When It's Love

By Shadowed Replica

I. E.N?GMA Games

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Batman ior Bruce Wayne and not Christian Bale... It makes me very sad but a girl can dream right? Mac Nigma is my own psychosis in action so please don't take her without my permission. My plans to kidnap the Dark Knight are not going too hot so... until then I relinquish those rights. Ultimate sad face.

So I realize that I haven't updated in forever but I revamped this story a little because I wasn't sure how to continue some ways. It is still Nolan-verse but I have not watched The Dark Knight Rises due to very unfortunate circumstances... I hope to remedy that next paycheck :)!

Thanks to all you loyal viewers, I appreciate your comments so much as they are my motivation and the inspiration to create more:
I'm Past the Point of No Retun Sally Fantastic pourquoibella Evenlight

So here's the revamp starting from chapter 1!

Sometimes the life you live seems so perfect until it comes crashing down around you. Everything you've built up, everything you've put together and perfected is just destroyed with one single truth. But it would be better to start from the beginning so you – the reader of this epic tale – can understand why these situations continued as they did and why the characters of this play have acted as such.

"Emma MacKayla Nigma is a mere twenty years old and heiress to the promising E.N?GMA Games Co. Her father – Edward Nigma – built the game company from the ashes of his late wife's family company – Riddle Software Inc. Emma – or 'Mac' as she prefers – is a brilliant video game designer and software creator. She's created half the company games from her own ideas and is currently in the making of her latest game – Gotham's Knight." The talk-show host reported excitedly.

Bruce Wayne sat back with a can of coke-a-cola in his hand sipping lightly as he watched the television. He was only interested in what E.N?GMA Games was concocting about his alter-ego.

The woman smiled brightly into the camera and motioned off-stage, "And now we get to interview the beautiful and brilliant woman herself. Everyone, let's welcome Emma Nigma to Gotham's Gossip!" The audience cheered as a slim young woman wearing a black and lime green pinstripe business suit with a lime green lace tee peaking form underneath her jacket. She wore stiletto lime green heels that clicked every time she stepped on the linoleum floor.

Alfred entered the sitting room and glanced at the TV before picking up the two empty cans and plate on the end table near him, "Getting a bit of entertainment in for once, Master Wayne?"

She flashed her pearly whites in a dazzling smile while pushing her strawberry blonde hair from her face. Smokey eye-makeup accented her dazzling gray eyes making them appear more green than gray. She was pale from being cooped up in an office so long but it made her appear more alluring. "Thanks Anne, glad to be here."

Bruce chuckled, "More like gathering intel on my new face." Alfred Pennyworth raised a fine white eyebrow as he turned to see Emma Nigma smile.

"Ah, Miss Nigma has grown into quite the young lady hasn't she?" The elder man chuckled as Bruce ignored him.

The audience quieted for Anne as she turned to face the heiress. "Now, Emma…"

"Mac, just call me Mac please." Mac interrupted.

"Um – okay, Mac then; now Mac, we want to hear all about Gotham's Knight. We've heard rumor that the Batman," The audience gasped collectively, "is starring in this game as a villain."

Bruce frowned until Mac answered; "Actually," she bit out, "He's the protagonist – the hero of my storyline." The audience gasped again and Bruce leaned forward as she explained.

"The hero? Whatever do you mean?" Anne shot back.

"Well I'm portraying him as he should be seen – the Dark Knight of Gotham." She said calmly.

Anne seemed to puff up a bit, "Surely you must be kidding Ms. Nigma. Batman is no hero – he murdered a cop and the DA Harvey Dent in cold blood." She gasped.

"If you choose to believe what the police tell you." Mac snapped. "I for one have my own mind and don't see it. The only evidence we have is by word of mouth and the police department should be grateful to accept his help. He's a hero and that is my opinion." She growled. Anne was stunned into silence for once.

"Well now, seems like you've got a friend Master Wayne." Alfred chuckled as he turned away.

"No, Batman has a friend – Bruce Wayne is her mortal enemy if you recall." Bruce called out to him.

"Anyways, we aren't here to discuss my opinion on the Batman – we're here to discuss my new game." Mac said pointedly.

"Yes, yes, very well Mac." Anne nearly sneered. "Why don't you tell us what inspired you to create this game. A fake smile was plastered on her face but her eyes were narrowed and the word 'game' came out like she'd tasted something foul.

"Well it had Batman as the main protagonist and you have to play the game starting from the time he rescued," the word 'rescued' was thrown at Anne, "the people of Gotham by Dr. Crane's neurotoxin that was released into the air coupled with a supposedly stolen machine from Wayne Enterprises all the way through his episodes with the Joker to my new villain I've created – the Riddler." She said matter-of-factly.

"I see, so who is this Riddler character." Anne asked suddenly intrigued.

"Well I won't spoil important details but his name suggests his game. He likes riddles and puzzles and logic and that is how he attacks Gotham and the Batman." Mac said excitedly.

Anne nodded, "I see, I see – very interested. Now, a few more questions before our time's up dear." The older woman's smile turned something akin to sinister. "As for Wayne Enterprises – how are you and Bruce doing dear?"

Mac's face remained passive though her cleavage began to turn a pale pink and her hands tightened in her lap almost imperceptively. Bruce raised an eyebrow as Mac spoke, "Whatever do you mean Anne?"

"Why – the Mayor's Ball of course!" She turned to the audience who suddenly cheered and whooped. "There's been rumor of you and Bruce going together – is there something going on between you two?"

Mac forced herself to remain calm, "Why Anne, wherever did you hear such a thing?" She gasped effectively, "Bruce Wayne is far too childish for my liking even if he is four years my senior." She smirked as the audience gasped.

"So are you saying you're better than Bruce Wayne." Anne gasped again.

"No – not better, not yet." She said before flashing another bright smile, "I would never claim to something such as that. Bruce and I travel in different circles of course. He's too busy with his half-dressed mannequins and my games and software are far too important. He doesn't take anything seriously which worries me. If Wayne Enterprises goes under because of his irresponsibility – what will happen to all the little people counting on his company." She smirked again and Bruce crushed the pop can in his hand reflexively. He cursed as pop spilled over him.

He missed the next few words as he wiped soda off him and glanced up to see Mac walking off the set stiffly. He sighed and grabbed the remote to turn it off. Anne's last words caught his attention before he hit the power button, "Even if Batman was the hero – where is he now? When Gotham needs him most he disappears. We've had a whole year without the masked man, the Joker is still locked away but the mob is back to business. Some hero." The TV cut out.

Bruce cursed to himself as he stomped up to his room. He pulled a book and took the elevator down to the Bat-cave. Alfred was standing at the computers activating the system to raise the Bat-suit. He nodded to his oldest friend and mentor, "It's about bloody time."

He pulled on his suit while rolling his eyes and hit a button that revealed the tumbler rising from its hiding place beneath the floors. "Does she still run?"

"Better than the Lamborghini sir." Alfred smiled.

They smirked at each other and Bruce disappeared into his Batman persona as he exited his cave into the newly fallen night.

Six hours had passed. Six hours since that awful Anne woman had ripped her game apart and poked fun at the war between her and Bruce. She threw her soldering tool across the room and screamed in frustration. She wiped sweat from her forehead and sighed. Standing, she grabbed her bag, stuffed her feet into her ballet flats and pulled on her hoody as she exited the lab – the Riddler would have to wait until tomorrow when she wasn't as frustrated.

She closed and locked the door behind her. She patted her pockets down searching for her keys. There was a creak behind her just as she found them and she turned only to see a bat come flying at her face. She ducked but the bat caught the side of her head knocking her back and over.

She cried out and landed on her ass hard. Her keys went flying along with her bag – its contents spilling all over the pavement. As she lay there dazed, the man came at her again. She threw her arm up to defend her head reflexively and it connected with her radius bone and shattered it. She screamed in pain letting the arm go limp to the ground as she collapsed backward. "Help…." She whimpered.

The man chuckled and brought the bat down at her again. Mac closed her eyes but the blow never came. A painful grunt sounded and she opened her eyes to see a dark figure beating the man into a bloody pulp. She groaned in pain as she closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them Batman was leaning over her. She smirked slightly – possibly dazed from the hit still – and chuckled, "My hero."

"Your right arm is shattered," he stated gathering her into his arms.

"No hospitals," she growled.

"You could have a concussion, you need a doctor," he growled but she fought him.

"No! Can't go to them – crackpots! Take me home – please!" She demanded while pulling his face down to hers.

He picked her up bridal style and headed toward her penthouse apartment – his old penthouse apartment – toward the middle of the city. After stopping in an alley a few blocks away from the penthouse, he lifted her out and used his grappling-hook to reach the top.

He pushed open the door that led out to the helipad and walked in. Snarling alerted him to a husky-like dog growling and blocking his way. He growled to himself and was about to shoot it with a tranquilizer when Mac stirred, "Shadow, down… Batman."

She wasn't completely lucid but the word Batman seemed to calm the dog. It growled one last time before trotting over and sniffing at them. It whimpered and nosed her hand. "Good girl…" She mumbled.

He walked into the bigger bedroom and set her on the sheets. He saw a mini-fridge beside the bed and opened it. He pulled out an ice pack from the little freezer and wrapped it in a towel he found in the bathroom. He placed it under the right side of her head so it was on the bump. Then he used a couple more towels to brace her arm – he should've taken her to the doctors!

But as he tried to straighten the arms, he felt something weird. Her bone wasn't in shambles like he first thought. He touched a couple places but she groaned in pain and he left it alone to check for any other bruises, marks or abrasions – she seemed okay.

She muttered something and he leaned down to listen, "Fast healer."

He smirked only slightly – just a little movement of the thin line that was his mouth. He moved to get up but her unharmed arm shot out and wrapped around his neck. He moved to break her hold so she wouldn't get electrocuted from trying to pull off his mask but he was pulled down to her face and their lips met.

Well – more like his face smacked hers. But she was kissing him and he was alarmed to find himself kissing her back. He froze and heard growling behind him. The dog – Shadow – was creeping toward him baring her very sharp canines.

Her mouth opened against his and her tongue traced his lips lightly before she pecked him again muttering, "My dark knight," before she fell back unconscious on the bed.

Batman stared at her and the nearly all white husky nosed her way under his arm and crawled up on the bed. She whimpered and settled down next to her master. The wolf-dog looked over at him with her piercing blue eyes for a moment and then set her head on unharmed left arm letting out a sigh.

He looked down at Mac and shook his head before turning away and jumping out of the window. He hopped in his tumbler and sped away.