Arlington: Damage Control

One, long night. That's what it's been. Felt like weeks. The security cameras were turned off during the breakout, so the person who broke Lynns free has access, making him a guard. All of the guards on shift are being taken into questioning. Joker is currently under strict surveillance in Gotham General. Batman probably believes he's behind this, but I think he's just being paranoid. Don't blame him though. I have been too, as well as Dianna... She did not approve of my going to the Asylum. The first thing I get when I arrive at the apartment and into the bedroom is "Abe, thank god you're okay!" My heart goes to ease. Her relief overpowered her being pissed.

 

"Of course I am."

 

"How the hell could you do something so stupid?! Weren't you thinking of us?" Or not.

 

I start removing my suit, getting dressed for bed. "What does that mean?"

 

"That asylum is - is dangerous! You could have killed yourself! One of them could have eaten your face or something!"

 

"Dianna, I know what I'm doing."

 

"You didn't have to go!"

 

"No, I did. It is my job. I made an oath to protect Gotham. You know why? To protect you and Johnny. You two are why I do what I do."

 

"Abe..."

 

"No, I'm not finished. When a break out happens, I need to be there. I need to know it's under control. I need to know who has escaped. I need to protect you. And I will go to extremes you won't believe to do so."

 

"I'm- I'm just worried... About Pyg..."

 

She starts tearing up. "What if he finds us. What if he comes back?" She buries her face in her hands.

 

"The GCPD is on his trail. We're close to apprehending him. We have a few leads.. well, they have a few leads. I'm off the case." I sit down and wrap my arm around her shoulders.

 

"I'm tired of this Abe..."

 

"Me too..."

 

"I'm tired of living here."

 

"Look, I hate my parents' place more than you do."

 

"No, I mean Gotham. I hate it. I can't walk down the goddamn street without being afraid of getting mugged. There's a psycho everywhere you turn, an Arkham break out every week! I can't take it! I can't take this!"

 

"Dianna, we can't -- Pyg's about to be--"

 

"Abe, it's not about just Pyg. It's about the entire city. Once Pyg gets put away, another psychopath will threaten our lives."

 

"I understand what you're saying... but what about your law firm? The GCPD?"

 

"You can transfer... I can get a job somewhere else."

 

"I can't do this somewhere else. This is my city. This is where I belong, where I can help the most."

 

"Fuck, Abe, open your eyes. You're one man. You can't make a difference, not in this city... this hell."

 

"One man can most certainly make a difference."

 

"And he dresses up as a goddamned bat. The most powerful man in this city is a rodent! See the problem with that?"

 

"I - I see what you're saying. I agree. It'd be for the best..."

 

"Are you serious?"

 

"Of course"

 

"Abe, I love you."

 

"I love you too."

 

What the hell did I just do?

 

 

Done