Author: AhToLoveABat

Disclaimer: I don't own that broody goodness a.k.a. Batman, darn.

A/N: Just a one-shot I thought up while writing my other stories, hope you like!

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Zoe Sanders slammed open the rusty door and dashed out into the dimly lit street. Her heart was pounding mercilessly within her rib cage. Confusion, disbelief, and anger marred her features.

How could he do this to me? How could he do this to mother?

Zoe was the daughter of U.S. senator Greg Sanders. He had invited her to join him for a state dinner in the city of Gotham. Elated that her often absent father would want to spend time with her, she accepted. They had stayed in an exclusive hotel in the best part of town, went to dinner, and retired to their own rooms. Everything had been going so well...

Zoe knew the rumors of Gotham, knew that it dangerous. Despite her knowledge, it hadn't stopped her from following her father to the more seedy section of Gotham. It hadn't stopped her from entering the rat infested motel and asking where he was. And it most definitely hadn't stopped her from catching her father cheating on her mom with a girl who was, quite possibly, younger than Zoe's own 24 years. A substantial age gap, considering her father was well into his sixties.

It also hadn't stopped Zoe from running out into the alley next to the motel.

I hate him... How could he... I hate him... I never thought...

Zoe's thoughts ruled her conscious while she walked down the street, her heeled shoes clicking the entire way. She absently tightened her white cardigan around her form, trying to conserve heat. The chilly night air blew around her and fluttered the black skirt that she had worn to dinner.

If only I had stayed in my room... If only I had not seen him get into the taxi... I should never have followed him...

The sounds of sirens in the distance brought Zoe back to awareness. She jerked her head back and forth in search for something that would tell her where she was. She had not realized that she'd covered that much distance. Now slightly panicked, she walked farther in the search. This being a first time in Gotham for her, every surrounding was foreign. Finally admitting to herself that she was lost, Zoe began searching her purse for the small silver cell phone that she carried.

It was then that he attacked.

Two massive hands shot out of the darkness of an alleyway and wrapped themselves around Zoe's throat. The movement was sudden, not even allowing her reflexes enough time to drop the purse. Zoe's eyes hurt as they adjusted in the murky shadows. They focused on the predator as he slammed her against the brick wall.

He was huge, a bigger man Zoe had never seen before. His clothes were filthy and torn. She could see the decaying teeth in his mouth when he smiled at her.

His bloodshot eyes traveled up and down her form as he said, "Now arn't we a perty thing."

It was when his cracked lips began to descend upon her that Zoe started struggling. Until then, shock had dominated her being and she had not thought to resist. She wriggled and pushed with all her might, forgetting every defensive move she had been taught. Only one thought permeated through the sea of panic rushing in her mind.

Get off... get off... get off...

His hands removed themselves from her throat and attached to her wrists. He smashed Zoe into a position where she could not use her legs. With her appendages immobile, she felt powerless.

Zoe racked her brain for something she could do, when he smiled again. She suddenly reared her head back and thrust it down on to him with an echoing crack.

The move had done the trick because the beast dazedly stumbled backwards. Seeing her chance, Zoe darted for the street. Unfortunately, she was reeling from the head-butt as well. She zigzagged unsteadily towards her destination but was stopped.

The man had grabbed a hold of her sweater and was pulling her back. Fear surged through her once more. This time, a different thought resounded in her mind.

Scream, you idiot! Scream!

"Help!" Zoe shrieked as she tried to jerk out of the restraining article of clothing.

He pulled her back to him and wrapped his arms around her.

"Ain't nobody gonna help ya now, bitch," he whispered vehemently into her ear.

Zoe whimpered audibly and tried to elbow him in the stomach. She had succeeded in getting a few inches from him when he grabbed her arm.

Suddenly, his grasp lost it's grip and Zoe was sent tumbling towards the ground. She curled up in the fetal position, preparing for any further attacks he might have.

After a few minutes, she realized that nothing was happening. She debated on whether to look around or not, being as she could tell nothing from her sense of hearing. The blood was pumping too loudly in her ears to make out anything clear. Therefore, slowly and cautiously, the young girl uncoiled her body and looked around.

She saw her assailant sprawled in a group of tipped garbage cans, bleeding profusely from his nose and mouth. Zoe inched closer, trying to determine what had happened.

Is he dead?

A closer look proved him to have only been knocked out.

But how?

Sounds suddenly returned to Zoe's ears even though her breathing was labored.

"Are you alright?" came a voice from the shadows.

Zoe stepped back, suddenly very cautious of the danger that might lie there. The fact that the question was one of concern had not registered.

A tall figure stepped from the darkness, yet still cloaked in it. It was calm and steady, not showing any signs that it had just fought the wounded man on the ground.

Batman...

While Zoe had heard of Gotham's degradation, she had also heard of it's savior, the Dark Knight.

"Are you hurt?" the deep voice inquired again.

The shock was wearing off and, subsequently, Zoe began to shake. However, she also began to regain coherent thoughts.

"I - I'm okay," she said, ducking her head, knowing it would be a long time before she was really okay.

"It's not safe here, where do you live?"

"I-I don't live here. I'm staying at the- the Gotham Ritz."

When he made no reply, Zoe realized what he was sure to have been thinking. Only someone not from around here would be ignorant enough to attempt a late night walk.

How could I have been so stupid?

Anger had begun to trickle inside of Zoe as a black car screeched to a stop at the end of the alley. She looked at it and then back to Batman in confusion.

He briskly walked to the driver's side and began to climb in.

"Get in," he stated simply.

Zoe walked to the door of a car, the likes of which she's never seen before, and got in. It closed automatically, shutting her inside. She was propelled deep into the seat as the car took off. Batman professionally navigated the steering wheel, all the while keeping his eyes focused on the road.

Meanwhile, Zoe's eyes were wide with wonder as she inspected the inside of the vehicle. She was tempted to touch various parts but decided against it. In no way, did Zoe want to upset her protector.

As much as she admired the car, her gaze continually drifted to its driver. His cowl didn't cover the distinguished lines of his jaw, or the grim line that his lips were set in.

Never in her wildest dreams had Zoe pictured this happening. The name "Batman" had meant nothing more to her than a conversational topic for the upcoming conference. Now, in his automobile, she was at a loss for what to do.

She turned her head and watched the scenery pass by. Deciding that she would do nothing at the moment, she let her mind drift. She started to replay the night's events over and over again in her head.

Hurt, confusion, and disgust were emotions she was feeling in bulk, but none of these compared to the amount of anger she felt. Zoe was angry with her father, with the woman he was with, with the man who attacked her, and most importantly, with herself. Rage over how she had been dense enough to walk at night in Gotham coursed through her being.

I should have known better! She screamed inside.

As Zoe let the fury run its course, she thought of how many people had made the same mistake. She wondered at the number of people Batman had saved who were just as stupid as she. She was also curious about the silent man next to her. What could make someone do what he does? What drives him?

Zoe only became more intrigued as the time passed. There were so many questions she wanted to ask, so many things she wanted to discover about the person they called the World's Greatest Detective.

"We're here," Batman said, successfully breaking Zoe's deep trance.

She climbed out of the car and looked around. Despite her not being a native, Zoe knew that they were not in the part of town that the hotel resided. Not only that, but she was in yet another alley. Zoe turned to ask as to what was going on when a muscled arm wrapped itself around her waist. The gust of air that blew across her face forced her eyes closed. When they reopened, she found herself on the roof of one of the two buildings that formed the alleyway.

Where am I? She thought.

Zoe began to panic, maybe this costumed man was not the hero she had thought him to be. It was then that she noticed his arm still around her. He was waiting until she had regained her bearings from the unexpected flight. Regrettably, Zoe did not comprehend this and instead, had flashbacks from her recent ordeal. Those, mixed with her determination to never make such a stupid mistake again, forced her to react.

"Don't touch me!" she yelled violently, taking a few steps back from the dark form.

Batman willingly let her go, giving her an expressionless look.

"There's a doctor here, Leslie Thompkins. She'll take care of you," he said finally, "The door is over there, it will take you down to her office."

Zoe immediately realized the mistake of her outburst and felt ashamed.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly.

The once expressionless face now slightly showed of concern.

Zoe continued, "Thank you for saving me. I didn't mean to explode on you.. it's just.. I'm just... it's been a long night."

She wrapped her arms around herself like she had done earlier that night, this time gaining no comfort from it.

"I'm such an idiot," she stated pathetically.

Batman kept his distance, not a man made for comforting someone, and let her pace back and forth.

"Dr. Thompkins will get a taxi to take you to your hotel," he said.

She nodded in understanding as he began walking to the edge of the roof. When Zoe realized he was leaving, she remembered the many things she had wondered about in the car. She hesitated, questioning whether she should voice the ponderings that had been plaguing her thoughts.

"Wait," she said, "can I ask you a few questions?"

His gate did not stop it's pace so Zoe interpreted this as a 'no'.

"Just one?" she pleaded, hoping that a compromise could be met.

He stopped at the concrete border to prepare his grappling hook. Seeing this as acquiescence, she quickly searched for a question that would satiate her curiosity.

Zoe paused, taking the moment to look down and bite her lip. She took a deep breath, then began.

"Why-" she started, then stopped.

Batman was gone.

Zoe ran to the edge and looked over, searching for the man or the incredible vehicle that she arrived in. There was no sign of either.

Damn...

---

"... and what do you think Ms. Sanders?"

Zoe shifted in the luxurious chair and crossed her legs underneath the circular table. Despite the events of the previous night, Zoe had decided to attend the party. Dr. Thompkins had been exceedingly kind and had determined her to be, other than a little banged up, perfectly fine.

However, in light of his promiscuity, Zoe refused to acknowledge her father's existence at all. Unfortunately, her resolution was in vain, Greg Sanders made no attempt to reconcile things between the two of them. This left Zoe torn between feeling hurt or grateful. The latter of which she chose to feel for the moment.

She looked around the table at Gotham's young and elite. All were rich, all were conceited... the two seemed to go hand in hand in this city. The table was occupied by Angela DeYoung, an established singer and actress, Hampton Simmons Jr., son of C.E.O. Hampton Simmons Sr., Bruce Wayne, owner of Wayne Enterprises, Jamal Errington, the Gotham Knights' star point guard, and finally Cynthia Cromwell, blonde bombshell model and Mr. Wayne's date.

The person who spoke to her was Ms. DeYoung. Zoe's attention had drifted long before the question was asked and she could not remember the topic of the conversation. In all likeliness, it was nothing of any interest to her. Apparently, the table's inhabitants only knew of three things: sports, rumors, and fashion. The fact that two of them were giants in the corporate world astounded Zoe.

"I'm sorry," Zoe responded sweetly to the exotic beauty, "What was the question?"

The actress looked slightly perturbed that the woman opposite of her had not been listening intently to, what Zoe assumed was, gossip.

"I believe Ms. DeYoung queried as to your appraisal of our precious city." said the spoiled son of Simmons Sr.

Zoe's faux smile dropped slightly. Memories of the recent attack came vividly flooding back into her mind. It was as much an embarrassing example of her stupidity as it was a traumatic event. She shook her head slightly and returned to the issue at hand.

"It is very... unique," she said. Zoe decided to tread carefully, she did not want her assault to show up in the gossip column of the Gotham Gazette. Something that would most assuredly happen if her current company were enlightened of it.

Jamal let out a deep chuckle, "Right, unique. What other city has a man sized bat terrorizing the streets?"

Everyone at the table, save Zoe, snickered at the comment.

Cynthia threw in her two cents as well, "Not to mention his fashion sense! God, since when have pointy ears been 'in'?"

The laughter erupted again.

She leaned forward and swatted the air, "And don't even get me started on capes! I mean, what century are we in?"

Ms. Cromwell looked at Zoe and laughed. All Zoe could do was give a weak smile. She couldn't believe that these people, citizens of Gotham... the people that Batman protects, were ridiculing him. Had they no idea what he did for them?

Zoe quelled the feeling of injustice rising in her and purposed a new topic for discussion to the rest of the round table.

"If you could ask him one question, what would it be?"

The table stopped their laughing and turned to stare. The question seemed to come from nowhere, but it was something Zoe was very curious about.

Ms. DeYoung's laughter resonated throughout the extravagant ballroom.

"I don't know about the rest of you," she said, with a sly smile, "but I want to know if there's a Mrs. Batman."

"Mmmhmm," said the model, "I agree."

Zoe frowned. It wasn't quite the type of answer she was looking for.

Simmons' expression turned angry, "I, for one, want to know who the hell he thinks he is! We donate to the G.C.P.D. for a reason."

"Amen to that, brother." replied Mr. Errington, as he absently rubbed his hand over his shaved head.

"What about you Ms. Sanders?" came the smooth, deep voice of Mr. Wayne.

Zoe's frown deepened and her features became determined.

"I... I am appalled at all of you," she said quietly at first, voice rising steadily, "Batman risks his life to keep this city safe for all of you, and... and yet you sit here within comforts provided by your social status, criticizing and mocking him!"

A few of the table's occupants seemed shocked at Zoe's audacity while other's appeared merely intrigued.

Zoe only stopped her rant to grab a gulp of air and then continued, "I, myself, would ask Batman 'why'? Why does he continually save people that are thankless? Why does he go through so much for citizens like yourselves, the unappreciative and contemptuous?"

Finally done, she exhaled the deep breath that she hadn't realized she was holding. Her eyes darting from person to person, waiting for their reaction. Would they be repentant? Would they see the light?

The table set in silence for a few minutes before one of the occupants spoke up.

"I believe," started Mr. Wayne, "that was more than one question."

A familiar laughter erupted from the table once more. Zoe turned red with anger and embarrassment. She glared at the smirking enterprise owner with abhorrence.

Scooting her chair, she slipped out amidst the laughter, unaware of the pair of ice blue eyes following her.

Zoe stood in the highly crafted elevator of the Gotham Ritz, debating her destination. Her finger hesitated between two golden buttons, finally landing on one and pushing.

It had been a little over an hour since she had left the ballroom. She had had her chauffer drive her around the city while she contemplated the prior conversation.

The doors of the elevator slid open and Zoe stepped out. The night was cool again, and the breeze was even more prominent on the roof of the tall building. She looked up at the night skies. The bright stars were unobstructed and numerous. Zoe shivered, and tightened the shawl around her green dress.

"It's cold out."

Zoe swiveled around to see a familiar figure glide out of the dark shadows. She smiled faintly to herself.

"I was hoping I'd see you again," she said.

The muscular man stepped towards the edge of the roof as he said, "You had a question."

Zoe smiled faintly again before a look of complete sobriety came over her face. She looked down at her hands as she quietly stated the question that had haunted her since their meeting.

"Why?"

Batman looked over the gothic city as a pregnant silence consumed the conversation. Zoe waited patiently, willing to sacrifice as much time as he wanted.

Without turning to look at her, he replied, "My reasons are my own."

Zoe's head dropped in resignation as she accepted that he would not divulge any more to her.

He watched her out of the corner of his eye and mentally listed the repercussions of telling her anything else, of letting her know the pain he endured while watching his parents die in the street. It amazed himself how that single event hardened his heart to any doubts he might have of his actions. He could still recall the smell of his mother's perfume as she laid in the pool of her own blood. The memory was so vivid, had he not seen so much worse, he would have retched. However, the fact was, he had seen worse. Batman knew of the evil things an individual was capable of, he had seen the results of soulless predators.

He took out his grappling hook and prepared to leave.

Zoe watched as he stopped mid preparations, a sliver of light allowing her to see his tensed jaw.

"Vengeance," he said softly yet still in his baritone voice, "for the ones I loved whom I failed to save... and for the ones I fail to save who are loved."

And with that, he sailed off into the night, the protector of the city. Zoe looked after him in silent understanding, then turned to head back inside.

Her question had been answered.

The End.

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A/N: At the sake of sounding completely un-original, please review! It means so much to me!