Charity Balls, Bruce always hated them. So many fake smiles, so many women trying to spend the night with him, it was pathetic. However, they did raise a lot of money for some good causes, so Bruce would have to tough it out. Just wear a smile, fake or not, sip his 'champagne', and socialize with other Gotham elites. It just wasn't Bruce's idea of a productive night.

Bruce took a sip of his beverage, which was just Ginger Ale made to look like champagne. He and his ward, Dick, had to go patrolling later that evening to track down some big drug dealers, so he couldn't consume any alcohol. He never did, it was just pointless to him. He scanned the ball room, looking at his guests and trying to identify those who weren't too familiar. He spotted Dick over by the dessert table talking to Barbara Gordon, one of Dick's best friends. He knew that Dick hated being at these charity events, too. Good thing he had Barbara at this event to keep him occupied. They were so close. Even Bruce thought that they would make an adorable couple, but they were much too young, just 14 years old. It was obvious that his ward was in love with her. When they first met, he wouldn't stop talking about her. It was funny, really. Bruce smirked as he saw Barbara shove a small piece of cake onto Dick's face, covering his nose in frosting. Adorable.

"Now what is Gotham's richest bachelor doing standing all by himself?"

Bruce turned to see a beautiful woman approaching him from behind. Blonde hair, striking blue eyes, long, elegant red dress that sparkled in the light from the chandeliers.

"Just admiring the wonderful turnout for this event, I believe we've already reached our goal of $250,000 for foster children in this city." Bruce said to the woman.

"Well isn't that wonderful. Now was it your idea to host this fundraiser?" The woman said, stepping closer to Bruce without breaking eye contact.

"Well if you don't know, I have a foster child myself so I keep up with the foster programs in Gotham and when they are underfunded, I help however I can." Bruce said with a smile.

"How sweet of you. Such a selfless thing for you do to. My name's Rebecca. Rebecca Foultey."

Foultey. That name rang a bell. Randall Foultey was a suspect in the drug cartel that he and Dick were going to investigate.

"Foultey you say? That name rings a bell. Are you from around here?" Bruce asked.

"No, actually. I'm from Fawcett City. My brother and I traveled here to visit some friends. Shall we find a table?" She asked, looking seductively into Bruce's eyes. Perfect. Maybe he can get some information.

"Sure."

Bruce brought Rebecca over to the table specifically reserved for him and whomever he wanted to sit with. He pulled out her chair for her and then sat down next to her.

"So you came all this way from Fawcett City just to visit some friends? That's quite a travel." Bruce began his secret interrogation.

"Well, my brother had some business to take care of along the way, and I decided to tag along and convinced him to make a stop in Gotham since we were close. It's nice seeing old friends after such a long time." Rebecca said. A waiter came to the table and gave both of them a tall glass of champagne. It looks like Bruce would have to drink a little bit before patrolling later.

"What kind of business is he into?" Bruce asked. He took a sip of his champagne. There was a pause.

"He…owns properties here and there, I believe he just sold a bunch, which is what brought us out here." She replied. Rebecca took a large sip of her champagne. This was the first time she broke eye contact with Bruce, so now he was very suspicious. He took another sip of his champagne before continuing with his questions.

"So how did you find the time to travel with your brother? Do you have a career of your own?" Bruce watched her facial expression very carefully. Most people wouldn't have noticed, but he saw that she was thinking hard, trying to come up with fake answers to his questions.

"I mostly do volunteer work, hold charities like this one for similar causes." She answered. It was a lie, it was written all over her face. She took another large sip from her drink and Bruce copied. He was getting frustrated. As he was about to keep on questioning her, he felt a light tap on his arm. Bruce turned quickly and saw Dick standing next to him. What did he want? Didn't Dick see that he was busy trying to get information from this woman?

"What!" Bruce snapped. Dick slightly jumped back, confused by Bruce's small outburst.

"Uh, sorry to interrupt, I was just wondering if-" Dick was cut off by Bruce.

"I am busy, Dick. Go find someone else to bother!" Bruce spat out and turned back to Rebecca. Dick was shocked. Bruce never spoke to him like that. He looked up at Rebecca, but she averted her gaze to her drink. Dick decided to just obey Bruce's order and he went to find Barbara again.

"I'm sorry, where were we?" Bruce asked as he took another sip of his champagne.

"Uh, well, we were just talking about careers. Yours must be tough, running a multi-billion dollar company while finding the time to raise a foster child." She replied.

"Oh don't change the subject. Please, go back to lying to me about your life." Bruce spat out. He was getting angry.

"I beg your pardon?" Rebecca replied, taken aback by Bruce's sudden outburst.

"Aren't you and your brother drug dealers? I mean, that's why you came all the way to Gotham, right?" Bruce interrogated. He was barely shouting at this point. He and Rebecca stared into each other's eyes for a moment. Then, in a heartbeat, Rebecca's face went from frightened to amused. She smirked as she glanced down at Bruce's drink.

"Wow, you're smarter than what they give you credit for. Tell me, Brucie, did you enjoy your drink?" Her smirk grew as she stood from the table and turned to leave. Bruce slapped the table, tipping his drink over. She slipped something into his drink. But what was it? Now he was furious. Guests were now staring at him as he stood up and marched after Rebecca. She noticed he was following and began to walk briskly toward the kitchen where the waiters were coming and going. Once she entered, Bruce almost ran after her, but he was too late. Once he reached the kitchen, she was gone. Probably slipped out of the back door. Bruce left the kitchen and went back out to the ball room. He needed to leave and get to the batcave to figure out what she drugged him with. God, he was so angry. He felt like hitting something. Someone. Anything. His heart was beating fast and his adrenaline was off the charts. He made it to the outside steps when he heard Richard calling out to him.

"Bruce! Bruce, what's wrong? Are we leaving?" Dick asked as he ran up to him. Bruce spun around and got right in Dick's face. Dick immediately stopped talking and started backing up. He could see the rage burning in Bruce's eyes.

"YOU! You distracted me while I was interrogating her! That woman I was talking to! She was part of the drug ring! She must have spiked my drink while you were busy complaining!" Bruce screamed in Dick's face. Dick's back hit the side of the building hosting the charity ball and realized he ran out of room to get away from Bruce. He was terrified. He had never seen Bruce so angry. So angry at him.

"B-bruce, I-I-I'm sorry, I didn't know, I thought y-you were just talking to her." Dick stuttered. Bruce reached out and grabbed Dick by the throat, hard.

"I am SO SICK OF YOU complaining EVERY TIME we have an event! You think I like being here? I DON'T! But you need to GROW UP AND START DEALING WITH IT!" By now, Dick's feet were off the ground and he was struggling to breathe. Dick looked Bruce right in the eyes. That look, the anger in his eyes, it was like he was an animal gone rabid. After a long moment, Bruce released his grip on Dick's throat and threw him to the ground. Dick gasped for air as Bruce turned and walked away. What did that woman drug him with? What are they dealing on the streets of Gotham?