Bride Of Batman

Chapter Three

The homeless shelter project continues and in a week the building is open for operation.  The papers come by with their cameras to get the story of how multi-billionaire Bruce Wayne got involved with street-girl Sarina Wade.

As the tour of the building is being given, one of the reporters pulls Sarina for a quick exclusive interview.

Reporter:  Well, Miss Wade!  Do tell!  What's it like to be going out with a millionaire!

SW: (surprised, smiles)   A millionaire?  How would I kn-- (realizes the reporter means Bruce)  Oh, him?  (slyly) You know, he's so good in bed, I forgot he's rich too!  See ya!

The reporter is left standing there with her mouth open.

The next day, Bruce sees the paper and smiles to himself.

One week later.  Two thugs are looking at an old newspaper. 

JR:  Hey, boss, check this out.

Man:  What, what is it?  Can't you see I'm busy?

Tony:  Yeah, but I think you should see this..

There's the picture in the paper of Sarina and Bruce, standing in front of the building, holding a press conference about what they plan to do with it.

Tony: Doesn't she look familiar?

Man: (steaming)  That's the broad that broke up my deal!  Man, I'm gonna -- she's  -- you two get over there!  I'll kill her!

That night, Sarina is working on stuff in the building when these thugs break in the door.   She stands up, ready to fight.  She recognizes them.

Tony:  Hey, lady, you take from us, we take from you. 

They walk around her so there's one behind her and one in front.  She starts fighting with them.  Tony pulls out a gun. Batman is across the street and sees what is happening  from the building top next door.  He's swinging over to stop it. Meanwhile, Tony fires his gun at Sarina.  She jumps back out of the path of the bullet, then leaps over to him, and grabs the gun.  He doesn't resist her. There's complete silence and then Tony starts laughing.  Sarina's holding the gun; she turns around.  J.R. is shot in the head, bleeding on the floor: dead.

Tony: Ha ha ha! Well, well, well!  Look who's holding the gun! What happened, sister?  You getting even because a drug deal went bad?  Or is he your ex-lover? I guess I can tell them whatever I want. It's your fingerprints on the gun, not mine.  I'll be the primary witness.  ha ha ha ha!

He starts laughing hysterically.  Sarina bends down and puts the gun on the floor.  She's in shock, still staring at J.R.  There's the sound of glass breaking and Batman busts in and grabs Sarina.  She starts yelling.

SW:  Wait, I didn't do anything!  I tried to stop him!  Wait, STOP!

He says nothing, just shoots his wire to the top of another building and goes up to the top.  The bat-wing is there.  He puts her in, she's still not understanding what's going on.

SW:  Batman, stop!  I didn't do anything!

Bman: (harshly)  Strap yourself in!

He jumps in.  The Bat-wing takes off into the sky, and as she looks down, she sees the cops have come and are talking to Tony.  He's gesturing frantically, like he's been scared, obviously telling them some wild story.  She finally realizes the troubles she's in.

SW: (sarcastically, to herself) Great. 

They start to fly out of downtown Gotham City.

SW:  Where are you taking me?

Bman:  Somewhere where you'll be safe, until I can figure out how to get you out of this.

SW:  (insistantly) Where?

Bman:  Wayne Manor.

SW:  Not there!  I don't want to get him involved in this!

Bman:  He's already involved, Sarina.

They land in the front yard of Wayne Manor.  Alfred comes out. Sarina unbuckles herself from the Bat-wing.  Batman stays seated.

Alfred: (happily)   So nice to see you again, Miss Sarina.  (to Batman)  Yes, Batman, how can we help you?

Batman shoots a "knock-it-off" look at Alfred, over the "nice to see you" thing. 

Bman:  Keep her here.  I'll be in touch later.

He takes off  in the Bat-wing and heads back to the city.  

Later, on top of the police headquarters, Batman is talking with Jim Gordon, police commissioner. 

Bman:  I saw the whole thing, Jim.  She didn't do it.

JG:  I know she didn't. But unless you're going to testify in court --

Bman:  You know I can't do that.

JG:  -- the jury would convict her in a minute.  There's a motive and her fingerprints on the weapon. I'm afraid it's an airtight case against her. 

Bman:  What's the motive?

JG:  The kid has some BS story about how they went there only to get her to stop dealing in their neighborhood. (He pauses and shakes his head.) Unbelievable.  He says she had the gun and shot JR in cold blood. The gun comes up stolen. There are witnesses in the neighborhood who are afraid of the real dealers who say they've seen her in the alleys. I'm sorry, Batman.  But the only way she's going to get out of this is if we pick up Tony on something and can plea bargain him into admitting he did it.  The chances of that are pretty slim.

Bman:  So you believe that she's innocent?

JG:  I know she is.  But as police commissioner,  I'll have to arrest her if I see her again.  She's the prime suspect.

Two hours later, Batman calls the Manor.  Sarina is sitting at the dining room table. She's been sitting there the whole time.

[phone ringing] Alfred answers.

Alfred: (listens) Yes, Batman.  I'll tell her.

He hangs up.

A:  I'm afraid Batman has requested that you remain here until Master Bruce returns.  If you'll follow me, I'll take you to a room upstairs.

Sarina doesn't say anything, just follows him upstairs.   Alfred opens a door and lets her walk in.  The bedroom is nicely decorated.  Large, comfy bed. Warm colors. She walks into the room. Alfred stays in the doorway. 

A: I'm going to retire for the evening, Miss, is there anything I can get you before I go?

She turns towards Alfred.

SW: Do you think Bruce would mind if I borrowed a T-shirt to sleep in?

A:  No, I don't think he would mind that, Miss Sarina.

SW: (to herself, smiling)  Maybe one he's recently worn...

A: Miss?

SW: (embarrassed)  I, uh, I wouldn't want you to have any extra laundry because of me. (blushes)

A: (as if nothing is unusual)  I'll see what I can do.

Alfred leaves the room.  Sarina sits down on the bed.  It's soft, not like what she's used to.  She sits for a minute and is about to stretch out, but there's a knock at the door.  Sarina gets up and opens it.  It's Alfred with a perfectly folded T-shirt.  He holds out the shirt to her and she takes it. Sarina unfolds the shirt and sees from the wrinkles that Alfred has indeed granted her request.  She laughs out loud.

SW:  Ha ha!  Thank you, Alfred.

A:  Good night, Miss Sarina. Sleep well.

Alfred closes the door and smiles to himself as he walks away.

Sarina changes her clothes, enjoying the scent of the unwashed T-shirt.  She tries to sleep and eventually does; however, she doesn't sleep well.  The next morning, Alfred knocks on the door.

A: (through the door)  Miss Sarina?  I've brought breakfast.

SW:  Okay.  Just a minute, Alfred.

She throws on her skirt from the night before and opens the door.  Alfred hands her a tray with breakfast.  He also hands her a bag with some of her personal effects from her apartment.  She figures Batman must have picked it up.

A:  Master Bruce said to tell you he will be in later to speak with you.  He has requested that you remain in this room until he comes, as there are going to be several investigators downstairs throughout the day.

SW:  Thank you, Alfred.  And please tell Bruce how sorry I am.

He nods and leaves.  Sarina spends the whole day in the room.  Meanwhile, downstairs, Bruce is fielding questions from investigators wanting to know his involvement.  Later in the evening, he's at his desk.  He looks tired.  He gets up and starts walking upstairs.  He knocks on her door.

BW:  Sarina?  It's Bruce.

She gets up and opens the door.  He comes in and closes the door behind him.

SW:  Look, Bruce, I'm sorry about this mess.  I was just thinking I should leave town -

He doesn't hear her.  He's noticed a picture next to the lamp on the nightstand and walks over and picks it up. 

BW: (quietly)  What's this doing here?

SW:  That's the picture of my mom.  I was talking to it earlier.  Sometimes I get ideas, doing that. I know it must seem kinda silly.

BW:   Your mom?  This is the woman --

SW:  She never came back.  Yeah, that's her.

After a moment, he puts the photograph back.

BW:  I have to go out for a while on some business. Stay here until I get back.

SW:  Really, Bruce.  I mean it, I'm leaving.  I --

BW:  (seriously) 'Rina, don't leave yet. Wait until I come back. (little softer)  Then we'll talk about our options, okay? 

He raises her chin with his hand and kisses her lightly.  He seems a little preoccupied; his mind is elsewhere.

SW:  All right.  Until later.

He leaves and she sits down on the bed.  She looks at the picture, puts it back on the table. She changes into her T-shirt and gets into bed.

Bruce has gone down into the Bat-cave and is typing quickly into his computer. The file he has been looking for has come up.  The text is scrolling down the screen.  He just watches it, almost hypnotized, then sits and puts his head in his hands.  Alfred is coming down the stairs and sees what's on the screen.

A:  You've found something on Miss Sarina, sir?  (pauses, reading)

Bman:  Well? 

Alfred is silent for a moment, still reading.

A: (quietly) Master Bruce,(pause)  I believe you have uncovered the true identity of our guest.

BW:  I'll be back.  Keep her here.

He gets up to change into his Bat-suit..he's got to get to the Hall of Records, and get hard evidence of what he already knows to be true....

Sarina is in bed, tossing and turning. She figures everybody in the house is either gone or asleep, so she decides to get up and walk around this huge, beautiful mansion and see what she can see.  Still wearing Bruce's T-shirt, she leaves her room and walks stealthily up the hall, admiring the various paintings and vases.  There's a room at the end of the hallway with the door slightly ajar. She walks carefully up, pushes it open and discovers to her pleasant surprise she has found the master bedroom. She stops for a minute to take it in.  The far wall made up completely of glass windows, and the curtains are partially open.  There is enough moonlight that she can see outlines, but nothing is too clear.  There's a huge bed in the middle of the room, with nightstands on either side. There's some furniture: dressers, armoires and such.  The room is tidy, there's nothing on the floor that she can see. The room smells good, like Bruce. She likes it.  She walks cautiously into the room, without turning on the light.   At any minute she could be discovered, but she's decided it's worth the risk.  She goes over to the edge of the bed and puts her hand on the top cover.  It feels warm, as if there is some sort of heating device keeping everything nice and toasty.  She thinks for a moment and smiles.  She reaches up where the pillows are and pulls back the covers.  She then puts her hands on the fresh, soft sheets and feels the warmth coming up from underneath.  She can't resist it.  Sarina loves more than anything to be warm.  She climbs in and pulls the heavy covers all around her.  Curls up, feeling the heat penetrate her bones.  She feels safe and warm, but she knows she should leave.  Just for a minute, she thinks, smiling.  Then I'll get out and fix everything up. He'll never even know I was here....

Hours later, Bruce is home, he's heading upstairs towards Sarina's room with a folder in his hand.  He knocks on her door. 

BW:  Sarina?   (No answer.)  Sarina?  It's Bruce. I know it's late, I need to talk to you. 

He opens the door and looks in the room.  In the moonlight he can see that the bed is empty.

BW: (to himself)  Damn!  I told her to wait here! (out loud) Sarina!

No answer.  He leaves the room to go back downstairs.  As he's walking away he looks towards his own room and notices the door is open.  Strange...He turns and walks down the hall to the door and opens it up noiselessly. He can hear breathing.

He turns the light on.  He can't believe what he sees.

BW: (softly, surprised) Sarina?

She opens her eyes and sits up.

SW:  (sleepily)  What happened?

He's standing there smiling at her.

SW:  Bruce?  (looks around, gets confused) Where am I?

BW: You're in my room.

SW:  *Your* room!  Oh my God...

She's embarrassed, she starts to get up.

SW:  I'm so sorry. (smiling sheepishly)  I was exploring -

BW: (smiling) You really don't have to leave, you know.  I'd love to have you stay.

SW:  (embarrassed, smiling)  That's very kind of you, sir, but I think I'd better go.  We're in enough trouble already.

BW:  Well, before you go, I have something for you.

He hands her a picture of a woman.

BW:  (seriously) Tell me who this is. 

Sarina looks at it in amazement.

SW:  (excitedly) Where did you get this? This is my mom! How did you -Did you find her?

He hands her the file.

SW:  This is it, isn't it?!  My file! (happily) Haha! I can't believe this! This is great, how did you do it!  Does it have my paperwork in it?(pauses, looks at folder) Does it say why - I mean, (pauses) have you looked in here?

BW: (seriously)  You'll learn everything you wanted to know.  It's all in there.

She has noticed that his expression is not the same excited one as hers.

SW: (concerned) What is it, Bruce? What's in here?  (pauses) Maybe I shouldn't read it.

She's holding the folder, it's still closed.  Bruce walks over by the wall, sort of turning his back on the situation.

BW: (softly)  Read it, Sarina. 

She opens the folder and starts looking through it.  At first slowly, then flipping pages quickly. She's  shaking her head "no." She closes the folder up.

SW: You've brought the wrong folder, Bruce.  This isn't mine. This says Wayne on it.  That wasn't her name.

She holds it out to him.  He turns and walks back to her.  He sits down next to her on the bed.

BW:  (slowly)  Sarina...that picture I just gave you... you said it was your mom.

SW:  Yes, it is, that's her picture. I don't know where you got that, but this is the wrong folder.  Her name was Wade, I know, I heard them, it was Wade. 

BW:  (he touches the picture) This... is a picture of my mother.  I got it downstairs from a photo album.

Sarina sits in shocked silence.

SW: (unbelieving) I -- I can't... I don't understand....

BW: (quietly) I talked to Alfred. He remembers my parents thinking of adopting when they found they couldn't have any more children. (Pauses) I saw the picture on your nightstand.  Your last name --  is supposed to be Wayne.

There is silence for a moment. Sarina's shaking her head.

SW: It can't be, Bruce, I just can't believe it -I --  (realizing) She never came back ... that's why she never came back. 

The tears start, Bruce and Sarina embrace.  After a while, she pulls back and he hands her a tissue.

BW: (quietly)  Sarina -- I would very much like for you to stay here.  It seems now even more appropriate that you should.

Sarina smiles somewhat, shakes her head no.

SW: (softly)  I appreciate your generosity, Bruce, I really, really  do.  But I don't want you to take responsibility for something that happened when we were both children.  We had nothing to do with it, really.(pauses, smiles) Anyway, I'm a little old for adopting.

BW:  There are other ways to make you a Wayne.

She shakes her head no.

SW:  You know I can't stay, Bruce. Not with all that's happened. 

The tears start again, and he embraces her, very tightly.

BW: (pauses) 'Rina, I don't want you to go. Let's at least think about it some more. 

He releases her so he can look into her eyes.

BW: (quietly) Stay here tonight.

Slowly they kiss, then hungrily, and soon they are making passionate love which lasts all night long for hours and hours and hours as if they'll never get enough of each other.

Next morning, he's already awake, holding her, when she awakens.

BW: (softly)  Good morning.

He kisses her.  She puts her hand on his cheek and traces with her finger to his lips.  She smiles at him.

SW:  Good morning.

He kisses her some more and pretty soon they are making love again. Two hours later, the conversation continues. She's lying in his arms, warm and happy, he's holding her tightly.

BW:  (softly) 'Rina, do you still want to leave?

SW:  (quietly) Bruce, I -

BW:  Where will you go?

She pulls back a little.

SW: (pauses, seriously) I don't know. I haven't figured that out yet.

BW:  My offer still stands.  Stay here.

SW:  Bruce, (pauses) it's so much responsibility. You'd be harboring a wanted fugitive.

BW:  You're worth the risk.  (pauses)  'Rina, this house holds many secrets. You'd be one more.  You'll be safe here, I promise you.

SW:  It isn't me I'm worried about!  You'll go to jail if anybody finds me here! (pauses)   Your life would have to continue on as if nothing has changed. You'll still go to parties, work, meetings, your night life --

BW:  Yes, it would be difficult, but we can travel.  We can go places to get out of here when you're bored.

SW:  Not me, you! You want to do all that, pretend to live that glamorous, carefree life; then come home to me?

BW:  Sarina, it's already a charade.  And my night life is not what it seems. I'll always come home to you.

SW:  (pauses)About your night life, B --  I - (smiles) I am wise to your nightly activities.  (pauses)  And I want you to know, I would never ask you to stay home, or give it up.

BW:  (pauses, quietly) How long have you known about that?

SW:  For a while.

BW:  It doesn't bother you?

SW: No.  (pauses) Why should it?  I've seen what you can do;  I have every faith in your abilities. I have no reason to be "bothered."

BW: (pauses) That's an unusual attitude. (smiles)  But it doesn't surprise me, coming from you. (pauses)  You realize now that I can't let you leave, you know too much.

SW: (pauses, smiles) I've caused you nothing but trouble since I got here.

BW:  (smiles) True.  But you've been worth it.

She smiles at him. 

BW:  You won't be locked in this house forever.  I'll find a way to clear your name, you can count on that.

SW: (pauses, quietly) I guess my wish came true, huh?  (smiles) 

BW: (quietly)  I'll call and get the plane ready.

He kisses her then makes his phone call.

Later, they've gotten up and are ready to go to Vegas. He's standing at the door, looking at her, holding out his hand.

BW:  Come on, Mrs. Wayne. 

They both stop at the mention of the name.

BW:  Let's go.

They leave the room.

One year later, Sarina's standing in a room in Wayne Manor that has a huge window facing the driveway.  She can see the city down at the bottom of the hill. Bruce has been out to a party given by one of his high-society friends, part of the "playboy charade" he must continue to act out.  Sarina is waiting for his return.  She's dressed to the 9s, watching out this window, waiting for her husband to come home.  If the Bat-signal comes on,  her wait will be even longer. However, unbeknownst to her, he's already home and has come into the house.  He walks up the stairs and goes in the room where she is and sees her looking out the window.  He knows she's looking for him.  She looks stunning there, with the moonlight streaming in on her lovely face, and for a minute he just watches her.

BW:   You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

She turns at the sound of his voice and smiles at him.  She is genuinely and pleasantly surprised to see him there.  She walks over to him, across the room. She reaches up and puts her hand on his cheek.

SW: (softly, smiling)  I'm glad you're home.

He kisses her.

Epilogue

Sarina has been living in Wayne Manor for over a year now.  Her presence in the mansion is known only to a very select few.  She is still a wanted criminal in Gotham City.  Until her case is cleared, she says she will continue to live there secretly.  To keep herself occupied during Bruce's occasional late hours, when she isn't running the Cray computer for him and his crimefighting team or learning how to throw a Batarang, she keeps up her workouts, writes songs, and plays on the Internet under the name MrsBWayne. "After all," she says, "who would believe anything from a woman claiming to be married to Bruce Wayne!

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