"It has literally only been eight days!" I snap, shoving away Grace's sketches of my supposed 'wedding' with Jason. He, a black and blue tuxedo, myself a white dress with blue decorations and bridesmaid dresses that are designed like French maid costumes.

Yah...

Eight days. Eight since the night he told me he could handle a relationship; seven since the attack. Batman is still investigating the Yakuza girl.

"Does all of this scare you Venny?" Grace asks, as I stand up from beside her and walk to the kitchen to pour some wine.

"No. It's you guys this is scaring. That's why you've been here for four hours whilst I'm trying to do work," I reply, downing the full glass in one go.

"Alright. When are you going to an alcoholics anonymous meeting?"

"When I turn into an alcoholic," I snap.

"Well you're not far off."

I jump, looking to my lift door which is just opening. It fully opens to reveal Jason standing there.

There's a chance I may have smiled like an excited child. He had stayed over night here only three times in the past week or so, which I don't mind. I know the Hood takes up time.

But still, I missed him.

"Grace, this is Jason. Jason this is my friend and neighbour Grace."

"Nice to meet you," the red head grins, walking over and shaking Jason's hand.

"Same to you. You'd be the first of her friends she's introduced to me."

"Because she's the first who won't attack you, try to get in your pants, jump you, scream at you, threaten you or try to smell you."

"Yeah. I just drew you instead," Grace grins.

"Drew-"

"Anyway Grace I'll see you later," I interrupt Jason before he can ask the question that will lead to my demise (Grace showing him her picture).

Grace bids us goodbye and leaves to go back to her apartment.

"She drew me?"

"Don't ask," I shake my head, sipping some more wine.

"Sorry I haven't been around lately," he begins, leaning back on the counter beside me.

"It's okay. You know I understand," I reply, filling my glass up therefore emptying the bottle.

"How's work?"

"Things have quietened down now that I'm back. You want a drink?"

He shakes his head with a small smile, "No, I can't stay." He moves closer to me, reaching out and touching my waist gently.

Oh. I feel a little sad, but nod. "Okay." I begin drinking my next full glass. Jason leans forward and kisses my cheek with a small smile.

Goddamn does he smell good. The perfect combination of leather and him. I used to hate the smell of cigarettes but on him it's nearly addictive.

"What are you doing now?" He asks me.
"I'm supposed to choose one of Grace's designs for the Hospital Rebuild Charity Ball. You're going, right?" I say, reaching behind him to grab the five sketches from the bench.

Jason sighs and pulls me closer to him, staring at the ceiling in thought. "Any other time I'd say no. Would most likely end up shoved at a table with the others."

"I'll be there this time," I sing sheepishly, biting my lip and staring at him. He smirks and kisses me.

"Guess I will too," he whispers when he pulls away. I try not to grin as excitedly as I want to, opting for a small smile.

"I still don't know which one to choose though," I groan in annoyance, stepping aside and reaching for the three designs.

"So your friend Grace designed these?" He asks.

"Yeah. So far I've eliminated the feather one and the yellow one. Now it's just these three. I like them all equally."

Jason presses his chest against my back, leaning on the bench with his left hand beside mine. He looks over the three designs, before reaching out and pushing away the red one.

"You wore red at the WF Ball."

"I like red," I say, before grinning slightly realising how that sounds.

"I bet you do," he whispers. I laugh quietly and shake my head, looking back down at my options. Green and white or blue and silver.

"This one," he says, pointing to the blue and silver one. "Granted you'd look nice in either one." I hear a faint voice from what I assume is his com. "I've got to go."

I turn around and smile at him, trying to hide my disappointment. He must see it in my eyes though.

"I'm sorry," he says softly. I shake my head.

"C'mon, we knew what we were getting into." I lean forward and kiss him, before turning around and moving to the end of the bench, taking out another bottle.

"Venus," Jason murmurs. "Do you really need to?"

I look at him, then the bottle. "Why not?" I ask.

"Just...you drank a whole one already." I look at the full bottle in my hand again, before sliding it back into the holder, for his peace of mind.

"Fine," I sigh.

He steps up to me and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me into a hug. He makes me feel extremely tiny in his giant arms. I'm pretty muscular too.

"Sorry, just looking out for you," he says. Despite being as big and strong as he is, his hold is very gentle.

"Hey," I whisper, pulling back slightly. I take his face in my hands and kiss him. "Don't...feel like you have to justify. Guess with everything going on drinking takes the edge off. You're keeping me grounded," I grin.

"I have been overprotective. I check on you during the night sometimes," he admits. "Maybe you should get a guard dog."

"I have a rule with pets. Two or none."

"Then get two dogs. This place allows pets, right?"

"Yeah, I always thought about it. Got a big enough balcony, plus the park just outside. The only downside is work."

Someone must say something to Jason through his communicator, because he goes to speak but opts for rolling his eyes and gritting his teeth.

"Calm the fuck down, I'll be there soon," he growls back at them. I smile at him. "Duty calls," he sighs.

"As it does," I reply, pulling him back in and kissing him hard. His hands slide over my dress to press against my back, pulling me closer.

I drag him backwards until my shoulders are against the wall, the kiss deepening. I run my fingers through his hair, smirking when my nails against his scalp cause him to groan.

Just when he hitches my leg up against his hip, I pull away, grinning and looking at the ceiling.

"Duty calls," I repeat his line. He sighs and let's his head fall against my shoulder for a second.

"See ya," he murmurs, kissing the skin there before striding across the livingroom.

"Bye."

~

"Objection!"

"On what grounds?"

"Badgering the witness!" I shout, possibly a little too loudly. Telysha reaches out discretely and touches my arm.

"I'll have to allow it. Continue Mr Kennedy."

"Thank you, Your Honour," the skid mark of a lawyer, Chad Kennedy smiles.

This case has been biting at me for the past few months. A ring of five prostitutes belonging to Angelique were killed after they were loaned out to a corporate raider named Harry August.

August is the primary suspect the State (me) are trying to prosecute. He hired them and four of my witnesses were there when he killed them execution style.

Anna Corvon currently sat at the stand. She was working a downtown bar, which is the location of the killings.

"Miss Corvon. You claim to have left the bar through the back door to the alley, where you were dumping some rubbish. What did you see?" He's trying to re-cap for the Jury's sake.

"There were five girl, on their knees. And I-" She cuts herself off. I grip the table so tightly it hurts. Anna is young and scared. Scared of someone as rich as August.

"What did you see, Anna?" Kennedy closes in on her.

"N-Nothing," she whispers. I close my eyes for a second in irritation. What a weak bitch. She was in the alleyway- she saw August behind the five girls.

"Miss Corvon may I remind you that you are under oath?" The judge says.

"No further questions Your Honour," Kennedy announces.

Within the next ten minutes the case of State vs. August is suspended until a later date. Telysha rushes behind me as I stride from the court room.

I have a brief word with the detectives central to the case. They promise to follow on leads they haven't. I trust them- if only Gin were in on it.

It's not easy to keep a straight and calm face on my way back to my office. I barely hear what Kalie says as I enter and close the door behind me with a heavy sigh.

Walking to my desk, I throw my bag down and slump into my chair. After a few deep breaths, I reach into my draw and take out a small sugar skull ornament my dad bought for me.

I squeeze it in my hand for a second. It reminds me of the chant I give myself before cases.

"Death is a wish warriors make. Victory is a prize the champion takes," I whisper, feeling my rage finally start to ease.

"Long day?" I hear Jason say, after the sound of my window opening reaches my ears.

"I've had better," I grin, spinning my chair around to face him. I get that familiar rush.

"What's wrong?" He asks. I close my eyes and smile, shaking my head. I'll tell him later. Now it's the last thing I want to think about.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to ask you something. And now, seeing you like this, give you something," he replies.

"I have a meeting in forty minutes, but ask away."

His face twists in an embarrassed, complicated expression that makes me smile. "Will you have dinner at the manor with me and the others this Saturday night?" He asks.

I stare at him for a second, before my face lights up. I press my phone, "What's this Saturday night?" I ask Kalie.

"Night? Nothing. 3:00pm however you have a tattoo appointment."

"Book my Saturday night please," I say, glancing up at Jason. He smiles almost coyly. It's as adorable as one would think.

"You had something for me as well?" I ask. I'm glad he's here, but there were things to be prepared for my meeting with the mayor.

Suddenly Jason is kneeling down in front of my chair, facing me. He slides his hands up my arms and I automatically lean down to kiss him.

As his lips meet mine, his hands begin running down my sides. He moves down to my neck, changing to sitting on his knees and pushing me back.

"J-Jason," I begin protesting as he starts to slide my pencil skirt up. "This is my office. We can't do this here." My words seem pointless as his little kisses get to my collar bone.

"Are there cameras?" He murmurs, one hand going to my top to slip the straps down my shoulders.

"No," I say back. My skin begins to feel unbelievably hot. He leans back, fingers not leaving their touch on me. The idea is there though.

"So what's stopping us?" He grins sharply. I shudder at that perfect expression.

"Ah, to hell with it," I sigh, pulling him back in to continue.