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Lost Holidays
Chapter Five
written by destinyawakened
Friday, December 26 – Day After Christmas
Gordon dropped his pen on the table atop the finished paperwork, aware that it had been more than thirty minutes since he received Bruce's text message about being on his way. It was not like the billionaire to be so late (except to parties, and even then there were good reasons). Gordon piled the paperwork into a folder, scooped it up, and walked out of the meeting room. He was beginning to worry, not that he needed to; Bruce was more than capable of taking care of himself. This was one of the reasons he had been so adamant about not knowing the vigilante's identity – the constant worry, the wondering if he was alright, the ache in his chest that grew until he heard from him. Before, Batman was just a nameless man who had no face, no emotions, nothing. There were times he wished it had stayed that way, but those times were often out weighed by how much he found he actually cared for Bruce Wayne. .
He gazed around at the few stray detectives wandering the halls, searching for Bruce amongst the faces, but he wasn't there. Gordon chewed on the inside of his lower lip, shutting the door behind him. He took up a quick pace towards the front of the building, past the holding cells, and stopped just short of the front entrance, seeing Bruce standing with one hand against the wall, leaning over someone Gordon couldn't quite identify until he turned the corner completely. Bruce had his big, playboy grin on his face, laughing, nodding, using swift, regal hand gestures when he spoke. Gordon couldn't hear what was being said, but he knew the look Bruce had on his face all too well. He tried to remain indifferent to the situation. It's his playboy act, nothing else...
Gordon stepped closer, peering around the wall to see who it was Bruce was using his relentless charms on. A few strands of out of place black hair was covering her face, but her athletic build, and curves gave her away: Selina Kyle. Gordon found he almost felt surprised, but in reasoning with himself, he did have to admit that the young woman was more than just your run-of-the-mill pretty cop –she was down right breathtaking. Gordon knew she was the type “playboy” Bruce Wayne would date in heartbeat.
She gave Bruce a smile that suggested she wasn't buying into his charms and mindless flirting. She pushed up on his shoulder, moving him out of the way enough to slip away. Bruce stared at her as if he'd just been shot, she laughed at him, a more sincere smile spreading across her face now. He pulled out a card, jotted something down on it. He took her hand and gently, suavely placed the card in the palm of her hand, closing her fingers around it. She slipped the card into her back pocket, her body language changing, leaning her body toward Bruce with more interest now.
Gordon felt a heat rise in his body, felt his cheeks flush. What was he getting all worked up for? Bruce does this all the time – appearances, remember? It was hard to remember when Bruce was giving Selina the same, flirtatious grin, and staring at her as though she were all that existed at that moment. Rhythmic thumping pounded in Gordon's head, his heart racing. He could stand where he was, pretend he never saw it, go on with his day; or, he could walk over there and break it up right now, and risk looking like a complete ass. God, why did he feel like he was in high school again? He could be civil, yes, yes he could. Bruce does this all the time... just keep repeating that to yourself. It wasn't anything new, this was normal in the life of the playboy billionaire. It means nothing, no matter how you think you feel, it means nothing. Jealousy did not suit Jim Gordon.
No, he knew he had to just be calm, walk over to them casually, start a conversion, and pretend he was fine. Yes, fine. Tuning the corner blindly, he ran into Selina, dropping his folder of paperwork all over the ground. He swore under his breath, bending down to pick up the papers. He looked up absently to see Selina getting to her knees to help him.
“I'm so sorry. I must have been distracted,” she said coolly. Bruce had walked over, black polished shoes so shiny Gordon could see his face in them, standing to his right. Gordon waved off Selina's apology, keeping his head down and not meeting Bruce's steady gaze, somehow sure there was a little amusement in his eyes.
“It's alright.” Even though he knew it wasn't entirely her fault, it felt pretty good to let her take the blame. Bruce bent down beside him, gathering a couple of the stray papers, handing them to him, their fingers touching for a brief moment, and Gordon lifted his eyes to meet Bruce's. He looked away quickly, sliding the last of the papers into the folder. He stood, now facing Bruce and Selina, who were standing side-by-side.
“I'm headed home. Gotta work late tonight. It was nice to meet you, Bruce.” Selina said as she touched Bruce's arm warmly. Bruce smiled smugly at her, giving her a little wave, and then turning back to Gordon, who was staring blankly at him. Gordon didn't know whether to be angry with Bruce's obvious flirtation, or if he should be amused because it was always so over-done that anyone should be able to see through him.
“What?” Bruce asked innocently. Gordon gave him a questioning glare. “You did ask me to look into Selina Kyle didn't you?” Gordon narrowed his eyes at the younger man; no, he had not asked him, not yet. Now he had a real reason to be jealous, even angry.
“I don't think I had gotten around to that yet, Bruce,” Gordon said casually, trying to keep his tone level. He knew he was being a little irrational, Bruce was just flirting with a pretty girl, nothing else. But Gordon did see him slip her a card, and he was sure they had set up a meet, if not a date, of some sort. He couldn't help but feel just a little threatened; this was a business associate and she wasn't just going to go away when Bruce finally decided to ignore her and toss her aside; either that or she would get tired of not getting anywhere with him, being strung along, and Gordon would be forced to listen to her complain about him, leading to a very complicated work environment.
Bruce put his hands in his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels, looking almost ashamed. He gave a small, guilty grin; “I could have sworn...” he started and then shook his head when Gordon looked like he was about to shoot fire out of his eyes. “My mistake. I misunderstood.”
“I do need a bigger background check on her though. So whatever date you two have planned, you may as well keep it and see what you can get out of her,” Gordon said spitefully. Bruce moved in towards Gordon, glancing around the the empty corridor quickly. He grasped hold of the older man's elbow, guiding him around the corner. Gordon stared at him, pulling his arm away.
“I don't think I like what you're a assuming,” Bruce said. It was evident he was trying to keep his voice calm, quiet.
“I wasn't assuming --”
“Yes you were.” Bruce had moved in closer, their faces so close Gordon could feel the other man's breath on his face. Had the situation been different, he would have grabbed Bruce's head and pulled him into a forgiving, loving kiss. Unfortunately, the look in Bruce's eyes was far from intimate. “Gordon, you either trust me or you don't. I'd like to think after the past two months – after I trusted you -- that you could at least do the same.”
Well, there it was, the blow Gordon hadn't expected but should have seen coming. Bruce was right, completely right. Gordon should have trusted him, should have known that Bruce would have gone out of his way to do an extensive background check on Selina even if he never asked him to. That was just the way Batman was; he did everything to cover their asses, anything to make it just a little less complicated later on. And boy, did Gordon feel as though he'd been jumping the gun, assuming too much, reading into something that wasn't really there. He went to open his mouth but Bruce shook his head.
“I don't think I have time for this right now, Jim. I'll see you tonight.” Bruce turned, no other words said, no gesture, nothing. Bruce walked out of the front doors, jogging down the steps of MCU and disappearing around the corner, where he no doubt had his car parked.
Gordon really wanted to run out after him, apologize profusely, and forget it ever happened. A part of him also wanted to yell at Bruce for even having the playboy facade at all; if not for it, he wouldn't have to worry about him flirting with everyone who had two legs and breasts. For a brief moment, Gordon almost wished Bruce could just be Bruce, but that, he knew, would be changing him. That would be asking him for something that Barbara had asked from him, and it wasn't fair. Gordon did, however, begin to feel that he and Bruce needed to have that heart-to-heart talk. Gordon had a feeling there was more to Bruce's very sudden mood change than just his own jealous assumptions getting in the way..
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Bright lights lit the city slowly, the nightlife of Gotham stirring in the streets, clubs blazing their bright search lights, and among everything else the newly made Batsignal shone proudly in the sky. Most nights, Gordon would be happy to see it, anticipating the moment he would turn around and Batman would be there, silent and strong. Tonight, however, was due to be far from normal, and far from friendly. Not only was Detective Selina Kyle standing with him and Stephens, but Bruce was most likely still very upset with him. It was definitely going to be an interesting evening.
“Does he always keep you waiting this long?” Selina asked, arms folded tightly over her chest, a frown plastered on her face. If only she knew who Batman really was, she might change her tune. Not that Gordon was willing to risk that.
“He'll be here,” Gordon said, hoping that Bruce wasn't going to skip out on their meeting just because he was angry with him. But Bruce didn't do that; he was a bigger man than that – he was out to help Gotham and he'd put her before his personal feeling any day. It was one reason Gordon admired the younger man so much, the reason he had fallen helplessly for him.
Stephens threw his cigarette butt to the ground, smashing it with his toe into the concrete of the rooftop. “Probably just taking care of a couple wackos.”
Gordon shrugged, leaning up against the side of the Batsignal. A slight thump next to him made him aware of the vigilante's presence long before he stepped out of the shadows. Gordon hit the switch on the light, nodding his head at Batman, who gave him a curt nod in return. Hardly friendly, Gordon thought. Bruce was definitely still upset. Selina turned around, facing Batman, skepticism written on her face, but it clearly vanished once she gave Barman a once-over with her eyes. Gordon tightened his jaw. He was not going to be jealous; another person was allowed to find the same man attractive, it happened all the time. Gordon steadied himself, trying to calm his already racing heart.
Batman stepped towards Selina, arms at his sides in fists, stance ever at the ready; “Detective Kyle.” He turned his head in a nod. “Lt. Stephens. Commissioner.” Silence. No one said anything, each waiting for the other to speak first. Gordon was damned if Batman was going to intimidate him into not speaking.
“Detective Kyle is our newest transfer, on behalf of Mayor Garcia. He's requested she be on this team,” Gordon said, walking in a little towards Selina, who Batman was staring down with his hard, cold glare.
Selina reached her hand out towards Batman. “It's a pleasure, sir.” Batman stared at her hand, then looked back to her face. She pulled her hand back, placing her fists on her hips. Gordon wanted to laugh; Batman never shook hands with anyone. That was the job of Bruce Wayne; as Batman he had a reputation to cover, and shaking hands was not the way to keep it up.
“Gordon told me that you assume the murders are based around holidays,” Batman said, his growl even deeper tonight, as if his voice had been strained somehow.
“There have only been two, but they have both been on holidays, with little items left at the scene that could represent the holiday in question. The murders are obviously linked. I'd even say it's safe to assume that the next could be on New Year's Eve,” Selina said. Her confidence had grown, and now she was stepping in closer to Batman, getting in his face. So far, Bruce held his ground and allowed her to invade his personal space, but Gordon watched his eyes; if she kept it up, she might not like the tone Batman would be using next.
“New Year's,” Batman said, looking to Gordon. “If she's right, we have to figure out the most obvious New Year's-related place that doesn't see a lot of foot traffic.”
“Agreed. We have less than a week to scout around. Figure out what we can.” Gordon turned to Stephens. “Check into anyone who might be related through cases or personally with DA Darin Martin and Assistant DA Laurel Messing.”
“Got it,” Stephens said, as he gave Batman a little wave and headed down the steps back to the offices.
“Selina, I want you to go check around town for all the biggest parties happening this year.”
Selina nodded. “Fine,” She said, though she didn't seem to happy about it, and Gordon assumed she wanted to stay, talk further with Batman on the case, but Gordon didn't see a reason for her to be there any longer. “It was nice to meet you... Batman.” She nodded to Gordon, following Stephens down the same staircase.
“We need to talk,” Gordon said turning to face Batman, “not here.”
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