Disclaimer: I do not own the Batman series. Just my OC.

Title: Brave Doll

Summary: It was Melanie Blake's dream to work at Wayne Enterprises and when Mr. Earle finally hires her, he sends her to report to none other than Mr. Fox where she learns that men can have double lives. She helps Bruce hide his, in hopes he can help hers. (Bruce/OC)

A/n: So, I was watching the Dark Knight and I couldn't resist. Enjoy!

Chapter 1.

"Coffee is an addiction you know," my co-worker said. I glared at her as she puffed out another smoke into the dark night air. The light illuminated her beautiful face, making me sigh.

"Yeah, and so is smoking," I retorted, trying not to sound bitter but it was a reminder that cancer killed my mother. I took a sip of my latte. It was also happiness in a cup, and right now I needed it because if I go back into the heavy doors behind me I was going to loose it. God I hated my job so much. I really needed a change before I went even more mental. Five years of this damn place, anymore than that and I swear I might go postal. I shuddered. I tried so hard not to go there. I didn't want to go there. It would be a one-way trip to jail, or if I'm lucky Arkham Asylum.

"Hey, cheer up, Mel. Didn't you put in another application?"

I nodded. That was weeks ago. I'd sent out at least a hundred. Never heard back. A couple of interviews, but nothing. I know I should be grateful I had a job since most people were now living on the streets especially for how bad things were getting, but honestly? I was this close to ending it.

"And?"

I shrugged. I put in many job applications that included Wayne Enterprises, my dream job. I was trying really hard not to doubt myself because the most of my education I ever got was a two-year degree at the local community college. And the managers here had given me a clean up crew position here because I was too "emotional" to handle being a waitress like my friend Liz here who was more than an emotional rollercoaster, but whatever.

"I just, I don't know what to do, Liz. I'm freaking out. I hate it here. I hate this goddamn freaking place. I'm not the bright-eyed peddle pushing girl I used to be fresh out of college. No one is hiring a meek little ol' me with barely any credentials on her plate."

"So go back to school."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, like it's that easy. It's money, Liz. Lot's of money I don't have because I spend it on useless shit to help me get through the bad and boring days ahead of me, only to be spent overthinking and anxious about how I'm going to get through this hellhole."

"Sounds like you need sex," she said.

Well, Liz was rather blunt. I widened my eyes. "What?!"

"You're like a wind up doll that needs sex or she might shatter into tiny little pieces on the ground, and who wants to clean that shit up?"

I coughed. "No. I can get by in life without that thank you very much."

"Yeah," she laughed. "Okay."

"Whatever. I just want to get through the last two hours, okay?" I said and walked back into the restaurant that I dreaded so much that was causing me such mental heartache. This was not who I wanted to be for the rest of my goddamn life and I was going to make a change. I had to change.

I sighed and looked at the tables I had to clean ahead of me.

"And when you're done with those, Mel, honey, I'd like you to clean the parking lot, and then you can go, all right? Oh, and make sure you get Judge Faden's table ready that would be great thank you."

I tried to feign a smile and tried to suppress my nose that wanted to wrinkle at that so much. It hurt to even fake smile. I felt a jab in my stomach. Something was wrong.

I sighed and tossed the lukewarm cup of coffee into my mouth before I tossed it into the bin beside me and started my duties. I could already feel my body shaking. It felt weak. This wasn't normal. I needed out of this place. I really really did.