM card for her on her nightstand while she was showering in Bruce's bathroom.

She grabbed the phone and immediately called the one person she knew who cared for her, in some way, shape, or form; Jim Gordon. The dial tone rang quickly but then he picked up.

"Hello, Commissioner Gordon speaking " His voice came through the phone. She felt a sense of joy spike through her, which hasn't happened in god knows how long.

"Jim? I-it's me. It's Alex." She chokes out.

"Alex? Are you okay? Are you safe? God kid, I went by your place the last few days and you weren't there." The urgency in his voice breaks her heart, she can imagine how worried he's been since the night her father was killed, probably thinking the killer got her.

"I'm fine. It's been rough without a phone but I finally got a new one today. Uhm, I'm staying at my uncle's place these days. Since you know, my place isn't safe." She feels bad lying, but she obviously couldn't jeopardize revealing Batman's identity to Gordon, it wasn't her place to tell although she knows he could be trusted with the information.

"I'm glad to hear your voice, glad to hear you're safe." He pauses. "I'm really sorry about your father. I didn't get a chance to properly tell you that. And I need you to know, Alex, you take as much of your personal leave days as you need. Hell, you got so many you never used em' before." He says sincerely, followed by a light chuckle.

"I appreciate it Jim, thank you." The two fall into conversation about his new position, what it entitled, then some casual conversation about his family and so on. It was nice to talk about normal, happy topics, distractions from the sadness that constantly blanketed Alex like a dark cloud. When the phone call ended, she sighed and collapsed back onto the bed.

...

Alex felt a bit uneasy stepping foot into the Batcave. She felt like it was some secret place, like a child creeping downstairs to see the presents under the Christmas tree. The time she's stayed she has only been in here once, when they arrived back from her father's crime scene. She was so distraught to take in any surroundings.

It wasn't like the place was locked up, there was an elevator to get down here. After some hours of reading and staring at the perfectly painted ceiling she decided to come down and take a little peek at this place. Bruce was very wealthy so naturally, he probably had some crazy technology nobody's ever laid eyes on.

Alex stepped off the elevator, the distant screeching of bats echoing through the vicinity. There was a grand computer setup, some half built devices littered all over. It was messy, chaotic really, but everything seemed to be in its rightful place. She walked around slowly, gliding her hands on table tops and projects he'd be working on. She smiles at the thought of him working away here. Bruce was so intelligent, she learned that over the past couple of days.

Suddenly a rumbling sound is heard in the distance and only becomes louder. Before Alex can make any moves, a small garage door opens and a motorbike rips through. Alex glances at him, confused why he was back so early. Early being 2:00 in the morning. She expected him to return at maybe six or even seven. The bike comes to a halt. He removes his helmet, his face contorting in pain. He gets off the bike and walks with a slight limp. He hasn't spotted her yet. He was wearing a thick sweater and jacket, a backpack, and cargo pants. Black streaked down from his eyes down his cheeks.

He grunts out of pain as he drops the backpack and shrugs off the heavy jacket. He then feels eyes on him. When he looks up, Alex is staring at him curiously.

"What are you doing in here?" He asks, pure confusion in his voice.

"I couldn't sleep, and was just looking around. I hope that's okay?" She's honestly terrified he'll tell her to leave. But she couldn't sense any anger in his tone.

"Yeah, uh, no worries." He wasn't used to having someone waiting for him. Suddenly, a dull pain returns on his side. He grunts, involuntary.

"Are you okay?" She quickly rushes to his side, realizing he's in quite a lot of pain. She's worried about touching him at first.

"Yes. I'm okay." He sighs. He then pulls the sweater off, leaving him in a long sleeve. That's when she noticed his hands, bruised and bloody. Skin cracked open on the buckles, crimson colored blood dried up on the wounds.

"Bruce." She gasps out. "Do you have a first aid kit down here?"

"It's near the elevator." He replies. She quickly walks over and grabs it, the hefty thing, and retreats back to him. He pulls off his long sleeve so now he's shirtless. She was shocked at the sight, seeing deep purple and blue bruises littering his ribs, some yellow ones from a while back. Then, the scars embedded in his skin is what scares her the most. Pink slashes raised on his pale skin. They're old for sure. She wonders how much he truly gets hurt. He was strong, but he wasn't perfect.

"Maybe we should get you upstairs. Fix you up there?" She asks. For a moment he's hesitant but he nods. He doesn't bother grabbing anything. She ever so gently wraps her arm around his back just to steady him, even though he probably doesn't need it. In her other hand is the first aid kit. Slowly, they get into the elevator and go upstairs.

In Bruce's bathroom he leans against the countertop, and beside Alex is running a cloth under warm water. Once it's wet, she rings it out. He holds out his hands. Alex gently places the cloth on his knuckles, dabbing away the blood. He winced, but he's honestly dealt with worse pain. Having her taking care of him brings him some peace. Like he did the other night with her. It felt natural. "Sorry." She whispers, hoping she isn't hurt him too badly.

"Don't be sorry." He whispers back. After most of the blood is washed off, she grabs a tube of antiseptic. She dabs it on the bigger wounds, the cool sensation filling his skin. She grabs the biggest bandages from the kit and places them on next.

"Anywhere else?" She wonders, searching his eyes. He looked so gloomy with the makeup around his eyes.

"No, thank you." Bruce replies. She grabs a bottle of pain pills next and takes two out.

"Here take these." She drops them into his hand. She suddenly reaches up, and runs her hand through his dark brown locks. The dirt doesn't gross her out. Alex then drags her hand down the back of his neck, sending chill down Bruce's spine. The physical reaction isn't something he felt in a while. She watched him dry swallow the pills without issue. Alex places her hand on his jaw, slowly rubbing her thumb back and forth. She liked the feeling of taking care of him, just as much as she liked him taking care of her. She leans in, pressing her lips to his own. He kisses back gently, snaking his hands around her waist and pulling her body against his own.

For a moment he forgot about the pain he was in, what was to come next. Bruce let go and decided to live in the moment.