AT 3 A.M.

"Allison, get up right now!" Robin shouted as he shook me. I groaned as I slowly stretched and started to get out of bed.

"Robin, it's 3 A.M," I sighed. "This better be important."

"You have to come with me right now," Robin said quickly as he grabbed my hand. He sprinted with me to the garage.

"What's going on?" I asked quickly, starting to get worried.

Robin stopped for a moment and turned around to look at me, still holding my hand.

"It's Alfred," Robin admitted as he looked down. His eyes filled with silent tears. They rolled down his cheeks as he spoke. "He's... he's in the hospital. He might not make it..."

"Oh my God, what happened?" I gasped as my eyes began to get watery. Alfred couldn't die. He just couldn't.

"I don't know yet," Robin said quietly as he handed me a helmet. We put our helmets on. He jumped onto the motorcycle, and I jumped behind him, just like last time.

I wrapped my arms around his strong body and rested my head on his shoulder. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I breathed rapidly, trying to calm down. Robin's breaths were shaky and sad. We rode in silence until we got to the hospital.

Robin helped me down from the motorcycle. We ran into the hospital into room 201. When we got there, Batman was already in the room, sitting beside Alfred. Batman noticed us and quickly hurried out of the room to meet us. This was the first time I'd seen him without his suit on.

"How is he?" Robin asked immediately, his beautiful blue eyes shining with tears of grief.

"Not well," Batman muttered as he looked down. "Doctors say it was a heart attack. He... he wasn't breathing."

"I'm so sorry," I whispered.

Alfred had always been there for me. He was like a grandfather to me. He gave me advice... he gave me hospitality... he was polite... he never deserved this.

"Bruce?"

Batman, who apparently was also Bruce, hurried back into the hospital room. Robin and I quickly followed him, but when I saw Alfred, I was completely taken by surprise.

Alfred was old, and he always had been. But he'd always made an effort to look presentable. Now was a completely different story.

Alfred was pale. His lips were nearly white, and the bags under his eyes were very apparent. His breathing was short and rapid. His hair was messy, and his eyes were tired and wanting to close.

"I'm here, Alfred," Bruce said quietly. "I'll always be here for you."

He took a deep breath and continued. "Just like you were always there for me."

"Master Bruce, I..."

"Look at me," Bruce ordered. Alfred looked up at him with sadness in his eyes.

"After my parents died, I thought it was all over for me," Bruce started. "But you were always there. You kept me close to your heart... you kept me safe... and you..." Bruce sighed. "I wouldn't be who I am today without you."

Alfred was speechless. He didn't know what to say. The man who'd always been strong, who'd never showed his feelings, had tears streaming down of cheeks, all because of him.

I looked at Robin, who was sobbing quietly. My heart broke as I looked at Alfred. I stepped towards his bed.

"You've always been there for me, too, Alfred," I said quietly. "You are the nicest, most polite person I've ever known. You don't have a mean bone in your body."

Alfred smiled weakly and held my hand. His hand was cool and clammy. I sighed and looked down.

"You're going to do great things, Allison," Alfred replied. "You're brave. You're smart. Don't let anyone crush your dreams."

"You've always been there for me, also," Robin told him. "You made me who I am. You comforted me."

Robin suddenly burst into tears and started sobbing. He sprinted out of the room, covering his mouth with his hand.

Bruce stepped towards me. He pulled me into a hug, and I rested my head against his strong chest.

"I'll go after him," Bruce murmured. I nodded as he walked out of the room calmly.

"Come here," Alfred said. I hurried over towards his bed. He grabbed my hand again.

"Forgive Robin. He loves you."

I looked towards the door and sighed. "I know, but... he hurt me."

"He didn't mean to," Alfred argued. "I've known him long enough to know this. Trust me."

"Alfred..." I looked at the sick man on the bed. A single tear rolled down my cheek.

"I'm not going to die," Alfred told me firmly. "Not like this."

I nodded as I looked him in the eye. I hoped he was right. Alfred's grip on my hand tightened.

"Don't go," he said.

"I'm not going anywhere," I assured him.

"Don't go see the Riddler," Alfred corrected himself. "We both know how dangerous he is."

I sighed. "I can't be the cause of his death. He's going to kill himself, Alfred."

"He won't kill himself," Alfred responded. "He's going to Arkham Asylum."

Then, I heard footsteps coming into our room. I turned around to see my mom.

"Come with me for a minute, sweetie." Mom stepped closer to me and took my hand. Her brown eyes were sad.

I looked back over at Alfred, who gave me a nice smile. "Go. I'll be fine."

My mom put an arm around me and guided me away from Alfred. We headed out of the hospital room. Mom took me into the hallway.

"I arrived with Batman," she said. "I am so, so sorry, baby."

I let the tears fall down my cheeks as Mom pulled me into her arms. She patted my back as I rested my head on her shoulder. I closed my eyes and just stayed in her embrace.

"I love you so much," I whispered.

"I love you too," Mom said softly. "But we have to go home."

"You're right," I replied. "But I can't. I have to be here... for Alfred."

"Oh, honey," Mom sighed. "I know exactly how you feel. But it's dangerous here. Every minute we're here is another minute the Joker and Riddler could attack again."

I looked into my mother's eyes and saw sadness. But there was something else there.

Fear.

Something in those beautiful brown eyes made me nod my head and hug her again.

"We'll leave tomorrow," I whispered. "It'll be okay."

"Allison Smith?" a voice said to me. "This is for you."

I turned around to see a man holding out a letter to me. I smiled, thanked him, and took the letter, groaning when I saw the familiar handwriting on the envelope:

Please deliver this message to Allison Smith.

Love, Allison's Secret Admirer

"Allison, I don't think you should open that," Mom said uncertainly.

"Eh, whatever," I said, dismissing it and tearing open the envelope. I pulled out the letter and read it out loud:

Dearest Allison,

Is there a galaxy that burns brighter than your eyes?

Is this a fantasy? Because I feel lost amongst the skies.

I'm haunted by dreams of you, reminding me what I've got to do.

The universe is dark tonight, but I won't sleep until you're by my side.

Come back to me. We can dance on the stars.

Remember me. Don't forget who we are.

I really tried to make it out... I wish I understood.

What happened to our love? It used to be so good.

When you're gone... how can I even try to go on? Though I try, how can I carry on?

I couldn't escape if I wanted to... knowing my fate is to be with you.

And now it seems my only chance is giving up the fight.

Love,
Edward Nygma <3

"God... why does he have to do this to me?" I sighed as I put my face in my hands.

"He used song lyrics," Mom said, rolling her eyes. "Those aren't his words. Don't be fooled, Allison."

"Yet they're so powerful," I whispered.

Mom stared at me firmly. "Allison Smith, don't you even think about seeing him again. I hate to break it to you, but he doesn't like you."

"Gee, thanks," I groaned. I banged my fist against the wall. "I know that! But... it's just..."

"He won't kill himself," Bruce said as he walked with Robin towards us. "We're putting him back in Arkham."

"Yeah, but... when?" I asked. "I... I want to make sure he's safe."

"Why do you care so much?" Robin wanted to know.

I stared at him. "Because, Robin, he's a human being! Despite what he's done, he doesn't deserve to die!" I turned to Bruce. "You both should understand."

Bruce shook his head slightly, a bit of sadness coming into his eyes. But, a second later, it was gone. It was probably just my imagination.

"It's a trap," Robin insisted. "You... you can't go. It's not safe. And I won't let you."

"I wasn't planning on going," I snapped, glaring at Robin and only feeling an inch of guilt.

"You guys talk this out. Shelly and I are checking on Alfred," Bruce told us before walking off with my mom, leaving Robin and I alone in the hallway.

"I'm not going to go," I informed him. "I... I don't know what I was thinking yesterday."

"Yeah, that was pretty messed up, Allison," Robin snapped as he stared at me angrily. "Bringing my best friend into it behind my back? Putting him in danger? You could've gotten him killed!"

"He didn't even agree to it!" I said, my voice getting louder.

"That's because he's smart!" Robin responded, almost to the point of yelling. "If you ever mess with any of my friends again, you'll find yourself in Arkham Asylum."

"Wow, Robin," I gasped, taking a step back. "I'm so threatened. You know, I didn't know you had it in you."

"I didn't think you'd stoop this low. Kissing me to distract me when you clearly know I'm in love with you."

"If you loved me, you wouldn't have CHEATED on me!" I shouted.

"You said you forgave me!" Robin yelled.

I shook my head with a smirk on my face. "Do you really think I would forgive you that easily? Batman told me to do it because you weren't doing your job correctly!"

Robin's face fell, and his eyes became filled with hurt. He looked down and sighed heavily.

I sighed as well, stepping closer to him. "I... I didn't mean that."

"Stay away from me," Robin muttered in a cold tone. His fists clenched as he glared at me with angry tears in his eyes.

"Fine," I said before walking back into the hospital room.

"Is everything okay?" Alfred asked.

I shrugged. "Sure. Whatever."

"Where's Robin?" Bruce wondered aloud.

"Who cares?" I muttered. My mom put an arm around me as we started talking with Alfred.

20 MINUTES LATER

"Okay, seriously, where is he?" Bruce asked, staring me in the face.

I shrugged. "I really don't know, Bruce. Our fight was... not pleasant."

"It's not like Robin to completely stay away," Bruce commented. He rolled his eyes. "Edward sent you another letter, right?"

I nodded as fear slowly consumed me. I was secretly terrified of the Riddler, because he was insane. The Joker was insane too, of course, but in a completely different way. The Joker had become insane because of events that had occurred in his life. The Riddler has just always been insane.

"Do you think he got... c a p t u r e d?" I asked, trying to speak in code so nobody would get suspicious.

"Better safe than sorry," Bruce replied before running outside. "Shelly, stay with Alfred. Allison, either stay with your mother or come with me."

I looked at Mom. She shrugged. "You're probably safer with him."

I nodded before hugging her tightly. "I'll be back soon."

"Stay safe, sweetie," Mom said with a voice of sadness. I gave her a quick smile before walking down the hallways and getting in Bruce's car. Not the Batmobile, because that would be too obvious, but his other car. I'm not sure who Bruce is, but I know who Batman is.

"We have to rescue Robin," I told him as we took off into the streets of Gotham. "As much of a jerk as he is, we have to rescue him."

"You're right," Bruce said. He gave me a half smirk. "But I have to go back to the mansion to put on my suit. And you have to come with me. I have to keep you safe."

"Okay. Just hurry," I begged him.

Bruce looked at me. "You're still in love with him."

"What? No!" I shouted. "Robin cheated. We're over."

"But there's a part of you that still loves him," Bruce said. "I know it. I felt the same thing with... her. I'm not ready to share that with you yet. But I know you're still holding on."

"Bullshit," I replied.

"Stop with the attitude or I'll leave you at the mansion," Bruce threatened.

I laughed. "No, you wouldn't. It's not safe to be there by myself."

"Remember that room I told you about? The room I put Robin in as a punishment?" Bruce asked with a smirk.

"NO! Please don't do that to me!" I begged.

Bruce chuckled. "I won't."

"You are Bruce, right?" I asked, starting to get odd Joker-like vibes from him.

Bruce rolled his eyes. "Yes. Obviously. But I'm glad you asked. Better safe than sorry." He stopped the car at the mansion and tossed me the keys to the Batmobile. "Come with me."

I followed Bruce into the mansion, and he took me down a secret elevator. I was shocked to find a place full of technology based on Gotham, Batman, and his enemies.

"Woah," I gasped, not knowing what to say. This place was complex and beautiful and elaborate and...

"It's the Batcave," Bruce said, interrupting my thoughts. "Anyway, go wait in the Batmobile. Just don't pull a Robin and drive off in it by yourself."

"Robin did that?" I chuckled a little at the thought.

"Yeah, you'd be surprised at how spontaneous he was when I first recruited him," Bruce said calmly as I got into the front seat of the Batmobile. He grabbed his suit and stepped into a closet, closing the door.

"No, he's always been spontaneous," I told him. "And completely immature."

"Well, you're not the most mature person either," Bruce replied from inside the closet. "It's something you both could work on."

Not even five seconds later, Bruce walked out of the closet. But he was no longer Bruce.

He was Batman.

And him and I were ready to take on whatever villains came our way. As long as we saved Robin.